3.0ghz model speed vs. 3.0 ghz dual-core MacPro?

Question

Anyone have a "speed-feel report" on the 3.06gh iMac vs. a 2007 MacPro Xeon 3ghz tower?
I'm not looking for benchmark numbers, I'm interested in how "snappy" the new 24-incher with maxed out 4gb RAM feels compared to a 4gb MacPro.
I normally always buy the fastest tower I can get -- even though I basically do web/email/iTunes/wp and some light Photoshop. Maybe I'm getting cheap in my old age, but the new towers spec out at a grand more -- and I question whether it's worth it.
I don't really seem to need the second chip. I wouldn't really miss the extra HD bays or supercharged dual-monitor video card either. My wife's Fall 07 aluminum iMac has a really nice, compact footprint, and I hear the new 24-incher has an even higher-quality LCD than the base model.
Before anyone asks, the glossy screen doesn't bother me -- I've been won over since I traded my older MBP for a MacBook Air a few weeks ago. I'm currently running a 30-inch Cinema Display, but the 24-inch iMac display seems more than adequate for my real-world needs. I am considering passing the 30-inch down to my son, who'll be a film/communications student when he goes off to college this fall. (I may pass the tower to him as well, but am leaning towards putting him into a brand new Mac Pro, since he'll be able to really use the extra horsepower.)
I guess what I'm really asking is...will I be trading way down if I go from the supercar to a nice luxury coupe?
Can anybody help an old **** out here?

Answer 1

I would very much like to know the answer to this question as well. I'm also using a (September 2006) 3.0GHz Mac Pro with a 30" ACD. I'm considering the 3.06 iMac as an opportunity to return to the all in one form factor, and I love the display (also after having used the MacBook Air).
I have been led to believe that any difference in performance would be noticeable only in heavy duty scientific or graphics apps, serious video rendering, etc. I do some AVCHD work in iMovie 08, and along with Photoshop that's about as heavy as it gets for me. I doubt there would be a noticeable difference in performance if I go to the new iMac, and I wouldn't be surprised if some apps were actually a bit "snappier" due to the new RAM.
I don't know which apps actually use 4 cores, but based on my Activity Monitor I have never used more than 4GB RAM. I'm thinking it may be safe to jump back into the iMac, but I'd love to hear from someone with more technical knowledge.