New iMac

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Hows it going...Im looking to get a new iMac but im stuck on the one I'm looking to get. Here are the choices.

21.5 inch
2.8 i7
4 gigs
1 TB
AMD 6770 512

OR

27 inch
3.1 i5
4 gigs
1TB
AMD HD 6970 1 Gb

I do mainly FCP editing with some video games, to keep in dorm room.
 
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MacBook Pro | LED Cinema Display | iPhone 4 | iPad 2
I've moved your post to a more proper forum; please be sure to check the forum descriptions to find the best place to post.

By posting in the right forum you help people not only find your question faster, but it helps others looking for the same information in the future.

Thanks for understanding!
 
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Way... way too many specs to list.
Primarily using Final Cut and you're wondering if you should buy the faster machine with more video ram? ;)
 
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Your Mac's Specs
20" iMac 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo - eMac 1.42 GHz (RIP) - iMac G3 400 MHz - iPad 2 16GB
Clearly the 27" and bump it to 8GB RAM when you get it home.
 
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2011 MacBook Air, i5 27" IMac, 2010 21.5" IMac, 2010 Mini, 2011 13" MBP, IPhone 4, Airport Extreme
I have both the 21.5 and the 27" and I'd say go with the 27 and add ram from owc after you get it. You will love the extra screen space.
 

CrimsonRequiem


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MBP 2.3 Ghz 4GB RAM 860 GB SSD, iMac 3.4 GHz Intel Core i7 32GB RAM, Fusion Drive 1TB
Isn't that kind of a no brainer especially if money is not an issue? :p
 
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iMac24,iMac27,iMac21.5-i3,iPhone4-32gb,iTouch3.32gb,iPad1,Apple TV,iPodClassic160gbx2
Clearly the 27" and bump it to 8GB RAM when you get it home.

Why do you recommend this ?
I have the new iMac 27 with i5 - and it runs like lightning with 4gb RAM
O:)

WHAT would the extra 4gb give me please ?
 
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20" iMac 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo - eMac 1.42 GHz (RIP) - iMac G3 400 MHz - iPad 2 16GB
Why do you recommend this ?
I have the new iMac 27 with i5 - and it runs like lightning with 4gb RAM
O:)

WHAT would the extra 4gb give me please ?

I'd imagine it will help tremendously if you are regularly editing video.
 
C

chas_m

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To clarify 50volt's answer a bit:

Video editing (particularly when using effects) involves a lot of rendering. Rendering is done in RAM since it is way faster than doing it on the hard drive.

Thus, more RAM = faster rendering = increased productivity.
 
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I'd imagine it will help tremendously if you are regularly editing video.

Is that the main difference /

So - if I don't do video-editing - it's not going to make any substantial difference ?:Blushing:

Thanks for the clarification Chas.
 

bobtomay

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15" MBP '06 2.33 C2D 4GB 10.7; 13" MBA '14 1.8 i7 8GB 10.11; 21" iMac '13 2.9 i5 8GB 10.11; 6S
Is that the main difference /

So - if I don't do video-editing - it's not going to make any substantial difference ?:Blushing:

Thanks for the clarification Chas.

That would be correct. If you're not using individual applications that make use of large amounts of RAM (primarily audio/video editing/encoding) or have a large number of open apps that you're working in simultaneously, you will not notice much improvement going from 4 to 8GB of RAM.
 

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