nMP SSD questions and monitor suggestions

[itcrashed]

I would like to jump on one of these stellar deals for a 6 core nMP with 16GB, 2xD500, 256GB SSD.

My only hesitation is the 256GB SSD. For my use case, it would be much nicer to have a 1TB SSD as I am not into video editing. I simply want a Mac Pro so I can run multiple VMs, Photoshop, and Lightroom with multiple 4k monitors. Local, internal, storage for performance would be beneficial to me. With the pricing promos some vendors have, its very close to the price of a racked out iMac, so I figure I should just go with the Mac Pro on promotional pricing.

...so that is my background...but my question is about these aftermarket SSDs that are SUPPOSED to come out for the nMP. Is it something I can count on in the next few months or is it the ultimate unicorn?

While I am asking, any budget ($400-$700 range) 28" 4k/60Hz monitor suggestions? Asus, Samsung, Acer?

 

[Zwhaler]

No experience with the Samsung but $479.99 here:

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-28-Inch-Definition-Monitor-U28D590D/dp/B00IEZGWI2

 

[VirtualRain]

I would like to jump on one of these stellar deals for a 6 core nMP with 16GB, 2xD500, 256GB SSD.

My only hesitation is the 256GB SSD. For my use case, it would be much nicer to have a 1TB SSD as I am not into video editing. I simply want a Mac Pro so I can run multiple VMs, Photoshop, and Lightroom with multiple 4k monitors. Local, internal, storage for performance would be beneficial to me. With the pricing promos some vendors have, its very close to the price of a racked out iMac, so I figure I should just go with the Mac Pro on promotional pricing.

...so that is my background...but my question is about these aftermarket SSDs that are SUPPOSED to come out for the nMP. Is it something I can count on in the next few months or is it the ultimate unicorn?

While I am asking, any budget ($400-$700 range) 28" 4k/60Hz monitor suggestions? Asus, Samsung, Acer?

I believe you're wise to want the 1TB. I believe there are some (Samsung/Apple?) SSD blades on eBay that are compatible... I haven't followed closely since I purchased mine with 1TB... But do a search on here or ebay, or someone may drop in here with a link.

As for monitors, the new Dell 4K displays (24" & 27") are due to be released any day (I'm waiting on a pair of 27"). They look promising due to offering an IPS panel, driven by a Single Stream link at a very reasonably price point with Dells great warranty and return policy. There's an active thread here... https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1816805/

 

[whoosh]

I would like to jump on one of these stellar deals for a 6 core nMP with 16GB, 2xD500, 256GB SSD.

My only hesitation is the 256GB SSD. For my use case, it would be much nicer to have a 1TB SSD as I am not into video editing. I simply want a Mac Pro so I can run multiple VMs, Photoshop, and Lightroom with multiple 4k monitors. Local, internal, storage for performance would be beneficial to me.

I did the same (buying the 6 core nMP with 16GB, 2xD500, 256GB SSD) due to the $500 off deal at B&H - and have been facing the same set of questions.

You have 256GB local which is good enough for OS, programs, virtualization software for running VMs, Lightroom catalogs. The 1 TB will likely not be enough for your photos anyway. So you will need external storage anyway (slow USB drives should be good for that). For working scratch space (where to keep photos while editing in Lightroom / Photoshop) is where the difference between 256GB and 1 TB will help. Options for that:

1. Get an external Lacie Rugged Thunderbolt SSD (250 GB is $300, 500GB is $500). Roughly similar cost as ordering the Mac Pro with the internal SSD upgrades. Should be very fast - but less fast than the internal PCIe SSD that the Mac Pro has. But this should be good enough for the photo scratch space.

2. Get an internal SSD (which are very cheap) & a USB enclosure like this http://www.amazon.com/Optimized-Ina...-Compatible/dp/B00FCLG65U/ref=cm_cr_pr_sims_t. Advantage - you get plenty of capacity at a reasonably high speed. Disadvantage - may be slightly slower than the option 1 (but probably not by a lot). See the following article for USB limitations for Mac Pro: http://macperformanceguide.com/MacPro2013-USB3-performance-limitations.html. He says a single SSD will not run beyond 430 MB/sec - but this will likely not be a lot slower than the Thunderbolt SSD in option 1.

 

[itcrashed]

No experience with the Samsung but $479.99 here:

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-28-Inch-Definition-Monitor-U28D590D/dp/B00IEZGWI2

Thanks for the suggestion. I had my eye on that one as well, but it seems others are hit or miss with this.

I believe you're wise to want the 1TB. I believe there are some (Samsung/Apple?) SSD blades on eBay that are compatible... I haven't followed closely since I purchased mine with 1TB... But do a search on here or ebay, or someone may drop in here with a link.

As for monitors, the new Dell 4K displays (24" & 27") are due to be released any day (I'm waiting on a pair of 27"). They look promising due to offering an IPS panel, driven by a Single Stream link at a very reasonably price point with Dells great warranty and return policy. There's an active thread here... https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1816805/

Thanks for the link! You got me very interested in the 27" Dell. I am coming from an iMac Late 2009 so budget 4k monitors may "feel" like a downgrade with most of them being TN panels. Budget IPS, however, might be the sweet spot!

