Mac Mini i7 Dual Core vs Mac mini Server i7 Quad Core

[srf4real]

I did configure the mini server with 250GB ssd and 750GB hdd option, 8GB ram. It puts the G5 dual 2.0 to shame in all matters.. not considering the expandability features of the latter of course. But the i7 quad is far more processor, and with the ssd waiting for my machine to do anything is a distant memory unless I'm downloading 1GB apps that still takes a few minutes.

As a photographer I feel that I made a very value wise decision, not needing any display but needing up to date performance from my apps.
I have no experience with FCX or FCP. But CS 5 and Aperture 3 are immediately responsive to my commands, Aperture 3 being the weak link imo.

I have yet to hear my mini's fans, positioned three feet in front of me at ear level.

I remember you saying that you were going this route a while back. How has this new setup performed compared to your last setup?



This is what I'm looking at right now. I do a good amount of work in Flash creating cartoons, short animation and some stuff in PS & Illustrator not to mention I'm thinking about getting Aperture 3 soon. I also have been doing a good amount of video for seminars on the weekends and the new FCPX is looking like an addition in the near future for me. My 17" MBP is showing it's age with the video editing (see my sig).

Can you give some real world feedback once you have a chance or send me a pm with some import/render times and file sizes if at all possible?



I'm in that same boat of questions right now too. I'm leaning toward the server because I'll max the Mini out with RAM & split the storage with the SSD & HDD configuration for the most bang for the buck.

To extend that question, has anyone used Motion or anything in conjunction with or other than FCPX on the new server and how has it worked thus far?

 

[Artful Dodger]

Thank you for the feedback srf4real I'm rethinking my decision based upon I need to use a Wacom Cintiq and a display and I was hoping that I could just use the TB and daisy chain but it's not looking that way. It's all good and I'll know this week which way to go but either way the mini is one cool machine imo

 

[whodean]

Is anyone using EyeTV and/or Plex on the Server Mini? Acceptable 1080p video performance?

 

[chedda]

i7 @ 2.7

I picked up an i7 2.7 yesterday the same as your first choice. I used it all day without a hiccup modelling with sketchup i was very impressed the fans didn't kick in and it didn't get hot to touch. I needed the graphics card otherwise i would have grabbed the quad. Maybe later i'll grab a few quads to add to my 12 core to form a cluster for rendering.

 

[MJL]

Does somebody have used virtual box, parallels or vmware in mac mini server 2011? may you tell me, what was your experience with that? the video card is enough to handle windows 7 in a virtual machine? I'm ready to order after tomorrow but I'm between, the i7 or the mini server. any help will be appreciated.

http://ark.intel.com/products/53463/Intel-Core-i7-2635QM-Processor-(6M-Cache-2_00-GHz)

http://ark.intel.com/products/52229/Intel-Core-i5-2520M-Processor-(3M-Cache-2_50-GHz)

In other words: only the mid 2011 mac mini does full virtualization

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I did configure the mini server......

I have yet to hear my mini's fans, positioned three feet in front of me at ear level.

It depends how noisy your environment is - 2300 rpm for me is already quite audible, even at 3 feet.

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So - Before I read about the issue, I though buying the Memory from Crucial would be a good choice.

But now I´m not too sure, I keep getting these beeps after inserting the memory. Has many experianced this?

Corsair I hear is not good either - What do I do now? Samsung?

I've spend a few dollars more and got OWC's memory - they do test properly and their advice is sound.

 

[etsi]

Hello,

I am thinking to buy a mac mini which I will use it for internet browsing, e-mail client, lightroom, programming, watching movies. Is it possible to run some games with Intel HD3000 ? I am not hardcore gamer at least not on pc/mac but would it be possible to run a couple of games like WOW/Diablo 3 or the AMD GPU would be a better choice ?

 

[singlemanhk]

mini 2011 server v mac pro early 2008 2x2.8 quad core xeon

With no new mac-pro on the horizon i at looking at changing to the mac mini server from my early 2008 2 x 2.8 quad core xeon

Previous comments seem to indicate that the new mini 2011 server will handle 2x27 dell inch U2711 monitors at 2560 x 1440 without too much problem. But will the 2011 server mini with 8gb ram handle the manipulation of large images in cs5 photoshop while illustrator, quark xpress and the usual suspects itunes, safari, aperture etc running at the same time.

does the apple offered ssd upgrade make a big difference on day to day usage of photoshop, illustrator, quark, web surfing etc?

