From my understanding, the type of work you do would be just fine on an iMac. Short video skits aren't that much for the quad core i5 to handle.
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What's the best MacPro 2012 config for editing?
- Thread starter MrMacCity
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12 core MP
Processor: *Two 3.06GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon (12 cores)
Memory:**32GB (8x4GB)
First hardrive bay: 512GB solid-state drive
Second hardive bay: 1tb
Graphic: *ATI Radeon HD 5870 1GB
Apple LED Cinema Display (27" flat panel)
With apple care*
Thats about $9,400
I might get 24GB ram instead. And I'm not sure how to set up the hardrives yet.
If I choose the mp I do need help picking the right stuff out that was my first reason for posting on the forum.
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I'm also doing 30 minute short films aswell.
Processor: *Two 3.06GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon (12 cores)
Memory:**32GB (8x4GB)
First hardrive bay: 512GB solid-state drive
Second hardive bay: 1tb
Graphic: *ATI Radeon HD 5870 1GB
Apple LED Cinema Display (27" flat panel)
With apple care*
Thats about $9,400
I might get 24GB ram instead. And I'm not sure how to set up the hardrives yet.
If I choose the mp I do need help picking the right stuff out that was my first reason for posting on the forum.
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I'm also doing 30 minute short films aswell.
My two cents is that the hardware you are looking at is waaaaay overkill for the use you are planning.
I just ordered a new hexcore MP / 32 GB Crucial ram - $3400. That would still be overkill for your intended use - but waaaay less expensive.
It appears to me that you are really trying to spec a killer machine as a hobbyist but wanting to justify it as a need.
I just ordered a new hexcore MP / 32 GB Crucial ram - $3400. That would still be overkill for your intended use - but waaaay less expensive.
It appears to me that you are really trying to spec a killer machine as a hobbyist but wanting to justify it as a need.
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That's why I'm looking out for help. I want to see if what I want is to much or to little for my needs.
Where is the hexcore MacPro? That's the quad core option with
3.33GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon processor?
What is the rest of your setup?
Where is the hexcore MacPro? That's the quad core option with
3.33GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon processor?
What is the rest of your setup?
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http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MD770LL/A?
3.33 Hexcore MP
32GB Crucial ram (may drop this to 24GB on Monday morning)
7 TB Hitachi Enterprise HDD (1TB / 2TB / 2TB /2TB) internal drive bays
A soon to be ordered external enclosure mini SAS / ATTO RAID card
NEC 30" 3090WQXi 2560 x 1600 monitor
3.33 Hexcore MP
32GB Crucial ram (may drop this to 24GB on Monday morning)
7 TB Hitachi Enterprise HDD (1TB / 2TB / 2TB /2TB) internal drive bays
A soon to be ordered external enclosure mini SAS / ATTO RAID card
NEC 30" 3090WQXi 2560 x 1600 monitor
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Is the RAM from crucial the same? (quality wise)
What type of work do you do on your mp, is it something similar to what I do?
How much RAM do you recommend for me?
And I'm clueless when it comes to HDD and SSD, how many bays should I fill up? And with how much?
What type of work do you do on your mp, is it something similar to what I do?
How much RAM do you recommend for me?
And I'm clueless when it comes to HDD and SSD, how many bays should I fill up? And with how much?
That is correct.
FYI http://www.barefeats.com/macs11_01.html
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You would be paying a large premium for 12 cores. Very little software takes advantage of multi cores - especially 12 of them as I understand it. Also, the time savings, for software that takes advantage of multi-cores, would not be that significant on short renderings.
FYI http://www.barefeats.com/macs11_01.html
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You would be paying a large premium for 12 cores. Very little software takes advantage of multi cores - especially 12 of them as I understand it. Also, the time savings, for software that takes advantage of multi-cores, would not be that significant on short renderings.
IMHO, you could go either way:
27" iMac and a Pegasus TB external rig give or take $4500
Hexcore Mac Pro / Apple TB Monitor / load up the drive bays give or take $5000
Either of these would more than meet your needs.
My software is Capture One Pro / some Aperture / Final Cut - 15 minute clips are about as long as I go.
27" iMac and a Pegasus TB external rig give or take $4500
Hexcore Mac Pro / Apple TB Monitor / load up the drive bays give or take $5000
Either of these would more than meet your needs.