1. Get an external Lacie Rugged Thunderbolt SSD (250 GB is $300, 500GB is $500). Roughly similar cost as ordering the Mac Pro with the internal SSD upgrades. Should be very fast - but less fast than the internal PCIe SSD that the Mac Pro has. But this should be good enough for the photo scratch space.

2. Get an internal SSD (which are very cheap) & a USB enclosure like this http://www.amazon.com/Optimized-Ina...-Compatible/dp/B00FCLG65U/ref=cm_cr_pr_sims_t. Advantage - you get plenty of capacity at a reasonably high speed. Disadvantage - may be slightly slower than the option 1 (but probably not by a lot). See the following article for USB limitations for Mac Pro: http://macperformanceguide.com/MacPro2013-USB3-performance-limitations.html. He says a single SSD will not run beyond 430 MB/sec - but this will likely not be a lot slower than the Thunderbolt SSD in option 1.

Thanks for the suggestions. I currently have a Lacie 5big NAS Pro on my network which holds all of my RAW data. I currently keep all my scratch work and catalogs along with all of my iTunes library local on my iMac. I will definitely move the iTunes library to the NAS.

For the scratch work and catalogs, I may do the external USB 3 SSD enclosure with a Samung EVO 1TB for about $400. The other alternative would be to go with the Lacie d2 Thunderbolt 3GB spinning drive for a little cheaper. Not sure which would be better performance-wise.

 

[whoosh]

You got me very interested in the 27" Dell. I am coming from an iMac Late 2009 so budget 4k monitors may "feel" like a downgrade with most of them being TN panels. Budget IPS, however, might be the sweet spot!

I have also ordered the same Dell 27" 4k monitor (P2715Q) - will be getting it end of the next week. There is also the 24 inch variant of the same - P2415Q. It does not have the "ultrasharp" designation that they use for their better monitors - but it does have the 1.07 billion color support. They are using the ultrasharp designation for their 5k monitor (UP2715K) in the 27 inch category and last year's 24 inch 4k monitor (UP2414Q). I cannot actually figure out what the UP2414Q (ultrasharp) has extra over the new P2415Q. May be they may introduce a higher price versions later next year - UP2415Q & UP2715Q.

Thanks for the suggestions. I currently have a Lacie 5big NAS Pro on my network which holds all of my RAW data. I currently keep all my scratch work and catalogs along with all of my iTunes library local on my iMac. I will definitely move the iTunes library to the NAS.

For the scratch work and catalogs, I may do the external USB 3 SSD enclosure with a Samung EVO 1TB for about $400. The other alternative would be to go with the Lacie d2 Thunderbolt 3GB spinning drive for a little cheaper. Not sure which would be better performance-wise.

I would be careful with respect to the TRIM & USB SSD & OS X Yosemite (Google search) - the Crucial SSDs & OWC SSDs claim they are not reliant on the TRIM support from the OS and should be OK for OS X Yosemite. Crucial claims they have a feature called active garbage collection which achieves the same effect. I was planning the Samsung 1 TB SSD (that Amazon has for $350) - but I will go with the Crucial 512 GB instead (will get it on Friday - so will check over the weekend).

 

[VirtualRain]

I cannot actually figure out what the UP2414Q (ultrasharp) has extra over the new P2415Q. May be they may introduce a higher price versions later next year - UP2415Q & UP2715Q.

The UP2414Q supports a wider color gamut (Adobe RGB) thanks to a different backlight technology but it was plagued with all kinds of MST related issues (waking from sleep, half the screen blanking, etc). I don't think many people will miss the UP2414Q... it was a bleeding edge product and many early adopters paid a price (in both dollars and frustration).

Those who need Adobe RGB support can probably afford to spend more on a higher end monitor from Eizo or NEC whereas there is a huge untapped market for a quality, lower priced 4K display that Dell seems to be going after.

If these new Dell 4K displays are free of issues then I think they will enable 4K to go mainstream. With IPS, factory calibration, and 99% sRGB they are perfect for most workstation users. At least in my case, I only ever work in sRGB so it's perfect... and you can't beat the price.

 

[whoosh]

The UP2414Q supports a wider color gamut (Adobe RGB) thanks to a different backlight technology

Ah yes - they both show as supporting 1.07 billion colors - but the new one (non ultrasharp - P2715Q) says:

Ultra HD 3840 x 2160 resolution: Over 8 million pixels with four times the resolution of Full HD, plus wide color coverage at 99% sRGB (deltaE <3).

While the old Ultrasharp (UP2414Q) one says:

Vivid, reliable color: PremierColor provides true color accuracy as well as 99% AdobeRGB and 100% sRGB coverage.

It also adds:

Get exceptional color accuracy and consistency, right out of the box, with precise factory calibration to a Delta-E<2.
Reveal a high level of detail, even in dark areas, with a color depth of 1.07 billion colors.
Fine-tune your colors using the Custom Color mode, or make further adjustments with the user-accessible hardware look-up table (LUT).
Create a custom color palette using Dell UltraSharp Color Calibration Solution software with the optional X-Rite i1Display Pro colorimeter2 (sold separately).

