iMac Quad Core i5 vs i7

[Dave D]

Here's a question for the folks who really know their stuff...

If I understand correctly, the new iMac Quad Core i5 processor doesn't support hyper-threading, whereas the optional i7 processor does...

In real-world usage would this make much of a difference in PTLE?

Many Thanks.

[Obsidian Dragon]

My understanding is that Hyperthreading allows the OS and applications to see each processor core as two processors and thereby improve the performance by multithreading instructions to a different virtual processor while the other is busy. In the case of the i5, there are four processor cores but no hyperthreading so the OS and applications see four processors to divide the work. In the case of the i7, there are also four processors cores but hyperthreading is present so the OS and applications see 8 processors to divide the work. This may not translate to double the performance but it does give the processor architecture more options to divide up the work.

In the case of a MacPro using the two i7 processors. There are a total of 8 processor cores that appear as 16 processors to the OS and applications.

[Dave D]

That was an excellent explanation.
Thanks!

[John_Toolbox]

Right now, you probably won't notice the difference if you run Pro Tools only(no other apps at the same time), but I think the i7 is totally worth the extra $200 and will be much more future proof. I already have an i7 imac pre-ordered, looks like it's going to ship in the next day or so...

[Obsidian Dragon]

Yeah, I wish Apple would make a quad core Macbook Pro. i5 or i7 would be great. I guess power consumption (shortened battery life) and heat (large heatsink/fan needed) might be the challenge. But think about the possibilities. I can dream can't I?

[Dave D]

I'm sure it won't be far away

I suspect that the i5 processor will probably run cooler than the i7 due to the lack of hyperthreading.
Maybe this is a step toward including them in MacBook Pros in the near future?

[Obsidian Dragon]

Originally Posted by Dave D

I'm sure it won't be far away

I suspect that the i5 processor will probably run cooler than the i7 due to the lack of hyperthreading.
Maybe this is a step toward including them in MacBook Pros in the near future?

I hope so. I remember waiting for the G5 to make it into the notebook form factor but that never happened. Size and heat seemed to be the culprit there. Maybe power consumption too. Some Windows gaming PC notebooks have the quads in them now so maybe it is not impossible.

On a slightly different topic: Anyone hear why Bluray drives haven't appeared on Macs yet. I'm trying to avoid needing to buy the DVD or Download from iTunes of the same movies I have on Bluray just to watch when I'm traveling. I also don't like keeping so much stuff on my hard drive.