It seems clear from the chatter on several Apple-related forums that the Aperture software takes advantage of the GPU, not the CPU.
If that is true, when I buy a new iMac, should I pay the extra $200 to get the 780m GPU with 4mb of video RAM?
Or will the 775m GPU with 2Mb of video RAM do an adequte job?
The most intensive application of the computer will be Apple Aperture.
Aperture 3, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4), running an iMac
Looks like your considering the 27 inch iMac? I'd put my money into memory and/or flash storage. Either GPU will work fine with Aperture.
Remember if you are getting the 27in that is one of the last Mac's you can still add memory to yourself so go for the minimum from Apple (over priced) and the extra memory once you get it.
Looks like your considering the 27 inch iMac? I'd put my money into memory and/or flash storage. Either GPU will work fine with Aperture.
Remember if you are getting the 27in that is one of the last Mac's you can still add memory to yourself so go for the minimum from Apple (over priced) and the extra memory once you get it.
daikambu65 wrote:
It seems clear from the chatter on several Apple-related forums that the Aperture software takes advantage of the GPU, not the CPU.
I'm pretty sure the OS and the app are well-enough engineered to use whatever is available.
... if I buy a new iMac, should I pay the extra $200 to get the 780m GPU with 4mb of video RAM?
Or will the 775m GPU with 2Mb of video RAM do an adequte job?
This is a misleading syllogism. The default GPU is adequate. You might still pay $200 more for to upgrade it.
In my experience, it's always worth bumping up the initial configuration as a hedge against early obsolescence. $200 spent now might give you 8 months more use from the machine in three years. By all means put at least 16 GB of RAM in it.
I do think Retina-resolution displays are an unstoppable force, and that anyone working in photography is going to need one sooner rather than later.
Right -- I was considering the 27" on the advice of other iMac owners.
I definitely want the i7 CPU. And I'll buy Crucial RAM for it. At least 16Gb, or possibly 24.
But with only the GPU as a variable, prices range creep up by about $400. And I don't do any gaming.
Are you getting the fusion drive? The 3tb fusion is worth the price IMHO.
Get the system with 8 from Apple and add two 8gb sticks for 24gb. If you add 2 4gb sticks for a total of of 16gb your options down the road are limited.
good luck and have fun with it!
regards
Optimal iMac GPU Specifications