My software is Capture One Pro / some Aperture / Final Cut - 15 minute clips are about as long as I go.
Ok, I'm going with the MacPro.
Processor: 3.33GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon processor
Memory: Get the basic *6GB (3X2GB) and then order from crucial to get 32Gb
Graphic: ATI Radeon HD 5870 1GB
For the apple TB display. Is that the one they have listed under just apple display?*
AppleCare
I'm still lost on what to do with the hdd or sad for my needs.*
I greatly appreciate your help*
Processor: 3.33GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon processor
Memory: Get the basic *6GB (3X2GB) and then order from crucial to get 32Gb
Graphic: ATI Radeon HD 5870 1GB
For the apple TB display. Is that the one they have listed under just apple display?*
AppleCare
I'm still lost on what to do with the hdd or sad for my needs.*
I greatly appreciate your help*
I am in a somewhat similar situation, and reading this thread has been a helpful for me too.
There are a couple of other factors that haven't been mentioned yet, that have nothing to do with the tech specs. 1) Get the AppleCare extended warranty, which will then cover your system for 3 years. Macs are expensive to repair, and there is piece of mind you get when you don't need to budget for repairs. With a AppleCare in place, you are guaranteed to get 3 years at a minimum out of your system. You have 1 year from the day you buy the machine to buy the extra 2 years of AppleCare, so you don't need to budget it as part of the purchase. 2) Resale value. A MacPro (especially) will retain far more of it's value over the years. So while this 1st machine is going to set you back several pretty pennies, all subsequent purchases can be subsidized by selling the older machine. Especially if you have invested in AppleCare... because in 3 years you can be confident that you will have a functioning machine to offer for sale.
In my case I've currently got the 2008 Octocore. I'm probably going to go with a 2010 or a 2012 MacPro simply because I can still sell the 2008 for a decent price, and I will then be guaranteed of having a functioning system for at least 3 years.
One other factor is that I wouldn't touch the 2013 systems for at least a year, if they are in fact a major redesign. As much as I respect what Apple does, their 1st generation products are notorious for being buggy. Really notorious. Let the bleeding edge adopters pay to work the bugs out. Realistically this means you shouldn't really be looking a "new" MacPro until 2014.
I think the Hexcore is the way to go, by the way. It's the sweet spot, for value and money. You will rarely tap all 6 cores. The faster memory is going to be more important I think. The trend that I'm seeing is that applications are not needing more processing power, as much as they are moving massive amounts of data around. Photos are getting bigger, movies are getting bigger, applications are getting bigger. The bottleneck is now moving the bits from the HDD to RAM and from RAM to the CPU, and back again. The CPU itself isn't really working that hard anymore. There are some exceptions of course, but I'm thinking you aren't one of them.
GoodLuck.
snberk103 - the sale of my current MP while it is still holding value and not wanting to wait another year or whatever and not wanting be the first to jump in on a massive redesign all caused me to order the Hexcore last week - same thinking as you.
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MrMacCity,
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC914LL/A?fnode=MTY1NDA5OQ
For memory - go with the 24GB kit - not yet in stock as of late Friday
http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=Mac Pro 6-Core Mid 2010&Cat=RAM
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MrMacCity,
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC914LL/A?fnode=MTY1NDA5OQ
For memory - go with the 24GB kit - not yet in stock as of late Friday
http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=Mac Pro 6-Core Mid 2010&Cat=RAM
SSDs are best for fast boot drives. They make a much bigger difference in a laptop where they get moved around, ram is more limited, and they're leveraging against 2.5" 5400RPM HDDs. Regarding ram, keep in mind Apple does not produce their own ram. They used to call it "Apple ram", but it's really produced by the same ram vendors. Apple may test a batch for compatibility with the parts they're using. Crucial is often recommended because they do test and guarantee compliance with Apple products.
Real world differences always seem to suggest a minimal hit from losing tri channel. I guess he could always add a 4th later if it's necessary.
This is what I use in my hard drive bays http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004P8J3U6...nd=6155665241452689781&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=
SSD for boot drives are "snappier" - I went through some problems with OWC's ssd with Sandforce controllers (firmware problems). thekev explains it well.
At this point I would suggest you pass on the ssd and get a couple of the Hitachi's I linked you to - load them in your new MP and start using it before firming up on your storage & backup hardware.
