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Apple Master

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Original poster
Jan 13, 2009
232
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Los Angeles
I need something to edit my GoPro 7 4k video with and my old comp just doesn't cut it. Should I just buy a mac Mini for now or wait for the new Mac Pro? My main concern with the mac Pro is that its going to be $5,000 and I don't have that kind of loot laying around. I think the mac pro will probably be a bunch of modular pieces that you can mix and match for your individual needs. Like this:

 
Buy a used Mac Pro. There are various complaints about the mini and 4K unless you go eGPU.
 
They're fundamentally different products. If you want a Mac Pro, then wait. If all you need is a Mac Mini that's underpowered and non-upgradeable, then go for it. But if you think a Mac Mini can replace a proper Mac Pro, you're wrong. A Mac Mini is just a MacBook without a screen, with crappy graphics.
 
You can edit 4k video on mini using proxy. This sure involve some waste of time in importing the media and after editing in export process.

You will have also noisy fan on mini and some lags.

You can search for used nMP. They have pretty good price at the moment. And sure it can edit 4k video better than mini.
 
They're fundamentally different products. If you want a Mac Pro, then wait. If all you need is a Mac Mini that's underpowered and non-upgradeable, then go for it. But if you think a Mac Mini can replace a proper Mac Pro, you're wrong. A Mac Mini is just a MacBook without a screen, with crappy graphics.

I would argue at least the Mini has desktop class processors though, but the complaints are the i7 overheats and thermal throttles.... so it probably makes no odds anyway. :rolleyes:

I do agree though, a Mini whilst good will pail in comparison to the new Pro. Unless you go EGPU as said.
 
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System requirements for 4K video editing are very high. The GPU is used for video acceleration, but the Mac mini's GPU is very weak.

Additionally to a used Mac Pro, you might also want to consider an iMac 5K (with a Radeon Pro 580 GPU), which would not only get you great performance, but also a fantastic display that allows you to see all the detail in your 4K videos.
 
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System requirements for 4K video editing are very high. The GPU is used for video acceleration, but the Mac mini's GPU is very weak.

Additionally to a used Mac Pro, you might also want to consider an iMac 5K (with a Radeon Pro 580 GPU), which would not only get you great performance, but also a fantastic display that allows you to see all the detail in your 4K videos.

At $5,000 an Imac Pro just isn't going to happen. I have $1,000 to spend at the most and Ive been thinking about building a hackintosh but I don't want to deal with the software nuances.
 
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You can edit 4k video on mini using proxy. This sure involve some waste of time in importing the media and after editing in export process.

You will have also noisy fan on mini and some lags.

You can search for used nMP. They have pretty good price at the moment. And sure it can edit 4k video better than mini.

What is an nMP?
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I was talking about the "regular" iMac 5K, which can be had for $1000+ (used) and has a vastly superior GPU to the current Mac mini.

Ok I have to study up on the current and used offerings. I'm out of it regarding iMacs, I never took them serious as a desktop workstation.
 
System requirements for 4K video editing are very high. The GPU is used for video acceleration, but the Mac mini's GPU is very weak.

Additionally to a used Mac Pro, you might also want to consider an iMac 5K (with a Radeon Pro 580 GPU), which would not only get you great performance, but also a fantastic display that allows you to see all the detail in your 4K videos.


Does the Radeon pro 580 come with any models or is that an upgrade?
 
Should I just buy a mac Mini for now or wait for the new Mac Pro?

You are assuming that Apple will actually sell the modular Mac Pro this year.

If you need something now, go with the Mac Mini, buy a used cMP 5,1 (update where necessary), or buy the current Mac Pro.

You would want to get an eGPU if you bought the new Mac Mini so factor that into your cost.

edit: You also might consider the 2018 MacBook Pro with a Vega GPU.
 
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You are assuming that Apple will actually sell the modular Mac Pro this year.

If you need something now, go with the Mac Mini, buy a used cMP 5,1 (update where necessary), or buy the current Mac Pro.

You would want to get an eGPU if you bought the new Mac Mini so factor that into your cost.

edit: You also might consider the 2018 MacBook Pro with a Vega GPU.

My budget is $800-$1,000
 
You are assuming that Apple will actually sell the modular Mac Pro this year.

They did say it was coming in 2019...…
Then again, promises of the AirPower wireless charging mat also spring to mind......lol
 
If you currently have a Mac right now go to the App Store and download the Mactracker app. It lists every model of Apple product including specs. Using this will help ensure you get the Mac you are thinking of. When buying a used Mac a lot of places will list specs they think are correct, or some sellers intentionally list the wrong specs hoping to sell you a lesser computer just to make a buck. Using Mactracker will allow you to check and verify all the specs. The app is also available for IOS.
 
