The 8-core iMac Pro with 64GB of RAM is priced the same as the 10-core iMac Pro with 32GB of RAM. Which would you get, and why? Thanks!
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iMac Pro: 8-core 64GB RAM vs. 10-core 32GB RAM
- Thread starter dachshundx
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Depends on how RAM-hungry and core-hungry your apps are! How's that for a non-answer!
Some apps scale with cores, and the 2 extra cores could get you 15-20% more performance (it's complex, the 10 core has lower speed but higher turbo-boost, but you aren't likely to see any sustained turbo boost on all 10 cores at once). The iMac Pro has speedy disk access, so caching effect of RAM is less helpful than with older disk-based systems.
I went for 64GB of RAM even though I do well on 24GB on my current iMac as I intend on using this new iMac Pro as a Kubernetes/Docker testing environment in addition to video and photo editing. I'll be able to create a Minikube instance with plenty of cores (4 probably) and RAM (16-32GB probably) and still have lots of room left for any other apps I want to run.
Some apps scale with cores, and the 2 extra cores could get you 15-20% more performance (it's complex, the 10 core has lower speed but higher turbo-boost, but you aren't likely to see any sustained turbo boost on all 10 cores at once). The iMac Pro has speedy disk access, so caching effect of RAM is less helpful than with older disk-based systems.
I went for 64GB of RAM even though I do well on 24GB on my current iMac as I intend on using this new iMac Pro as a Kubernetes/Docker testing environment in addition to video and photo editing. I'll be able to create a Minikube instance with plenty of cores (4 probably) and RAM (16-32GB probably) and still have lots of room left for any other apps I want to run.
Well, the ram can actually be upgraded later so....but then I wonder if the CPU could actually be as well. They say my trash can can't, but mine was purchased as a 6 core, but has had a 12c processor for awhile now.
I was faced with this exact dilemma today and went with the 10-core 32GB. 32 is all I need today and I can upgrade in the future if I need to. A warranty voiding CPU upgrade could be in the future if necessary but I imagine at that point I would just get something else.
The 10 core has a higher boost clock which would hopefully equate to the best single-core or few-core performance. It’s not made for single core of course, but it still happens
I initially ordered an 8-core with 64 GB of RAM and 16 GB Vega. I just cancelled it and re-ordered with a 10-core, 32 GB of RAM and 16 GB Vega.
Stanfield is right -- the RAM is still upgradable; the CPUs probably not nearly as easily.
Unfortunately, re-ordering has pushed me back until the Jan. 5-11th range. Oh well.
Stanfield is right -- the RAM is still upgradable; the CPUs probably not nearly as easily.
Unfortunately, re-ordering has pushed me back until the Jan. 5-11th range. Oh well.
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That’s the same configuration I went with, same shipping window as well. I feel pretty good about it. I wasn’t going to upgrade the video card until I learned about the option of a ram upgrade. I know it’s going to smoke this 2016 MBP no matter what, and that is going to be something I can enjoy. Maybe I’ll spring for 64GB after the refresh cycle when I’m wishing I could have a sparkly new one that is
why keeping the vega 64? i ordered the 56 but still hesitant to change it. wondering how 16Gb of vram enter in action. any hint/link is welcome
I was on a budget which basically allowed 2 upgrades. I skipped RAM because it can be upgraded later, and I skipped HD because I don't need more than 1TB of internal, and I can augment with external. So I figured I would upgrade the CPU one notch and the video card, both of which I am stuck with after purchase. Spread the money around a little.
I have seen basically zero insights into the video card and its performance.
why keeping the vega 64? i ordered the 56 but still hesitant to change it. wondering how 16Gb of vram enter in action. any hint/link is welcome
Unless you're doing major development, you probably won't need that vram. The Core performance is actually a worthwhile upgrade & will help future-proof the thing.
Not to mention the price of RAM usually drops as a function of time.
Upgrading has to be done at Apple or an AASP, some of the RAM needs to have a special shield stuck onto it because of possible interference from WiFi/Bluetooth.
Upgrading has to be done at Apple or an AASP, some of the RAM needs to have a special shield stuck onto it because of possible interference from WiFi/Bluetooth.
I probably don't need a $6500 iMac either, and yet here we are.
touché. Basically, the video card is worth the upgrade. The CPU would be arguably less beneficial. I had to argue against the CPU but the single core out of the only benchmark actually improved on the 10 core. I was expecting it to be the same speed, but likely the higher speed step helped it out. I think it was around an 8% boost in performance while the multi thread operations gained 19%. If I changed my order, I'd look at the 10 core more seriously, drop the memory to 32GB, keep the upgraded video card, & get both the mouse & trackpad.
I'm wondering what Apple or a Certified Apple Technician store will charge to upgrade the RAM ? That is, what will they charge for labor and not the RAM upgrade ?
I just had a 2014 15" rMBP repaired with new logic board which is an easy repair compared to the iMac and Apple charged $100 for labor and $475 for the logic board.... and I felt this was a fair fee for doing this. So if Apple charges $100 for opening up the iMac that would be a good deal on top of what the RAM upgrade cost. However, I suspect the iMac Pro labor charge could be higher. It would be good for us to have some idea what Apple's labor charge is for opening up the iMac Pro and then sealing it back up.