2017 iMac 5K: Photoshop Filters

MPG recommends 64GB OWC memory (big savings!) in: 27" Retina 5K Display, 4.2 GHz Intel Core i7 (Skylake), 1TB Flash, 8GB memory, AMD Radeon Pro 580 Graphics Card (8GB).

View iMac 5K at B&H Photo and see MPG’s computer gear wishlist. Not sure which Mac to get or how to configure it? Consult with MPG.

A note on the 8-core 3.3 GHz Mac Pro

These tests use a 2013 Mac Pro 3.3 GHz 8-core, the fastest Mac Pro available, and one that Apple does not sell—it needs to be an upgraded CPU. Apple offers a 3.0 GHz 8 core (slower than 3.3 GHz), and it would be a bit slower than the 3.3 GHz 8-core Mac Pro tested here.

The 2017 iMac 5K offers a substantial speed boost over its 2015 predecessor in every test shown here and handily beats out the fastest possible 2013 Mac Pro.

Photoshop filters

These tests are not sensitive to the amount of memory and are thus pure CPU/GPU tests.

The late 2015 iMac 5K sometimes beats the 3.3 GHz 8-core 2013 Mac Pro, sometimes is neck and neck, and sometimes beats the Mac Pro. It’s an impressive performance for the iMac 5K.

Photoshop Filters
2017 iMac 5K vs late 2015 iMac 5K vs 2013 Mac Pro