LightRoom w/large files: Mini or Server?

[DHart]

My usage is entirely with LightRoom and Photoshop use with large (5DMkII) files... which is better, a high-end Mini with maxed RAM or a high-end Mini Server model with maxed RAM? I'm not too concerned about internal HDDs as I can add external drives no problemo.

Thanks, in advance, for your comments!

 

[philjo]

The advice I got from a dedicated lightroom forum was that the current versions of Lightroom make heavy use of CPU & RAM but do not use the GPU much.
Therefore you would get much better performance with the quad core server than a dual core with the better graphics.
As I understand it Lightroom 3.x doesn't make much use of hyperthreading so the quad core server would give better performance, especially when processing a large number of RAW files. (though this could change in later releases)
It should run OK on the non-server versions though.

The server version also as the 7200rpm HD as standard which will give better performance for Lightroom than the 5400rpm HD supplied with the non-server version. LR also runs better if the images are on a separate HD from the LR catalogue & acr cache files, so the dual HD in the server will be ideal for this.

I am planning to buy the quad core mini server myself to use for Lightroom & I will fit the 8GB RAM.

 

[JCT]

I just ordered a Mini Server for the exact same use having received identical advice regarding Lightroom and the GPU.

Looking forward to it.

 

[DHart]

Thanks guys for your comments... Server it is.