 

[thekev]

If these new Dell 4K displays are free of issues then I think they will enable 4K to go mainstream. With IPS, factory calibration, and 99% sRGB they are perfect for most workstation users. At least in my case, I only ever work in sRGB so it's perfect... and you can't beat the price.

They still drift. Also regarding sRGB, some of that is marketing. Consider monitor calibration software. Many of them will attempt to quantify accuracy by the length between 2 points in 3 dimensions relative to their coordinate system for color depiction. It's important to note that this isn't an exact physical model in that it doesn't depend on the exact composition of the light being measured. If it did you wouldn't have issues such as metamerism.

Anyway the exact color can be out of the display's gamut, and you still have a quantifiable difference relative to the error tolerance of the measurement device. Whether it's close enough to the desired color is more important regardless of whether it's in gamut.

The area where I could see it as a bigger deal would be if users have to deal with imagery with a large area that maps either outside or nearly outside of the boundary of a specific color gamut, as depending on how those colors are remapped, it can be misleading in terms of either detail or the chosen in gamut color.

Regarding Eizo specifically, they had some really amazing sRGB displays. The CG211s were excellent, and they lasted a lot of hours. The only reason I wouldn't buy one today is they're either unsupported or nearing it at this point.

Get exceptional color accuracy and consistency, right out of the box, with precise factory calibration to a Delta-E<2.
Reveal a high level of detail, even in dark areas, with a color depth of 1.07 billion colors.
Fine-tune your colors using the Custom Color mode, or make further adjustments with the user-accessible hardware look-up table (LUT).
Create a custom color palette using Dell UltraSharp Color Calibration Solution software with the optional X-Rite i1Display Pro colorimeter2 (sold separately).

Beware of marketing speak, especially things like not mentioning the standard used for comparison (here's the wiki, and its references are good, if you want a really detailed reference find a library with a copy of Wyzecki and Stiles Color Science). The i1 display pro is also a good solution. By that I mean that my own results have been predictable and repeatable. As long as I allow sufficient warmup time, I don't get visually different results if I run their software three times in a row.

 

[itcrashed]

Done deal!

Funny...BH showed it out of stock now that I decided to pull the trigger. SMH. I actually stumbled upon a better deal at Adorama - same price but with Apple Care included! So I wanted to hop on that while it was in stock and while the pricing promo was still in effect! $500 off and Apple Care valued at $249! Thats $750 in savings!

I also pulled the trigger on the Dell 27" IPS - there was a 10% off coupon code so I ended up getting it for $629 before shipping and tax. Unfortunately my order states that it won't ship until 12/17. I guess that gives me a week or two to cancel if we start hearing bad things about the first batch

As far as a solution to additional storage, my pocket book will have to recover a bit before I dive into a solution.

Thanks for all the suggestions and input fellas! It was truly helpful.

 

[whoosh]

Done deal!
I actually stumbled upon a better deal at Adorama - same price but with Apple Care included! So I wanted to hop on that while it was in stock and while the pricing promo was still in effect! $500 off and Apple Care valued at $249! Thats $750 in savings!

I believe the Adorama deal is not the same computer - its the base model (12 GB, D300) + 6-core processor instead of the 4 core. So technically that's an inferior deal (12 GB vs 16 GB & D300 GPU instead of D500). So if that's the case you may still want to go with B&H (you can add it to the cart & buy it - just they will ship it and charge your card when its in stock).

I also pulled the trigger on the Dell 27" IPS - there was a 10% off coupon code so I ended up getting it for $629 before shipping and tax. Unfortunately my order states that it won't ship until 12/17. I guess that gives me a week or two to cancel if we start hearing bad things about the first batch

I also used the 10% off coupon - will cancel my earlier order. Will also give me a chance to hear/cancel if I hear bad things as well - but not too much time to hear bad things between Dec 10 and Dec 17 .

 

[itcrashed]

I believe the Adorama deal is not the same computer - its the base model (12 GB, D300) + 6-core processor instead of the 4 core. So technically that's an inferior deal (12 GB vs 16 GB & D300 GPU instead of D500). So if that's the case you may still want to go with B&H (you can add it to the cart & buy it - just they will ship it and charge your card when its in stock).

Here is the link: http://t.adorama.com/ACMD878LLAZ.html

I think they recently brought the price down of this configuration to match BH because I didn't see it available last week.

 

[apphotography]

Please bear in mind that Mac OS has some limitations in outputting a true wide gamut signal. If you're using an Eizo this is remedied because the monitor has internal processing and self correction features. Nobody in pro circles has had issues with wide gamuts when Macs are connected to Eizo monitors. If you go with a Dell or Samsung please ensure it has internal processing for wide gamut profiles, otherwise you have to boot into Windows to double check the colours or so further color correction.

Eizos are also coming down in price quote a lot. The new CS240 comes in at a very affordable price and is not hobbled in any way.

 

[whoosh]

Here is the link: http://t.adorama.com/ACMD878LLAZ.html

I think they recently brought the price down of this configuration to match BH because I didn't see it available last week.

Good to know & good for you.