Core 2 Duo or Core 2 Extreme

[Paul Dickin]

Hi
Everyone in this thread except Jeremy appears to be in some alternative parallel un-googled universe 😉
https://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/stats/imac-core-2-extreme-2.8-24-inch-aluminum-specs.html
Here are all the others to compare them to:
https://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/index-imac.htm

[Michael Sacci]

For $200 more you can buy a brand new system at the same specs (and it will say core 2 duo) from apple or just $100 if you get it from Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Apple-Desktop-Display-MB325LL-SuperDrive/dp/B000WHZKGA/ref=br_lf_m_1000224491_1_1_ttl?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=pc&pf_rd_p=389737101&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_t=1401&pf_rd_i=1000224491&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1H9FPJMZW4DVR8NTBH26

I think the HD is a bit smaller on the new systems. This was the top of the line one upgrade back, Now it is 2nd inline. So this is just not the deal you are think it is anyway. It was $2100 when it was top of the line, they dropped the price to $1800 when the 3.0 processors came out and put a 320GB HD in the new systems instead of the 500GB. THe Bus speed is better on the new systems.

Apple doesn’t make “gaming” computers, they are what they are, but honestly gaming computers are normally the best computers on the PC market.

You are worrying over nothing. You put up a link for the Intel specs you can see there is not much difference in the extreme and the duo, at least that I can see.

[Navarro Parker]

The Core 2 Extreme was, at the time (2007), the fastest iMac Apple made. But the Core 2 Duo 3.06 GHz is now the fastest available for the iMac.

Wikipedia is your friend:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Core_2#Duo.2C_Quad.2C_and_Extreme
This means that the only major difference between the regular Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Extreme is the clock speed and unlocked multiplier, usual advantages of the “Extreme Edition.” The unlocked upward multiplier is of use to enthusiasts as it allows the user to set the clockspeed higher than shipping frequency without modifying the FSB unlike mainstream Core 2 Duo models which are downward unlocked only.

So while the Extreme edition has benefits for overclocker in the PC world, the only benefit for Mac users was increased clock speed over the normal Core 2 Duo.

[Dom Silverio]

Feel sorry for you dude – I can’t believe at the advice some of this people are saying.

Basically, the Extreme moniker signifies Intel’s line of processor that is the ‘best’ in a given model. In the PC world, it means they have the fastest clock speed and the most versatile for overclocking for the given processor line.

Simply put, if you can justify the price get it. Most PC guys stay away from the Extreme line because of the price and performance ratio. But at the link given above, you can make that decision on your own.
Remember that you can’t upgrade CPUs like you can with RAM, HD and video card. So getting the best you can afford is a good rule of thumb.

[Adam Keyes]

Thanks everyone for your help, it is greatly appreciated.

I had read most of the articles that you all pointed me to, but had not seen some of them, so, thanks.

I think I pretty much understand now, but I still just kind of wonder why the “Extreme” line is no longer something that Apple does. As in, they had the Extreme for a year or so, but now that the 2.8 Duo and 3.06 Duo are out, are they going to come out with another Extreme version of the 3.06? Or is the next iMAC generation (3.2?) going to be a 3.2ghz Core 2 Extreme?

I was hoping that I would find a chart comparing the Core 2 Duo and the Core 2 Extreme, both 2.8ghz…but the only chart was comparing the 2.8ghz Extreme with the 2.4ghz Duo (back when it first came out). Obviously the 2.8 beat the 2.4.

I only ask because if they are not really doing the Extreme any more, is there a reason why they’re not doing it? As in, maybe it was a flop when it came out, and that’s why it never re-appeared.

Just a thought. Either way, I think I’ll get it. 🙂

Thanks everyone.

Adam

[Michael Sacci]

Dude, you are getting blinded by a marketing name “Extreme” there is more to a system than the process (no matter what it is called) so are you looking for the fastest system or the cheapest price?

The newer systems will be faster, by how much, no idea but they have more L2 cache, faster Front side bus and faster memory, all this adds up to “faster” the only down side is the new 2.8 cost $200 at Apple or $100 from Amazon. So which is more important to you a little bit of money or a little bit of speed. There is no right or wrong thing here. If the iMac family of computers meets your needs either one will work so I’m not telling you which one to buy so much as pointing out the differences.

Of course with the new system you can spend even more to get a faster video card or processor.

[Michael Bloodgood]

As others have said, the Core 2 Duo Extreme is just marketing hype. The reason why Apple doesn’t offer it as an upgrade option as before is that it is an expensive processor. It would be about a $400 dollar upgrade which really isn’t in the iMac’s target consumer group since it would only mean about a 200 MHz speed increase. The Extreme is a gamer’s processor since it is designed to be overclocked, something you can’t do with a mac. Put it this way, the 2008 3.06 Core 2 Duo iMac is faster than the 2007 Core 2 Extreme iMac.

Michael Bloodgood
Senior Editor
Horizon Entertainment Group

Ah yes, the laser fields

[Adam Keyes]

Michael,

If you only knew how helpful your post just was for me…

It pretty much answered all the questions I was asking in my original post. If you read the entire thread, you would know how much irrelevant and completely inaccurate information was passed my way.

All I really wanted to know was what the hell is up with the Core 2 Extreme, and why can’t I find it anymore.

Next time, I’ll just ask you. 🙂

Thanks so much,

PS – I am going to splash the extra $400 and get the 3.06 (upgraded from the 2.8 @ mac.com…it seems to be the wisest choice for me at this time.