Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Mac-Pro for editing HD

augusto58

augusto58

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 28, 2014
33
0
Italia
Hi everyone I just joined the forum, I have an imac 24 "2009 and I do video editing in HD for hobby, this imac is too weak, a 2.93-ghz intel core 2 Duo-
Being obsolete I would take a mac-pro used 2006 or 2008 card and replace ram and more powerful with time to make FCPX for editing with no problems.
Some users in other forums take me crazy for saying that the mac-pro 2006 or 2008 and a dump useless and old, better to take a 27 imac I7 2010 used.
I do not want, I want a mac-pro used 2006 or 2007 or 2008 and then replace the internal parts, but they are not very experienced and I hope someone on the forum to help me wui.
Thank you.

;)
 
On the other forums, they are correct.

A recent iMac would give you much better FCX performance than a pre-2009 mac pro.

A pre-2009 mac pro is a waste of money for your needs. Either upgrade a 2009 Mac Pro, including boot drive, CPU, graphics cards, and ram, or, if that's too big a job, just get the latest high end iMac for best FCX performance.

There are too many internal performance choke points in older Mac Pros to make this worth your while

You will need newer GPUs (ideally 2 firepro equivalents) for best performance, you will need to run up-to-date OSX for FCX (for the card drivers even).
 
Last edited:
Its the video editing part, especially that you prefer FCX.

You could run a 2006-2008 Mac Pro, make it zippy enough, but its not worth your time given that it will be the next model to get EOL'd on a OSX update, and you would probably want the improved pcie slots on the later models.

Also, FCX will continue to be written to take advantage of dual AMD GPUs, as well as for the latest OS

But you could get a single processor 2009 Mac Pro (in the US for between 6-800 USD) and start from there.

The new top of the line iMacs are true performers, they just don't give you upgrade paths.
 
I've done some great work on a 2008 Mac Pro, even edited Red 5k footage, but obviously at a lower setting in Premiere

Maybe get a 2010, or a 2009 and update the firmware to 5,1 and change the CPU's.

I just got a 2010, poppedin a GTX780 ...it came with 8 Core CPU's. Total cost: 1700.

I plan to update to dual Six Core for only $600 and it will make this machine a beast, comparable to a very high end TrashPro with Cuda support.
 
Based on my experience with FCPX on a MacMini and a MacPro 2,1, I can say that most of the time editing performance depends on the GPU.
So, if you have a MacPro <2009 with a good GPU, you can do it.

If you want to buy a new machine consider a newer iMac, because they work with FCPX with good performance, too.
 
Thanks also to you, in fact, a 2010 MacPro seems to me the most suitable for my purpose.

: Mela:
 
The things that turn it into a monster are not RAM, although not enough ram will certainly slow you down.

1 - upgrade the boot drive to a pcie SSD

2 - upgrade to a faster CPU (hex core 3.46 or something like it)

3 - upgrade to dual AMD video cards

4 - build an internal raid for media storage

Then you will have a very effective video machine. Info on all these upgrades exists in the forum
 
info

Sorry but I'm not clear what, seeing around ebay I saw a MacPro 8 core 2008 I find with 600 euro, then I wonder why I have recommended to take a MacPro 2009 and not older?
a 2009 MacPro 4 core costs 800 euro if I want 8 core costs 1300 euro.
But I can not take an 8-core 2008 and anyway I do the changes exchanging the cards, increased ram and everything else?
I do not understand what has changed from 2008 to 2009 ??
type this below thanks.

http://www.ebay.it/itm/APPLE-MAC-PR..._Apple_Desktops_CV&hash=item1c41aba651&_uhb=1
 
info

http://www.ebay.it/itm/Apple-Mac-Pr..._Apple_Desktops_CV&hash=item1e89517244&_uhb=1


http://www.ebay.it/itm/APPLE-MAC-PR..._Apple_Desktops_CV&hash=item1c41aba651&_uhb=1

For example, between these 2 MacPro over what changes, which of the 2 and the best?
Can I get a second, 8-core 2008?
At the end I can always change it as I want right?
Sorry for the many questions but I am not very experienced and I trust you.
Thank you.

----------
AlexMaximus said:
CASLondon +1

Mac Pro is the best idea ever, but no older then 2009 !!
Click to expand...
Sorry but why an 8 core 2008 is not good ??
What will change?
Thank you.

