I have a mid-2011 iMac. It has a 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5. It’s starting to show it’s age, especially when it comes to photo editing in Lightroom. I’m thinking about a new iMac (also open to PC) but I don’t fully understand processors. Photo editing is probably the most intensive thing I do on the computer and don’t do it very often. What should I be looking for in terms of specs on a new iMac?
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Processor question
- Thread starter TonyC28
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I’m really lost when it comes to this. Would a quad core i5 in a new iMac be four times better than the i5 I have now?
Your present 2011 iMac has a quad-core i5.
The new iMac (4k retina) would also have a quad-core i5 (upgrade is an i7), and would be a newer generation of Intel CPU. So, you would expect faster, and should be noticeably faster. The clock speed will be somewhat higher, but the newer CPU should simply feel "snappier" - same reasons that 06tb06 listed in above post.
The new iMac (4k retina) would also have a quad-core i5 (upgrade is an i7), and would be a newer generation of Intel CPU. So, you would expect faster, and should be noticeably faster. The clock speed will be somewhat higher, but the newer CPU should simply feel "snappier" - same reasons that 06tb06 listed in above post.
So for basic photo editing and typical home use would you say the Retina iMac with 3.0 GHz quad core i5 would be sufficient?
That’s good info. Thank you! So not as simple as two screws and easily getting to the slots anymore?
i would go with either basic or middle 5k model with an ssd (even fusion drive is ok but don't buy the 1tb model).
If you like to edit photo the bigger screen will help. Moreover you don't need to order 16gb since the 5k model can easily upgrade the ram (you can leave it to a future upgrade).
If you like to edit photo the bigger screen will help. Moreover you don't need to order 16gb since the 5k model can easily upgrade the ram (you can leave it to a future upgrade).
well, yes, exactly. Replacing the RAM in the 21.5-inch requires slicing open the case, and removing the logic board.
Here's the steps that are involved - https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+21.5-Inch+Retina+4K+Display+(2017)+RAM+Replacement/92288
Why is it an issue? are you doing anything new?? Is it beachballing and feeling slow in general??
If so I suspect your hard drive is dying its at exactly the right age for that. Back it up now.
Then get it replaced with an SSD and you will have a machine that's faster than new for a couple of hundred bucks.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Crucial-MX300-Internal-Solid-State/dp/B01IAGSDUE?th=1
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Ugh how Apple of them. Their prices for RAM upgrades are crazy.
[doublepost=1511968971][/doublepost]
I’m new to the photo editing stuff so I can’t really compare how it was in the past. I’m getting really laggy edits, beachballing, and general slowness. Even Apple Photos is very clunky to use for editing now.
OP:
It would help if you told us what your budget limitations are.
My personal recommendation:
27" midrange iMac w/3.5ghz CPU
256gb (or 512gb) SSD instead of fusion drive (has to be ordered through the build-to-order page online).
This would be "a big jump up" and keep you going quite a long time.
My bargain pick of the day:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/202117459305?siteId=0&AdChoicePreference=true&rmvSB=true
(no financial interest, just a good buy I saved from yesterday)
It would help if you told us what your budget limitations are.
My personal recommendation:
27" midrange iMac w/3.5ghz CPU
256gb (or 512gb) SSD instead of fusion drive (has to be ordered through the build-to-order page online).
This would be "a big jump up" and keep you going quite a long time.
My bargain pick of the day:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/202117459305?siteId=0&AdChoicePreference=true&rmvSB=true
(no financial interest, just a good buy I saved from yesterday)
The reason I ask is because your machine has perfectly fine specs for photo editing. It could just be an old hard drive causing the problems, you could even try just going into disk utility and doing a disk repair it may help.
[doublepost=1511977264][/doublepost]States new. I wonder, can Applecare be added.
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I think I’m going to try a disk utility and if that doesn’t work consider upgrading to an SSD. It would be nice to get a few more years out of this computer.