Thank you

 

[shortcut3d]

With no new mac-pro on the horizon i at looking at changing to the mac mini server from my early 2008 2 x 2.8 quad core xeon

Previous comments seem to indicate that the new mini 2011 server will handle 2x27 dell inch U2711 monitors at 2560 x 1440 without too much problem. But will the 2011 server mini with 8gb ram handle the manipulation of large images in cs5 photoshop while illustrator, quark xpress and the usual suspects itunes, safari, aperture etc running at the same time.

does the apple offered ssd upgrade make a big difference on day to day usage of photoshop, illustrator, quark, web surfing etc?

Thank you

Yes, any SSD will have a huge impact on day to day usage and the Adobe suite of products.

 

[keema]

is the Mac Mini i7 Dual core will not be enough for heavy photop'ing, video editing in after effects and for watching HD (1080p) movies?

enough meaning will it be very slow and lag too much?

 

[Drago89]

is the Mac Mini i7 Dual core will not be enough for heavy photop'ing, video editing in after effects and for watching HD (1080p) movies?

enough meaning will it be very slow and lag too much?

for photo editing - no. with extra ram and maybe ssd it'll be pretty good
for video editing - quad core would be better, but even dual core would handle it (ofc with slower export times etc )

but if you really will use it heavy i.e all day, all night - then iMac or Mac Pro would be better ofc

 

[andymodem]

Just order the Mac Mini server from the refurb store. Can't wait for it to get here. Getting rid of 3 PC setups in the house.

 

[whodean]

Is anyone using EyeTV and/or Plex on the Server Mini? Acceptable 1080p video performance?

I'm contemplating between the server or dual core models but want to make sure the server model will perform well enough for Plex and EyeTV, has anyone tried to otherwise care to chime in?

 

[shortcut3d]

I'm contemplating between the server or dual core models but want to make sure the server model will perform well enough for Plex and EyeTV, has anyone tried to otherwise care to chime in?

Either model will handle 1080p content easily. Obviously, if you are encoding the Mac Mini Server with quad core will be faster. The only caveat is if you have content with the 29/59 frame rate issue (bug) then the discrete AMD 6630M will handle it better. Lastly, no one does 24fps perfectly so AMD or Intel doesn't matter.

 

[keema]

does anyone here have compared the Mac mini i7 Dual Core and the mini server version?

In terms of video ripping, how fast is the server from the dual core mini?

Heavy photoshopping..like openning a very big psd files and raw pictures?

I know playing 1080p movies on a dual screen is not a problem for both.


If i get the mac mini i7 dual core and get the 8gig of ram config + normal hdd's

if i only run 2 application at a time, example: just photoshop for heavy editing stuffs and after effects for video will this run smoothly/fast on this configuration?

 

[penguy]

Just order the Mac Mini server from the refurb store. Can't wait for it to get here. Getting rid of 3 PC setups in the house.

so I see the mini server in the refurb store and I can't pull the trigger! I really want the faster 750 drives!

 

[andymodem]

so I see the mini server in the refurb store and I can't pull the trigger! I really want the faster 750 drives!

I'm swapping one of the drives for an SSD as my system/apps drive. The second 500 gig hardrive will hold my home folder/data. Will need to pick up a 2tb external to hold my iTunes content for my ATV2.

 

[whodean]

I'm swapping one of the drives for an SSD as my system/apps drive. The second 500 gig hardrive will hold my home folder/data. Will need to pick up a 2tb external to hold my iTunes content for my ATV2.

Thats the way I'm going too, currently have an older Mini w/SSD and a 4tb FW800 HD that will be upgraded.

 

[shortcut3d]

does anyone here have compared the Mac mini i7 Dual Core and the mini server version?

In terms of video ripping, how fast is the server from the dual core mini?

Heavy photoshopping..like openning a very big psd files and raw pictures?

I know playing 1080p movies on a dual screen is not a problem for both.


If i get the mac mini i7 dual core and get the 8gig of ram config + normal hdd's

if i only run 2 application at a time, example: just photoshop for heavy editing stuffs and after effects for video will this run smoothly/fast on this configuration?

I have both i7 Mac Mini models and for ripping and encoding the Mac Mini Server with quad-core is definitely faster. For large graphic files the system relies more on drive speed to open and manipulation is largely dependent on memory. With that said, the quad-core will be faster in most application exporting your final result, video or images.

 

[penguy]

I'm swapping one of the drives for an SSD as my system/apps drive. The second 500 gig hardrive will hold my home folder/data. Will need to pick up a 2tb external to hold my iTunes content for my ATV2.

what size ssd is optimal? the larger sizes are pretty expensive and would put me in the iMac price range...which I'm trying to avoid

 

[andymodem]

what size ssd is optimal? the larger sizes are pretty expensive and would put me in the iMac price range...which I'm trying to avoid

Basically whatever size your comfortable buying that will accommodate the OS + the apps you use + some growth for apps. That is assuming you keep the additional hard disk and use that for your home folder.

