iMac Custom Set up advice

choosy · Jan 25, 2013, 10:31 PM

Hi all,

I'm finally getting an iMac to replace my PC.

I am customizing the 27" and have a few queries:

Is fusion drive only available at purchase? or can you pay for them to put an SSD in later (probably cost a lot). I'm thinking I should get this, 1TB hdd is average but I assume I can update that later.

Definitely getting the upgraded graphics card as that can't be installed later.

Now for those two upgrades the trade off might have to be the CPU.

I think 3.6ghz is fine but I don't like the fact it's an i5 and not an i7.

I'm going to leave the ram at 8GB because that is a cheap upgrade.

At the moment I'm a student, most probably looking into 2D work but that could change to 3D (Maya, ZBrush) etc.

If anyone would like to drop some advice, that would be appreciated

Spink10 · Jan 25, 2013, 10:35 PM

Apple will not add a SSD later - buy Apple Authorized Deal should be able to. The one closes to me said they would add a SSD into my iMac - I have yet to take them up on the offer.

choosy · Jan 28, 2013, 06:31 AM

What do people think about the processor difference?

perspectivebass · Jan 28, 2013, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by choosy

What do people think about the processor difference?

For 2D work probably doesn't do a lot for 3D i dont know, BUT i would invest in the 680 instead of the i7 if you plan on 3D rendering.

trustever · Jan 28, 2013, 09:09 AM

for the I5 vs I7 dilemma read the below discussion

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1532885

With regards to aftermarket customization I have asked an apple autorized repair center and he quoted for the job GBP 75+vat + the cost of the SSD (but i can buy my own SSD elseware if I am not happy with theirs).

choosy · Feb 4, 2013, 11:35 PM

I check that link and read an article.

Am I correct in saying that the i5 is a dual core and the i7 is a quad core?

To me it seems like the upgrade to i7 is a must.

The Robot Cow · Feb 5, 2013, 12:50 AM

If you want the fusion drive get it now.
I have the base 21.5 and it has a quad core i5

Chris Blount · Feb 5, 2013, 07:03 AM

Get everything you want now so you don't have to deal with it later. Makes life simpler. The Fusion drive alone is worth the upgrade.

Jan 25, 2013, 10:31 PM	#1
choosy macrumors newbie Join Date: Jul 2012	iMac Custom Set up advice Hi all, I'm finally getting an iMac to replace my PC. I am customizing the 27" and have a few queries: Is fusion drive only available at purchase? or can you pay for them to put an SSD in later (probably cost a lot). I'm thinking I should get this, 1TB hdd is average but I assume I can update that later. Definitely getting the upgraded graphics card as that can't be installed later. Now for those two upgrades the trade off might have to be the CPU. I think 3.6ghz is fine but I don't like the fact it's an i5 and not an i7. I'm going to leave the ram at 8GB because that is a cheap upgrade. At the moment I'm a student, most probably looking into 2D work but that could change to 3D (Maya, ZBrush) etc. If anyone would like to drop some advice, that would be appreciated
	0

Jan 25, 2013, 10:35 PM	#2
Spink10 macrumors 68020 Join Date: Nov 2011	Apple will not add a SSD later - buy Apple Authorized Deal should be able to. The one closes to me said they would add a SSD into my iMac - I have yet to take them up on the offer. __________________ cMBP 2012 15" 2.7, 8GB, Samsung 830 256GB, 650M 1GB, Hi-Res AG / MBA 2011 11" 1.6, 4GB, 128GB SSD / iMac 2011 27" 2.7, 12GB, 1TB HD, 6770M 512MB / iPhone 5 16GB / iPad 4 16GB / Time Capsule 2TB
	0

Feb 5, 2013, 12:50 AM	#7
The Robot Cow macrumors member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Central California	If you want the fusion drive get it now. I have the base 21.5 and it has a quad core i5 __________________ iPhone 5 32gb Black iMac 21.5 iPad 2 Galaxy Nexus & Nexus 7 Ae86 Owner
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Jan 28, 2013, 06:31 AM	#3
choosy Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Jul 2012	What do people think about the processor difference?
	0

Jan 28, 2013, 09:09 AM	#5
trustever macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2013	for the I5 vs I7 dilemma read the below discussion http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1532885 With regards to aftermarket customization I have asked an apple autorized repair center and he quoted for the job GBP 75+vat + the cost of the SSD (but i can buy my own SSD elseware if I am not happy with theirs).
	0

Feb 4, 2013, 11:35 PM	#6
choosy Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Jul 2012	I check that link and read an article. Am I correct in saying that the i5 is a dual core and the i7 is a quad core? To me it seems like the upgrade to i7 is a must.
	0

Feb 5, 2013, 07:03 AM	#8
Chris Blount macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Antonio, TX	Get everything you want now so you don't have to deal with it later. Makes life simpler. The Fusion drive alone is worth the upgrade.
	0