Do I need a fast Graphics Card in my Mac for editing and post production?

[sliert]

Hi,

I am an amateur photographer and do a lot of work on in Aperture right now on my 2009 MacBook Pro (only raw files). Wil be getting a new retina 15" version soon but don't know whether I should buy the 2.2GHz base model with integrated Intel Iris Pro 5200 graphics only or go for the 2.5GHz model with added discrete Nvidia GT750 2GB graphics card?
Also with Aperture coming to an end I might switch to either Lightroom or Capture One 7. Any thoughts on that in relation to the GPU?
Thanks!

 

[al93535]

You do not need a fast card for editing photos. You will see a difference in new video games and video editing. Otherwise, it's a waste of money for just post on photos.

 

[KmH]

It is nice having a graphics/video card that is OpenGL capable and that has sufficient GPU memory to use all of an editing applications features.

http://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/system-requirements.html
OpenGL® 2.0, 16-bit color, and 512 MB of VRAM (1 GB recommended)**
** 3D features are disabled with less than 512 MB of VRAM. Read the Help article.

 

[The_Traveler]

A crucial issue is RAM.
I use 8 gb and, if I wasn't parsimonious, would swap out my MOBO and get more.

 

[KmH]

Yep. More RAM.