new Imac what do you think

aj84se · aj84se #1 (**permalink**)

01-13-2012, 12:30 PM

what i have
Mac OS X 10.5.8 -
processor 2.16 intel core 2 duo -
Memory 2 GB

Mostly photo editing LR and PS. Great computer is running a bit slow based on all the editing i do. time for upgrade what do you guys think

Imac
Processor 3.4GHxz intel cored i7 (upgrading now)
memory 4gb (i passed on the upgrade to 8gb figure i could do that later on my own)
Hard drive 1TB -all my pictures are external source anyway, but libraries are in the hard drive

Graphics AMD Radeion HD 6970 1GB or the same with a 2GB? have not made it up my mind on this.

Suggestions comments concerns thanks

Deckyon · Deckyon #2 (**permalink**)

01-13-2012, 12:38 PM

Get the video card upgrade.

Spellbinder · Spellbinder #3 (**permalink**)

01-13-2012, 02:26 PM

I do a decent amount of video creation/editing, DVD and film watching and a ton of image editing and creation. I have the AMD Radeon HD 6970M 1024 MB and have not had any issues whatsoever.

Unless you're going to do some hardcore gaming, my guess is the video card will be just fine as-is.

OneSmallStep · OneSmallStep #4 (**permalink**)

01-13-2012, 03:06 PM

No concerns at all. This is the same spec iMac I got three months ago and it's soooo fast.
I fitted a Kingston 8GB RAM kit to take it to 12GB (Apples RAM prices are crazy) and I think this gives a much better performance return than adding another gigabyte to the video card unless you're seriously into games (I'm not).
Buy it with confidence, I love mine.

On Edit: I also recommend you buy the Apple Care extended warranty. This is an expensive machine and the warranty will give you three years piece of mind.

SFBloodBrother · SFBloodBrother #5 (**permalink**)

01-13-2012, 04:57 PM

I would agree on getting the video card upgrade. It is a bit more money, but I do think it will be worth it in the end. And that is a great mac right there.

aj84se · aj84se #6 (**permalink**)

01-15-2012, 12:30 AM

thanks everybody for their comments

chas_m · chas_m #7 (**permalink**)

01-15-2012, 06:44 AM

I hate to be contrary, but I have no idea whatsoever why you are recommending the 2GB over the 1GB video card.

He's editing PHOTOS. Photographs are still, last I checked, 2D. There would be absolutely NO difference between the two cards from a photo editing perspective at all.

If the difference in cost was trivial then I don't suppose it would matter, but IMO you guys are recommending a flamethrower to kill a fly, metaphorically speaking.

Spellbinder · Spellbinder #8 (**permalink**)

01-15-2012, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chas_m

I hate to be contrary, but I have no idea whatsoever why you are recommending the 2GB over the 1GB video card.

He's editing PHOTOS. Photographs are still, last I checked, 2D. There would be absolutely NO difference between the two cards from a photo editing perspective at all.

If the difference in cost was trivial then I don't suppose it would matter, but IMO you guys are recommending a flamethrower to kill a fly, metaphorically speaking.

Well said. Couldn't agree more.

ezcompane · ezcompane #9 (**permalink**)

01-16-2012, 11:23 PM

I'm also going with the video card upgrade. Better to have it and not need it than vice versa. If you can spare the money for the upgrades I say upgrade the things you can't upgrade later: the processor and the video card. Memory and hard drives are cheaper on the secondary market.

Deckyon #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 06, 2011 Location: Louisville, KY - USA Posts: 1,232 Mac Specs: MBP 17" 2011, 2.3GHz Intel Quad-Core i7, 8GB RAM, MacMini 2011, 2.7GHz Intel Dual-Core i7, 8GB RAM	01-13-2012, 12:38 PM Get the video card upgrade. MBP 17" 2011, 2.3GHz Intel Quad-Core i7, 8GB RAM, AMD Radeon HD 6750M 1GB RAM MacMini 2011, 2.7GHz Intel Dual-Core i7, 8GB RAM, AMD Radeon HD 6630M 256MB RAM iPhone 4S 64GB, iPad Gen3 32GB WiFi, iPod Nano Gen6 8GB, Apple TV Gen2
	QUOTE Thanks

OneSmallStep #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 28, 2011 Location: Herne Bay, UK Posts: 22 Mac Specs: 27" iMac i7/3.4GHz, 12GB RAM, OSX 10.7.2	01-13-2012, 03:06 PM No concerns at all. This is the same spec iMac I got three months ago and it's soooo fast. I fitted a Kingston 8GB RAM kit to take it to 12GB (Apples RAM prices are crazy) and I think this gives a much better performance return than adding another gigabyte to the video card unless you're seriously into games (I'm not). Buy it with confidence, I love mine. On Edit: I also recommend you buy the Apple Care extended warranty. This is an expensive machine and the warranty will give you three years piece of mind. Last edited by OneSmallStep; 01-14-2012 at 03:21 AM.
	QUOTE Thanks

chas_m #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 22, 2010 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 13,696 Mac Specs: 2009 MacBook Pro, Black speakers, Black Benq second monitor, black iPhone 4, Black 2012 iPad, etc.	01-15-2012, 06:44 AM I hate to be contrary, but I have no idea whatsoever why you are recommending the 2GB over the 1GB video card. He's editing PHOTOS. Photographs are still, last I checked, 2D. There would be absolutely NO difference between the two cards from a photo editing perspective at all. If the difference in cost was trivial then I don't suppose it would matter, but IMO you guys are recommending a flamethrower to kill a fly, metaphorically speaking. Cheers, chas_m -- My essay for switchers and newbies
	QUOTE Thanks

ezcompane #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 27, 2007 Location: Pensacola, Florida Posts: 298 Mac Specs: MacBook Pro 2.5, 6gb ram, 500gb hard drive. 2010 13" MacBook Air 1.86 C2D, 4gb ram, 128gb HD.	01-16-2012, 11:23 PM I'm also going with the video card upgrade. Better to have it and not need it than vice versa. If you can spare the money for the upgrades I say upgrade the things you can't upgrade later: the processor and the video card. Memory and hard drives are cheaper on the secondary market. LIVE and PSN: EZCOMPANE 2008 MacBook Pro (2.5ghz C2D,6gb,80 SSD, 500 GB), iPad 32GB, iPhone 4 16gb, 2011 MacBook Air (11" 1.87 i7, 4GB, 128GB) 2010 MacBook Air (13" 1.86 C2D, 4gb, 128gb), Boxee, Netgear Stora
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aj84se #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 26, 2007 Posts: 7	01-13-2012, 12:30 PM what i have Mac OS X 10.5.8 - processor 2.16 intel core 2 duo - Memory 2 GB Mostly photo editing LR and PS. Great computer is running a bit slow based on all the editing i do. time for upgrade what do you guys think Imac Processor 3.4GHxz intel cored i7 (upgrading now) memory 4gb (i passed on the upgrade to 8gb figure i could do that later on my own) Hard drive 1TB -all my pictures are external source anyway, but libraries are in the hard drive Graphics AMD Radeion HD 6970 1GB or the same with a 2GB? have not made it up my mind on this. Suggestions comments concerns thanks
	QUOTE Thanks

SFBloodBrother #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 24, 2011 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 113 Mac Specs: iPhone 3GS Black, Macbook 2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 1GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM	01-13-2012, 04:57 PM I would agree on getting the video card upgrade. It is a bit more money, but I do think it will be worth it in the end. And that is a great mac right there.
	QUOTE Thanks

aj84se #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 26, 2007 Posts: 7	01-15-2012, 12:30 AM thanks everybody for their comments
	QUOTE Thanks

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