specing out new iMac - RAM, processor, both?

[masraum]

I'm probably going to be buying an iMac to replace my current PC soon. I want it to last a while.

My current PC is from 2011. It's a quad core i5 @ 3.1GHz, 16GB RAM and 1 TB HDD running Win 7 and is on 24x7. It runs really well. I can decode video while surfing the web in Firefox with nearly 1000 tabs open. (yeah, that's not a typo) You open a link and think "I'll read that later". Eventually, I mostly start over.

I do manipulate some digital photos, but nothing huge or crazy. I backup/transcode DVD and/or Bluray disks. Surf the web, excel, word, email, etc..., nothing crazy, no CAD or crazy image stuff.

I'm planning to get a 27" iMac.
How much of an upgrade is it from a 3.7GHz 6 core i5 to a 3.6GHz 8 core i9? (for $400 more). I know that a lot of time, reviews indicate that just going up in speed is often a marginal upgrade, but 33% more cores and a more advanced processor?

Then my thoughts on RAM (they come with 8GB) but I'm thinking at least 16GB( $200), maybe 32GB ($600).

My dilemna is that I don't think I want to spend the money to get the processor upgrade AND the 32GB RAM upgrade. So I would probably go with the 8 core i9 and 16GB RAM or 6 core i5 and 32GB RAM. Does that seem reasonable or do you have another recommendation?

Then just FYI, I'll probably spend the $300 to upgrade from a 2TB fusion drive to a 1TB SSD.

Any other thoughts (other than how cool the iMac Pro is, if I had a couple extra grand to spend).

[GH85Carrera]

Good luck.

I build my computers from off the shelf parts, and I use software that requires Win 10 Pro and lots of RAM. The PC I am typing this on has 256 Gig of RAM, two high dollar video cards, two 2TB M.2 SSD drives and 14TB RAID 5 system built in and a 16 core i9 CPU with Win 10 Pro, all in one box. That hardware would be a $20,000 Mac if it was possible to get it.

I have one computer that I built in 2009, it runs great, and I keep it mostly because it has software installed that I need on occasion, that software is stupid expensive. It still runs great, and Windows may stop supporting the old software, but it does not kill old computers with an OS upgrade that is required, and will not install.

I know lots of people love their Macs, and they make a good product. I have an iPhone 11 Pro. Apple always has the velvet collar on you and the system. And any software company that produces iTunes, the worst piece of software ever written in the history of computers, should be embarrassed and fix it to be functional.

[stomachmonkey]

My general rule of thumb as it applies to hardware with limited upgrade paths like laptops and all in ones is spend your budget.

Spring for the non consumer upgrade able parts like [processors and GPUS.

Skimp on RAM and HD. Those typically are where the insane markup is and you can easily upgrade for a fraction of the price.

Be careful though, there are a few products in the Apple lineup, a couple of the Minis and Pro Laptops where SSD and RAM were not upgrade able.

I have not looked a the iMac line in a while, not sure what the story is there so my advice, check whatever you buy to make sure before you buy.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Good luck.

I build my computers from off the shelf parts, and I use software that requires Win 10 Pro and lots of RAM. The PC I am typing this on has 256 Gig of RAM, two high dollar video cards, two 2TB M.2 SSD drives and 14TB RAID 5 system built in and a 16 core i9 CPU with Win 10 Pro, all in one box. That hardware would be a $20,000 Mac if it was possible to get it.

I have one computer that I built in 2009, it runs great, and I keep it mostly because it has software installed that I need on occasion, that software is stupid expensive. It still runs great, and Windows may stop supporting the old software, but it does not kill old computers with an OS upgrade that is required, and will not install.

I know lots of people love their Macs, and they make a good product. I have an iPhone 11 Pro. Apple always has the velvet collar on you and the system. And any software company that produces iTunes, the worst piece of software ever written in the history of computers, should be embarrassed and fix it to be functional.

