Today, I am going to attempt to put together a parts list to “build” a iMac i9-9900k PC. Is it more expensive or is it less expensive? Let’s find out
Let first list the tech specs for the iMac (I installed Windows to get some of the technical details that macOS is unwilling to show, but to be fair, most Apple users don’t care about some of these spec)
CPU: Intel Core i9-9900k
Motherboard: Apple Q370-based motherboard
RAM: 8GB 2666MHz
GPU: AMD Radeon Pro 580X with 8GB
PSU: Not exactly sure, but it has to be around 500W or so to power these components
Storage: 2TB Fusion (128GB SSD + 2TB HDD)
OS: macOS Mojave
Ports: 4x USB 3.0, 2x USB 3/TB3, Audio, Ethernet, SD Card
Display: 27” 5K P3 Wide Color Gamut
Input: Bluetooth Wireless KB/Mouse Combo
Price: $2699.99
I set out to create a build list of standard PC parts to see how much I could build this for:
| Part | Price | Part | Price |
| PRIME Q370M-C | $ 159.99 | PRIME Q370M-C | $ 159.99 |
| Intel i9-9900k | $ 494.99 | Intel i9-9900k | $ 494.99 |
| Cooler Master Hyper 212 | $ 34.99 | Cooler Master Hyper 212 | $ 34.99 |
| AMD Radeon Pro WX 7100 | $ 489.99 | AMD RX 570 | $ 129.99 |
| Corsair rx550 | $ 99.99 | Corsair rx550 | $ 99.99 |
| Corsair Vengence LPX (2x4GB) | $ 49.99 | Corsair Vengence LPX (2x4GB) | $ 49.99 |
| Cheap case | $ 34.96 | Cheap case | $ 34.96 |
| Patriot SCORCH 128GB NVMe SSD | $ 29.99 | Patriot SCORCH 128GB NVMe SSD | $ 29.99 |
| WD Black 2TB HDD | $ 105.99 | WD Black 2TB HDD | $ 105.99 |
| Thunderbolt 3 Add-in card | $ 161.99 | Thunderbolt 3 Add-in card | $ 161.99 |
| TP Archer 802.11AC Add-In card | $ 44.99 | TP Archer 802.11AC Add-In card | $ 44.99 |
| Win 10 Pro | $ 147.99 | Win 10 Pro | $ 147.99 |
| $ 1,855.85 | $ 1,495.85 | ||
| Wireless KB/Mouse (Logitech K380) | $ 79.99 | Wireless KB/Mouse (Logitech K380) | 79.99 |
| LG 5K Monitor | $ 1,218.68 | LG 5K Monitor | 1218.68 |
| Total Price | $ 3,154.52 | Total Price | $ 2,794.52 |
On the left, I have a price list with a Workstation Pro graphics card that is as close to the 580X as I could find. On the right is a gaming graphics card that has similar performance [I know this card well since I have one in my PC build].
Here are some questions that PC guys will undoubtable have:
Why do you show a 5k monitor and kb/mouse? You have to include accessories such as kb/mouse and monitor to keep a fair comparison. Obviously, if you choose a 1080p monitor and a cheap kb/mouse, you could have a PC with the same performance for less. But with the parts I have found (all on Newegg), the iMac is cheaper in both scenarios.
Why Win 10 Pro over Home? It’s simple, the iMac can accommodate 128GB or RAM. macOS has built-in encryption and can join a domain. All of these are limitations of Win 10 Home. Therefore, I need Win 10 Pro for a (again) more fair comparison.
But, the PC is more easily expandable. True. One can choose different graphics cards, etc. RAM is easily expandable on the iMac. The i9-9900k is pretty much the top of the Intel food chain. There are some variants out right now, but at the end of the day, they are still 9900k at heart. Probably not going to upgrade that. Can change out the Wifi adapter for 802.11AD while I will be stuck with 802.11AC. Big deal. I am on wired connection.
Yes, you can more easily upgrade your internal storage. Very true. With cheaper external storage, I am not all hat worried about that…
Why did you include a TB3 adapter and Wifi card? Simple, the motherboard does not have these features, but the iMac does. Need to make sure all features of the iMac are present in any comparative PC build.
Why a 128GB SSD and 2TB HDD? Well, that’s how a fusion drive is comprised. In macOS, you can unfuse the two drives and use them as individual drives. I am thinking about going back and doing just that at some point. For a fair comparison of hardware pricing, I had to include both. I am not sure if you can create a fused drive like this in Windows. There is Intel Optane, but I think those are capped at 32GB.
Did I pay too much for an iMac? Doesn’t seem like it. 2800 vs. 2700 is very close but in the end I prefer macOS; 3150 vs 2700 seems a great deal. In either scenario, I do not see the “Apple Tax” here.
Is this just to make you feel better about your purchase? No. But I do like to try to disprove the “Apple Tax” argument whenever I can. Maybe others will see Apple the way I do.
Does it run Crysis? Probably. Not under macOS, but in a Windows 10 bootcamp, I am sure it can handle it. Gaming is not a strong suit anymore for Apple for two reasons: 1) Not enough Mac gamers demanding the new Call of Duty come out on the Mac along side the PC and console versions 2) The graphics cards that Apple chooses tend to be om the creative side or “Pro” hardware rather than cards that are focused on gaming. Apple could very well put out an iMac with Radeon RX-series cards along side the4 Pro cards and let people’s wallets decide which they would prefer. But we all know, Apple just won’t do that.
I hope you enjoyed this. I enjoyed writing it…
