What would it take to build a PC that can whip the ass of this here iMac specification?

"Wheelerguy" (wheelerguy)
01/13/2019 at 04:45 • Filed to: Challenge, PC MASTER RACE, computerlopnik, Computers, Mac

For the money seen here (about US$5,600 converted), what parts can net you a PC that can out-gun this Mac?

DISCUSSION (22)

pip bip - choose Corrour > Wheelerguy
01/13/2019 at 04:55

buy the iMac?

no idea otherwise, sorry.

Montalvo > Wheelerguy
01/13/2019 at 05:05

It wouldn't take much, you pay stupid prices for an OS and a brand. $5,600 is a lot of money and there is a lot of good performance per dollar parts out there. What is the intent of the build?

CB > Wheelerguy
01/13/2019 at 05:07

I mean, 9700k, 64 GB of 3200 RAM, 2 TB SSD, and a 2080 TI would probably cost you $3500 CAD, and that would blow this out of the water.

Wheelerguy > Montalvo
01/13/2019 at 05:08

PC-VR gaming (for Assetto Corsa and Ace Combat 7 ) , 3D modeling.

Wheelerguy > CB
01/13/2019 at 05:13

2080 TI

WTF they dropped that fast?

CB > Wheelerguy
01/13/2019 at 05:17

I was wrong, they’re still $1500 CAD. But anyway, I’d recommend custom build versus Mac. Being able to upgrade parts as time goes on is always a big plus, and their parts aren’t always the best (like 2400 MHz RAM).

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > Wheelerguy
01/13/2019 at 08:20

None. Because you still have to suffer through windoze.

Nibby > Wheelerguy
01/13/2019 at 08:37

This is in USD but... infinitely better than that overpriced junk and for less than half... obviously you’d need a monitor, keyboard and mouse but still that total would be under $3000 USD

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/ZZ7LLJ

Nibby > pip bip - choose Corrour
01/13/2019 at 08:38

gross

chaozbandit > Wheelerguy
01/13/2019 at 08:44

At around 3k Canadian rupees, Threadripper becomes a compelling option for raw compute power but keep in mind OSX shines in its optimization so it can do more with relatively lower end hardware. Whether you want the apple tax is up to you, but a couple grand in savings can buy new equipment elsewhere while still retaining full rights to repair.

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/BHTyr6

Quickly thrown together parts list for example.

Edit: slightly different build for the part creator part gamer

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/bpvJD2

Wheelerguy > Nibby
01/13/2019 at 09:07

Quick, convert him to WinME!

Wheelerguy > chaozbandit
01/13/2019 at 09:12

> RGB RAM

What do you take me for, a whore? /jk

No but really, wow. That's a real Gundam I can build there.

Grindintosecond > Wheelerguy
01/13/2019 at 09:37

Im seeing mac seriously clamping down on repairability/replaceability . Sealed units without filters so dust accumulation can easily kill pricy parts and mac has to fix it....you arent allowed to.

The previously listed pcpartpicker builds are very good builds. I suggest waiting a bit as memory and storage prices are about to come down quite a bit and the 3k series amd chips are coming in a few months to boot. You can definitely build comperable for lots less and replace as you go to stay current. Macs plan is planned obsolescence and you pay for it.

Theres also hackintosh.....

chaozbandit > Wheelerguy
01/13/2019 at 10:00

Or a whole shelf full of 1:18 diecasts.

Alternatively 50 1/60 scale gundams, yes.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Wheelerguy
01/13/2019 at 10:01

About $3k.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > chaozbandit
01/13/2019 at 10:03

You forgot $1000+ for a 27” 5k monitor. Still comes in significantly cheaper than the iMac though. (I own a lower spec 27” iMac that was $1800 US. Apple charges big premiums on spec bumps knowing that you can’t upg rade later so their lower models tend to be better deals compared to PCs. I was and still am absolutely smitten with the screen. There just isn’t anything else like it IMO. But Unlike the crazy Mac diehards I considered going PC and don’t begrudge anyone who does.)

Nibby > Wheelerguy
01/13/2019 at 10:12

did you see the build i whipped up for ya?

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Wheelerguy
01/13/2019 at 10:13

Don’t forget you can still upgrade the RAM yourself on the 27” iMac. Apple charges $1400 for 64GB here in the US but you can get the 8GB and do it yourself for $500. Also Thunderbolt and even USB-C are so fast a 512 GB SSD are probably enough. It’s not portable so you can add disks to your desk as you need them and as long as they are storing media not running the OS/apps you probably won’t miss it. (Full disclosure - I own a 27” retina iMac. I got it mainly for the display. 2 years later the only thing that I’ve seen that comes close is LG’s 5k display and those still give for over $1k US. Apple sells a lot of Maca that are really bad deals compared to PCs, but I don’t think the current iMac is one if you can avoid the big RAM and SSD upgrades. )

chaozbandit > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
01/13/2019 at 10:23

Tbf any colour calibrated display is plenty for most users ; I’ve had 27" 4k and qhd displays in the past, and for now I’m perfectly happy with my current 34" ultrawide. 5K scaling isnt as good on windows but I’ve used software super resolution prior and can live without it.

bhtooefr > Wheelerguy
01/13/2019 at 11:38

Worth noting that a lot of what you’re paying for with the 27" iMac is the screen .

Ultimately, d o you want a 5120x2800 screen? If so, there’s not much choice, it looks like my employer discontinued our 5K option, HP’s appears to be discontinued too, and (while not a good choice for PCs anyway) the LG UltraFine 5K appears to be being phased out slowly in favor of an Apple-branded display that isn’t out yet, leaving the iiyama XB2779QQS, which appears to be EMEA-only.

Vítor > Wheelerguy
01/13/2019 at 12:22

That’s cheap (you are in the Philippines right?) , that same iMac is over US $12k here

Kinja'd!!!

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > chaozbandit
01/13/2019 at 13:09

I’ve had a couple Dell UltraSharp 27” 4K monitors as well and currently have an hp Z38c 3840x1600 monitor at work. They are all good and I can live just fine without the super resolution. You’re right that most people probably can. But using them back to back an iMac-level display is so much better that I can’t really agree that it’s fair to compare a home built PC price to an iMac without budgeting $1k or so for a monitor. Even so you still come out way ahead of the Apple tax.