: D
 
[QUOTE [/COLOR]Sorry but why an 8 core 2008 is not good ??
What will change?
Thank you. : D[/QUOTE]

The problem with that particular 2008 is the amount of ram. With only 2GB of ram, to add enough where the 3,1 would be worth while would cost waaaaaaay to much. Thinking 16GB minimum, find a site where you purchase ram at tally it up. Then add that to the price of the 3,1. Also, that video card is something to be replaced! That particular 3,1 is a money pit! :eek:
A 3,1 is a very capable machine. I souped mine up during the days when there was not a nMP on the horizon. Dealing with HD on a 3,1 is a breeze. Even 4K is doable with the right app and RAID speed!
 
OS6-OSX said:
[QUOTE [/COLOR]Sorry but why an 8 core 2008 is not good ??
What will change?
Thank you. : D
Click to expand...

The problem with that particular 2008 is the amount of ram. With only 2GB of ram, to add enough where the 3,1 would be worth while would cost waaaaaaay to much. Thinking 16GB minimum, find a site where you purchase ram at tally it up. Then add that to the price of the 3,1. Also, that video card is something to be replaced! That particular 3,1 is a money pit! :eek:
A 3,1 is a very capable machine. I souped mine up during the days when there was not a nMP on the horizon. Dealing with HD on a 3,1 is a breeze. Even 4K is doable with the right app and RAID speed![/QUOTE]hen you say that maybe a 2008, but costs more change at the end right?

I would also agree with you, but even if I spend more but I have a 8 cores compared to 4 cores of 2009, and this seems convenient.
I mean, if I take an 8 core in 2008, as one of the links, and then replace the RAM card and the rest spending more in the end but I would have an 8 core, much more powerful right?
Thanks anyway the answer, but at the end of a 4-core and an 8-core and a great deal of difference, or as soon as you notice?

----------
dollystereo said:
Imac or macPro 2009>
MacPro 2008 is a waste of money. (It's slower than a Mac mini even if it is 8-core)
Click to expand...

thanks to you, then you say that a 4-core MacPro 2009 is faster than a MacPro 8 core 2008, right?



hello.
 
If you trust us, why not accept the widespread advice that 2008 is too old. As I said above, you will put money into a machine that will be the next one to be dropped from OSX. All of your upgrade money will be dead money far sooner than a 2009, which remains a viable upgrade base.

You can not just "change it as you want" on the 2008, there are physical limitations. Compare them on everymac.com

Secondly, the ram issues as above

Thirdly, various bottlenecks in the older architecture, the constraints on SATA speeds, the constraints on the PCIE slots (and FCX will increasingly take advantage of dual GPU, you'll want to stay up on both OSX and FCX updates which will drop your 3,1 way sooner than a 2009 and above)

Fourthly, your CPU upgrade options are not as attractive.

You can't just add RAM and have a flying video editing workstation, you need high i/o speeds, high end GPUs, and rendering power in both CPU speed and cores. While you could build a 2008 to work well now, its lifespan would be much shorter than the 2009, so its a dumb way to spend money comparatively speaking
 
Also the RAM in MacPro 2008 and 800 Mhz (it costs more) and the 2009 and 1066 Mhz but it changes anything or really do not notice the difference?
Thank you.

:(

----------
CASLondon said:
If you trust us, why not accept the widespread advice that 2008 is too old. As I said above, you will put money into a machine that will be the next one to be dropped from OSX. All of your upgrade money will be dead money far sooner than a 2009, which remains a viable upgrade base.

You can not just "change it as you want" on the 2008, there are physical limitations. Compare them on everymac.com

Secondly, the ram issues as above

Thirdly, various bottlenecks in the older architecture, the constraints on SATA speeds, the constraints on the PCIE slots (and FCX will increasingly take advantage of dual GPU, you'll want to stay up on both OSX and FCX updates which will drop your 3,1 way sooner than a 2009 and above)

Fourthly, your CPU upgrade options are not as attractive.

You can't just add RAM and have a flying video editing workstation, you need high i/o speeds, high end GPUs, and rendering power in both CPU speed and cores. While you could build a 2008 to work well now, its lifespan would be much shorter than the 2009, so its a dumb way to spend money comparatively speaking
Click to expand...




You're right and I want to trust you, I will take a 4-core MacPro 2009.
Sorry if I doubted your answers but you are the experts and I have to listen to what you say without any problems.
Thank you friends.
 
