Buying new iMac, which graphics card would be best?

I'm getting ready to buy a new iMac. I already have a 2010 27-in with a Radeon HD 5670 512 MB graphics (card? was built in as I remember). I need an additional iMac for my studio space and am deciding between the 21.5-in. w/ Intel Iris Integrated graphics and the NVIDIA GEForce graphics models. I do photography and art related video projects with music (Final Cut, Photoshop CSS, Logic Pro).
The 2010 iMac has worked fine for me. Which of the new iMacs would you recommend? Do I need extra dedicated graphics card or is the Intel Iris pretty comparable to what I've been getting with the Radeon?
I wouldn't mind saving a couple of hundred dollars to use on other things like a back up drive, but if it's going to be a big difference I could spend the extra $ for the NVIDIA.
I'm not a gamer BTW.
thanks for your input, tech-heads!
Christine

Although the processor speed is slower, the i5 is much more efficient
than the i3. In addition, the memory bus speed is faster than your
2010. The result is you will have a faster computer.
Just for some performance numbers, here are the Geekbench
scores for your current computer and the one you are considering.
(64 bit single core test score/64 bit multi core test score)
2010, i3, 3.2 GHz iMac ---> 2086/4491
late 2013, 21.5", i5, 2.7 GHz ---> 3172/10255

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My next iMac-- which graphics card; which display size?

Hi all,
I'd like some advice in choosing my next iMac, specifically regarding the graphics card and the display size.
Graphics Card:
I'm not a gamer nor am I doing any 3D animation. Is there any other reason to upgrade the graphics card? I DO want the best possible video playback (QT movies), but I don't know if the graphics card has any bearing on video playback quality.
Display size:
Aside from the obvious differences in resolution, do any of the three displays sizes (17,20,24) have any history of being better or more reliable?
Thanks in advance for any tips

Your needs will better dictate which model is best.
Video playback of QuickTine movies will not be affected by upgrading to the 24" with the nVidia chip.
No 3D gaming or animation means no need for a higher end graphics card. In my case, the x1600 ATi in the original Core Duo 20" is more than sufficient for everything I've thrown at it so far including full resolution "Call of Duty".
For your use, you may not need the extra VRAM but I personally would bump it up to 256MB though. Adding an external monitor will split the total VRAM between the two monitors and with Apple continually moving a lot of Mac OS X's graphical features to the GPU, the extra memory may be a blessing.
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I believe that reliability between the three models is pretty much the same.
The advantage to the 24" is, of course, the extra screen real estate and resolution. However The price difference between the 20" and 24" could allow you to go with the 20" model and add an external LCD for a dual screen setup (if space permits).
Weigh your needs - now and the immediate future - and then look at both models in person if possible.

My iMac buying debacle.. comparing graphics cards

Hello,
I have a dilemma and I am seeking guidance from you smart apple people. I am looking at either acquiring my father's 24" iMac or buying one used on ebay and I am not very familiar with graphics cards.
So I want a 24". Not only because I think its the perfect size but because I get a discount at work of 20% if the monitor is 24 inchs or less. I do mostly photo editing and processing along with web browsing. I also like playing videogames but have not done much of this on my 2007 macbook 13" (black). Basically the games I am looking to run would be like cod4, cod4 mw2 or bf3 on mac (if released) or windows partition via bootcamp. This is where I am unsure of which graphics card to get, I am not to familiar with the cards and would like to get an imac that would last me many years down the road.
So here are the stats from my dads older (early 2009) iMac 24": Nvidia GeForece 9400 256MB, 2.66 Intel Core 2 Duo, 4 GB DDR3, 640 GB HD
Would that be sufficient for those games or should I go for something used with the top graphics card from 2009 (24inch) models?
For example I found some 24inch models that meet my other criteria (640+ GB HD, 4+ RAM) on ebay with these cards for about $1000, plus or minus $300.
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Basic rules of 3D gaming on a Mac.
1: Only the MacPro can the video card be switched for a better one, if you can find one.
2: 3D video games are dedicated graphics card dependent, integrated graphics (CPU does the graphics) are terrible for most every 3D game as it's not as powerful as a GPU, but good enough for the basics.
3: When you buy a Mac and intend to 3D game, buy the most powerful model with the most powerful dedicated video card possible. This allows you to 3D game longer, as newer games always need a newer card.
4: All in one Mac's like the iMac are so-so at 3D gaming, because of their heat issues in their closed case, CPU and GPU are hobbled if the temperatures rise.
5: You must have deep pockets to 3D game on a Mac, as your hardware turnover is faster and the prices for Mac's are premium. Also since a lot of games only for Windows, you have to buy Windows $300 as well.
6: Windows has a larger market share, also 3D gamers towers that plenty of video cards can be replaced with, better cooling systems, tricks and overclocking and so forth to extract maximum performance out of 3D games.
So perhaps just get what you need for the job at hand, and get a Windows 7 3D gaming tower instead, where you can replace the video card.
The fastest Windiows 7 tower is twice as fast as the fastest Mac.
http://www.cbscores.com/index.php?sort=ogl&order=desc
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Which graphics card with a new 24"?

I come to the all-wise gurus of the Apple Discussion board seeking knowledge and direction. <lol>
Now that I have the formalities out of the way:
I am considering a new 24" iMac and am wondering which graphics card I should get. What are the advantages/disadvantages between the standard "ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO graphics processor with 256MB of GDDR3 memory" or the "NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS graphics processor with 512MB of GDDR3 memory"?
I will use the mac primarily for home use, creating DVDs, working with iPhoto (only hobbyist) and the like. I would also like to have the ability to extend the desktop by hooking up a mini-DVI adapter and an external monitor eventually. I might run a PC emulation app or BootCamp, but I don't know that I'll be a "gamer".
Thanks in advance for any advice.
-Bret

My two cents is that if you can afford it, go with the upgraded card. You never know where your interest will take you and, while I love my 24" iMac (late 07 model), I do lament about the fact that you can't really upgrade components such as the video card or the hard drive. You can solve the hard drive issue with external storage but you are basically stuck with the video card that you get at the time of order.
I know, not really sage advice but that's my take on it. By the way, the 24" rocks so whichever way you go you will enjoy!
G

In Hongkong. I want to buy new iMac, But need to sell old one first. Where is good for sell??

Please help me.
Please give me a suggestion.
I want to buy new iMac, but need to sell old one.
About following the info.
How much can sell and where is good for sell?
Processor 2.93 GHz Intel Core i7
Total Number of Cores: 4
Processor Interconnect Speed: 4.8 GT/s
Memory 8 GB 1333 MHz DDR3
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Software OS X 10.8.3 (12D78)
1TB harddisk
Warranty to 02/Aug/2013
Thank you for your help.

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runergrl wrote:
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Hi,
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Buying new iMac, which graphics card would be best?

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