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Can you rank the importance of upgrades for editing.


Would it go something like this:

1. GPU
2. Fusion Drive
3. i7
4. Bigger HDD

Is that about right? (I'm leaving out RAM because that goes without saying).

I would switch i7 with the Fusion Drive. GPU and CPU are the most important, especially on an iMac: you can't upgrade those later. You can always get a Thunderbolt HDD or SDD later to add more speed and/or storage.
 
I would switch i7 with the Fusion Drive. GPU and CPU are the most important, especially on an iMac: you can't upgrade those later. You can always get a Thunderbolt HDD or SDD later to add more speed and/or storage.

This is true. From my point of view i would rank them like this.

1. Gpu
2. Ssd or fusion drive
3. Cpu

As you said is abvious and can be upgraded later.

But that rank is for editing including some general post production work such as after effects and 3d.

While you are editing Gpu and hard drive are the most important. Cpu is more important for rendering for example rendering transitions. But in premiere thats done with mercury via the gpu not cpu.
 
Ok thanks.

The GTX 675MX 1GB on the high 27" is already a good upgrade from the GTX 660M 512MB on the low 27" isn't it?

No real need to upgrade that unless you're doing some pretty intense editing right? I'd imagine the graphics card offered standard on the high 27" should have no problem video editing and in fact be very quick but I am just guessing.
 
I dunno the i7 in the 2011 was $200 upgrade. so $250 tops there. I just dont think SSD is worth dumping on your iMac quite yet. Going external with it will help you future proof your machine. Gonna be a real bummer when your small SSD cant handle big programs 4 years from now who knows maybe sooner. Would be nice to walk into any store and walk out with a 1 tb SSD down the road like you can now with a HDD. Plus down the road when your in the market for a new iMac you will already have a SSD loaded with what you use.

Also call apple and see what they want to repair that Fusion drive you might have a change of heart warrentys dont last forever. Would be a good feeling knowing a 5 year old could fix your failed SSD by pluging in a cable.

This is also a good point.
Are you then saying that in your scenario, the External SSD is your boot drive, including OS-X and all the Apps?
 
1. Go after market ram get bone stock from apple for ram. So $150 for 32 gb ram aftermarket.
2. Get the biggest hard drive they offer 3 tb so you dont have to deal with upgrading later. Probably a $200 upgrade.
3. Bump GPU to the 680MX. Probably $150 upgrade.
4. Upgrade to i7 biggest they offer 3.4 probably $150 upgrade maybe $200 who knows.
5. Either buy a external SSD now with thunder port or wait a bit since there will be more options and cheaper prices. Right now $200 is cheapest Ive found for a name brand. Thats for a 120 gb SSD

So were at $700 without the SSD external. So your under budget and will give you time to research your SSD plans. Biggest thing with going SSD external is you can upgrade with a simple plug in of a wire. So down the road when SSD 1 tb get cheap you can upgrade your iMac within what 5 seconds. No tear downs no losing warranty


This is the best way to go Thank you
 
This is the best way to go Thank you

Just my opinion ssd is still improving with speed and reliability. Hdd is well pretty done improving. Gpu can't be changed later same with processor. So no sense of putting your machine stuck in 2012 tech. Look at all the people who made their machines blazing fast with ssd from 2008 and even older models. Now imagine 3 years from now what ssd will be
 
Ok thanks.

The GTX 675MX 1GB on the high 27" is already a good upgrade from the GTX 660M 512MB on the low 27" isn't it?

No real need to upgrade that unless you're doing some pretty intense editing right? I'd imagine the graphics card offered standard on the high 27" should have no problem video editing and in fact be very quick but I am just guessing.


Yes that 675MX is still going to be a beast I guess, I will choose the 680MX just because besides doing intensive editing and compositing I do 3D stuff as well and the extra 1GB of memory will give me more flexibility with how complex my 3D scene can get.
 
Yes that 675MX is still going to be a beast I guess, I will choose the 680MX just because besides doing intensive editing and compositing I do 3D stuff as well and the extra 1GB of memory will give me more flexibility with how complex my 3D scene can get.

Thanks.

So if I go for the high end 27", upgrade to i7 and have 1.1 fusion drive that will still be a beast of a machine and possibly for under £2000 or am I being optimistic there?
 
A lot of great comments here, glad to see I'm not the only one thinking about this. The more I read about the external SSDs, the more I'm tempted to just ignore the fusion drive (That is to say if it costs an extortionate amount). If the price is in line with the external, then I may just go with it however. I'm hoping to not spend over 2k American on the imac.
 
Thanks.

So if I go for the high end 27", upgrade to i7 and have 1.1 fusion drive that will still be a beast of a machine and possibly for under £2000 or am I being optimistic there?

I think it can be a bit more than that but not much maybe 2050 pounds? perhaps 2100.
 
A lot of great comments here, glad to see I'm not the only one thinking about this. The more I read about the external SSDs, the more I'm tempted to just ignore the fusion drive (That is to say if it costs an extortionate amount). If the price is in line with the external, then I may just go with it however. I'm hoping to not spend over 2k American on the imac.

I'm in the same boat. Trying to keep it around 2k american, but for an editing rig its going to be tough. I feel something is going to have to be compromised a bit just for price reasons. I'll probably shell out the cash for a nicer GPU and maybe stick with the i5 for CPU. I don't know though, it all depends on how much this supposed fusion drive is going to cost because an SDD of some sort and a monster of a GPU is absolutely essential for an editing rig.
 
With the BTO prices released, what are you guys thinking now for a unit around 2G (or under).
 
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