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Upgrade Processor or RAM - Can't Afford Both

HelixOmnimedia

HelixOmnimedia

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 26, 2006
790
34
Traveling The World
:rolleyes: Always about cost.

So going for the non-touch MacBook, don't see myself using it - don't really like it, so narrowed it down to what machines. But base model i've got some money to spare - so should I upgrade the processor? or the RAM? I can't afford both.

Main uses of the machines isn't anything too intense; standard web-browsing and emails, a lot of pages/number/keynote, iTunes, photo editing (in photos), I use handbrake to turn my DVDs to digital.


Or just stick with the base and save even more - but i do want to the change to last a good three/four years like my current one which is almost 6.
 
run VM > upgrade RAM
multimedia and file storage and Bootcamp > upgrade SSD 512GB
Run very intensive program > upgrade CPU

For your usage
SSD > Memory > CPU
 
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Go for Ram unless you are really pushing the machine non stop you wont notice it much. For Ram will make the device a lot more future proof
 
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Double the RAM if you could.
As of CPU ... you will be lucky to get a 10% performance increase with your hard earn money.
 
RAM if you pick either. Do not bother with CPU in 99.9% of cases.

Any CPU in any mac available today will handle most regular workloads just fine.

And workloads that won't be handled by say, a base model Air or 13" Macbook Pro won't be handled much better by a higher end dual core. You'd need to go to say a quad core 15" machine or an iMac or Mac Pro.
 
You don't need either of the upgrades but the ram is the only one worth paying for in my opinion.

I would save the money and treat your loved ones.
 
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I would definitely do RAM. You can get external storage and it'll be usable, CPUs are nearly all "fast enough", but when you run out of memory, you are looking at a factor of 100+ performance hit.
 
My understanding is that the i7's advantage over the i5 only kicks in with the quad core. In a 13', everything's dual core. Since I don't do video editing or gaming, I'm guessing I'd never notice the extra boost of the i7 in the 13".
 
I always go RAM first. The cpu upgrade has a downside of less battery life even though the speed will be less noticeable at most times. However, I would say save the money and get Apple Care. If you are money constrained, this would be my recommendation since it is a rev A. Peace of mind may be worth the most to your enjoyment. If you already have it, or are a gambler (like me), go RAM, has more upside and less downside than a cpu upgrade.
 
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