Replacing my 2010 Mac Pro 4core 16GB with....?

[archipj]

Hi to you all,

I'm a newbie here on the forum, architect as profession and searching for info about replacing my 2010 Mac Pro 4core 16 GB. I found a lot of info but all threads I read did not help me decide. I am thinking about replacing my Mac Pro with a iMac 27" 5k, but then.......

i5 (AMD 580) or i7 (AMD 580) both with 16 GB?,
and then fusiondrive 1 or 2 TB or SSD 512 GB?

Also planning a NAS (Raid 5) for backup.
Programs I use: ArchiCAD, Artlantis, Photoshop, Lightroom, Sketchup and AutoCAD Light.

Who can help me decide without getting in details like hyperthreading, cpu-temperature etc....

Thanks for answering!!

Peter

 

[bxs]

My one piece of advice is for you to not consider the Fusion Drive. Get the SSD option instead.

 

[Trebuin]

Hi to you all,

I'm a newbie here on the forum, architect as profession and searching for info about replacing my 2010 Mac Pro 4core 16 GB. I found a lot of info but all threads I read did not help me decide. I am thinking about replacing my Mac Pro with a iMac 27" 5k, but then.......

i5 (AMD 580) or i7 (AMD 580) both with 16 GB?,
and then fusiondrive 1 or 2 TB or SSD 512 GB?

Also planning a NAS (Raid 5) for backup.
Programs I use: ArchiCAD, Artlantis, Photoshop, Lightroom, Sketchup and AutoCAD Light.

Who can help me decide without getting in details like hyperthreading, cpu-temperature etc....

Thanks for answering!!

Peter

Ditto on what bxs said, you can easily add an external drive and use the internal SSD to futureproof your imac.
I don't know what your budget is and only half an idea of what you're using your computer for. Upgrade the memory after the fact.

As for the i7, if you can afford it, upgrade to it. if not, the i5 will do fine and run cooler and quieter. If you want cooler and quieter from the i7, get turbo boost enabler pro to disable turboboost when you don't use it.

Video card is always a worthwhile upgrade.

 

[archipj]

Thank you BXS and Trebuin! I'm using my computer for designing buildings and making 3d-BIM-models of buildings with ArchiCAD. Also using Artlantis for rendering 3d-models.

Budget allows me to buy the iMac 27 5k i7 8Gb with the SSD 512Gb (upgrading memory I'll do by myself with an extra 16Gb). Next to it a NAS (4x 2Tb Raid5).

Is the SSD big enough, an extra 512Gb in the SSD (so it will be 1Tb) will cost €480 or $575. Way to much I think..

What do you think?

 

[OBirder]

Is the SSD big enough, an extra 512Gb in the SSD (so it will be 1Tb) will cost €480 or $575. Way to much I think..

What do you think?

I think it’s sufficient. You will get two Thunderbolt 3 ports. I bought a Samsung T5 external 1 TB SSD for $350 (in the US) which provides 500 MB/sec speed which should be sufficient for what you described. Over the coming years we will see more external SSD’s with speed increase coming to market to better utilize the potential of TB 3.

 

[mikas]

I am an ArchiCAD user too. I suspect you are european (because you mentioned euros first), and I am too.
Unless you are from Great Britain, your ArchiCAD is not compatible with High Sierra yet. It will crash when you access the submenus of a tool palette (see attachments). I just tried this combo, and I certainly can crash it every time. AC21 INT build 5010 works ok though.

AC21 build 5010 is a fix to the problem, but it's not localized yet for every region.
AUS, INT, UKI and USA do have a fix. Other regions are coming later, hopefully really soon, because we are to order some iMacs for our company too.

You might want to check all the other issues too.

We have decided to go with iMac 5K 27", 580 Pro, i7, 8GB, 1TB SSD, +32GB 3rd party ram. There's nothing wrong with i5, but I would choose Flash SSD instead of Fusion Drive every time, almost for every use, even the smaller ones, just like many others above.