Radeon Pro 560X or Radeon Pro Vega 20 for daily use?

[pigpen77]

This is for a regular non pro user. The computer will simply be used by the family for daily email, web browsing, and programs like Microsoft Word/PPT etc. Not sure if the upgrade is worth it for users not doing any photo/video editing? Or would upgrading extend the life/value of the computer longer? Your thoughts are appreciated.

 

[jerwin]

unless someone in your family plans to play games on it-- (a valid, and completely understandable motive), the best upgrade is to an SSD.

 

[Juicy Box]

Not sure if the upgrade is worth it for users not doing any photo/video editing? Or would upgrading extend the life/value of the computer longer?

Typically, the GPU is the weak-link for Mac longevity, but with many Macs having soldered RAM and/or soldered storage, there are now other considerations.

Most GPU upgrades have an increase in video memory, which the new iMac does not. So maybe for the new iMac, the GPU upgrade won't be as dramatic as it once was.

Maybe research the performance differences between them, it might help make a decision.

 

[padams35]

This is for a regular non pro user. The computer will simply be used by the family for daily email, web browsing, and programs like Microsoft Word/PPT etc. Not sure if the upgrade is worth it for users not doing any photo/video editing? Or would upgrading extend the life/value of the computer longer? Your thoughts are appreciated.

That's Macbook Air level work. Just the RX 555X would be more than enough for that stuff.

The advanced GPU upgrades are mostly for people doing video editing, 3D rendering, 3D gaming, or scientific computing. Unless you expect a family member might get into an MMORPG I wouldn't worry about the GPU.

 

[jerwin]

Here's a comparison of the 560x and the Vega 20 (running on a macbook pro). If no one in your family can imagine that you will actually use those applications, it's not too relevant.

http://barefeats.com/macbook-pro-vega-20-versus-560x.html

Since 1977, home computers have always been sold for homework and budgets. And they've always ended up being used for games.

(If you are ultraserious about paperless organization of a household, OCR can really tax a computer, but that's CPU bound, not GPU bound, afaik)

 

[pigpen77]

Thanks for the tips. There are no gamers here and the only minor editing done may be on some videos from iPhones but nothing else. I guess I will go with the 560X and use the extra money for an SSD.