iMac 2021 benchmark leak suggests Apple won’t be ditching Intel just yet
Leak hints that the next-gen iMac will rock an Intel Core i9 processor
A system packing an Intel Core i9-10910 CPU and an AMD Radeon Pro 5700 XT has shown up in benchmarks, and all signs point to Apple’s next-generation iMac.
Recent rumors suggested that Apple’s next iMac would ditch Intel in favor of an M1 chip designed by Apple itself. A Bloomberg report claimed the switch to Apple Silicon would allow the company to slim down the iMac considerably due to the reduced cooling requirements of the more efficient M1 chip.
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However, Ashes of Singularity benchmarks, spotted by Tom’s Guide, suggest the company could be sticking with Intel for the time being.
Sticking with Intel?
The benchmarks show a system that packs an Intel Core i9-10910, a 10-core, 20-thread desktop CPU that’s rumoured to be an Apple-exclusive chip. According to the leak, the Intel Core i9-10910 features base and boost clock speeds of 3.6GHz and 5GHz, respectively, and a configurable TDP of 95-125W.
While these Ashes of Singularity benchmarks don’t give us an idea of the CPU’s performance, previously-leaked Geekbench 5 scores show the Core i9-10910 is around 10% faster than the Core i9-10900.
The leak also reveals that the machine packs an as-yet-unannounced AMD Radeon Pro RX 5700 XT, a graphics card that is also likely to be sold exclusively to Apple.
Beyond its exclusive internals, the 2021 iMac is also expected to boast a major redesign. Rumors claim the machine, which hasn’t been updated since March 2019, will feature Pro Display-like bezels and an all-new 23-inch screen that Apple will squeeze into the same size chassis as the existing 21.5-inch model.
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The 2020 iMac will also signal the death of the Fusion drive, according to rumors, with Apple set to abandon spinning hard drives in favor of an all-SSD lineup.
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Carly Page is a Freelance journalist, copywriter and editor specialising in Consumer/B2B technology. She has written for a range of titles including Computer Shopper, Expert Reviews, IT Pro, the Metro, PC Pro, TechRadar and Tes.