Looking at buying a new iMac - questions about a new one or refurb??

Question

I am eyeballing the newest quad core iMac 27inch configuration with the i5 CPU and standard ati 5750 video card for $1999. I want something for gaming that will last me a while. I also saw a refurb quadcore 27inch, with i7 cpu. but with the 4850 video card..for only $1700 much more affordable to me. I am thinking the CPU is much quicker in the refurb...but is the video card lacking? it is worth the $300 extra for the better video card but slow i5 setup? :\ Any other recommendations? It also looks like I can also get a non quadcore refurb setup, but the video cards seem mediocre and I think I will be looking at something new in another 1.5 year or so.. most of them are coming with a 256mb video card..

Answer 1

More data here: http://www.barefeats.com/imac10g.html
Assuming Apple releases updated drivers in a future update, the 4850 is not much slower than the 5750. It's still slower though, so for games the new model will be faster. Also, if gaming is indeed your primary use, the graphics are more likely to be a bottleneck than the CPU, so you could get a built-to-order 27" with the 3.2 GHz i3 processor and the 5750 graphics for $1849 instead of $1999.
Example for the Late 2009 model:
http://www.barefeats.com/imi7g2.html
Almost no difference between the Core 2 Duo, Core i5 and Core i7 processors for games.
Finally, if gaming really is what you do with your computer most of the time, a PC would be a better choice (easier and/or cheaper to get a configuration ideal for games - the iMac is more of an all-around compromise).