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jrv3034

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 23, 2002
802
0
Just curious... I'l be getting a PowerMac for use with Final Cut Pro 4 in a couple of months. I just realized that I can get very similarly configured PowerMacs for about the same price, one being a Dual 1.25 G4 and the other a Single 1.6 G5. Both for $1999.

That said, I'd love to get a G5 (love its looks), but will the performance of the Dual 1.25 G4 be better for video editing? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
 

arn

macrumors god
Staff member
Apr 9, 2001
16,395
5,836
i'm not sure if you can be confident that it's "No."

I think it'd be close.

arn
 

MacFan25

macrumors 68000
Jan 5, 2003
1,624
0
USA
I think you should get the G5 since the architechure is entirely new, and it will probably last longer.

Just my $0.02.
 

MacManDan

macrumors 6502
Apr 11, 2003
295
0
Originally posted by arn
i'm not sure if you can be confident that it's "No."

I think it'd be close.

arn

I think it largely depends on if FCP can use both processors to render. If so, THEN I would say it would be close (maybe even the G4 beating the G5?? maybe??), but if it only uses one processor to render, then it seems pretty obvious that the G5 is the winner.

Taking into consideration the fact that the G5 IS newer architecture, however, even if the speed is close (or if the dual G4 marginally beats the G5), it seems like a better choice to go with the newer tech .. I think it will last longer.
 

jrv3034

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 23, 2002
802
0
Does anyone know if FCP4 uses dual processors effectively? If not, then I agree the 1.6 G5 will fly. I'd love to get the dual 2ghz, but that's just too much money...

btw- Nice signature, MacManDan;)
 

patrick0brien

macrumors 68040
Oct 24, 2002
3,246
9
The West Loop
Originally posted by jrv3034
Does anyone know if FCP4 uses dual processors effectively?

-jrv3034

FCP has been multi-processor aware and effective since version 2.

However, with it running on OS X, an SMP OS, it's even more efficient.

I dare say the dual in this case might edge the G5, however, I actually doubt that a bit as the G5 will have the 800mhz bus.

The G5 might acctually edge it out.

Additionally, I would go for the G5 for future-facing reasons as well.
 

Fender2112

macrumors 65816
Aug 11, 2002
1,141
402
Charlotte, NC
I noticed the same observation last night while putting together my next system. For about the same cost, I can get a dual 1.25 or G5 1.6 or 1.8.

If I go with the PowerMac (as opposed to iMac), I'll go with the G5 because of the architecture. I feel it will have more life than a G4 system.
 

_bnkr612

macrumors 6502a
Mar 8, 2004
619
0
Always go for the latest architecture in the PMs if you are using it for more than checking your mail or gettin' on them internets.
 

_bnkr612

macrumors 6502a
Mar 8, 2004
619
0
.:*Robot Boy*:. said:
How on Earth did you come to post in a thread that's over two years old? :eek:

Haha, I was fartin' around on page 300 (for nostalgic purposes)... I just wanted to help out the little guy, that being the under-rated PM 1.6!
 
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