SSD for boot drives are "snappier" - I went through some problems with OWC's ssd with Sandforce controllers (firmware problems). thekev explains it well.
At this point I would suggest you pass on the ssd and get a couple of the Hitachi's I linked you to - load them in your new MP and start using it before firming up on your storage & backup hardware.
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WHAT - I've been buying 1st generation products since the Apple llE, and have never ever had a problem. There was a time when each new model was an advancement in speed or technology so one actually purchased a new model almost every year.
Did I skip a few model, sure, but I never ever got a buggy model. If I did it was fixed with software I'm sure.
Secondly the 2013 model is already on the desk of the engineers and they are field testing it now, today and they will continue for a year. So I think THEY will find the bugs in this beta testing year before it hits your desk.
Seriously, do you think Apple would build something send it out and not know if it will hold up. Come on now, this isn't Apple's first rodeo.
That sounds good. The hex will outperform the iMac especially with the HD 5870. The Mac Pro display option is the LED Cinema Display, not the TB display due to the Mac Pro not having Thunderbolt. The panels are the same, however the TB display has better built in audio (not a factor if you plan on editing, you need better speakers anyway). You could always get Apple Care later, but it's not that expensive. If you could possibly afford the 2.66GHz 12 core, it would be worth it although it is quite a bit more expensive than the now discounted 6 core for 64 bit applications like Final Cut Pro X.
For storage, definitely don't buy SSD from Apple, the most I would buy from Apple is the 2TB option and upgrade the storage bays yourself down the line.
I'm new to the forum and need some help.
Now that the "new" MacPro line came out. I'm going to purchase it. I decided that the MacPro is definitely the Mac I want.*
What I'm using it for:
I'm going to be using final cut pro to edit my shorts. (Which will be about 20-30 minutes each). I will also be making YouTube videos that would last 3-5 minutes each. (skits, music videos, and some other fun stuff)
Also I'm going to be doing some basic music production. Recording music, and mixing.*
Playing WoW in my free time.
Camera:
Currently I have the Cannon HFS200. But I'm looking into better cameras as well.*
Issues:*
Since I'm going to make the investment into the macpro, I feel the 12 core would be the best fit. I want a smooth editing experience, unlike my cheap windows computer which makes me want to cry because of how slow it is (not to mention trying to edit when the video is skipping). Most frustrating experience in the world.
*Right now I have $6,000 and I'm going to finance the rest or just save more. If possible I want to cap it at $8,000 or less.*
I been searching for a couple of weeks on the best configuration for my long-desired MacPro.*I would greatly appreciate it if some one could give me a run down on a good config.*
Before anything, I wanted to know is it a smart choice choosing the 12 Core MacPro? It's what I have been leaning towards.*I want to make sure I put my money in the right places.* For a *fast and smooth editing experience what is your opinion:
1) Assuming that "[n]ow that the "new" MacPro line came out[, you're] going to purchase it[ and you've] decided that the MacPro is definitely the Mac [you] want,*" then I'd recommend a Mac Pro "2012" 6-core 3.33 GHz $3,000;
2) 4*8 =32 gig $75/module http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820139940 ;
3) XFX HD-697A-CNFC Radeon HD 6970 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity $340
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150517
http://netkas.org/?p=1141 ;
4) No; use internal HD for backup and keep a copy of the OS on it. But boot from SSD raid - see 5, below.;
See 5, below.
5) Make sure you consider these PCI-e SSD cards that support both OSX and Windows and are driverless:http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/SSD/PCIe/OWC/Mercury_Accelsior/RAID This is the one i'd recommend for video of the size and type that you describe: http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/SSDPHW2R480/ It's $850 each, but is super fast (each 700+ MB/sec. read/write) and big for an SSD. Get two and raid 0/strip them for mind boggling performance.
So in sum, for under $6k you'd have lots of ram, a large and fast SSD storage system, an excellent, but not the newest, video card and a fast system.
1) Mac Pro "2012" 6-core 3.33 GHz - $3000
2) 32 gigs of Ram - 600
3) HD 6970 Video Card - 340
4) Two PCI-e 480 gig SSDs - 1700
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Total - $5640, w/o tax and shipping
minus what you get for selling your stock ram and video card.
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OK... I will back away from what I said a little bit. Perhaps I was bit, um, overly dramatic. Let me restate it this way.
