iMac 2019 purchase advice - heat vs perf

[Imposture]

Hi everybody,

I'm in the market for a new computer to replace my 2015 MBP (13" - 8gb -SSD 256gb).
My MBP is still quite usable and I actually only struggle when editing 4k videos or some other intensive tasks.

I've wanted an iMac for a long time for its beautiful displayand since I'm out of college anyway I don't need the portability as much (and I will keep my MBP anyway).

I'm confused as what to buy, I know for sure I want these things :
- 512 ssd (256 was already enough on my MBP but for a desktop 512 seems smarter)
- 27" (upgradable ram, more room for FCPX etc)

Now the real question is, should I get the lower end model with the 8th gen i5 or the top end model with the 9th gen i5 ?It's only a 200€ difference and I also get a better GPU. At first glance, it seems like a no brainer but I've read so many things about how hot it gets with the 9th gen i5 (95w like the i9 apparently) and the 580x that I'm wondering which would be best to keep in the long term.

I know the top end configuration is better and maybe more future proof but if the heat damages component over time then that would not be future proof at all.

What do you guys think ? Anyone with the top end model with ssd (i5/580X) ? Does it really get warm ?

Thank you for any input, it's quite a big purchase and I want to make sure I go the right direction.

 

[ruslan120]

I've been loving mine. i9 9900K and it runs warms during intensive tasks but nothing crazy.

The fundamental design flaw with all iMacs is their tendency to accumulate dust over time. In 3-4 years it won't be as performant as when you bought it simply due to dust. For this reason I bought AppleCare+ and will hopefully be able to get it replaced at around 2 years to extend the lifespan of the machine.

 

[Imposture]

Thank you for your answer.

Do you have the i9 and the Vega ? I read somewhere that this combo runs cooler than the i5/580x.

Do you guys really think it’s worth spending $250 for the i5 (9th gen)/580x over the base model i5/570x ?

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"I actually only struggle when editing 4k videos or some other intensive tasks."

If you're using Final Cut, are you transcoding your 4k into "proxy media" for editing?
If not, try that.

 

[Imposture]

Yeah I could try proxies but I would rather not complicate my workflow. And I’ve have been looking at the iMac for a while so I’m ready to spend my money on it.

I’m leaning towards the lower end model with 32gb ram from crucial and the 512gb ssd.. it’s $400 cheaper than if I get the top end mode with 64gb ram from crucial.

I still don’t know if it would be smarter to spend the $400 and double ram (32->64) and vram (4->8) as well as having a better processor or if it would be better to keep the $400 and save it for when I want to update the iMac in 5:6 years...

Is the Radeon 570X 4gb good enough ?

 

[ruslan120]

I would listen to Fishrrman, proxy media is well worth it. Hardly anybody plays back 4k in the viewer and it significantly improves performance.

I wouldn't have been able to make my most recent video (a 4K timelapse sped up 20-50x) without it, on the iiMac (2019). (i9 9900K, 40GB RAM, and Vega 48 + eGPU)

 

[mikehalloran]

If editing 4K video is the task and heat is the issue that concerns you, the iMac Pro is the machine you want.

There are a few BTO options in the Refurb Store but if this is true

My MBP is still quite usable and I actually only struggle when editing 4k videos or some other intensive tasks.

, the base model @ $4,429 should make you quite happy.
https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/mac/imac-pro

 

[Imposture]

I wouldn't have been able to make my most recent video (a 4K timelapse sped up 20-50x) without it, on the iiMac (2019). (i9 9900K, 40GB RAM, and Vega 48 + eGPU)

I don’t know think that’s true, if you use Final Cut Pro you should have zero problem editing 4K footage on this iMac.

I even can “edit” 4K footage from my Mavic Pro and Sony camera with my MacBook Pro 13” 8gb ram. It’s a bit choppy but totally doable. Your configuration seems way overkill for just editing 4K and proxies should not even be considered at this price point.

Of course, all 4K footage are not equally heavy and it’s a total different topic if you edit on PP.

 

[ruslan120]

I don’t know think that’s true, if you use Final Cut Pro you should have zero problem editing 4K footage on this iMac.

I even can “edit” 4K footage from my Mavic Pro and Sony camera with my MacBook Pro 13” 8gb ram. It’s a bit choppy but totally doable. Your configuration seems way overkill for just editing 4K and proxies should not even be considered at this price point.

Of course, all 4K footage are not equally heavy and it’s a total different topic if you edit on PP.

I was surprised too, but it did make sense why the system would get sluggish.

It was (only) 4K but sped up 20-50x, added translation during said speed up, multiple sped up clips cross fading, stabilizing the entire 40 minutes and playing it in 10 seconds, etc. All of this at once definitely brought the playback to a crawl.

Render times were still a breeze.

Clip in question:

Clarification: Editing was not difficult, but playback was. I view the two as interchangeable, since I need to see what I'm working on.

 

[mikehalloran]

I don’t know think that’s true, if you use Final Cut Pro you should have zero problem editing 4K footage on this iMac.

True and if you're a hobbyist, you don't mind the extra time and, on larger files, the fan noise.

If, however, you're doing 4K and Time=$, you want an iMac Pro. Also, you're the one who stated that heat is a concern, not us.

Of course, of you're doing large files with effects, then you really want the new Mac Pro in a few months unless Apple really plans to ship in a few weeks. That you can do them on an old MBP indicates this would be overkill.

 

[ruslan120]

True and if you're a hobbyist, you don't mind the extra time and, on larger files, the fan noise.

If, however, you're doing 4K and Time=$, you want an iMac Pro. Also, you're the one who stated that heat is a concern, not us.

Of course, of you're doing large files with effects, then you really want the new Mac Pro in a few months unless Apple really plans to ship in a few weeks. That you can do them on an old MBP indicates this would be overkill.

You're not wrong. I want it.

^ (sorry, I know this was directed at OP, couldn't resist, gonna go back to work now etc)

 

[mikehalloran]

You're not wrong. I want it.

Ha!

I bought my 14 Core last May and then I saw the 7.1 Mac Pro at the WWDC... Really, my iMP does everything I want but the 7.1 MP... Oh my, yes! yes! yes!

 

[ruslan120]

I'll be on the lookout in Buy/Sell