64GB DDR4 RAM v 24GB Unified Memory

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Level 1

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64GB DDR4 RAM v 24GB Unified Memory

Hello,

Could someone please explain the expected or known performace differences of the subject-line scenario?

I currently have an early 2019 iMAC, with: 64 GB 2667 MHz DDR4. I edit a great deal of 4K raw film files (have used FCP for donkey's years) with no appriciable lag. This old friend has done well, but I'm looking to purchase a new iMAC computer I hope will be even faster. My processor is: 3.6 GHz 8-Core Intel Core i9.

The most it appears (on the Apple Store) I can get in a new Silicon iMAC is 24gb 'Unified'.

Superficially, this seems a sacrifice 'down' from 64, but I also am guessing new Apple tech makes this just that- superficial; lower in number but outperforms what I currently have.

Thank you in advance for any help making a decision!

iMac 27″

Posted on Feb 25, 2024 4:36 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

padams35

Level 4

3,613 points

Feb 25, 2024 5:44 PM in response to Bob221b

Unified memory means it is used for both RAM and VRAM. It is also considered to be slightly faster and more efficient than Intel Mac RAM, but it isn’t 2x better. Unless you currently use less than half of your 64GB for application memory (vs cache) 24GB will be a downward.

Also the M3 iMac is sold/advertised as a 2019 4K upgrade. It may not necessarily outperform a 2019 5K with a top-end i9 CPU. You might wish to consider a Mac Studio if you are expecting a new computer to clearly outperform your current iMac.

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Answer 2

BDAqua

Level 10

250,619 points

Feb 25, 2024 5:25 PM in response to Bob221b

Unified is faster & tied to large enough faster SSDs then amount of RAM is mostly academic, though more RAM on your i9 greatly enhances it's speed, here's an article on the two...

https://iboysoft.com/news/unified-memory-vs-ram.html#:~:text=FAQs%20about%20unified%20memory%20vs%20RAM,-QIs%20unified&text=QIs%20Unified%20RAM%20better,only%20holds%20data%20for%20CPU.

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Answer 3

Feb 25, 2024 5:46 PM in response to Bob221b

Another option is to get a Mac Studio, and add an external monitor/keyboard/mouse. These can be equipped with as much RAM as you'd like, and are probably better suited for editing large 4K video files.

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