imac 2020 configuration for using ArchiCAD 24

[Kans]

I had imac 2019 with i5 processor 3.7 Ghz.
But I was not satisfied with this machine for using ArchiCAD.
Especially for using profile manager for perforated facade.
In our project the metal Paneel facade should be perforated in irregular rectangle.
If I work on over 12m width paneel with profile manager ArchiCAD is very lag.
I should wait over two or three minutes. In 2D the lag is especially bad.
I had to separate the paneel in 4 or 6 parts to avoid lag.

I decided now to buy new imac 2020 with 16gb graphic card (Radeon Pro 5700 XT GDDR6).
My question ist how important intel processor can be:
I have two options. i7 with 8 cores or i9 with 10 cores. There are several comparisons to find in Youtube, but the test is not for using CAD.
I almost prefer to use i9 10 cores.

Other specifications are 64 GB Memory, 1TB SSD.
imac 2020 should be faster than imac pro.
The best reason to pick up imac is nice 5K 27`Monitor with reasonable price if I calculate all parts.

[Karl Ottenstein]

That's certainly a loaded machine 🙂 The one thing I would mention about the iMac Pro, in spite of it being 3 years old now and waiting for an update: it has a far superior cooling system for the CPU and Graphics compared to the standard iMac. You might search to see if anyone has benchmarks comparing the new iMac as you're configuring to an iMac Pro to see if thermal throttling occurs in the iMac reducing its performance from its potential peak under heavy load.

[Kans]

You are right. Thermal throtting reduce the full performance (it reduce also noise and cost):


I ordered i9 processor with hope it brings good performance for "Project manager" in ArchiCAD. That ist the point.
Project manager needs heavy performance from machine in my opinion.
It influences quite well 2d speed.
I will test it with intel core i9 10th gen..

The graphic card Radeon 5700x with 16gb should be good for rendering work.
I will also test it.


And NVMe SSD can speed up for ArchiCAD.

Unfortunately there is no comparison between imac 2020 and imac pro for using ArchiCAD.

If update for imac pro comes Graphisoft should test it and compare with imac.
Who knows -the user can save money if imac is good enough.
I have paid all together about 3600 Euro. But if I think the 5K monitor costs over 1500 Euro, and plus very nice webcam and microphone, and very calm cooling system (imac pro much better, but imac is still good.)
Plus cost free fantastic Mac OS, and cost free Microsoft Office (as Mac version and from Mac) the price is almost nice.
I will test it for my project (or with example project) If I receive the machine.
It can help to choose right machine.

[Kans]

Now I have received iMac an tested it:
the rendering time with sample project takes just 1 Minutes and 10 second with high quality.


Open GL with shadow is incredible. I have tested it with big project in 3D open GL.
No lag No disappearance of shadow in 5K 27 Monitor. This is fantastic to work.
Absolute powerful machine

[Lingwisyer]

So... how does it perform with your complex profile facade?

[Kans]

Such facade with project manager is still lag in 2D if I select it to move and so on.
!in 3D very fast in open GL
We should choose alternative method for such complex punched facade.
The question is what kind of tool can be proper for perforated facade?

[Lingwisyer]

No longer related to hardware, but for what reason do you need it to be perforated in the model itself? Can you not make do with alpha channels and custom fills?

[Kans]

The facade should be at the same time working drawing.
In some case the pattern should be changed.
I think there is no enough strong machine for this purpose.
My solution is to reduce the size under 3m width with project manager.
Otherwise this machine is super good for ArchiCAD.
I cannot compare with iMac Pro, for this reason I made test with rendering work with sample project.
Somebody can test it if he owns iMac Pro.
This machine has also 10gb Ethernet connection.

[Anonymous]

Have you noticed any glitches on the screen in shape of random horizontal línes?

It seems that some imac with a graphic card like yours are presenting this problem.

Have you noticed a significant improvement in 2d navigation and in the speed with which items are selected and moved? it is one of the biggest limitations that I have with my old macpro

[Kans]

No glitch
The machine is simply calm monster.

The problem with lag in case of complicated project manager tool has nothing to do with CPU.
Project manager tool loads just few power from CPU.
ArchiCAD should optimize this matter with modern hardware.
If you have the best powerful pc the lag with project manger tool will happen.