I've built several from scratch desktops in the past in order to maximize performance for cost, and had good luck, but, of course, I never built anything even remotely resembling what you've got and have no need.

You don't HAVE to upgrade Mac OS when the upgrade comes out. Clearly, you should check the requirements of the upgrade before you allow it to run.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

My general rule of thumb as it applies to hardware with limited upgrade paths like laptops and all in ones is spend your budget.

Spring for the non consumer upgrade able parts like [processors and GPUS.

Skimp on RAM and HD. Those typically are where the insane markup is and you can easily upgrade for a fraction of the price.

Be careful though, there are a few products in the Apple lineup, a couple of the Minis and Pro Laptops where SSD and RAM were not upgrade able.

I have not looked a the iMac line in a while, not sure what the story is there so my advice, check whatever you buy to make sure before you buy.

Excellent point! I hadn't thought of anything being user upgradeable, but there may be some things. As you said, not always what you expect (the RAM in my wife's MB Air is not upgradable). That may be a good way to save a little dough. I think I'm pretty unlikely to need any graphics upgrades for what I'd do.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

This has worked very well for me for a year now.

[masraum]

Shaun, thanks.

It appears as if the only thing that a user can upgrade in a new iMac is the RAM, but considering that I can buy 32GB of Crucial RAM on Amazon for $160, but Apple would charge $200 for the 8 GB -> 16GB upgrade and $600 for the 8GB -> 32GB upgrade, that seems like the way to go!

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by masraum

Shaun, thanks.

It appears as if the only thing that a user can upgrade in a new iMac is the RAM, but considering that I can buy 32GB of Crucial RAM on Amazon for $160, but Apple would charge $200 for the 8 GB -> 16GB upgrade and $600 for the 8GB -> 32GB upgrade, that seems like the way to go!

Wow, Apple is proud of their RAM. $25 bucks per gig!

So for the 256 Gig I installed that would be $6,400 OUCH!

I paid $1,160 for the 256 Gig of RAM I installed. Just $4.53 per gig. I built my entire computer for less than the $6,400.

[id10t]

I'd skip the CPU upgrade and go for the max RAM upgrade.

Fast CPU and low RAM - you are driving a 911 in a small parking lot.

Reasonable CPU and gobs of RAM - you are driving a VW with a hot engine on an open interstate.

[RWebb]

OWC is where I buy RAM - known good

it -IS- possible to upgrade the HDD on the newer iMacs but very difficult - you have to cut thru the glue holding the screen on & etc. - OWC has a video if you choose to go that way

or... get a small SSD then use the Thumperbolt port to add on an external SSD or spinning HDD - that is a fast port; dunno re thru speeds rel. to the bus or overhead tho, but should be just fine for data files

[masraum]

Originally Posted by RWebb

OWC is where I buy RAM - known good

it -IS- possible to upgrade the HDD on the newer iMacs but very difficult - you have to cut thru the glue holding the screen on & etc. - OWC has a video if you choose to go that way

or... get a small SSD then use the Thumperbolt port to add on an external SSD or spinning HDD - that is a fast port; dunno re thru speeds rel. to the bus or overhead tho, but should be just fine for data files

Yeah, I'm not going to buy a new iMac ($$) just to start tearing into stuff that's not meant to be torn into. That's like buying a brand new 911 and a week later tearing the engine down to put new cams and pistons in it.

Back in the day, it seems like Kingston and Crucial and Corsair were decent brands, thanks for the OWC add to the list.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by id10t

I'd skip the CPU upgrade and go for the max RAM upgrade.

Fast CPU and low RAM - you are driving a 911 in a small parking lot.

Reasonable CPU and gobs of RAM - you are driving a VW with a hot engine on an open interstate.

Good to know. That mostly jives with what I remember reading about processors in the past.

