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Advice for Upgrading Old iMac for Video Editing

Tags:
  • Video Editing
  • Hard Drives
  • iMac
Last response: in Mac Os X
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March 29, 2014 11:52:05 PM

Hello.

I have a late 2009 iMac, and I want to upgrade it so it can run Final Cut Pro X, Apple Motion, Photoshop, and perhaps After Effects. I am wondering if you can give me advice for the best upgrade options.

- Currently, the iMac is late 2009 (10,1).
- 3.06 GHz Core 2 Duo
- 4 GB RAM DDR3 1600 MHz
- 1TB 7200 RPM HDD
- NVidia GeoForce 9400M (256 MB)
- USB 2, FireWire 800
- 21" 1920x1080 screen
- Snow Leopard 10.6 OS disc

Recently, the hard drive failed, so I am debating another HDD or seeing if I can put SSD. The RAM can be upgraded to 16 GB. Is it worth the price for 16 GB, or is 8 GB sufficient?

All discussion and opinions are welcomed.

This is my first post. I hope I have been clear and am posting in the correct forum.

Thank you. (^_^)

More about : advice upgrading imac video editing

March 31, 2014 8:21:43 PM

Final Cut Pro requires OS X v10.9 or later (http://www.apple.com/final-cut-pro/specs/) so it looks as though you will need to upgrade OS X. The GPU is on the approved list (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4664) though the memory is at the low end and meets the minimum recommendation. I haven't found anything on the CPU but am guessing the one you have is sufficient or at least adequate.

The system requirements for After Effects CC (http://www.adobe.com/products/aftereffects/tech-specs.h...) state that the OS must be Mac OS X v10.7.4, v10.8, or Mac OS X v10.9. Your GPU is not on the list of recommended cards to be able to use CUDA (GPU acceleration) but that does not mean your card won't work with After Effects.

As far as RAM goes, it all depends on what you are editing and if you are applying any effects and transitions. If you can afford it I would recommend the upgrade to 16GB of RAM. Personally, I would recommend no less than 8GB for any editing application as 4GB is the minimum requirement. If you have room for more than one drive then add at least one more for the project files. Use the SSD for the OS and video editing applications (including Photoshop) and use a second drive for the project assets. It's really not a good idea to have the project files on the same drive as the editing application.

If you decide to go with an SSD, which would be a good idea, then go with nothing smaller than a 120GB drive and if your budget allows go for a 250GB drive.
!