27 iMac Specs Help / advice

[Adam-]

Hi, I am getting an 27inch iMac, as i've started doing some app development and would like an update. Currently i'm on a 15 mbp late 2009 (2.53, 250gb etc). So far i've decided on the following spec

3.2GHz Quad-core Intel Core i5, Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz
8GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x4GB
1TB Fusion Drive
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680MX 2GB GDDR5

that brings it to £2,000.

My question is do i need the i7 for app development, should i trade out the graphics card for it or bite the bullet at upgrade the processor too?? I can't afford the 768gb SDD but is the 3TB drive a reasonable upgrade?

PS, I will update the ram, probably to 16 then 32 gig by adding ram two at a time when funds recover a little.

If anyone has ordered my set up or thought over the same issue i'd be really grateful.

PPS I can't afford a mac pro haha!

 

[sounddesigner]

Hi, I am getting an 27inch iMac, as i've started doing some app development and would like an update. Currently i'm on a 15 mbp late 2009 (2.53, 250gb etc). So far i've decided on the following spec

3.2GHz Quad-core Intel Core i5, Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz
8GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x4GB
1TB Fusion Drive
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680MX 2GB GDDR5

that brings it to £2,000.

My question is do i need the i7 for app development, should i trade out the graphics card for it or bite the bullet at upgrade the processor too?? I can't afford the 768gb SDD but is the 3TB drive a reasonable upgrade?

PS, I will update the ram, probably to 16 then 32 gig by adding ram two at a time when funds recover a little.

If anyone has ordered my set up or thought over the same issue i'd be really grateful.

PPS I can't afford a mac pro haha!

Computer or Phone apps?

 

[Adam-]

Computer or Phone apps?

iphone apps

 

[sergiobaschi]

iphone apps

I really don't think either the small difference in clock rate nor the four extra virtual cores will cause any notable performance improvements in Xcode. You'll maybe save 0.25-0.5 second in the actual moment of building the app for the simulator, if it's a big app.

I was in the same position (also an app developer), but decided to go for the i7 as I do some amateur 3d work as well.

I was 100% sure on upgrading to the fusion drive (1 TB), 75% for the 680MX and 50% on the i7... and eventually I took all three of them

 

[sounddesigner]

I really don't think either the small difference in clock rate nor the four extra virtual cores will cause any notable performance improvements in Xcode.

I agree with that since most apps are not going to be supper intensive on the computer like rendering out 3d graphics or something

 

[rjs2]

I don't think the i7 or the 680 will assist you much really. They make the machine last you longer & help when reselling though.

The 3TB is a reasonable upgrade if you need more space

You can get 32GB ram for ~£120 from crucial.

 

[Bear]

...
My question is do i need the i7 for app development, should i trade out the graphics card for it or bite the bullet at upgrade the processor too?? I can't afford the 768gb SDD but is the 3TB drive a reasonable upgrade?

PS, I will update the ram, probably to 16 then 32 gig by adding ram two at a time when funds recover a little.
...

If you think you'll need the space, go for 3TB. You shouldn't need the i7 unless you will be using the computer for other things.

As for ram, a minor note, you would go from 8GB to 24GB of ram by adding one 2x8GB memory kit. And 24GB should be more than enough for what you said you'll be using the computer for.

 

[Adam-]

I don't think the i7 or the 680 will assist you much really. They make the machine last you longer & help when reselling though.

The 3TB is a reasonable upgrade if you need more space

You can get 32GB ram for ~£120 from crucial.

Yeah thanks for that advice, the saving you can make on ram pretty much pays for the upgrade from 21->27inch screen. I think I will go for that configuration! I've got a 1TB external for all the media that I don't look at too much (photos and films), but thanks for helping for putting my mind at peace about i7