iMac specs for graphic design

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Level 1

10 points

iMac specs for graphic design

Hello,

I'm looking to upgrade to an iMac 27" with the 5K retina display. Im a graphic designer by day. It includes video editing, photo editing, and some other pretty heavy processes. I'm looking for some advice. Im thinking about the the 4.0GHZ i7 processor with 16GB ram and 4GB video card.

I Just wanted to make sure that 16GB of ram and the upgraded 4GB video card is needed. The ram should be good from my understanding. I wanted to double check on the 2GB to 4GB. I have a Nikon D750 and shoot video with that and my dji phantom 3 advanced quadcoptee for photos and videos. Any advice or information would be helpful. The best buy sales guy just told me the 2GB is enough but it doesn't seem like it from reading some forums and the helpful hint on the apple website.

Cheers!

edit: I have a 15 inch macbook from 2011 that has been running Adobe CS6 and now creative cloud. Recently it's been taking forever for my applications and photos to open. I just want something more suited for the processes that I'm running without essentially putting my MacBook to death.

Message was edited by: Zach DiB

Posted on Jun 5, 2016 2:48 PM

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Answer 1

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,494 points

Jun 5, 2016 3:09 PM in response to Zach DiB

RAM is user upgradeable and doing so is less expensive than buying the RAM from Apple. Upgrading it is also just a 5 minute process. This means buy th computer with the base 8GB and then purchase RAM from a reputable source such as OWC (www.macsales.com) or Crucial (buy direct) and upgrade the RAM yourself. The video cards cannot ever be upgraded so get what you need. Also, buy an SSD based machine, the largest capacity you can afford.

Finally, consider getting an Apple refurbished iMac in order to save hundreds of $. These are virtually like new, have the same warranty as new and are identical to new. In short there is no downside.

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Answer 2

Zach DiB Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 5, 2016 5:44 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Thanks for the advice on the RAM. I know it's cheaper and less expensive, but I'd rather buy the computer and know that it is coming from the factory working correctly. I don't have a problem paying the extra $200 for something I know I'll be using and taking advantage of.

For the video cards, can I 2GB run after effects, premiere, large photoshop/lightroom files without it being slow? My main concern is that the 2GB won't be enough. (I am a rookie with computer specs but I feel like it might be best just to get the 4GB even if it isn't needed for what I do right now. Down the road 4GB might be suited better for me.)

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Answer 3

MichelPM

Level 10

81,535 points

Jun 5, 2016 8:34 PM in response to Zach DiB

Seeing you have some resource intensive apps you work with, I'd advise just getting a 27 inch screen iMac and get the top of the line options.

Even the 1 TB SSD.

Good Luck!

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Answer 4

MichelPM

Level 10

81,535 points

Jun 5, 2016 8:40 PM in response to Zach DiB

Also, If your 2011 MacBook is running slow, it might be because of some unknown issue/s to you.

It would help us to help you if we could have some more technical info about your MacBook.

If you like, please go ahead and download, install and run Etrecheck.

Etrecheck was developed as a simple Mac diagnostic report tool by a regular Apple Support forum user and technical support contributor named Etresoft. Etrecheck is a small, unobstrusive app that compiles a static snapshot of your entire Mac hardware system and installed software.

This is a free app that has been honestly created to provided help in diagnosing issues with Macs running the newer OS X versions.

It is not malware and can be safely downloaded and installed onto your Mac.

http://www.etresoft.com/etrecheck

Copy/paste and post its report here in another reply thread so that we have a complete profile of your Mac's hardware and installed software so we can all help with your Mac performance issues.

Thank You.

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Answer 5

Rudegar

Level 10

180,648 points

Jun 6, 2016 4:37 AM in response to Zach DiB

video card only truly make a difference for 3d game and modeling

it will not speed up 2d drawing and video edit performance

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