[iMore Question]

New 27 " iMac i7 4ghz, 16gb ram
Magic Trackpad 2
Purpose:
Photo editing using PScc and Lightroom CC
Some Video editing with Premier Pro, probably from a yet to be purchased iPhone 6s + 64gb

Which Video Card, 4gb or 2gb do I want??? and WHY????

Thank you much for taking the time to respond.
PhilR

[Beyond Fire]

While I don't do any type of photo or video editing myself, I checked the website for those programs you listed and they recommended 2gb of vram. Maybe someone with some actual hands on experience with those programs can chime in.

[pjr99]

Thank you much for your quick response.

[boldblue737]

Upgrade the memory from STOCK 8GB to your 16GB after your purchase for far less than half the cost Apple is charging (takes a brief minute to do easily) and that gives you the money to go from 2GB to 4GB on the 395X card at no additional cost.

[pjr99]

Excellent idea..........but..........what are the specs on the memory? I called G.Skill and they were not sure. I called Apple Corporate and got hung-up on. I called my local Apple Store in Boca Raton, FL and spoke to a Tech that tried his hardest to find the specs.
We came up with the following:
Memory

8GB (two 4GB) of 1867MHz DDR3 memory; four SO-DIMM slots, user accessible
Configurable to 16GB or 32GB

G.Skill came up with: 4 - 8gb F3-1866V11Q-32GRSL

If I could confirm this, I would order the iMac w/8gb and replace the memory. Do we need 'ECC' mem...no one seems to know. The local store does not have a New iMac in stock to review........arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
I want to place an order.

Also, what is the benefit of the 4gb Video card?

Many thanks,
Phil

[SprSynJn]

I would go for the 4GB if those applications recommend 2. Just to be sure. You wouldn't need to upgrade your computer for a while as well.

[dwash59]

You don't need ECC memory. i7 processors don't support ECC memory.

The stock iMac ships with 2x4GB sticks. Since there are 4 slots, you can just buy another 2 sticks to have 4x4GB = 16 GB.

You can search newegg or ask G-skill about F3-1866C11D-8GRSL (I would give you a link, but iMore forum says I need to have 10 posts to give you a link.)

[pjr99]

Thank you, I did speak to G.Skill yesterday. They recommended the following: F3-1866C11Q-32GRSL.
I've decided to go for 32gb. The problem is, the tech was not 100% sure if this will work. He recommended purchasing from NewEgg. However, NewEgg appears to charge a 15% restocking fee.
Should we consider Buffered or Non-buffered memory.........this seems to be more difficult than it needs to be...........

[halw]

Have you checked Crucial for memory?

[Trees]

Crucial is a good option. https://forums.imore.com/e?link=http...token=flsup9AV is another place to try. I've had a good experience getting RAM upgrades from them.
iMac Memory Upgrades Up to 32GB From OWC

[Mike1138]

Your are probably okay with 2GB GPU. You will likely see more performance gains in Premiere Pro than PS or LR, but unless you are really pushing things I don't think you need the 4GB.