27" Retina purchase advice request, based on useage

[Rmonster]

Good morning/afternoon/evening all,

My daughter inherited my mid-11 27" imac when I purchased my current late 2015 27" retina upon release.

A few months ago, it started displaying the black screen issue at random intervals, sometimes in seconds, sometimes after a few minutes and sometimes not during a session of use. Other than that, it is a minter as we both look after our stuff.

With my limited knowledge and research I understand this to be related to a known issue with the graphics card. I will look into the replacement of the card, rather than "repair" or re-ball if that's the correct phrase, as I understand that repairs can fail quickly? (Side note - if you can recommend anyone in this regard in or near Havering, UK (London/East London, then that would be great too).

I'll keep it as I like to hang on to my old hardware - collector/hoarder

My daughter will be starting Uni this year, expensive enough!, but assuming that I can scrape the funds together, I'd appreciate any advice as to the spec that I should look for in respect of a new/refurb late 2015 27" based on the following main usage:-

Final Cut Pro
Photoshop cc 2015
Topaz Remask 5

She did also mention Sims 4 but that won't be a struggle

I am just about capable of installing memory myself, but would appreciate views on balance of processor, graphics card etc. If I went fusion, I appreciate that 2TB+ is almost mandatory due to the smaller SSD section in the 1TB Fusion, but as I lean firmly toward pure SSD on new purchases, would also like opinions as to the minimum SSD option to go for and what external storage options are recommended to add capacity. Or is 3TB Fusion awesome &/or easier to manage, as she wouldn't exceed that capacity for the foreseeable future.

Thanks in advance everyone.

Rich

 

[WaltCD]

I would recommend the biggest hard drive you can afford.
Since it is an iMac, though, you could get away with using an external hard drive for storing stuff that you're not actively using (older projects). I just got the new MacBook Pro with a 2 TB SSD, and am closing in on 1 TB full (this is from data I've carried over since my first Mac in 2007). But I do believe SSD is 100% necessary, due to the video/photo editing.

Double check that memory can be upgraded by yourself. Many Macs have the memory soldered in, and cannot be easily changed/upgraded.

Another option is to wait. As MacRumors suggests, the iMacs are long overdue for an upgrade. I understand it won't be until October, but perhaps that gives time to save up. Do you really want to buy two year old technology?

Hope this helps!
Walt D in LV

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

A reflow (baking) sometimes works for the GPU of that model. It did for mine, and it is still running after a few months without issues.

 

[Rmonster]

I would recommend the biggest hard drive you can afford.
Since it is an iMac, though, you could get away with using an external hard drive for storing stuff that you're not actively using (older projects). I just got the new MacBook Pro with a 2 TB SSD, and am closing in on 1 TB full (this is from data I've carried over since my first Mac in 2007). But I do believe SSD is 100% necessary, due to the video/photo editing.

Double check that memory can be upgraded by yourself. Many Macs have the memory soldered in, and cannot be easily changed/upgraded.

Another option is to wait. As MacRumors suggests, the iMacs are long overdue for an upgrade. I understand it won't be until October, but perhaps that gives time to save up. Do you really want to buy two year old technology?

Hope this helps!
Walt D in LV

Thanks Walt, I appreciate your response. I am sold on SSD but balancing it against my perceived value for money compared to 3TB Fusion, given Apples prices. I will check regarding the ability to upgrade RAM in the late 2015 but am pretty sure that it isn't an issue (stand to be corrected!)

My daughter has told me she would prefer to wait for the new model (of course) and take her MBP to Uni to start with.

My worry is that the forthcoming iMac will be locked out to users in terms of aftermarket upgrades, even in terms of RAM, which wouldn't be too much of an issue other than the cost of a RAM upgrade configuration is utterly ridiculous going by the price quoted for the current models.
[doublepost=1493998129][/doublepost]

A reflow (baking) sometimes works for the GPU of that model. It did for mine, and it is still running after a few months without issues.

