Upgrading my old iMac for graphic and video work

[porkkala]

Hey guys,

I need an advice. I have an old Apple iMac 3.06GHz 3.06 GHz 21.5" MC413LL/A Desktop (bought in late 2010). It's still running pretty smoothly, but it's not powerful enough to use any of the latest graphic programs (for example, I can't use DaVinci Resolve at all and Adobe Premier is running pretty slow). Judging by your experience, do you think it would make sense to just try and upgrade my iMac or would it be easier (and less expensive maybe) to buy a new one?

This question might sound stupid, but I honestly have no idea how to upgrade stuff like this. And if it's even possible to get parts for this model anymore. Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[yjchua95]

Hey guys,

I need an advice. I have an old Apple iMac 3.06GHz 3.06 GHz 21.5" MC413LL/A Desktop (bought in late 2010). It's still running pretty smoothly, but it's not powerful enough to use any of the latest graphic programs (for example, I can't use DaVinci Resolve at all and Adobe Premier is running pretty slow). Judging by your experience, do you think it would make sense to just try and upgrade my iMac or would it be easier (and less expensive maybe) to buy a new one?

This question might sound stupid, but I honestly have no idea how to upgrade stuff like this. And if it's even possible to get parts for this model anymore. Thanks in advance for your help!

The only thing you can upgrade is RAM and hard drive, and neither of these upgrades will improve graphical performance.

Your only option is to get a new iMac with a decent GPU. I suggest the stock high end 5K iMac for this.

 

[porkkala]

The only thing you can upgrade is RAM and hard drive, and neither of these upgrades will improve graphical performance.

Your only option is to get a new iMac with a decent GPU. I suggest the stock high end 5K iMac for this.

Thanks a bunch!! I thought it might be the case.

 

[porkkala]

p.s. Judging by your experience, does Retina display make a difference?

 

[yjchua95]

p.s. Judging by your experience, does Retina display make a difference?

The difference is night and day. Once you go retina you'll never go back to a normal display.

 

[driftless]

The difference is night and day. Once you go retina you'll never go back to a normal display.

Yup, huge difference.

 

[aliensporebomb]

Once I saw 24 megapixel raw images from my DSLR on that screen I realize I haven't really been seeing my photos, just approximations of them. You won't go back.