[masraum]

Interesting
https://9to5mac.com/2019/04/05/how-to-upgrade-27-inch-5k-imac-2019-128-gb-ram-video-tutorial/

Apple’s long-awaited refresh of the iMac lineup finally happened, and it brought about incremental, but nonetheless worthwhile, enhancements to the lineup. Along with new 6-core and 8-core Intel options for faster CPU performance, new Radeon Pro Vega GPUs provide faster graphics.

In addition to the CPU and GPU, there’s another key upgrade element that got some love this year: Memory, and lots of it. For the first time, it’s now possible to upgrade the 27-inch 5K iMac with 128GB of RAM, although you’ll need to do so using third-party memory suppliers.

The good news is that even if you’re not interested in maxing out to 128GB of RAM, it’s incredibly easy to upgrade your 5K iMac’s memory, and you can save a whole lot of money in the process of doing so. Watch our video tutorial for a step-by-step 5K iMac memory upgrade guide.

Although the 2019 iMac can support up to 128GB of RAM, Apple restricts its build-to-order configurations to a maximum of 64GB of RAM. In fact, Apple notes that the machine supports a maximum of 64GB of RAM in a 4 x 16GB SO-DIMM module configuration, but it turns out that users wishing to upgrade can go beyond that number.

As initially discovered by OWC, the 2019 27-inch 5K iMac can support up to 128GB of RAM via a 4 x 32GB SO-DIMM module configuration. Hence, if you wish to upgrade your RAM, you’ll want to configure your iMac with the base 8GB amount, and buy compatible aftermarket RAM modules. OWC sells several RAM upgrade options for the 2019 5K iMac, and it was willing to send me a 128GB sample to test on video.

128GB RAM from OWC is only $650. I won't go that crazy, but I might do 64GB for $280.

Doing my own RAM upgrade saves a bundle.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by id10t

I'd skip the CPU upgrade and go for the max RAM upgrade.

Fast CPU and low RAM - you are driving a 911 in a small parking lot.

Reasonable CPU and gobs of RAM - you are driving a VW with a hot engine on an open interstate.

But he can never upgrade the CPU on that thing.

RAM is dirt cheap these days and you can upgrade whenever.

I never try to save money on things I can't swap out later.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

But he can never upgrade the CPU on that thing.

RAM is dirt cheap these days and you can upgrade whenever.

I never try to save money on things I can't swap out later.

Great point, max out the CPU, and then do the DIY RAM upgrade at <1/3 the cost of the Apple RAM.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

But he can never upgrade the CPU on that thing.

RAM is dirt cheap these days and you can upgrade whenever.

I never try to save money on things I can't swap out later.

That's how I bought my computer. Best CPU available at the time. 16GB of RAM seems to be enough for the vast majority of my tasks, even some light light Photoshop and Illustrator work is fine. Maybe I'll add more someday just to see what happens though most things open instantly right now so it might be hard to say if there's a speed increase with more RAM.

[RWebb]

BTW - do you know about the Apple refurb store? $savings, but not as many choices

look at the bottom of their webpage for a link

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by RWebb

BTW - do you know about the Apple refurb store? $savings, but not as many choices

look at the bottom of their webpage for a link

I love the refurb store. Buy off it 9/10 times.

Never had a problem with any purchase.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by RWebb

BTW - do you know about the Apple refurb store? $savings, but not as many choices

look at the bottom of their webpage for a link

I am aware, but hadn't thought to look this time. I've used the Dell equivalent several times.

Not a whole lot in the way of 27" iMacs, but they do have several of the iMac Pros. Hmm, $5000 for $4250? 8 core Xeon, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD. Hahah, sounds nice, and I like the dark vs light color, but no, I don't think so.

[RKDinOKC]

Have a 2015 powerbook.
2.8 Ghz 4 core i7
16 GB Ram (1600 MHz DDR3)
1 TB SSD (lots of stuff still only use 350 GB.)

It is faster and more memory and bigger drive than the 2019 Dell PC work got me.