Wanting a new iMac. Which graphics card and drive

[m1n]

My current computer:

I would like to buy a new 21.5” iMac (really like that size best), but after doing some searches and reading around, I still can’t decide which specs I want. I use my computer mostly for the basics, but I also play games, watch TV shows/movies, and use Photoshop/Pixelmator.

The games I play typically aren’t very graphics intensive and usually run fine on medium settings. However I recently bought The Cave, which is apparently too beastly for my computer, because even on the lowest settings it’s too slow and choppy to play. I’m not very knowledgeable on graphics cards so I just don’t know whether the Iris Pro will be sufficient for a game like that, or if I need the GeForce 750m. I also read that the Iris Pro is better for the other things I use my computer for… so yeah, I can’t figure out which would be best.

I’m also wondering if it will be worth the cost to upgrade to 256GB flash storage over the 1TB hard drive? Less space isn’t a big issue. I just want my computer to run nicely enough without being too costly. I hope to use it for the next 5 or so years like I have my current one.

Edit: OH YES and I forgot to mention I'm planning to install Parallels Desktop + Windows to play some games that aren't compatible with OS X, if that makes any difference.

 

[Kyle-K]

Given everything said I would go for the 21.5 inch iMac with the following specs.

• You probably don't need to upgrade the processor.
• NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M 1GB GDDR5 - Probably worthwhile for gaming and running Windows.
• 1TB Fusion Drive - If this is going to be the main computer you use.
• Optional: if you're going to use Windows and Mac side-by-side you're probably see some benefit in going to 16GB RAM.

 

[m1n]

Thanks for the reply! I think I am going to skip out on the 16GB RAM as it's rather out of my price range and I probably won't be using Windows much - just here and there running light games.

Also, what is the benefit to getting the Fusion Drive over flash storage? Is it just the extra space?

 

[Kyle-K]

Thanks for the reply! I think I am going to skip out on the 16GB RAM as it's rather out of my price range and I probably won't be using Windows much - just here and there running light games.

You should be fine if that's all you going to do. If you're restricted on how much you can spend consider taking a look at the Apple Refurbished Online Store.

Also, what is the benefit to getting the Fusion Drive over flash storage? Is it just the extra space?

The speed of SSD with the capacity of a large hard drive. 256GB is really not that much space for most people specially once the OS's (Mac and Windows) is on there and you get your apps installed.

About Fusion Drive

Fusion Drive combines 128GB of superfast flash storage with a traditional hard drive. And now it’s up to 50 percent faster than before.** It automatically and dynamically moves frequently used files to flash for quicker access. With Fusion Drive in your iMac, booting, copying files and importing photos are faster. Over time, as the system learns how you work, Fusion Drive makes your Mac experience even better. All while letting you store your digital life on a traditional, roomy hard drive.

**Testing conducted by Apple in September 2013 using pre-production 27-inch 3.5GHz quad-core Intel Core i7–based iMac units with a 1TB Fusion Drive, and shipping 27-inch 3.4GHz quad-core Intel Core i7–based iMac units with a 1TB Fusion Drive, all configured with 8GB RAM. Tested using file copy. Performance tests are conducted using specific computer systems and reflect the approximate performance of iMac.

 

[m1n]

You should be fine if that's all you going to do. If you're restricted on how much you can spend consider taking a look at the Apple Refurbished Online Store.

I just wanted to thank you for your help! I watched the refurbished store for a few days and bought a computer with the specs you recommended (with 8gb ram instead of 16gb). I received it today and the ram and processor had been upgraded - what a nice surprise! Now I will recommend the refurbished store to everyone, haha.

 

[Kyle-K]

I just wanted to thank you for your help!

You're more than welcome I hope you enjoy your new iMac.

I watched the refurbished store for a few days and bought a computer with the specs you recommended (with 8gb ram instead of 16gb). I received it today and the ram and processor had been upgraded - what a nice surprise!

Nice, Apparently this is a common thing that happens.

So your final specs were 3.1GHz Intel Core i7, 16GB ,1TB Fusion Drive, NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M 1GB GDDR5 that's definitely a nice machine. Specially when you get those extra upgrades for free.

Now I will recommend the refurbished store to everyone, haha.

It's definitely a great option, Recommended to a lot of people including most of my clients. But for some reason I always buy new as I normally get the top-of-the-line 27 inch. Which some people nickname the big mac.

--
Also, Give your old machine a little love and it should be good still for someone for a few years to come still.

Fresh Install.
Optional: Memory Upgrade
Optional: Hard Drive or SSD.

 

[SnowLeopard2008]

I highly recommend Fusion drive option or plain old SSD regardless of the rest of the system. But from what it sounds like, any graphics processor in the current iMac lineup will be more than enough. I ran The Cave on a 2 generation behind Intel integrated graphics card on medium just fine. Anything NVIDIA will more than suffice.