iMacs 2017: 27 and 21,5 possible setups

[esbardu]

Hi all,

I have a couple of 2017 iMac that I'm trying to set up in an optimal way without spending a lot of money on both of them. I have updated the RAM on the 21.5 to 16Gb, replace the fusion drive SSD with a 256 NVME and kept the 1TB HDD. The iMac 27" is updated to 24Gb and I'm using a couple of external SSD for OS (Phison 512Gb NVME) and Data (MX500 SATA 500Gb).

iMac 21.5 is running Ventura, iMac 27" is running Sonoma (OCLP).

The other option would have been to update the 27" to 32Gb and kept the 21.5" with only 8Gb.

Now my questions are; should I keep the internal HDD in the 21.5?, are 24Gb enough in the 27"? should I open the 27" to install the nvme internally?

Maybe I'm losing too much time on these two old iMacs ...

 

[mreg376]

Well, if you want to get the most those machines have to offer I would max out the RAM and install SSD's, if you want to regularly use the machines. Of course if you just want them to look pretty and turn them on once in a while for a few minutes, I wouldn't spend more than you have.

I'm currently running a 2017 27" iMac with an i7 and 64Gb of RAM and a 1 TB SSD. I still use it for work, but it's lack of horsepower is showing.

 

[Barnclos]

You’ve made the most important upgrade - switching to internal NVME on 21.5 and external SSD in 27.
I suggest you use the Macs for a while to see how they cope with your workload. Whether you can live with the HDD will become clear pretty quickly (if you can’t, add an external SSD). Memory needs are more subtle, use Activity Monitor to check for memory pressure.