New iMacs Offer 25% Performance Improvement Over Previous Generation

Earlier this week, we pointed to initial benchmarks from Macworld for the new 3.1 GHz 27-inch Mac, finding the new system to be about 16% faster than the high-end standard configuration of the previous generation overall.

165145 imac 2011 geekbench

Now that the machines have been out for a couple of days, Primate Labs has put together an early report collating the results from users submitting Geekbench 2 results. While not all models of the new iMac are represented in the database yet, initial reports from Geekbench point to an approximately 25% increase in performance over the corresponding models from the previous generation and up to a 70% increase over low-end "Wolfdale" Core 2 Duo iMacs from two generations ago.

While the improvements aren't as dramatic as with the Sandy Bridge MacBook Pros, there's a consistent 25% performance improvement between Sandy Bridge and Lynnfield at both the low-end and the high-end of the iMac model range (and over a 70% improvement between Sandy Bridge and Wolfdale). While this update may not tempt Lynnfield iMac owners into upgrading, it's certainly a compelling upgrade for Wolfdale iMac users.

Geekbench 2 focuses on processor and memory performance, offering direct comparisons of raw power in each machine. Other factors such as video cards and data storage devices also affect system speed but are not addressed in Geekbench's benchmarking metrics.

Related Roundup: iMac
Buyer's Guide: iMac (Neutral)
Related Forum: iMac

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Top Rated Comments

The Samurai Avatar
185 months ago
iMac 27" 2011 Comparison & Speed Tests

Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
blue22 Avatar
185 months ago
MBP overall is still faster...

Outside of the two high-end 2011 27" iMacs the 2011 Macbook Pro's are still faster than most of the new iMac lineup, how's that possible?!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
biallystock Avatar
185 months ago
Apple should really overclock these sandybridge cpus they can run at 4.5 ghz just being air cooled. Leaving them at there stock frequency just seems like such waisted potential

Looks like you are overclocking your spellchecker.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
daneoni Avatar
185 months ago
I don't play games, don't make movies or make music.

I do use it a lot for iTunes, iPhoto and Aperture and internet browsing.
(I've a huge photo and music library)

I think the perfomance improvements are great, but would I see any difference in performance?

My current iMac is a 3.06 27" with 13 GB ram and I just ordered from the refurbished store a 3.2 i3 27"

Not really. You'd benefit more from an SSD.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sonarghost Avatar
185 months ago
LOL! My 2006 Imac still blow these guys out of the water at a score of 3205:)

oh, wait a second, i just realized that that having a lower number is worse:p
Can't wait to get my new Imac soon!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jeffereyj Avatar
185 months ago
price/performance?

Without a restart my 09 Mac Pro...

how much did you pay for that setup?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)