I have little experience with 1st generation Apple products (other than OS X). Partly because people whose opinions I respect have repeatedly stated that in their opinion, 1st generation Apple products can be prone to teething issues. Not everyone who buys a 1st generation product has issues, but my belief is that the number of issues is higher in a 1st generation product is higher than average. Apple is very good at resolving these issues through firmware updates, or through quietly extended hardware replacement programs.
My personal experiences include having an early Cinema Display power brick exchanged for a newer version, free replacement of a 1st generation MBP battery past it's warranty coverage, and currently my wife's 1st generation MBA is having its hinge replaced by Apple for free, despite being 5 years old.
And I won't touch a version of OS X until it's been released for at least 6 months.
I don't mean this as a slam on Apple engineers. They do a great job, and they are constantly pushing the boundaries of what that particular set of HW is supposed to do... but they can't anticipate and test for every possible condition. Especially since they don't do public beta testing. You can't test for comprehensive real-world conditions in a lab or among a small set of trusted employees.
Better?
Unfortunately (for those who demand more) and fortunately (for those who don't), the 2012 Mac Pro is certainly not 1st generation.
Truly wise.
Absolutely agree... I was kinda looking forward to what Apple might have done with a MacPro.... on the other hand (and I am not saying you are part of this group) I take exception to those people who are flatly stating that there is no reason to buy a MacPro now, and that anyone who buys one is an idiot. For some of us there are still some very good reasons to buy one. For me a MacPro is still the best system for what I want to do. It could have been better, of course...
The 2012 update actually made my 2008 more valuable as a resale since the difference between a 2008 and 2012. It's a perverse advantage, admittedly, but it means I can get something significantly better without spending too much. Plus the 3 year AppleCare warranty on a new MacPro also has a value.
So all in all, for my needs, getting a new 2012 is not so bad.
For other people it may not be suitable, but I think there are enough people in my shoes to make the 2012 an attractive option.
Actually, I wonder if the 2008 ended up being a bit of problem for Apple. They were a fantastic deal when they were released so they probably sold a lot of them, and they seem to be long-lived so there are probably a lot of them still in use. This is just idle speculation, but I wonder if Apple was worried that a redesigned MacPro might not have tempted enough of the 2008 users to make it worth their while. Push the redesigned system out a year so that the 2008 users are that much more desperate? I say all of this with tongue in cheek.
The other thing is that there may not be new MacPro at all. All that Tim Cook email, and then the PR statement, said was there was going to be something for the Pros. Not what it would be. A major redesign is going to, I predict, make some very people very happy... and just as many very unhappy when a technology they depended on is removed because Apple feels it was obsolete. Maybe several technologies?
Well, we'll see...
Well, all said and done, the OP has been given a broad and valuable range of inputs and options.
I'll have my new Hexcore probably by midweek and will be
No second thoughts or gripes - for my purposes the best MP out there until something MUCH better comes along !!
Cheers...
I'll have my new Hexcore probably by midweek and will be
No second thoughts or gripes - for my purposes the best MP out there until something MUCH better comes along !!
Cheers...
My expectations were once probably higher than yours. I doubt that anyone individual has more Macs than me. I got 27 years of them and they all work fine. I am not, however, a Mac head, a Hack head, a PC head, etc. I consider myself an independent. These are tools, no more and no less. A quick look above shows that I recommend Macs, even the 2012, where I see it as a proper fit for someones' needs. But you may never cross paths with anyone who tweaks to the degree that I do. I recognize our needs, desires, skills, free time, etc. differs.
That "perverse advantage" is akin to my WolfPacks' advantages because they are some of the slowest GHz at idle and fastest under load 2 proc pre SandyBee systems. Paradox flows easiest from those who think different(ly).
This is what I posted on June 11th: "Today, Apple released the best Mac Pros its ever released and for lower prices. Some at this forum believe that the effort was too little too late. How well these updates will be received by the larger consuming public is anybody's guess, but I predict that Apple will now sell more Mac Pros over any given unit of time than in the past, just not to real pros who have a true need for maximum performance. This slight update could be Apple's biggest step towards consumerizing its line of trucks - the Mac Pro or it could be a parachut drop over the abyss."
