More RAM or ext. SSD for New iMac?

[Jodeo]

I have a new 5K iMac! 27" 3.8GHz model with the 2TB Fusion drive.

My main uses are personal: Music, graphics, occasionally video. I just got Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro as well (never used either before so this could be interesting).

Two Questions:
1: Where can I find performance scores on this model once more RAM is added?
I'd like to get an idea how much performance is improved. I plan to eventually add one 16GB at a time over time.

2: Are external Thunderbolt SSDs the way to go? Or should I plan on eventually replacing the Fusion drive with an internal SSD? (Given the fusion drive has platters I expect it will eventually fail anyway. That said my WD 2TB on my older iMac is running strong 5 years on.)

Bonus Question:
Which would you invest in first: The RAM or the SSD? (Given my old iMac is tapped out at 6GB RAM and crawling under El Capitan, I'm thrilled with how fast the new iMac works!).


Cheers!

 

[mripadmini]

i would do the ram as the 2tb fusion has a ssd already built in and the hdd still works

 

[Apple Mac Daz]

Ram it’s easier to fit n your not pulling the screen off

 

[mreg376]

1. Additional RAM does not increase performance of the machine per se above the 8GB base RAM. What the additional RAM does is give the computer more capability of running multiple applications or memory-hungry applications without slowing down. So the answer depends on what applications you use.

2. I would wait until you start feeling the pinch with your 2TB fusion drive to consider upgrading. Tearing apart your iMac to replace the fusion drive with an SSD is one option, one I would NOT recommend. The other option for additional fast storage is, as you mentioned, an external Thunderbolt SSD. They are blazingly fast, but not cheap, at least not yet.

As to which you should do first, that's up to you. RAM is cheap and easy to upgrade, and may give you immediate benefits depending on your usage. An external SSD would give you no benefit until you're banging up against the 128GB portion of your fusion drive.

 

[xgman]

Even an external USB SSD drive would be noticeable. You can just velcro it to the back. And ram is cheap. Price around at least 16.

 

[Fishrrman]

Add some RAM yourself. Either 2 8gb DIMMs, or one 16gb.

The 2tb fusion drive has a 128gb SSD portion and a 2tb HDD portion.

You can get "full SSD speeds" by "de-fusing" the fusion drive.
This DOES require backing up all data, then DE-fusing the drives via the terminal, then reinstalling a copy of the OS onto the SSD drive (or selectively rebuilding from your backup drive).

IF you choose to de-fuse the fusion drive, the 128gb SSD (yes, it's not high in capacity, but this can be managed) will run faster than ANY thunderbolt or USB3 external drive that you connect to it -- by leaps and bounds.

Keep the OS, apps, and basic account on the SSD.
Keep your movies, music, and pic libraries on the HDD.

I predict that if you do this, you will be VERY pleased with the speed increase and overall performance.