Top-Tier 27 Fusion OR Entry-Level 27 SSD?

[JasonMovieGuy]

Hi all!

So some might have read- I had to cancel my original iMac purchase because it was just too expensive to my needs. But now I am back on track but am still on a budget that is going to constrict me not to go past $2500-2700 including tax. (I do get an Education discount that is great).

I've boiled it down to this-----

Top Tier 27 iMac with 2TB Fusion Drive

or

Entry-Level 27 iMac with 512 SSD

I am ALSO getting Final Cut Pro X ! So excited- with the Education bundle, I get 5 apps including another compressor and 3D graphics. So this is why I was wondering if the top-tier would make a difference. HOWEVER I right now, am just editing in 1080P. I am not yet in the 4K editing world (and won't be for at least another year).

Does the Mid-Tier make much difference in graphic performance then the entry level?

I am transitioning from a entry-level 21.5 iMac from late 2009. So the speed will be great regardless.

I also decided not to upgrade to an i7 processor, based on my work load (and yeah those heat complaints).

Suggestions? I Do want SSD, but 512 still seems skimpy. Ideas?

PS- I saved my 32GB of Ballistix Sport RAM which I will be installing for a total of 40GB.

 

[Sid The Kid]

You can even remove the HDD part and put a SDD inside it later if you want.

 

[JasonMovieGuy]

Thanks Sid!

I went with the base iMac 27 with a 1TB SSD vs going with a Mid-Tier with 512SSD or Top Tier with Fusion. I decided I DEF didn't want a Fusion Drive (despite more space), and I really wanted the internal SSD to have ENOUGH space- at least, for me. I do a lot of 1080P video editing for the future and also some 4K coming up, and it will be nice to have it. Sure I'll have external drives, but I still like to hold on to some files on the internal drive.

I researched and the 575 bump from 570 isn't going to make THAT much difference. The base 570/4GB Video Ram is still supposed to be excellent. Plus I'll have a total of 40GB RAM once I install my Ballistic Sport from Crucial.

I also will be getting Final Cut Pro X, and I opted for the Magic Trackpad 2. Hope it works out!

 

[jlseattle]

Thanks Sid!

I went with the base iMac 27 with a 1TB SSD vs going with a Mid-Tier with 512SSD or Top Tier with Fusion. I decided I DEF didn't want a Fusion Drive (despite more space), and I really wanted the internal SSD to have ENOUGH space- at least, for me. I do a lot of 1080P video editing for the future and also some 4K coming up, and it will be nice to have it. Sure I'll have external drives, but I still like to hold on to some files on the internal drive.

I researched and the 575 bump from 570 isn't going to make THAT much difference. The base 570/4GB Video Ram is still supposed to be excellent. Plus I'll have a total of 40GB RAM once I install my Ballistic Sport from Crucial.

I also will be getting Final Cut Pro X, and I opted for the Magic Trackpad 2. Hope it works out!

Great choice! Tearing open the iMac is a headache and breaks warranty. The hard drive choice is the biggest electronic component you can make the biggest change with in the iMac. It slows down the entire system if you pick the fusion drive.

 

[JasonMovieGuy]

Great choice! Tearing open the iMac is a headache and breaks warranty. The hard drive choice is the biggest electronic component you can make the biggest change with in the iMac. It slows down the entire system if you pick the fusion drive.

Thanks jlseattle! Yeah I figured. It was not an easy decision lol. I was back and forth (even in my dreams, go figure) with this SSD vs Fusion and finally decided I wanted the faster, more reliable storage. I do wish if I had the money, I could have kept the 575/580- but overall, I'm not sure if I would be able tell right away if bumping my graphic card up would make a difference vs I DEF know I would probably be able to tell that a Fusion would be slower then pure SSD.

 

[KentuckyApple]

I just got my new iMac with an SSD and its very fast. Noticeably faster than my 850 EVO in my old 2009 iMac i7. You made the right choice.

 

[JasonMovieGuy]

I just got my new iMac with an SSD and its very fast. Noticeably faster than my 850 EVO in my old 2009 iMac i7. You made the right choice.

Yay!