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1333421/
I would slid the tongue away from the cheek. I think you're right, but would add that Intel's higher prices for the SandyBee lineup and the perverse/paradox in making a system faster and decreasing it idle speed gave all the system manufacturers pause - how do you market it effectively, in a slow economy, when they've been previously successful in convincing many that only by high GHz do you get more speed. That 3.06 GHz for the top of the line 2012 Mac Pro is just .04 GHz below that of the fastest SandyBees Xeon - the 2687. But the 8-core 2.9 GHz 2690 or 3.1 GHz 2687 blows a 6-core 3.06 GHz Westmere away in any app that justifies that many and kind of horses. However, the true demand for that type of performance is not wide spread.
I hope you're right.
C
champ01
Guest
I'm new to the forum and need some help.
Now that the "new" MacPro line came out. I'm going to purchase it. I decided that the MacPro is definitely the Mac I want.*
What I'm using it for:
I'm going to be using final cut pro to edit my shorts. (Which will be about 20-30 minutes each). I will also be making YouTube videos that would last 3-5 minutes each. (skits, music videos, and some other fun stuff)
Also I'm going to be doing some basic music production. Recording music, and mixing.*
Playing WoW in my free time.
Camera:
Currently I have the Cannon HFS200. But I'm looking into better cameras as well.*
Issues:*
Since I'm going to make the investment into the macpro, I feel the 12 core would be the best fit. I want a smooth editing experience, unlike my cheap windows computer which makes me want to cry because of how slow it is (not to mention trying to edit when the video is skipping). Most frustrating experience in the world.
*Right now I have $6,000 and I'm going to finance the rest or just save more. If possible I want to cap it at $8,000 or less.*
I been searching for a couple of weeks on the best configuration for my long-desired MacPro.*I would greatly appreciate it if some one could give me a run down on a good config.*
Before anything, I wanted to know is it a smart choice choosing the 12 Core MacPro? It's what I have been leaning towards.*I want to make sure I put my money in the right places.*
For a *fast and smooth editing experience what is your opinion:
1 What processor?*
2 How much memory? (Ram)
3 Which graphics card?*
4 Do I have to fill up all four hard drives bays? (or just 1 or 2 bays).*
What's the recommended amount for the how much I should put on the drives.*
5. External drive?*
I will be purchasing Apple's monitor aswell.*
Thank you so much in advance. I have been wanting a Mac for a very long time.*
Oh, I'm not rich by any means. So I want to make sure every dollar has a reason for being spent lol.*
1. Buy the MacBook Pro Retina 2.6Ghz, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD $2.999,-
2. Wait for next month and buy the Blackmagic Cinema Camera. $2.999,-
(plus some nice lenses if you don't have any)
3. Buy a great NAS with a couple of SSD's price depends on the options you choose
4. See next year when the new Mac Pro comes out or not, and if you would still wan't one.
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This is a helpful thread. I too have an early 2008 octocore and am considering replacing it.
But, btw, the early 2008 octocores, when introduced, were not without problems. Many people had trouble with the graphics card, both with screen artifacts and with noise. I had my Mac Pro replaced twice (!) by Applecare, and they eventually threw in a free iPod as compensation for my trouble.
The forums here at MacRumors were extremely helpful in getting the issue sorted out.
So, no, it's not a "myth" that new products can have teething issues.
Indeed, I think that's one of the better arguments in favor of upgrading now over waiting. The other being we don't know for sure what's coming and it may not be what we want, or expect...
But, btw, the early 2008 octocores, when introduced, were not without problems. Many people had trouble with the graphics card, both with screen artifacts and with noise. I had my Mac Pro replaced twice (!) by Applecare, and they eventually threw in a free iPod as compensation for my trouble.
The forums here at MacRumors were extremely helpful in getting the issue sorted out.
So, no, it's not a "myth" that new products can have teething issues.
Indeed, I think that's one of the better arguments in favor of upgrading now over waiting. The other being we don't know for sure what's coming and it may not be what we want, or expect...
Not bad advice, but did I miss the monitor? Which can be had for not too much... but I believe that someone who is editing video needs a dedicated monitor that can be calibrated. While a laptop monitor can be calibrated it is prone to the user forgetting to set the brightness control to a known level, or to forget to turn auto-dimming off, etc etc
C
champ01
Guest
Sure but I guess thats not the biggest issue, he's getting a high resolution retina display.
That's gotta count for something right? (haven't seen the new display's yet but I guess FCPX would look awesome on it)
If he wan't a real good monitor (not that Apple monitors are bad) for editing he would probably go way over his budget.