Time to Upgrade iMac - Config Help

[finkel98]

Hey all,

my current 2007 iMac is getting slower and slower and it's time to upgrade to one of these brand new iMac. I would love your input on the right config as i want to avoid issues like forking extra $ for an option and not getting the benefit out of it (e.g. more powerful processor that's mismatched w. internal RAM or something like that).

My usage is somewhat standard - some gaming, streaming (on Mac or off to the apple tv), internet, light MS office and some light pic retouching (nothing crazy/ professional).

I know a few things already - i want a 27 inch to get the latest processor (and also like the screen size), am leaning towards the SSD (as I like the speed and owns a 1TB external hard drive -> my question is around 256G vs. 512. the SDD would house the OS, so is 256 is big enough?), as for processors and RAM am not sure what to do there.

Can you give me some reco? thanks!

 

[massy72]

Actually in my MacBook Pro have 256 SSD but all my library is on exsternal storage USB3
However actually have 160 GB free and I have many many software installed
Now I purchase the new iMac and want the 512 SSD because I want my photo library and music inside Mac and not in external storage (actually the 2 library occupy 200 GB)

Max
(Sorry for my english)

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"my question is around 256G vs. 512"

Is the 512gb drive worth the extra $200 for you?
If so, get it.

However, I WOULD NOT spend the $$$ for the 1tb SSD -- too much money for what you're getting in return.

If I was to get a new iMac, I'd get the 27" "midrange" model (has the i5 7600 CPU instead of the 7500 and slightly better graphics). That adds $200.
Then I'd get the 256gb SSD, only adds $100.

That would give me plenty of room for the OS, apps, and basic accounts.
For "extra storage" of large libraries, I'd pick up a USB3 external SSD, another 256gb, for around $85.

I don't mind managing multiple drives (I keep 7 different volumes mounted on my desktop at all times). It's easy, once you get used to it.

 

[jlseattle]

What are the read/write speeds of the internal SSD? I would vote getting the most that you can.

 

[EugW]

Write on the iMac SSD is over 2.0 GB/s, and read is around 2.3 GB/s. Lightning fast, and roughly 5X as fast as most "fast" SATA SSDs.

Since you mentioned some gaming, I might suggest the mid-tier i5-7600 with Radeon Pro 575. In fact, that's what I have, with 1 TB SSD, but for most people, 1 TB SSD is overkill. For most, it seems 512 GB is the sweet spot, but that presents a problem, since Apple has severe shipping delays on iMacs with the 512 GB size. People are getting delivery dates well into August now, if they configure their order with a 512 GB SSD.

 

[massy72]

Yesterday I have order my iMac with 512 SSD and the date of shipping was from 9 and 17 August (3/4 weeks)
Today my order have and update...
Shipping from 3 to 10 August (2/3 weeks)

Maybe some problems about this size of SSD are solved... I hope