2020 iMac: Suggested Upgrades for a Graphic Designer?

[Azrael9]

1. Buy the RAM yourself to avoid Apple Tax™, so stick with 8GB
2. Consider whether you need the matte screen, personally I'd highly recommend it for design work, so spring the $500
3. Max the GPU out if you're using Adobe CC
4. Get the i7 model if you need to save $400 cash, or the i9 model if you need this machine to last 4-5 years or so.
5. Skip the 10Gbps ethernet unless you do local data management with a NAS
6. Stick with the 512GB SSD and use a thunderbolt 3 or USB 3.1/2 external drive velcro'd to the back of the machine for additional storage.

Should come in around $4000 or less, definitely not $9000

This advice.

Even buying the entry model would be good enough. 6 cores, multi-threaded.

Buying the top tier at £2300 would make a great design machine. For a great value.

5k screen.
8 cores.
5500XT.

What more do you want?

Azrael.

 

[Cayenne1]

I'm looking to upgrade to the newest iMac, but am trying to decide what upgrades are well worth it, and which will give me the most bang for my buck. If I were to specifically spend extra on any one upgrade, which would you think is the most important?

Setting aside RAM, I'm curious if there are other designers out there who are using Adobe CC (primarily Photoshop, After Effects, Illustrator, InDesign, and Dreamweaver), and are looking at upgrades for specifically that list of software? I've been trying to compare processors and graphic cards, and seeing which combination will give me the best value and have a significant impact on the software I use in Adobe CC.

I'm not seeking to max out in every category and spend $9k. I'd appreciate advice on something like, "Get the i9 processor with 10-cores because...," or, "Pony up for the 5700 XT, because..." Hopefully there are others also thinking along the same lines and can speak from experience. Thanks

This thread is an "Analysis Paralysis" dream. Basically all the recommendations will technically work with some saving you more screen time than others for a price, e.g. time rendering an After Effects edit.

Once you get your new machine, you're going to be impressed with the increased performance over an older Mac. So don't worry too much about making a mistake about CPU and Graphic card. Again, these two options impact time to execute an operation (e.g. rendering). So, spend a lot of money and the job gets done a bit faster.

Memory and storage on the other hand have a more direct impact in the general performance of the new machine. All agree select base 8GB and add aftermarket to save costs. To spec your new machine, 1 TB SSD should be sufficient to run the OS, Apps and active files with room to spare at a good clip.

That leaves external storage. Well you need to store and backup you files via ethernet (NAS) or USB (DAS). Since your in the photo imaging world, you already have a lot of GBs of stuff I assume. Probably a bunch of USB externals as well. You have not asked about this area in your post, but I suggest looking at allocating and planning funds as it'll grow and grow.

I have looked at the NAS route, but its a lot of money for me at the moment. As an interim, I'm using multiple 8 TB USB3 drives I've partitioned for data storage, scratch files and for dual Time Machine. A third drive is a Carbon Copy Cloner backup. However, I'm maxing out and looking at other threads on the subject for practical solutions. In the end, it'll cost me.

Good luck. In the end I bet you'll love your new machine.

 

[stew278]

I use the Adobe pack all day long (mostly Illustrator, Photoshop, Indesign and Dreamweaver, and less After Effects for short animations).

I have a 2017 iMac i5 with 8gb and Radeon Pro 575 and it is still quite fast.

If I have to upgrade today with the 2020 iMac I would go with the high end (i7 + 8gb + 5500 XT) with the 1TB SSD upgrade, nothing more.

The nano glass is something good (I didn't see it in person) but I don´t have reflections in my work environment, so maybe there you can save some money in case you don´t REALLY need it. Another user says that the nano finish make the text a little blurry? If that is the case I wouldn't buy it.

I really wish there was a more comprehensive review of the nano textured glass – an in-depth comparison with the glossy screen and looked at issues like you're bringing up. I saw one video that did seem to bring up that exact issue and compare a close-up on screen, but it was in German. (Truth be told though, I couldn't stop watching. He was amazing to watch/listen to even if I couldn't understand it. 2:35 mark if the link didn't work)

The thing I would love to get rid of are the reflections, and this "matte" screen appears to zero those out superbly. If you watched that German video and the discrepancies he must have been talking about, they may be valid, but you have to also consider how zoomed in that was and how far away you sit from your monitor. For me, that's around 3 feet. I don't think I would really notice that – as much as I do reflections of myself and background in my screen.

 

[stew278]

This thread is an "Analysis Paralysis" dream. Basically all the recommendations will technically work with some saving you more screen time than others for a price, e.g. time rendering an After Effects edit.

Once you get your new machine, you're going to be impressed with the increased performance over an older Mac. So don't worry too much about making a mistake about CPU and Graphic card. Again, these two options impact time to execute an operation (e.g. rendering). So, spend a lot of money and the job gets done a bit faster.

Memory and storage on the other hand have a more direct impact in the general performance of the new machine. All agree select base 8GB and add aftermarket to save costs. To spec your new machine, 1 TB SSD should be sufficient to run the OS, Apps and active files with room to spare at a good clip.

That leaves external storage. Well you need to store and backup you files via ethernet (NAS) or USB (DAS). Since your in the photo imaging world, you already have a lot of GBs of stuff I assume. Probably a bunch of USB externals as well. You have not asked about this area in your post, but I suggest looking at allocating and planning funds as it'll grow and grow.

