Advice for setting-up a basic FCP X system on an iMac

I am using a new 27-inch 5K retina iMac. Can someone offer some advice for setting-up a new Mac?

What steps should be taken to configure the computer for a basic FCP X system?

Thanks!

1) Go to the Mac AppStore.
2) Buy Final Cut Pro X.
3) Launch FCPX and start editing.

If you want more...

Buy more RAM if you only have 8 GB of RAM installed.
If you can afford an external hard drive for the media, that would be awesome (USB3 or Thunderbolt preferred).

Learn how to shoot with your camera in manual mode.
Wireless mic. Headphones
Tripod.
Comfortable chair.
Monitor speakers.
Learn to collaborate.

That computer is pretty much good to go, It'll be a beast!

basically everything posted by the others is pretty spot on. if it's not already maxed out with ram, that would be my first suggestion. After that, think about external drives for media and fcpx libraries.

I'm not sure what a basic FCPX system is, but here are some recommendations....

If you are looking to add more software to the system, think about daVinci Resolve, Motion, Compressor, Pixelmator... maybe Logic if you're doing more detailed sound work.

If you are sending files to a protools suite, make sure you get 'X2Pro'. If not, don't worry about it.

For plug ins, look to Coremelt, and Colour Finale. (sign up for the free SliceX from Coremelt)

If you have to prep dailies or anything similar I recommend "Primaries Exporter" and coremelts "source timecode".

If you are using the Canon C300 or the like, make sure you get the canon plugin so you can deal with spanned clips with ease.
If you expect to work with Red files, get the Red apple workflow plug ins from Red.com.

Also, start reading up and watching videos on FCPX workflows and all sorts of tips and tricks. (make sure they are relevant to the current version, or at least since 10.1)

Otherwise, Happy editing! congrats on the new computer!

More RAM and definitely an external Thunderbolt drive to keep your media off the system drive.

Don’t rely on the i-Mac internal speakers. Get a good pair of active (powered) monitor speakers. These don’t have to be mega expensive - check out the Yamaha HS5’s or something similar.

If you have the budget it’s worth getting Compressor and Motion along with FCPX.

1) use a good external back-up system
2) don't put all your footage on the C-drive and edit on the C-drive. Buy LaCie SSD 500gb or similar (USB-3)

I have the same iMac and hooked up a second (Apple-)display, and upgraded to 32gb RAM. I use a Denon amplifier and a 5.1 audiosystem (BNS and Bose). It works perfectly if you use an optical cable. Awesome!