Opinions on 5k Config Please

[Charlemagne]

Hi all,

Just checked out the 5k in the Apple store today - very clear difference in the screen. Not sure I need that compared to my ViewSonic 27", but I want to replace my 2009 Mac Pro.

Here is the config I'm thinking:
4.0GHz CPU
295x GPU
8GB RAM (upgrading to 24 after the fact)
512 SSD (most of my data will be stored on separate USB3 SSD drives)

I mainly do music production and photography on my machine.

What do you all think? Is the 512 SSD worth it over the 1TB fusion? Should I get regular iMac instead (though similarly spec'd only is $400 cheaper)? Or maybe a maxed out rMBP (cheaper than the 5k by $500).

Cheers!

 

[DerekS]

SSD is definitely worth it. You maxed out the right things.

 

[ElectronGuru]

Looks good to me. I might skip the 4k but only if CPU isn't a big deal. Def don't get the 2.5k. Price them both out, 5k is stupid cheap.

 

[Charlemagne]

Thanks - the upgraded CPU will come in handy for all the software synths I think?

One more question to add to this - any opinions on USB3 vs. Thunderbolt external hard drive enclosures for Samsung EVO SSDs? Will be storing all my samples on there and read speed is most important - would love to go with USB3 since it is much cheaper so long as it is sufficient.

 

[DerekS]

You want the upgraded CPU for hyper threading.
You want the upgraded GPU so you'll have as much horsepower as possible to throw at the 5k.