Damn, that sucks. Apple really has sucked in the consumer desktop world for the last 10 years. I like my iPhone but they shouldn’t focus only on the iPhone and accessories. Tim Cook needs to man up and build a real computer instead of all of these weak accessories.
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System requirements for 4K video editing are very high. The GPU is used for video acceleration, but the Mac mini's GPU is very weak.

Additionally to a used Mac Pro, you might also want to consider an iMac 5K (with a Radeon Pro 580 GPU), which would not only get you great performance, but also a fantastic display that allows you to see all the detail in your 4K videos.

How is the GPU of a Mac mini weaker than an iMac. After looking at the current models they both have about a 3.5ghz quad core gpu. I can understand if the graphics on the Mac mini aren’t sufficient for 4K but the gpu does seem sufficient if an iMac is.
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If that's your budget, then you won't be able to afford a new mac Pro when it eventually comes out. The current models start at $3500. The new ones will most likely be more expensive.

Assuming it’s modular I would just buy the basic pieces and add more later. :)
 
How is the GPU of a Mac mini weaker than an iMac. After looking at the current models they both have about a 3.5ghz quad core gpu. I can understand if the graphics on the Mac mini aren’t sufficient for 4K but the gpu does seem sufficient if an iMac is.

All but the most basic iMac's come with a dedicated graphics card rather than an integrated Intel Graphics card. For day to day use (browsing the internet, word processing) that is more than sufficient. But as you have clearly indicated in your first post, you want this computer to edit 4K video. With that requirement in mind, you are going to need substantially more computing resources than just a beefy CPU. Editing 4K requires a lot of resources on the graphics card side of things, which is why almost all of the suggestions in this thread are get a good graphics card. It also generally requires faster and larger storage arrays as 4K files are large.

As it stands, your budget just does not make sense for the requirements you have outlined. If you buy a Mac Mini, baseline price is $800. That said to make it work for editing 4K you are going to need to purchase an external graphics card ~$600-$1200 and given the extremely limited internal storage on the base Mac Mini you will need to purchase additional storage (say at least ~$200). Going by that a Mac Mini configuration suitable for 4K editing is already hitting ~$1600-$2200. This isn't to say you can't build out a system for less, but the configurations you have suggested don't make sense.
 
All but the most basic iMac's come with a dedicated graphics card rather than an integrated Intel Graphics card. For day to day use (browsing the internet, word processing) that is more than sufficient. But as you have clearly indicated in your first post, you want this computer to edit 4K video. With that requirement in mind, you are going to need substantially more computing resources than just a beefy CPU. Editing 4K requires a lot of resources on the graphics card side of things, which is why almost all of the suggestions in this thread are get a good graphics card. It also generally requires faster and larger storage arrays as 4K files are large.

As it stands, your budget just does not make sense for the requirements you have outlined. If you buy a Mac Mini, baseline price is $800. That said to make it work for editing 4K you are going to need to purchase an external graphics card ~$600-$1200 and given the extremely limited internal storage on the base Mac Mini you will need to purchase additional storage (say at least ~$200). Going by that a Mac Mini configuration suitable for 4K editing is already hitting ~$1600-$2200. This isn't to say you can't build out a system for less, but the configurations you have suggested don't make sense.

Ok what about getting a 2012 Westmere cMP 6 or 12 core and adding a decent graphics card? I can find a westmere for about $1,000 or less and then possibly flash a graphics crd for $300 or less.
 
Assuming it’s modular I would just buy the basic pieces and add more later. :)
The most basic things you need are CPU+logicboard, memory, SSD and a powersupply. That's what you get with the MacMini and the MacPro is going to be more expensive, since you need additional interfaces for upgrades and probably stronger power supply, bigger case, etc. Wouldn't be surprised if the most basic version of the MacPro will start at $5k.
 
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I got an 8 core 2010 5,1 for $500 on Criagslist in early 2018. After upgrading CPUs to hex X5680s and adding a new (RX460 - I don't do video) GPU, it powers my recording studio very nicely. This may be the solution you are looking for... within your budget but still quite powerful for editing video when a proper GPU is installed.

Craigslist is the place for killer deals, but patience is required.
 
I got an 8 core 2010 5,1 for $500 on Criagslist in early 2018. After upgrading CPUs to hex X5680s and adding a new (RX460 - I don't do video) GPU, it powers my recording studio very nicely. This may be the solution you are looking for... within your budget but still quite powerful for editing video when a proper GPU is installed.

Craigslist is the place for killer deals, but patience is required.

I have a 2,1 now but I suppose it won’t work as an upgrade because of the bus?
 
I have a 2,1 now but I suppose it won’t work as an upgrade because of the bus?
You want a 4,1 or 5,1. Either can be upgraded. There are many threads here and web references on the subject.

If you want a dual cpu machine, a 5,1 is recommended, as processor de-lidding is not required. If a single cpu machine will do, neither 4,1s nor 5,1 require cpu de-lidding.
 
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