New mac buyer needs help

[shpitot]

I use my computer for mostly photo editing in lightroom. Sometimes I use photoshop and do the odd video edit 4k as well. Looking at one of the new iMacs announced today and needing some advice.

At this stage I am looking at the 21.5 inch iMac. Has a cash saving over the 27 inch and still has some good specs. Some questions I have:
- Pay extra for i7 at 3.6hz. Seems only a little improvement over the i5 3.4ghz. Worth it?
- 16GB ram seems like a good amount. To go up to 32GB is quite a big step up price wise.
- Fusion drives. Can you still edit 4k footage fine with one or should I move up to 512gb ssd? I am currently running a ssd (with no GPU), so would I notice a difference with a fusion with GPU?

I guess the main question is with this machine and my usage what should I prioritise to upgrade? i7, ram or ssd? I may be able to afford 2 upgrades here.

 

[shpitot]

Thanks to those who have voted as well. All helps!

 

[spinstorm]

I ordered the base iMac 27" last night (expecting it tomorrow).

I looked at all these options and decided against it.

I don't play games; I don't do intense video editing. So I felt there was no benefit of upgrading my processor. I currently have a 2012 27" iMac and it is great. The only reason I decided to upgrade was because of thunderbolt 3/USB-C and the fact it will now work with my LG 5K display.

RAM can be added by you for less than Apple charges as it is user upgradable. I plan on purchasing extra RAM today and updating it myself.

As for the fusion drive/SSD - again it would be cheaper to buy a Thunderbolt 3 SSD and connect that up to use for your editing rather than pay the extra.

Having said all that if you have the budget and see this as something long term you are going to keep them it makes sense to spend an extra 500 and get a faster processor and/or swap to SSD but the beauty of thunderbolt 3 means that only the processor is something you can't update after the purchase.

 

[shpitot]

I think the votes win it. Going up to a 27" imac will be the better choice. The ability to add your own ram can save some upgrade $$ as well.