Configuration paralysis for MBP 16

[adrian-cg]

Hi all,

After having my 2012 15" rMBP stolen in 2017 and having to make do with a cheaper windows laptop for a couple of years, I'm finally going back to macOS.

I decided to get the base model (i7/512SSD/16GB RAM) and go all the way to the 5500M 8GB (extra 200 dollars).

My use case is mostly software development with some Bootcamp gaming on the side (Rocket League, Witcher 3). I would like to retake my learning of motion graphics so I may do some Photoshop/AI/After Effects. (which was the original reasoning for the better GPU)

Now I'm feeling this GPU might be overkill and it may be better to get the i9/1TB/16GB RAM/5500M 4GB. My new reasoning is that the better CPU is more desirable than the extra VRAM, but I'd like to hear your thoughts.

Thanks in advance!

 

[LoganT]

Hi all,

After having my 2012 15" rMBP stolen in 2017 and having to make do with a cheaper windows laptop for a couple of years, I'm finally going back to macOS.

I decided to get the base model (i7/512SSD/16GB RAM) and go all the way to the 5500M 8GB (extra 200 dollars).

My use case is mostly software development with some Bootcamp gaming on the side (Rocket League, Witcher 3). I would like to retake my learning of motion graphics so I may do some Photoshop/AI/After Effects. (which was the original reasoning for the better GPU)

Now I'm feeling this GPU might be overkill and it may be better to get the i9/1TB/16GB RAM/5500M 4GB. My new reasoning is that the better CPU is more desirable than the extra VRAM, but I'd like to hear your thoughts.

Thanks in advance!

If you’re getting back into After Effects and other programs in that category you’re going to be very happy you have 8GB of VRAM. I know from my own experience from using programs like Cinema 4D and After Effects. So good choice on the GPU.

If I were you I’d save up a little more so you can get the i9 and 8GB 5500. I know that’a easier said than done. But if I had to make a compromise I’d choose more VRAM and the i7.

 

[adrian-cg]

If you’re getting back into After Effects and other programs in that category you’re going to be very happy you have 8GB of VRAM. I know from my own experience from using programs like Cinema 4D and After Effects. So good choice on the GPU.

If I were you I’d save up a little more so you can get the i9 and 8GB 5500. I know that’a easier said than done. But if I had to make a compromise I’d choose more VRAM and the i7.

Thanks for replying! The i9 + 8GB VRAM is a little too much for me right now, but I feel better about my original decision of i7 and maxed out GPU!