Do not to forget to look at the small adds in the local newspapers. For my brother, a poor student, I found a broken 2009 4-core MacPro for 110 dollars. The only thing wrong was the harddisk. Three hours and a used hdd (which was just lying around) later we had a running MacPro.
 
Some answers for you regarding the 08`

Hi there,

All right, here are some more detailed reasons why you should not go with an 08' model.
1. Chassis change of Mac Pro in 2008:
The models between the 2006 and 2008 shared (almost) the same architecture, the major change has been the change from the 08 to the 09 model. All models from 09' to 12' basically share the same newer architect as well. That means if you get the 08' you invest in the old outdated model architecture.
2. Upgrade path:
The 08' can not be upgraded on the CPU side, the 09 model can be upgraded to the 12' standard. This means you will be stuck, you can not improve your 08' on the CPUs ever. With the 09' model, you have plenty of upgrade possibilities on the CPU side. (with firmware flash to 5.1 you can go to higher 4core, 6core, and higher 8core models) The only problem with the 09' model would be the 8core 2,26 that has lid less cpus. They can be upgraded, but it is a major PIA and a risk is involved to damage the socket.
3. Ram:
The 2008 MP was a real hot running machine. If you live in Alaska, you might want to consider the 08' as a electrical heating addition. Otherwise forget it. Huge heat sinks have been necessary and the Power draw was significant.
4. PCI slots:
If you want to upgrade your MP with an SSD, the best way is to go with an Pci slot card such as the accelsior from OWC or the Sonnet Pro Plus card on SSD Raid 0. The 2008 model had only one fast PCI, that other ones are slow. Many PCI cards make problems and are a bit twitchi in the 08' for that reason. The 09' is way better because of platform change.
5. GPU support:
Many newer GPUs are slower on the 08' model due its older architecture. Your speed gain in GPU Power will be diminished compared to the 09' platform.
(ATI 7950, Nvidia 680 & 780, ATI R280 -> consult MacProCards)
6. Geekbench score:
Compare Geekbench scores and you will see a pimped up 09' with Hexacore 3,2 is way faster then an old 2008 8core 2,8.
7. Resell value:
Because of the above points the resell value is way way better.
 
hanks dfel advice, what I see around but alllora quad core 2009 and are finally in place.
Thanks again.

;)
 
AlexMaximus said:
Hi there,

All right, here are some more detailed reasons why you should not go with an 08' model.
1. Chassis change of Mac Pro in 2008:
The models between the 2006 and 2008 shared (almost) the same architecture, the major change has been the change from the 08 to the 09 model. All models from 09' to 12' basically share the same newer architect as well. That means if you get the 08' you invest in the old outdated model architecture.
2. Upgrade path:
The 08' can not be upgraded on the CPU side, the 09 model can be upgraded to the 12' standard. This means you will be stuck, you can not improve your 08' on the CPUs ever. With the 09' model, you have plenty of upgrade possibilities on the CPU side. (with firmware flash to 5.1 you can go to higher 4core, 6core, and higher 8core models) The only problem with the 09' model would be the 8core 2,26 that has lid less cpus. They can be upgraded, but it is a major PIA and a risk is involved to damage the socket.
3. Ram:
The 2008 MP was a real hot running machine. If you live in Alaska, you might want to consider the 08' as a electrical heating addition. Otherwise forget it. Huge heat sinks have been necessary and the Power draw was significant.
4. PCI slots:
If you want to upgrade your MP with an SSD, the best way is to go with an Pci slot card such as the accelsior from OWC or the Sonnet Pro Plus card on SSD Raid 0. The 2008 model had only one fast PCI, that other ones are slow. Many PCI cards make problems and are a bit twitchi in the 08' for that reason. The 09' is way better because of platform change.
5. GPU support:
Many newer GPUs are slower on the 08' model due its older architecture. Your speed gain in GPU Power will be diminished compared to the 09' platform.
(ATI 7950, Nvidia 680 & 780, ATI R280 -> consult MacProCards)
6. Geekbench score:
Compare Geekbench scores and you will see a pimped up 09' with Hexacore 3,2 is way faster then an old 2008 8core 2,8.
7. Resell value:
Because of the above points the resell value is way way better.
Click to expand...





Thank you my friend even if you do not know personally, I finally understood the difference between the 2008 and 2009 model and hear your friends and the advice of others on this forum that I found beautiful that until recently did not know.

hello from an Italian.

: Mela:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back