The ideal iMac for video editing?

Discussion in 'iMac' started by scrill, Jun 16, 2013.

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  1. scrill, Jun 16, 2013

    scrill macrumors newbie

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2013
    #1
    Ok so I'm looking to buy my first iMac. I do a lot of editing with FCPX and Motion and I'm finally buying a computer used strictly for editing (might get into photoshop later). I currently use my 2011 macbook pro with 2.66 GHz and 4GB to edit. It takes forever to render and FCPX constantly crashes. Trying to budget at around 3000$.

    Processor
    3.2GHz Quad-core Intel Core i5, Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz
    3.4GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.9GHz

    Memory
    8GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x4GB
    16GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2X8GB
    32GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 4x8GB

    Storage
    1TB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200 rpm
    3TB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200 rpm
    1TB Fusion Drive
    3TB Fusion Drive
    256GB Flash Storage
    512GB Flash Storage
    768GB Flash Storage

    Graphics
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 675MX 1GB GDDR5
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680MX 2GB GDDR5

    Do you think those options would make for a solid/fast editing machine? I still don't fully understand the fusion drive but have read it is a nice addition. Would 1TB of fusion be enough? Do I need 16GB of RAM or could I get by with 8GB/ would 16GB make a noticeable difference? I'm looking for a fast, smooth running computer. Also, I've been looking to see when the new iMacs will come out but couldn't find anything (if there is going to be a significant change coming to the iMac, I'd rather wait to buy the new model). All insight and information would be helpful, Thanks.
     
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  2. Bear, Jun 16, 2013

    Bear macrumors G3

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    Jul 23, 2002
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    Sol III - Terra
    #2
    Go with the 1TB fusion drive and keep your video projects on external USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt drives. As for memory, order it with 8GB from Apple and add a 3rd part 16GB kit. You 'll save money and have 24GB of RAM.

    Other than those two, your highlighted choices look decent for FCPX and Motion.

    As for iMac updates, the guess is no later than October. But it's a guess - it could be sooner or later than that.
     
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  3. scrill, Jun 16, 2013

    scrill thread starter macrumors newbie

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    Jan 11, 2013
    #3
    Appreciate the feedback. What do you think is better between the USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt drive? Also, the thats good to hear about the updates because that is around when I was looking to purchase.
     
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  4. Bear, Jun 16, 2013

    Bear macrumors G3

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    #4
    For Single drive enclosures USB 3.0 is more than fast enough and will cost noticeably less than a thunderbolt enclosure
     
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  5. scrill, Jun 17, 2013

    scrill thread starter macrumors newbie

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    Jan 11, 2013
    #5
    Thanks, and one last question. Is it easy to add RAM on your own? (as you mentioned the 3rd park 16GB kit)
     
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  6. Bear, Jun 17, 2013

    Bear macrumors G3

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    Location:
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    #6
    It's quite easy to add memory to the 27" iMac. From Apple's Knowledge Base - iMac: How to remove or install memory.

    In short, it's 3 screws holding the memory access plate in, put in the 2 memory modules, replace the plate and the 3 screws.

    I do advise that you use a new machine for a few days before adding the memory in. That way you know the machine is good.
     
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  7. Raima, Jun 17, 2013

    Raima macrumors 6502

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2010
    #7
    Overall good advice, I would suggest sticking with the 3TB fusion drives. Drive upgrades are difficult to do and I would not recommend doing so.

    Having the additional space allows you to deal with space issues a lot later in time and also allow you to continue utilising your storage at fusion speeds.

    Once you move data onto external storage, unless it's SSD, you're going to take a pretty big hit in terms of read/write storage performance.
     
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