iMac 27", Mid 2010

[scontr53]

Need some advise, is it work doubling my memory on this computer becoming obsolete? I'm not a gamer, just a graphic designer. Everything including internet is running really slow (spinning wheel) I use Adobe Creative Cloud basically Illustrator and Photoshop use only. I have a TB Hard Drive and that is only 1/4 used. Attached is about my mac.

 

[USB3foriMac]

Check RAM pressure in your activity monitor to find out whether RAM is the issue.
I rather suspect you are still using the internal drive, e.g. as data drive. Forget that drive entirely. Or better, replace it. It's so easy on your machine.
Your GPU is also not the fastest...

 

[Nguyen Duc Hieu]

Need some advise, is it work doubling my memory on this computer becoming obsolete? I'm not a gamer, just a graphic designer. Everything including internet is running really slow (spinning wheel) I use Adobe Creative Cloud basically Illustrator and Photoshop use only. I have a TB Hard Drive and that is only 1/4 used. Attached is about my mac.
View attachment 975983

I don't see why you can't/shouldn't double your RAM.
RAM are amazingly cheap and easily to install.
If you can, replace the old spinning drive with a SATA SSD.
I just installed 2 SSD into my iMac 2010 yesterday, one for High Sierra, one for Windows 10.

If you want to go for the extra miles (labour only, parts are cheap):
1. Swap the CPU with core i7-870 or 880
2. Max-out the RAM: 4x8GB = 32GB
3. Install 2 SSDs or 1 SSD for OS, 1 2.5in HDD for data.
4. Install a WX4150 for stronger GPU.

 

[scontr53]

I don't see why you can't/shouldn't double your RAM.
RAM are amazingly cheap and easily to install.
If you can, replace the old spinning drive with a SATA SSD.
I just installed 2 SSD into my iMac 2010 yesterday, one for High Sierra, one for Windows 10.

If you want to go for the extra miles (labour only, parts are cheap):
1. Swap the CPU with core i7-870 or 880
2. Max-out the RAM: 4x8GB = 32GB
3. Install 2 SSDs or 1 SSD for OS, 1 2.5in HDD for data.
4. Install a WX4150 for stronger GPU.

Thank you so much for this info. I've ordered the RAM (32 GB) I will see how she works once installed and go from there.

 

[toddzrx]

Your screen grab of the specs didn’t include the storage you’re using, but most likely you’re still running a classic hard drive. The 32GB of RAM you just ordered is not going to do very much to help; you must drop an SSD inside to really revive your machine. I’ve been running an internal SSD in my 21” 2010 iMac since I bought it used in 2012 and it still runs pretty well for such an old machine. The spinner HAS to go.

 

[Nguyen Duc Hieu]

Your screen grab of the specs didn’t include the storage you’re using, but most likely you’re still running a classic hard drive. The 32GB of RAM you just ordered is not going to do very much to help; you must drop an SSD inside to really revive your machine. I’ve been running an internal SSD in my 21” 2010 iMac since I bought it used in 2012 and it still runs pretty well for such an old machine. The spinner HAS to go.

Actually 32GB of RAM does help a lot in speeding things up, as the machine will load everything onto RAM, there will be less cache read/write during use. Booting up still takes time, but normal usage will get better.

Anyway, if posssible, upgrading all other things is better, but require more tools, parts, accessories and labour than just changing the RAM.
OP's existing CPU is just a core i5-650 (2 cores 4 thread), swaping it with a core i7-870 (4core 8 thread) does double the cores for multi-core applications, but reduce the clock speeds.
GPU upgrade is a troublesome project, and should be the last job to do.

OP: You can add a new SSD to the iMac, not replace the existing HDD or ODD, for a fail safe upgrade plan.
But this requires you to take the logic board out of the iMac and put it on the working desk, quite troublesome.

 

[scontr53]

Your screen grab of the specs didn’t include the storage you’re using, but most likely you’re still running a classic hard drive. The 32GB of RAM you just ordered is not going to do very much to help; you must drop an SSD inside to really revive your machine. I’ve been running an internal SSD in my 21” 2010 iMac since I bought it used in 2012 and it still runs pretty well for such an old machine. The spinner HAS to go.

I am not quite sure what an SSD is or how to start shopping for one. I think it safe to probably take it to someone to do this. It is good to know that I don't have to get a whole new one

 

[Nguyen Duc Hieu]

I am not quite sure what an SSD is or how to start shopping for one. I think it safe to probably take it to someone to do this. It is good to know that I don't have to get a whole new one

Yeah, better have someone know this trade to do it for you.
Just do some research on parts price.

 

[KennyW]

Need some advise, is it work doubling my memory on this computer becoming obsolete? I'm not a gamer, just a graphic designer. Everything including internet is running really slow (spinning wheel) I use Adobe Creative Cloud basically Illustrator and Photoshop use only. I have a TB Hard Drive and that is only 1/4 used. Attached is about my mac.
View attachment 975983

I would say the RAM and a Solid State Disk (SSD) should be your priority at this moment if you run mostly graphic applications since they can be DIY more easily. Changing the GPU or CPU would be much more difficult for those not technically savvy.

Benchmark testers have shown in YouTube videos that 32GB is the sweet spot even for the latest 2020 iMac for most applications. Switching to a SSD would be day and night difference. You won't regret and can't go back after the experience with the new speed. Then perhaps a WX4130 GPU flashed for Mac (all shaders are unlocked in the latest Mac vBIOS with comparable speed to WX4150) since it just needs taking off 3 screws to change it, unlike the 2011 models.