Need Help with moving to an iMac.

So I’m a “GPU guy” and have been for many years; over clock, benchmark the daylights out of them, etc. You are aware that, like almost all PC all-in-ones, the iMac uses a mobile GPU and not the desktop version, which are inherently weaker than their desktop counterparts. The iMac does use the desktop CPUs.

Anyway, if you’re really not going to be gaming you should be okay with the standard GPU. The real question will show itself when we can finally get some 4k content over the internet to see how it will render on our 5k Macs.

To directly answer your question, I like to use benchmarks. Notebookcheck.net is the master of mobile GPU benchmarks.

M290X (standard GPU)

http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-Radeon-R9-M290X.108643.0.html

- Scroll down to 3DMark 11 – Performance GPU, you see it has a median score of 6817, which is pretty good. It also has a nice quick reference on where this GPU stands with others out there similar. However, in the comparison list, they do throw desktop GPUs in there, so don’t let that get you confused.

M295X (upgraded GPU)

- Again to 3DMark11 – Performance GPU – 9467! That’s up there with the BEST of them. Only Nvidia’s latest single mobile GPU beats it. It’s also a 38% increase from the M290X.

So again, if you’re not gaming, you don’t “need” it. I cannot find any 4K content that can be played on a Mac right now, that would be my only concern but would be surprised if it “needed” more than the M290X.

I game like crazy on the iMac, right now mostly through bootcamp but my MMO has a Mac client coming next month! When gaming, while not necessarily at 5K (that’s insane, and you can’t see things that small lol), but 2.5K with high settings the M295X just purrs along; love it!

Not with ~1080p video using iMovie, but i only say that because iMovie is not an "advanced" movie editor so you should be fine.

I dont want to talk you into anything, but as an IT professional, i can assure you, that you, and the rest of common users out there are not going to use close to 16GB of memory. Having that much memory does not make your computer "faster" it would only go faster if you were actually using that much memory. you'd have to have 2-3 4k TV shows running at the same time, with a full fledged modern 3D game running to even come close. I'm a developer (for now) and have multiple VM instances of Linux running, let alone JBoss running locally and don't even hit 8GB. I personally feel companies are taking advantage of non computer savy folks with these silly amounts of memory. Plus, you can always upgrade the memory later; institutions here: iMac: How to remove or install memory - Apple Support

Again, i'm definitely biased to the GPU, but you're like me and want to keep this for awhile, not a 2-3 year throw away like Winders. I'd invest that extra $200 to the GPU and you always have to option to install more memory later. You cant upgrade the GPU

you should be able to change the order. didn't you just order it today? you can cancel all the way up until they actually start the custom build, and i know there is an "Change Order" option

https://store.apple.com/orderstatus

I dont think it will matter for you in the near future no, its the 3-4+ years down the line, when 4K is popular etc that "maybe" you'll be pushing it, espically if we start editing 4K video, or even 2.5k ourselves. Again, my main point is you cant upgrade that later. Regardless, you're getting one outstanding mac!!!