iMac software.

[Maxime]

I am thinking of getting a new iMac, i was looking at a; 3.33GHz and 8Gb RAM; or 2.8GHz i7 8Gb RAM. Which one would run X-plane better? I mean at better settings?

Best,

Maxime

[garrettm30]

This question basically come down to whether the increase in clock speed is better, or the two extra cores are better for X-Plane. Here are the posted specs on the two processors for the benefit of others answering this question:

•3.33GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 6MB shared L2 cache

•2.8GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor with 8MB shared L3 cache; Turbo Boost dynamic performance up to 3.46GHz; Hyper-Threading for up to eight virtual cores

The later is very easily the more powerful processor, but I don't know how much multiprocessing X-Plane does beyond two cores at the moment. I think there is some benefit to more than two processors as of the more recent updates, but I can't say due to lack of information whether it is enough to offset the lower speed. Even so, after watching the updates over the course of XPlane 9, it seems they are working on increased multiprocessor support. If it were me and money were no object, I would go for the 4-core. I also wonder what effect the extra 2 MB of cache would have in X-Plane and how well this new-fangled Turbo Boost can sustain the higher clock rates.

Even more important is the video card. Unless you go for the quad core, you have the option of the ATI Radeon HD 4670 or 4850. The 4670 has only 256 MB of video memory, which we are already seeing in a few of the developer forums that 256 is just not enough. The 4-core only comes with the 4850.

Can anyone give more precise information as to the multiprocessing in X-Plane?

[Maxime]

Thanks i'll get the quad core!!!

Best,

Maxime

[PhM]

...Can anyone give more precise information as to the multiprocessing in X-Plane?

Hi,

I would say poor, except when loading some stuff only an average of 1 CPU is used (ie 25% out of a quad core). But anyway go for the quad core, if X-Plane gets better in this domain you will be happy, and so many other things will benefit from this CPU that you won't regret it.

PhM

[Kesomir]

I think that multi core comes into it's own when you start running other software on the box - FSCommander, Flight Logger etc etc

In many cases you can offload these to other computers, but I find it more convenient to run it on the one machine.

[Maxime]

Well, after research i found that the iMac 3.06 GHz and 4Gb of RAM will give your great results!!

Any one have the computer i am looking for?

I really want to know if it is any good.

Best,

Maxime

[Jack Skieczius]

yeah, all great, but what garret posted about graphics card is correct, a 256 just wont cut it today. i haven't had a 256 GFX card in over 5 years or so. and today even a 512 is falling behind, and i say this cause my Q400 is using up most of mine and more is always better.

i am interested in getting myself one of those GFX cads that have like 1.7 gigs of ram, so i wont have to worry so much from then on out. lol

[garrettm30]

I think there are two models that had that clock speed. I have the one that was made in late 2008 as a factory upgrade option. It has the 24" screen and NVidia GeForce 8800 "GS." If that's the one you're talking about, I can tell you a thing or two about it. I bet, however, you are talking about the newer one with a different video card (which ought to give quite a bit different results) and, if I remember right, a 27" screen, which would also have an affect as it is more pixels to fill.

Edit: I just noticed that this is the post that made me a full member! Celebration, I'm legit now!

[cw7]

I use the 27" imac with the 2.66 i5 Quad Core, 8GB ram and ATI HD 4850 w/512mb; have very few complaints though get some chugging around LOWI extended and Paris with all of the extra scenery installed. I keep all the options at "insane" levels... buildings trees and roads, etc, and it almost always just purrs along.