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Configuration advise for iMac

BATman.Berlin

BATman.Berlin

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 13, 2015
239
183
California
Hi,

I am thinking to replace my 2016 MBP with a shiny new iMac (27").

I need some advise on the right configuration. It will be my main computer, has to handle a 150GB photo library, run Pages, Numbers etc.
In addition, I am using Luminar, Pixelmator for photo editing and do occasional video editing of family memories.
So in essence, I am looking for an allrounder that should serve me for a couple of years.

I have a few questions:

1. do the 27" i5 processors have significant differences in performance?
2. performance differences of the GPU's?
3. is it better to go with 16G Ram from the beginning or upgrade myself?
4. is the 1TB fusion drive good enough for 4K video editing? I have an external Samsung T5 SSD as well. Does that suffice?

Thank you
Torsten
 
Do not get the 1tb fusion drive. It has a very small SSD (32gb) that is not enough for most video editing. Cache hit ratio will be miserable. The 2 and 3tb models have a larger (128gb) SSD With much better performance. Pure SSD is better but at a higher cost.

You can save a lot of money by getting 8gb of memory and upgrading from someone like OWC. Get a 32gb kit and have 40gb for about the same price as Apple’s 16.

Your photo and video editing will use the GPU so plants of power there is good. More so than the cpu. Main difference between the i5 and i7 is hyperthreading. Can’t really say if that will be of a major benefit for your workload.
 
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Agreed, mostly.

RAM is all you can (easily) upgrade, so get the smallest option. CPU and GPU...mid-line moels are usually the sweet spot for cost vs. performance.

Storage: There is no way I would buy any new Mac with a spinning drive. Way too slow, and not easily replaceable...and HDs wear out.

If it were me, I would get the 256 SS, and set aside $ for fast external storage. It could be a single SSD that was a decent size, with another bigger HD for backups and archives. A nice enclosure that holds multiple drives would be even better. Expandable, and easy to replace, add, or upgrade drives. Something like this would let you supply the drives you want, plus you get a TB3 port and USB 3 hub built-in. More $, but much better performance and lots of flexibility.
 
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DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT
...buy ANY iMac with a fusion drive.
Consider yourself as having been duly warned.

GET AN SSD INSIDE, either 512gb or 1tb.

Get 8gb of RAM and add more on your own if you need it (easy on the 27").

I'd skip the "high end" CPU, and pick "the midrange choice" instead (cooler running).
Actually for photos, you'd probably do fine with the base level CPU.

Finally, BE AWARE that you MUST order an iMac with an SSD through Apple's online "build-to-order" pages. You CANNOT buy one from an Apple Store or almost any other shop.
That means you have to "wait for it", but the waiting will pay off with a Mac that will run VERY well out-of-the-box and will KEEP running well through its service life.

The Apple refurbished pages have iMacs pre-configured with SSDs.
But you have to check them several times daily to find what you want, and be ready to buy immediately, because they... "go fast".
 
OK, my new iMac is here! it's an insanely fast machine for sure ... at least in comparison to my late 2016 MacBook Pro.
I just want to thank everyone who contributed.

I went with:
- the base model i5 @ 1699$
- external 512GB TB3 SSD @ 99$
- additional PNY 16GB RAM (total of 24GB) @ 70$

The TB3 SSD is used to boot, run OS & apps and holds the home folder. Runs blazing fast (1400MB/s write and 2100MB/s read) and without any hiccups. The added RAM made a significant impact. FCP runs through my video footage, Photo editing is a charm and with the current WFH situation, multiple ppt's and spreadsheets are a pleasure to use. My photo and music libraries are sitting on a older Samsung t3 500gb USB-C drive

This thing is a beast!
 
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BATman.Berlin said:
OK, my new iMac is here! it's an insanely fast machine for sure ... at least in comparison to my late 2016 MacBook Pro.
I just want to thank everyone who contributed.

I went with:
- the base model i5 @ 1699$
- external 512GB TB3 SSD @ 99$
- additional PNY 16GB RAM (total of 24GB) @ 70$

The TB3 SSD is used to boot, run OS & apps and holds the home folder. Runs blazing fast (1400MB/s write and 2100MB/s read) and without any hiccups. The added RAM made a significant impact. FCP runs through my video footage, Photo editing is a charm and with the current WFH situation, multiple ppt's and spreadsheets are a pleasure to use. My photo and music libraries are sitting on a older Samsung t3 500gb USB-C drive

This thing is a beast!
Click to expand...


External Thunderbolt 3 for $99? That sounds way too cheap. Are you sure it's not USB 3.1?

I see this for double the price...
 
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hobowankenobi said:
Wow. Thanks for posting this. I don't like that the cable is permanently mounted on the drive side...but have seen this on other models too.
Click to expand...

Hi, the cable is just long enough for the SSD to sit on the table next to the iMAC foot. Since you won’t move the SSD, I don’t think it is a issue. Performance is decent. I get about a 1400MB/s write and 2000MB/s read. There might be faster options, but I don’t think it matters for my purposes.
Running it for a week now. I work and play on that Mac for 12-14h a day (work from home is a pain) and no issues at all.

If the cable should wear out, there are TB3 enclosures for about 40$ at Amazon to swap.
 
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