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Any computer geeks out there?

RobL
Posted 01/07/2017 - 08:55 Link
I am about to replace my desktop and whilst set on the new iMac am wondering about the memory options. I am not too worried about data storage as I keep most on separate hard drives so 1TB will be fine. The standard RAM available is 8GB across the range but this can be upgraded if ordering direct from Apple in steps up to 64GB, at a cost of course!

My current machine runs at 4GB which is fine most of the time but when I tried stitching 5 images together in a panorama it really struggled; likewise when processing a pixel-shift image in Lightroom. This is because the RAW images from the K1 are around 42Mb each and a pixel-shift about 150 Mb. I would like the option of more multiple image stitching and maybe try focus stacking; I had wondered what a multiple pixel-shift image would be like but maybe that would be unrealistic and not something I would try more than a couple of times. So, my question to anyone who knows a bit more about computers is what RAM level would be appropriate - 8, 16, 32 or 64GB? I know for safety I should go for the highest but that comes at a cost and maybe implicates operational life and I am not editing the next Hollywood blockbuster, so any ideas?
stu62
Posted 01/07/2017 - 09:04 Link
It depends where you are getting it from try playing a couple off company's off against each other you may just get that extra ram at a silly price you can't resist
McGregNi
Posted 01/07/2017 - 09:42 Link
16Gb is the best figure, plenty of performance potential without unnecessary overkill and needless expense.

Really, 8Gb should be ample for photo work, but once you run a few programmes together it can add up. Your issue sounded more like a graphics bottleneck, not a RAM problem.
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Unlocker
Posted 01/07/2017 - 10:33 Link
Get the 27"

Memory is user accessible.

Depending on model, upgradeable to 32GB or 64GB

Crucial sells 32GB kits for £249.59, buy one or 2 of these, fit them yourself and save quite a bit!
Conqueror
Posted 01/07/2017 - 10:36 Link
McGregNi wrote:
16Gb is the best figure, plenty of performance potential without unnecessary overkill and needless expense.

Really, 8Gb should be ample for photo work, but once you run a few programmes together it can add up. Your issue sounded more like a graphics bottleneck, not a RAM problem.

would agree with this... if your most demanding tasks are photography related you are unlikely to need more than 16GB
K-3ii
Algernon
Posted 01/07/2017 - 10:42 Link
Macs might be different from PC's in the way that they use RAM, so you might not be able to compare them.

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RobL
Posted 01/07/2017 - 10:44 Link
Thanks All, I have noticed Lightroom slowing when a background programme is running, for instance my day's workload saving to a cloud server. I can stop it but obviously reluctant to do so. I think the only place to get an upgraded RAM is from Apple Store online otherwise prices are the same everywhere although John Lewis give a 3 year warranty. Another plus for ordering from AS is the option to substitute the numeric keyboard for just £30 instead of paying £130 extra elsewhere. I was thinking 16GB or maybe 32GB if persuaded. Might though be like buying a Ferrari for doing the shopping!

PS I had thought there would be the old models at bargain prices but there is only about a £200 saving so not realistic.
Edited by RobL: 01/07/2017 - 10:50
RobL
Posted 01/07/2017 - 10:54 Link
Yes, Unlocker, my present desktop is 24" so don't want to go smaller. At the same time I am upgrading my AutoCad software for work and the pictograms are much smaller now so hopefully they will be better on a 27" screen.

16GB is + £180 and 32GB is + £540, double that for 64GB, so I think that settles it!
Edited by RobL: 01/07/2017 - 11:02
stub
Posted 01/07/2017 - 11:44 Link
16Gb is more than enough in my opinion
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tigershoot
Posted 01/07/2017 - 12:07 Link
27" iMac is definitely the way to go as you can upgrade the memory. I found the you can sometimes get a good priced second had one on Ebay - look for local collection only as that keeps the price lower, and be prepared for a drive! I got mine for a bargain.
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cabstar
Posted 02/07/2017 - 01:09 Link
The 27" 5k machine is superb. I upgraded mine from 8 to 16gb by buying original apple ram from an eBay seller who was upgrading 5k machines to 32gb. Think I paid around £25 for two 4gb sticks and they where exactly the same memory as installed in my machine.

I only have an i5 model and it handles Lightroom fine. I do find the hard drive to be a bit of a bottleneck when exporting a large batch of images.
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RobL
Posted 02/07/2017 - 07:58 Link
All sounds good, thanks for advice. Cabstar I think you need to update your tag line!
JAK
Posted 02/07/2017 - 11:15 Link
RobL wrote:
Cabstar I think you need to update your tag line!

No one's told him there is one now!
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claudiaM
Posted 03/07/2017 - 10:56 Link
Regarding the storage... Maybe solid state drive storage device is a good option? I will try to find more info about it
Jonathan-Mac
Posted 03/07/2017 - 10:56 Link
My laptop has 8 gigs in it and it's around six years old. These days I wouldn't but a laptop with less than 16.
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