Thank you for that. I understand that it depends on the workmanship standards and equipment of the repairer. I hope that you will not mind if I catch up with you a few months down the line to see if you are still having a good experience following the reflow.

 

[Sirmausalot]

Thanks Walt, I appreciate your response. I am sold on SSD but balancing it against my perceived value for money compared to 3TB Fusion, given Apples prices. I will check regarding the ability to upgrade RAM in the late 2015 but am pretty sure that it isn't an issue (stand to be corrected!)

My daughter has told me she would prefer to wait for the new model (of course) and take her MBP to Uni to start with.

My worry is that the forthcoming iMac will be locked out to users in terms of aftermarket upgrades, even in terms of RAM, which wouldn't be too much of an issue other than the cost of a RAM upgrade configuration is utterly ridiculous going by the price quoted for the current models.
[doublepost=1493998129][/doublepost]

Thank you for that. I understand that it depends on the workmanship standards and equipment of the repairer. I hope that you will not mind if I catch up with you a few months down the line to see if you are still having a good experience following the reflow.

Your daughter is correct: she can easily get by with the MBP. The refurbished in the fall will still be available, and perhaps even a bit less expensive. For FCP, and for your budget, you can get away with a 390 or 395 graphics chip, i5, but you have to get either a 2TB fusion drive or a 512 SSD. Stay way form the 1TB fusion as it has too little SSD space.

If there is a huge price difference, you can ask her to pitch in. Except if the new models have a killer graphics performance boost as that will really extend the longevity of the computer for graphics intensive tasks.

 

[cynics]

Any new iMac will work. It will just come down to the quality of performance, and the faster (more expensive) the better.

The advice by @Sirmausalot above is sound. I use FCPX and use to use PS on my 2013 iMac without too much problem. But I can be fairly patient knowing my systems limitations.

edit: typo

 

[Rmonster]

Thanks @Sirmausalot & @cynics - Sound advice which has made me conclude that I should resist my impatience for an instant fix. We will investigate repair options for the mid-11 graphics card in the UK for which I will start a new thread and then wait for the new model later this year and give it some thought once details are released. Thanks again.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Thank you for that. I understand that it depends on the workmanship standards and equipment of the repairer. I hope that you will not mind if I catch up with you a few months down the line to see if you are still having a good experience following the reflow.

I took mine out myself, and put it 8 minutes in the oven at 200°C. Not really high level standards or equipment short of a screwdriver..

Pictures

 

[cynics]

Thanks @Sirmausalot & @cynics - Sound advice which has made me conclude that I should resist my impatience for an instant fix. We will investigate repair options for the mid-11 graphics card in the UK for which I will start a new thread and then wait for the new model later this year and give it some thought once details are released. Thanks again.

Just keep in mind the rest of the system is ~6 years old. So if you do have it repaired you may want to replace the storage device and/or upgrade it. Thoroughly clean it which would likely be done anyway but worth mentioning. And ALL the thermal compound removed and reapplied which will be required anyway.

Since I do a lot of video encoding I can get about 3 years out of thermal compound before I notice it running at higher temps and higher fan speeds doing the exact same task. New, high quality compound makes a world of difference. I've seen up to a 14c decrease in temps at a LOWER fan speed (system controlled). This could be especially useful if the GPU can be fixed to help it last a while longer.

For me, I typically just end up replacing the system just like a good little Apple stooge since they don't make it easy to open newer models for me to repair it. However I've had this 2013 model since it was new and its resale is very good but if it gets much lower I'll probably risk opening it myself to install a 2tb SSD, blow out all the dust and reapply the thermal compound. Like you I'm going to see what the newer models offer before making any rash decisions.
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I took mine out myself, and put it 8 minutes in the oven at 200°C. Not really high level standards or equipment short of a screwdriver..

Pictures

A lot of professional repair people mock that repair which makes me love it when I see it work. Good job!

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

A lot of professional repair people mock that repair which makes me love it when I see it work. Good job!

To be honest, so did I. But I thought what the heck, what did I have to loose? And I got my first experience with thermal paste on top, so I even learned something, and it turned out to work perfectly!