What are everyones thoughts on the new mac pros for 4K workflow? I do photography, 1080p, 4k video, and some graphics in after effects. Should I just get a 2013 mac pro which are so nice or a 2012. Idc about the hard drive on the new mac pro since i'll mainly be using a 6TB thunderbolt. Thanks in advance everyone!(money isn't really an object)
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New Mac pro for 4K workflow?
- Thread starter APPLEFAN8
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Wait until the new one is released then decide. This first gen model can edit 4K very well but is hobbled when it comes to full featured 4K monitor support and has oldish graphic cards. Wait until the Mac Pro offers NVME for faster disks, new graphics cards and proper 60hz or higher 4K video out.
I may do that, but patience is killing me. Maybe i'll buy the black see if I like it for the basic graphics I do and video edits for work but i'll figure it out hopefully after christmas. Thank you!
You probably only have to wait 12 weeks. That time will pass quick and you won't kick yourself for buying a lame first gen.
I'm doing 4K quite easily on the new '13 MP. Clients are thrilled, and therefore, so am I. I don't know where people get the idea that 4K is "hobbled" on it, or that the nMP is "lame." 60 Hz. SST is now plug and play with the latest monitors, e.g.. Dell P2415Q. There's hardly a paragraph on the dedicated Apple Mac Pro pages that doesn't tout its 4K abilities. If there are any quirks at all with 4K, blame it on OS X, not the hardware. Truthfully, 4K/UHD is in its infancy, so yes, there were few teething problems, like early implementation via MST to to get 60. Those seem to have been solved with 10.10.1 coupled with newer displays. That said, I'd stay away from DCI 4K (4096x2160) unless you actually shoot raw 4K, and forget 5K, the latter making little sense, none for those who have their UHD workspace on one monitor and preview on another.
The new MP was MADE for 4K, especially if using Final Cut. As for the GPU, sure they're last gen. So is the CPU. It's the Apple way, especially on the Pro, allegedly in the name of proven stability. If you want the cutting edge, build a PC. If you want the MP, get it. The next MP hasn't even been the subject of anything other than sheer speculation, much less announced.
If you wait for the next thing in tech, you'll wait forever, because there will ALWAYS be something a little better. How else would the manufacturers stay in business? Finally, the 2012 is the same as the 2010, and if flashed, the 2009. It's still a serviceable machine. My '09 has the nMP right on top of it, and the two play well together. Each has its strong points, but I wouldn't buy a 5.1 or earlier model today. Even with all the mods you can do, it is getting more than a little long in the tooth.
I think you need to look at Apple's support documentation for 4K monitors and sorry to say but most 4,1s and 5,1s on this forum have been upgraded enough to make 6,1 look long in the tooth and they can continue to be upgraded to next gen graphics, next gen video ports, USB 3.1, NVME solid state drives, and Bluetooth 4.2.
So my opinion that a sealed off box is hobbled and lame cannot be any truer. That doesn't mean your feelings should be hurt because of the investment you made - after all a computer is as useful and productive as its owner no matter what it's shortcomings are. If you can do great work with it then all power to you.
Feelings hurt - on an internet discussion forum? You gotta be kidding me.
I had the same reservations as you and waited many months before getting the nMP. It actually has less spaghetti hanging out the back of it than the old one. It's been upgraded to the hilt: flashed to 5.1, the hottest CPU you can put in it (W3690), more, faster RAM, USB 3, 700mw wireless AC (picks up Mars and is fast), two SSD's plus a RAID, GTX 670 SC with a 970 OC on the way. Couldn't care less about new BT...don't use it on the cMP. Like I said, it is serviceable and has its strengths. The problem is, there are bottlenecks with the old architecture. The biggest is that I'm often enough CPU limited and there is nothing that can be done about it...period, and that's not the only limitation to further upgrading the 5.1. Think you'll ever see PCIE 3 or faster RAM?
No, I too wanted a modernized cheese grater. We didn't get it. What we did get was something that has its own unique advantages that, when utilized for its intent, is remarkably capable and quiet. Upgradeability is an issue for sure. It wasn't all that easy on the cMP except for adding drives. For the nMP CPU and SSD upgrades are already out. We don't know for certain GPU ugrades won't be available at some point. The possibility of an additional external GPU (Nvidia) is near for those apps that would benefit (think CUDA). I/O is not an issue with DP 1.2 and HDMI 1.4 and TB interfaces. 60 FPS ingestion isn't insurmountable, but is as rare as mule mammaries. 30/24 FPS is the standard for in/out in 4K/UHD and that's not a problem, nor is SST display at 60 Hz via TB/DP.
As stated, I have and use both Mac desktops, each for certain purposes, and while not yet perfected, the workflow is, well, working. For the bleeding edge in CPU/GPU mobo, etc., I'm soon building a PC for Win apps that will absolutely trash two of anything Apple makes, and thats coming from a guy that has one or two of everything Apple makes.
As for the nMP, don't knock it until you actually tried it, preferably in a professional setting. It works...very, very, well. As someone who actually owns both, and uses them to make a living, I don't have any regrets, but admit I can't wait until after the first of the year to build that PC with an overlocked 4790 or 5690, GTX 980, and all SSD storage in RAID with no archaic architectural bottlenecks. I can even ignore progress and put a 5 1/4 floppy in it if I want
PS - Forget the Apple documentation you cite. It often does not reflect reality. That's what they have tested and will support. The 4K page is WOEFULLY outdated and higher level support and engineering knows it. Show me where they say you can flash a 4.1 to 5.1 and stick an Nvidia 5XX or higher in it.
PCIE3 and 1866mhz memory. Go look at some benchmarks. They aren't a big deal.
As for your suggestion I should try an nMP in a professional setting, I thought I already did that. As a freelancer I work for many major clients back to back and move from office to office without a permanent base. In recent years among my clients two use iMacs for media production, one uses nMP, SEVEN use cMP, one uses Mac minis. I'm basically using almost the whole Mac line up depending on what their output requirements are. The cMPs are still the major workhorse machine in most production houses. In the only studio that has nMP it was because the IT staff didn't have a clue about Macs and made the purchase thinking the four core base model was going to make a big difference. It wasn't recieved well - one stayed in the office and another was left in the store room after someone complained of slowness.