09-13-2019, 10:27 PM
Graylock,
The fusion drive in the current 27" iMac 5K is a match for a typical 2.5" SSD in a USB 3.1 Gen 2 enclosure. The fusion drive will not be as fast as an NVME M.2 SSD in a USB 3.1 Gen 2 enclosure and it will be blown away by an NVME M.2 SSD in a Thunderbolt 3 enclosure.
I can't speak for how well these configurations will work for an iMac 21.5". However, I'd still be inclined to go with the external SSD. Lesson learned from jdc, who was instrumental in guiding me to the particular iMac I purchased at the end of August.
I don't know if the internal drive of the 2019 iMacs (or 2017 series which I commonly see as refurbs) is upgradeable. If yes, then putting the SSD into the iMac would result in the fastest boost. At that point, though, rather than spend the bucks for the internal SSD and the cost of installation, I'd just buy a Thunderbolt 3 SSD and be done with it. It'll be just as fast, cost less money and do the job nicely.
At some point, I may take the NVME SSD I'm using right now and move it into a Thunderbolt 3 box. At some point. Honestly, my 2019 iMac is running beautifully with it as an external boot drive connected via USB 3.1 Gen 2. Because of that, I can't justify the expense of a Thunderbolt enclosure, which, at the least, is about $150 to $200.
You'll likely want the RAM upgrade, regardless of drive. upgrading the iMac to 16 gigs might be just right and only cost about $40 to $50. I actually bought 2 qty 8 gig chips and ended up upgrading my iMac to 24 gigs total.
Robert
The fusion drive in the current 27" iMac 5K is a match for a typical 2.5" SSD in a USB 3.1 Gen 2 enclosure. The fusion drive will not be as fast as an NVME M.2 SSD in a USB 3.1 Gen 2 enclosure and it will be blown away by an NVME M.2 SSD in a Thunderbolt 3 enclosure.
I can't speak for how well these configurations will work for an iMac 21.5". However, I'd still be inclined to go with the external SSD. Lesson learned from jdc, who was instrumental in guiding me to the particular iMac I purchased at the end of August.
I don't know if the internal drive of the 2019 iMacs (or 2017 series which I commonly see as refurbs) is upgradeable. If yes, then putting the SSD into the iMac would result in the fastest boost. At that point, though, rather than spend the bucks for the internal SSD and the cost of installation, I'd just buy a Thunderbolt 3 SSD and be done with it. It'll be just as fast, cost less money and do the job nicely.
At some point, I may take the NVME SSD I'm using right now and move it into a Thunderbolt 3 box. At some point. Honestly, my 2019 iMac is running beautifully with it as an external boot drive connected via USB 3.1 Gen 2. Because of that, I can't justify the expense of a Thunderbolt enclosure, which, at the least, is about $150 to $200.
You'll likely want the RAM upgrade, regardless of drive. upgrading the iMac to 16 gigs might be just right and only cost about $40 to $50. I actually bought 2 qty 8 gig chips and ended up upgrading my iMac to 24 gigs total.
Robert