cost comparison

[Dublove]

As part of my own deliberations into replacing my old Mac Pro I did a cost comparison of a windows based system against a top spec iMac.

I tried to choose equivalent quality spec components as best I can, all from ocuk. A few choices might be considered wrong but hey! I was quite surprised at the results.

2013 iMac 27"

3.4ghz i7
32gb of ram (8gb from apple, self upgrade to 32gb)
768gb ssd
680mx
bt keyboard, mouse etc etc



Windows box:

gigabyte z77x-ud5h motherboard
i7 3770
patriot viper 32gb
geforce 670 (mobile 680 chip in imac not as fast as a desktop 680...)
samsung 840pro 512gb & 256gb ssd
seasonic 750w psu
silverstone temjim case
noctua nh-u12p cpu cooler

ah but wait! iMac has screen, bluetooth, wireless 720p webcam. So...

dell 2711 27" monitor
asus pcie dual band 5ghz wireless adaptor
creative cam connect hd
logitech mx mouse
microsoft bluetooth keyboard
akasa intenal card read with bluetooth
windows 8 pro


iMac is £2858

Windows box is £2861


I thought this was very interesting. Yes i'm sure the windows box components could be gotten a bit cheaper. Still got to build it yourself though and there is no easy guarantee on the system as a whole.

 

[Dublove]

I knew this would cause debate.

I agree that the motherboard choice is wrong as it does not support thunderbolt. I find the Gigabyte Z77X-UP4 TH is the cheapest that does and is slightly less in cost on ocuk at £167.

Apple give you the choice of user upgradable ram.

The 768gb ssd is a samsung in the iMacs so choose samsung ssds.

I just changed the basket to the least expensive 32gb 1600mhz ram kit, a lesser psu and the total is now £2837

I would not say I've picked premium retail parts as such. I mean is an Asus 670 graphics card really premium? I'd say it was run of the mill, from an established provider. Also bear in mind that I am saying ok the iMac has a high quality case, so I picked the Silverstone shown. Same with the keyboard, webcam, mouse, wireless, etc.

Say shopping around an extra 10% could be saved that gives us £2553... The main factors we have here are the shear costs of the ssd storage and 27" screen.