I have looked at the NAS route, but its a lot of money for me at the moment. As an interim, I'm using multiple 8 TB USB3 drives I've partitioned for data storage, scratch files and for dual Time Machine. A third drive is a Carbon Copy Cloner backup. However, I'm maxing out and looking at other threads on the subject for practical solutions. In the end, it'll cost me.

Good luck. In the end I bet you'll love your new machine.

Thanks @Cayenne1. Yup; you're spot on in some regards. I think that there's been a lot of great feedback in this thread about CPU and GPU to have me straightened out – essentially the i7 and 5500XT. RAM will be upgraded – probably will purchase separately and install 64GB right away. Another 64GB "down the road." The only thing I think I haven't completely made up my mind about is the HD – 1TB or 2TB of SSD...? I'm kind of leaning towards 2TB since I saved in other areas, and Adobe wants all that scratch disk space and more.

You're talk about NAS has me pegged – about a year or two ago. I was looking into the exact same sort of things, so I'd be interested to hear more about what you're doing. MSG me if you want.

And lastly, how do you like Carbon Copy Cloner? Funny – this week I started looking at different backup solutions, so this was a welcomed comment you made. I'd love to hear more about your personal experience with it and if you'd recommend it or not.

Cheers! 👍

 

[stew278]

If you want hard data to show the difference between the 5700 and 5700 XT for your exact uses you need to wait. You're asking for opinions on something that just came out so I can only offer what on paper make sense to buy. Wait until all reviews start coming in which will take time...the problem is few are going to order the 5700 because as I stated it doesn't make sense price wise when there is a 16GB card for another $200. To sum up most people are either going to stick with the base 5500 which is a great card or spring $500 for the 16GB card which is a beast. Few will spend $300 extra for the 5700.

Thanks for posting @fathergll. Since starting this thread, I've come across one of the two videos you sent. I'm going to watch the other (thnx).

I don't disagree with you one bit – I'd be the exact same way if it were the difference of $200. At least initially, that is. I kind of felt the same way about the i9 – "Well, that's only a few hundred dollars, and look at all those cores!" But then some very helpful people started posting here some thoughtful replies, and I got to give credit where credit is due – I'm leaning heavily towards the i7 now.

On a separate note (sort of); a lot of the YT videos I've watched seem to be from people who Apple sent their iMacs to for review. So, I got to think that someone smart at Apple would've figured out all the configurations that they would send out, with the conditions being a written or video review posted. 😏 Not to mention favorable...

End of the day – you're probably right. Just sit back and wait for those reviews to start coming in. 👍 (easier said than done)

 

[stew278]

I haven't seen anyone recommend the middle option. Already ordered mine with the base 5500XT, shipping went from 1st week in September to next week. Trying not to overthink this.

Do you think that's because the i7 is that much more impressive or attractive?

 

[stew278]

John Gruber hasn't done at https://daringfireball.net hasn't done a review yet. He is a pretty measured voice, and I am hoping to see that soon. I have heard enough to make my choices, hope some of this helps!

Love Gruber and Daring Fireball!!! Thank you for the reminder

 

[austyn23]

I really wish there was a more comprehensive review of the nano textured glass – an in-depth comparison with the glossy screen and looked at issues like you're bringing up.

Well, at the end of the day, you get used to anything. When I switched from the Dell matte screen to the iMac, I was like "oh the reflections". Two days later I never looked back, I got used to the glossy.

If the nano glass is what you want, get it, maybe the first days you would see the difference and detect the blurry text, but two days later you wont even notice it.

 

[Menthol]

@timerickson Thank you for your input. Regarding the GPU; I keep questioning how much difference there would be between the 5700 and 5700 XT? Clearly there is going to be a performance boost just from the base 5300 – but I get lost when trying to look at benchmarks and performance differences and how that translates into real world applications with software like the Adobe CC, as well as really just comparing the two against each other. I've also read in the Forum, that the 5700 clocks at a lower speed than the 5700 XT, and that the 5700 upgrade will get you "more bang for your buck," than the 5700 XT. Wondering if you have any thoughts on that, or just in general about the performance between the two? Is the 5700 XT really worth the extra $200, when considering the intended use (Adobe CC)? Would the performance boost of the 5700 XT over the 5700 be significant, or would it be minimal (compared to the 5300 and to the 5500 XT, respectfully)

The link below suggests that the 5700 might be the sweet spot in terms of value; it appears to outperform the 5500XT significantly. Meanwhile, I've read elsewhere that the gains of the 5700 XT over the 5700 are quite modest.

If you *need* the 5700 XT, it's worth it, but if not, 5700 seems to be where the action is from a performance/price standpoint.

UserBenchmark: AMD RX 5500-XT vs 5700

 

[pldelisle]

You're talk about NAS has me pegged – about a year or two ago. I was looking into the exact same sort of things, so I'd be interested to hear more about what you're doing. MSG me if you want.

I've had a NAS since 2013. Synology DS1513+ with 3x4TB WD SE + 1x 80 GB SSD (old one) for caching purpose. Works flawlessly since 7 years. Using it to store data and as Time Machine destination.

Ask me what you want to know. I've already been a network engineer.

See this thread too ; https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/recommended-number-of-lan-ports-and-drives-for-nas.2250289/