Looking to replace my 2010 Mac Pro

[Ethosik]

Let me start by saying I do not care about messing around inside the computer. I get it to perform a simple task, to get my work done. I use FCPX primarily, but also Logic and GarageBand. The only thing that I do not like about the iMac is that it has its own monitor. I prefer the headless systems. However, the 5K resolution would be nice.

With that said, I think an iMac will be what my next system is. My question is, should I get the standard iMac, or wait for the iMac Pro? If I wait for the iMac Pro, I will probably wait 6-12 months after in case any issues come up since it is a new product line.

Is anyone running the new, or old, iMac 5K for FCPX? Does it get hot/loud while rendering for a few hours?

Thanks.

 

[redheeler]

Does it get hot/loud while rendering for a few hours?

You will typically hear some fan noise during intensive work. Unfortunately it's impossible to say at this point how the iMac Pro compares with fan noise.

 

[kschendel]

Have you done anything to upgrade your existing Mac Pro? If you're still running a stock cMP, some simple upgrades might make waiting more palatable. There are board swap services if you don't care to fool with the upgrade yourself, and some upgrades (like adding SSD in a drive bay) are trivially simple.

 

[Ethosik]

Have you done anything to upgrade your existing Mac Pro? If you're still running a stock cMP, some simple upgrades might make waiting more palatable. There are board swap services if you don't care to fool with the upgrade yourself, and some upgrades (like adding SSD in a drive bay) are trivially simple.

I just put a GTX 980 in there and it didn't do much to help with FCPX.
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You will typically hear some fan noise during intensive work. Unfortunately it's impossible to say at this point how the iMac Pro compares with fan noise.

Is it unbearable?

 

[Silencio]

FCPX doesn't take advantage of CUDA, so it generally does better with ATI graphics cards. Something like the R9 280X would do pretty well, and can be flashed with Mac native firmware. I'm not as familiar with the current Radeon line as my workflows are far better served by Nvidia, but I'm sure someone can chime in.

Generally a 2010 Mac Pro can be upgraded to be a very strong performer with Apple's pro apps. What are the specs for the rest of your current system, and what kind of display do you have?

If you're primarily using the Apple creative apps, and you really don't want to crack open the case to install new hardware, then the regular old iMac will suit you just fine. Get the fastest Core i7 you can, as much RAM as you can, and preferably all flash storage. No need to wait for the iMac Pro IMO.

 

[Ethosik]

FCPX doesn't take advantage of CUDA, so it generally does better with ATI graphics cards. Something like the R9 280X would do pretty well, and can be flashed with Mac native firmware. I'm not as familiar with the current Radeon line as my workflows are far better served by Nvidia, but I'm sure someone can chime in.

Generally a 2010 Mac Pro can be upgraded to be a very strong performer with Apple's pro apps. What are the specs for the rest of your current system, and what kind of display do you have?

If you're primarily using the Apple creative apps, and you really don't want to crack open the case to install new hardware, then the regular old iMac will suit you just fine. Get the fastest Core i7 you can, as much RAM as you can, and preferably all flash storage. No need to wait for the iMac Pro IMO.

That is the thing though. My 2010 Mac Pro is now a secondary gaming computer with the GTX 980. And it is VERY nice gaming under Windows. I want to keep NVIDIA in there just for that.

Will it be fine rendering videos several hours a day, or will it get too hot and unbearably loud? Looks like the iMac Pro will have a better cooling system.