 

[thekev]

does the apple offered ssd upgrade make a big difference on day to day usage of photoshop, illustrator, quark, web surfing etc?

Thank you

Apple SSDs have shown a fair amount of sample variation. Considering the failure rate of SSDs I'd probably go with one with a better warranty unless you always tack on applecare.

Yes, any SSD will have a huge impact on day to day usage and the Adobe suite of products.

I don't disagree with you but you need to add some clarification. It will make a huge impact if you can't hold everything in ram. 8GB isn't a lot for this kind of stuff. If you're using enough ram to where it basically never has to write to the scratch disk, you'll then see minimal benefit from an SSD outside of opening applications, boot times, and dealing with 32 bit programs which can't address this kind of ram. Basically its value is in that it reads and writes page file (known as scratch disks under adobe products) data much faster than a traditional hard drive. When ram appropriate to the mini gets cheap enough to where it makes sense to use 16GB, then this will become a better option for these kinds of applications than an SSD.

is the Mac Mini i7 Dual core will not be enough for heavy photop'ing, video editing in after effects and for watching HD (1080p) movies?

enough meaning will it be very slow and lag too much?

If you're just watching HD content it should be fine but I haven't tested it personally. Video editing you'd see significantly faster rendering with the quad. The only thing I hate about the mini is it's a bit limited on ram by having only two slots. This isn't a high end feature or anything. It's that way because the computer is built out of laptop parts, but it sucks because it makes it harder for me to use a mini .

Some things can still run slow in photoshop, but they're usually things that don't scale well with cpu power. You can expect mostly real time functions even on larger image files (say 10,000+ pixels in length or width) with huge numbers of layers. The most common thing that slows things down is lack of ram in that program. That's actually why SSDs seem to help so much. They make virtual memory paging much faster. With 64 bit rewrites of older programs, this isn't as necessary assuming you're able to get a large amount of ram. For after effects the extra cpu from the quad core model would help out immensely with rendering times.

 

[powerbook911]

I just received my $850 Refurbished Mac Mini 2011 Server yesterday. I really like it, only wish I had one of the nice retail boxes for it. Might return it for a new one.

Nice machine though! I decided not to go SSD yet because 250GB is the biggest I could probably afford to put in it right now, so most of my content wouldn't be on that drive anyway.

Instead, I went RAID 0, which is ok. It "tests," about the same disks speeds as my 2010 Air, and I like having a 1TB disk (combined). Not bad machine.

I will get it to the 8GB of RAM over the weekend. It seems perfectly quiet to me too, I guess I don't stress it enough.

Except for the advanced professionals, many of them do exist here, it seems like Mini Server is almost the best kept Mac secret. Honestly, that I got it for $850 and has this performance is pretty incredible. I might sell it and get the Ivy model when it comes out next year. Minis are nice that they are so easy to fit in, ship, etc. Less stress involved with them.

 

[keema]

It seems I can only afford the 2.7 i7 dual core mini + normal HDD (might upgrade to 500gb 7200 rpm in the future) + 8gb ram.

Any 2.7 i7 dual core mini users here have changed their HDD into a "7200" rpm one? Did it improve the performance?

 

[shortcut3d]

It seems I can only afford the 2.7 i7 dual core mini + normal HDD (might upgrade to 500gb 7200 rpm in the future) + 8gb ram.

Any 2.7 i7 dual core mini users here have changed their HDD into a "7200" rpm one? Did it improve the performance?

There's minimal impact switching from 5400RPM to 7200RPM.

If you are planning on upgrading the 2.7 i7 with a 7200 RPM drive you might as well get the Server. It cost the same as upgrading but you get two drives and the cables on the second drive. The question is do you need the discrete graphics.

 

[powerbook911]

It seems I can only afford the 2.7 i7 dual core mini + normal HDD (might upgrade to 500gb 7200 rpm in the future) + 8gb ram.

Any 2.7 i7 dual core mini users here have changed their HDD into a "7200" rpm one? Did it improve the performance?

Um...the 2.7 i7 mini is Expensive! I don't know what country you're in, but in the U.S., that one is quite pricey compared to Server.

If you need the discreet graphics processor, I MIGHT understand it, otherwise go for the Server.

If in the US, look at Amazon.com, saves $30 plus some other benefits, or wait for the servers to pop back up on refurbished Apple.com again, they were $850, less than the mid range with i7.

That way with the server you'd get the better processor, plus TWO 7200RPM drives. Better deal, and you wouldn't have to open it up besides to do the RAM, which is simple.

Of course, if you need the discreet graphics, I understand the decision is much more difficult.