[KJT]

Just kidding but I am curious is this website originating in another country? I cold not find the "Home" where the Headings of Topic are. And the icons on the home page, up in the right hand corner seem to be labeled in a foreign language.
Anyway, my questions. 1. Why in the new iMac does 8 GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 4x2GB [Add $200.00]
but 8GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x4GB [Add $600.00] !!!

I am not very talented at iMacs but this is RAM and I can't figure it out--the price difference. I am not seeing something. Can anybody help me?

In the new IMacs why does the 27" display not come with 3.06 GHz quad Core? Not any expert with quad core but I would think they would do well with a faster processor. Any help getting this one?

Thanks and you all have an awesome day.

If you are really into helping a newbie out is the iPod Touch a decent music player for an old man? lol Any pros/cons for/against it. Any god manuals on it since I seem to break the iPods I have had in the past.

[ajprice]

Anyway, my questions. 1. Why in the new iMac does 8 GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 4x2GB [Add $200.00]
but 8GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x4GB [Add $600.00] !!!

Yes, they are both 8GB, but its a lot more expensive to get 4GB onto a single unit than 2GB, so 4 2GB units is a cheaper way to get that amount of RAM, but you will fill up the 4 slots doing it. 2 4GB units will leave you with 2 empty slots to add more RAM again if you want to in the future.

In the new IMacs why does the 27" display not come with 3.06 GHz quad Core? Not any expert with quad core but I would think they would do well with a faster processor. Any help getting this one?

The Quad Core in the 27" is an i5 or i7, its a different chip to the Intel Core2 or Core2 Quad, so speeds are different. The 3.06GHz i7 is probably too expensive and/or hot to run in an iMac.

[Ω]

Originally Posted by KJT 

1. Why in the new iMac does 8 GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 4x2GB [Add $200.00] but 8GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x4GB [Add $600.00] !!!

Without looking to closely at the new specs of the iMac (out of touch with the new machines - using an old TiBook which is nearly eight? years old) I am guessing that they have four slots for RAM. If you choose to have four lots of 2GB you effectively use up all the slots and if you wish to upgrade RAM in future you will need to orphan these chips (throw then away, sell etc). If you go down the two lots of 4GB then you still have two slots spare that you can then use to install "moar" RAM at a later date to take you to the maxed out 16GB.

It's all about future expandability. If you think 8GB is enough then go the cheap route. If you think the chance are you will need to expand then look at going for the 2x4GB option. Also remember that as time progresses the cost of RAM tends to come down. I think I spent about $500 to get two 512MB chips. Also think about how easy it is to install down the line. I know in the past it used to be a bitch to upgrade RAM in iMacs, though maybe it has changed lately.

As for your iPhone question - I still have an original 1GB shuffle that I use daily so I have no idea. Yes, I am still in the 'dark ages'.

As for the quad cost question, it may have been solely due to keeping to a price point for a non pro machine or due to heat issues with higher Hz. Just guessing here.



EDIT: What he said above

[Simon]

Originally Posted by KJT 

In the new IMacs why does the 27" display not come with 3.06 GHz quad Core? Not any expert with quad core but I would think they would do well with a faster processor. Any help getting this one?

There is no Core i7/i5 Lynnfield at 3.06 GHz. The fastest part is the Core i7 870 at 2.93 GHz.

Note that the 2.66 GHz i5 can overclock up to 3.2 GHz.

[ajprice]

Originally Posted by Simon 

There is no Core i7/i5 at 3.06 GHz. The fastest part is the Core i7 870 at 2.93 GHz.

Note that the 2.66 GHz i5 can overclock up to 3.2 GHz.

I know these are retail processors with games, and not OEM, but... Intel Core i7 950 D0 Stepping (SLBEJ) 3.06Ghz (Nehalem) (Socket LGA1366) - Retail + Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising Game [BX80601950 ] Processors Intel Core i7 / i5

There's also 3.2 and 3.33GHz Extreme Edition i7 processors, again listed as retail items and sold with games.

[Simon]

But those don't use the same socket. Apple is using LGA 1156. That's Lynnfield, with integrated mem controller/PCIe and no northbridge. Those you mention use 1366 (Gainestown/Bloomfield, separate northbridge) and hence won't fit the iMac.

I should have said there's no 3.06 GHz Lynnfield. Fixed.

[olePigeon]

If you're buying a new iMac, get the lowest configuration for RAM, then buy our own from NewEgg or some place cheaper. Apple is notorious for overpriced RAM.

[ajprice]

Originally Posted by Simon 

But those don't use the same socket. Apple is using LGA 1156. That's Lynnfield, with integrated mem controller/PCIe and no northbridge. Those you mention use 1366 (Gainestown/Bloomfield, separate northbridge) and hence won't fit the iMac.

I should have said there's no 3.06 GHz Lynnfield. Fixed.

Ah OK, I didn't realise there were different socket versions of the i7 and i5.