Apple iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2020) vs Apple iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014)

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2020) compared with iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014)
AppleiMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2020)AppleiMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014)
Overview
ReleasedAugust 2020October 2014
Performance
ProcessorIntel Core i5-10500, Intel Core i5-10600, Intel Core i9-10910 or Intel Core i7-10700KIntel Core i5-4690 or Intel Core i7-4790K
CPU cores6, 8 or 104
CPU threads12, 16 or 204 or 8
GraphicsRadeon Pro 5300 (4 GB GDDR6), Radeon Pro 5500 XT (8 GB GDDR6), Radeon Pro 5700 (8 GB GDDR6) or Radeon Pro 5700 XT (16 GB GDDR6)AMD Radeon R9 M290X (2 GB GDDR5) or AMD Radeon R9 M295X (4 GB GDDR5)
Memory8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB or 128 GB (better)8 GB, 16 GB or 32 GB
Storage256 GB to 8 TB (better)256 GB to 3 TB
CPUSix-core Core i5 at 3.1 GHz (Turbo Boost 4.5 GHz) or 3.3 GHz (4.8 GHz), or eight-core Core i7 at 3.8 GHz (5.0 GHz). Upper two bases configurable to 3.6 GHz ten-core Core i9 (5.0 GHz). Exact CPU identities follow Geekbench. Apple specifies a 5.0 GHz Core i7 limit in this iMac, while Intel lists 5.1 GHz for the chip itself.3.5 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with Turbo Boost up to 3.9 GHz, configurable to a 4.0 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 with Turbo Boost up to 4.4 GHz
GPURadeon Pro 5300 with 4 GB GDDR6 on the two Core i5 bases. Upper base has Radeon Pro 5500 XT with 8 GB GDDR6, optionally Radeon Pro 5700 with 8 GB or 5700 XT with 16 GB GDDR6.AMD Radeon R9 M290X with 2 GB GDDR5, configurable to AMD Radeon R9 M295X with 4 GB GDDR5; either graphics option can be paired with either processor
Memory type2666 MHz DDR4; 8 GB standard as two 4 GB modules. Four user-accessible SO-DIMM slots; configurable to 16/32/64/128 GB on every base.1600 MHz DDR3; 8 GB (two 4 GB modules), configurable to 16 GB (two 8 GB modules) or 32 GB (four 8 GB modules); four user-accessible SO-DIMM slots
Storage typeLower base: fixed 256 GB SSD. Middle base: 512 GB/1/2 TB SSD. Upper base: 512 GB/1/2/4/8 TB SSD.1 TB Fusion Drive as standard; optional 3 TB Fusion Drive or 256 GB, 512 GB or 1 TB flash storage (SSD)
Display
Screen size27″27″
Resolution5120 × 28805120 × 2880
PanelIPS LCDIPS LCD
Brightness500 nits–
Display typeLED-backlit Retina 5K display; IPS panel confirmed by EveryMac. Apple does not publish native refresh rate in the specification sheet.27-inch Retina 5K display with IPS technology and support for millions of colours
Display featuresWide colour (P3), one billion colours and True Tone; standard glass or optional nano-texture glassLaminated display and anti-reflective coating described by Macworld; Target Display Mode is unavailable (Engadget and Ars Technica). Apple does not publish brightness or refresh rate in the specification sheet.
Connections
Ports2 × Thunderbolt 3, 4 × USB-A, SD card slot, Ethernet, headphone jack2 × Thunderbolt 2, 4 × USB-A, SD card slot, Ethernet, headphone jack
Ethernet1 Gb/s1 Gb/s
External displaysUp to 2 (better)Up to 1
Wi-Fi802.11ac802.11ac
Bluetooth5.04.0
Camera1080p FaceTime HDFaceTime HD
Back portsFour USB-A ports; two Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports with DisplayPort, Thunderbolt up to 40 Gb/s and USB 3.1 Gen 2 up to 10 Gb/s; UHS-II SDXC, Gigabit Ethernet and 3.5 mm headphone jack; Kensington lock slot. Optional 10Gb Ethernet supports 1/2.5/5/10Gb connections. Thunderbolt 2, HDMI, DVI and VGA require adapters.Four USB 3 ports, two Thunderbolt 2 ports with Mini DisplayPort output, SDXC card slot, Gigabit Ethernet, headphone and optical digital audio output; Kensington lock slot. DVI, VGA and dual-link DVI need separately sold adapters.
External displaysOne 6K or 5K external display, or two 4K displays; two 6K displays require Radeon Pro 5700 or 5700 XT. All listed external modes run at 60 Hz.Built-in display at native resolution alongside one external display up to 3840 × 2160; extended desktop and video mirroring
SpeakersStereo speakersStereo speakers; supports Apple iPhone headset with microphone
MicrophonesThree-mic array with directional beamforming; supports Hey SiriDual microphones
Keyboard and mouseRechargeable Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse 2; optional numeric keyboard and Magic TrackpadApple Wireless Keyboard and Magic Mouse; optional Magic Trackpad
Design and power
TypeAll-in-oneAll-in-one
Weight8.92 kg (better)9.54 kg
Width × depth × height650 × 203 × 516 mm650 × 203 × 516 mm
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Size and weight detailDimensions include the stand; weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process. A built-in VESA mount version was also available.Dimensions include the stand; weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process. A built-in VESA mount version was also available.
Power supply100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz, single phase100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz, single phase
Noise–Apple's operator-position sound pressure is 15 dB at idle, during hard-drive seek and during its wireless-web test; tested on the standard Core i5/M290X/Fusion Drive configuration
MaterialsRecyclable, low-carbon aluminium enclosure; arsenic-free glass and mercury-free LED backlightRecyclable aluminium and glass enclosure; arsenic-free display glass and mercury-free LED backlight
In the boxiMac, Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse 2, power lead, Lightning to USB cable and polishing clothiMac with Retina 5K display, Apple Wireless Keyboard, Magic Mouse and power lead; OS X Yosemite and built-in creative and productivity apps

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