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iMas70

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Sep 4, 2012
1,444
207
MA
Thinking about replacing my 2017 iMac with a 2019 model. I know it's faster but will it really be worth it? The one thing I know I'll see a difference with is storage. My 1TB SSD is almost full/ 124GB left. And that is with saving stuff on external drives.

2017
4.2 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7
40 GB 2400 MHz DDR4
Radeon Pro 580 8 GB
1TB SSD

2019
3.6GHz 8-core 9th-generation Intel Core i9 processor, Turbo Boost up to 5.0GHz
8GB 2666MHz DDR4 memory
Radeon Pro Vega 48 with 8GB of HBM2 memory
2TB SSD storage
 

tyc0746

macrumors 6502
Apr 3, 2019
259
102
Liverpool, UK
Yes, it will be faster, especially on multi-core jobs and anything that can utilise the Vega 48. Maybe only 10-15% faster on single core jobs, but 50-80% faster on heavier multi-core jobs.

But if you’re happy with the speed & capability of your current machine, why not just add some large external storage and free up some internal space.

You can get Thunderbolt enclosures for whatever size drive you need (14TB are common now), but it’s a waste of a thunderbolt port when you’ll only get the same speed as over a USB3 port. The best performance will be from external SSDs which will be as fast as the internal SSD, and save you a lot of cash over a new machine.

Of course you’d also have to budget for fitting another 32GB ram to your new machine to match the old one.
 

marzfreerider

macrumors 6502
Jun 13, 2014
367
254
Germany
If you don't need one now, I would hold off. In Canada the wait times have slipped to 4-6 weeks for BTO. Possible refresh coming up or just short of parts.
 

Azrael9

macrumors 68020
Apr 4, 2020
2,287
1,835
Thinking about replacing my 2017 iMac with a 2019 model. I know it's faster but will it really be worth it? The one thing I know I'll see a difference with is storage. My 1TB SSD is almost full/ 124GB left. And that is with saving stuff on external drives.

2017
4.2 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7
40 GB 2400 MHz DDR4
Radeon Pro 580 8 GB
1TB SSD

2019
3.6GHz 8-core 9th-generation Intel Core i9 processor, Turbo Boost up to 5.0GHz
8GB 2666MHz DDR4 memory
Radeon Pro Vega 48 with 8GB of HBM2 memory
2TB SSD storage

Short answer. 'No.' It's out of date, over priced and under specced. And the design is ten years old.

New iMac imminent. With all that implies.

'Don't do it.'

Azrael.
 

Fishrrman

macrumors Penryn
Feb 20, 2009
29,223
13,292
NO.
It's not worth it.

Not a "big enough jump forward".
Wait until the NEXT iMac is introduced.
Either late this year or 2nd-3rd quarter next year.
You'll do much better that way.
 

iMas70

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Sep 4, 2012
1,444
207
MA
I deleted my IOS backups so I now have close to 600GB available. The most intensive work with this is editing drone videos once in awhile. The 2017 version performs great so it probably won't be worth spending $4K on a new machine. If I do buy a new one, I could probably get at least $2K for the one I have now unless I give it to my kids.
 

Azrael9

macrumors 68020
Apr 4, 2020
2,287
1,835
I deleted my IOS backups so I now have close to 600GB available. The most intensive work with this is editing drone videos once in awhile. The 2017 version performs great so it probably won't be worth spending $4K on a new machine. If I do buy a new one, I could probably get at least $2K for the one I have now unless I give it to my kids.

$4k for the current iMac.

'Don't do it.'

Azrael.
 

iMas70

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Sep 4, 2012
1,444
207
MA
Starting price is $2299. Add $400 for the I9 processor, $450 for the Pro Vega 48, $700 for the 2TB SSD and $129 for the Magic Mouse 2 and Magic Track Pad 2. Total jumps to $3978.00.

I'm looking into the external storage options that were mentioned about. The 2GB and 4GB LaCies I'm using are filling up fast. Mainly with photos and videos.
 

nihil0

macrumors 6502
May 19, 2016
459
375
I bought 2019 model with i9 this February (only with 580X). I had 2017 i5 before and for me the jump is huge in multicore performance. Also the step from 580 to Vega 48 is very noticeable (from reviews I saw which specifically dealt with video editing performance). If you really need it for work right now, go ahead and buy it. The 2020 model will not arrive anytime soon. I expect fall 2020 earliest.
 

CWallace

macrumors G5
Aug 17, 2007
12,525
11,542
Seattle, WA
The 2020 model will not arrive anytime soon. I expect fall 2020 earliest.

Rumors from Mark Gurman and Jon Prosser that dropped this morning say the new iMacs would have shipped by now if not for COVID-19 and that they will be redesigned from the current model so we could see them any time now.
 

nihil0

macrumors 6502
May 19, 2016
459
375
Rumors from Mark Gurman and Jon Prosser that dropped this morning say the new iMacs would have shipped by now if not for COVID-19 and that they will be redesigned from the current model so we could see them any time now.

Gurman reported 23-inch iMac which I seriously doubt will be flagship and powerhouse computer. It seems it will be consumer device aimed at low budget customers. I don't think we will see 27-inch equivalent anytime soon.

But as always there is one rule - if you need it, buy it. Otherwise, wait.
 

DerKommissar

macrumors member
Dec 1, 2007
77
70
If you're going to spend that much, why not spend another $250 and get a referb iMac pro? I know it won't quite as fast for single core, and it still 1 TB SSD, but its a much better computer and design overall.
 
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