2019 iMac w/SSD vs 2017

[golfgirlgolf]

I have a Late 2015 5K 3.3 GHz Intel Core i5 32/2TBFUS and have been thinking about upgrading.

I have huge problems running Adobe Lightroom CC Classic and to a lesser degree Photoshop CC - when using brushes which causes massive beachball hangs. I've done all the fixes known, including hanging a 500GB SSD to keep my work files on.

Anyway forgetting that - my next iMac probably should have an internal SSD - Or at very least, boot from one. (And I've been considering this one for that purpose.)

The 2019 internal SSD options are so super expensive.
I can get the i5 3.0 w/1TB SSD for $2500 bare bones +$300 for RAM + $150 Applecare
Or used a 2017 4.2 w/1TB SSD(or some are 2TB) w/ RAM in a similar price range or maybe even less...
(I wouldn't buy used unless it had Applecare - so that would be included.)

Some benchmark tests put the 2017 4.2 faster than the 2019 3.0. This leaves me a bit confused.

Any feedback? What about just hanging the $299 Sabrent Rocket Pro 2TB NVMe USB 3.1 External and booting from that on a new Fusion iMac?

 

[The_Martini_Cat]

I use Lightroom CC Classic (I think they just changed the name, tho), with the 2017 iMac. How much SSD you need is up to you, but ... No More Rotating Hard Drives (except for backup & archiving)! I always get an i7, or I did until the i9 sprang into existence (although that is in the future for me) but (to economize) I don't get the fastest bump. I would not consider a fusion drive. The external SSD will not be as fast as the one Apple puts in your Mac. The good 2TB external SSD drives cost, like $600 to $800, therefore the one you are considering will not be as fast.

 

[golfgirlgolf]

I use Lightroom CC Classic (I think they just changed the name, tho), with the 2017 iMac. <snip> The external SSD will not be as fast as the one Apple puts in your Mac. The good 2TB external SSD drives cost, like $600 to $800, therefore the one you are considering will not be as fast.

Thanks for the feedback! LR naming has been strange but I wanted to make sure no one was assuming the "cloud" version. I find that if I use brushes extensively with that program it just beachballs to death on my top of the line Late 2015 iMac.

The $299 2TB external SSD I mentioned does 10Gbps over USB 3.1 Gen2 and retails for $700 - so I wouldn't judge it on price alone - but I get what you're saying - no external will match the speed of an internal.....