Beefing up my MBP for FCP editing

Dvader

Dvader

Well-known member
I think it would be smart to upgrade my MBP's RAM which is currently 2gb. Should I stick to the 4gb RAM that Apple suggests and use dual channel mode or max it at 6gb (a 2gb and a 4gb stick) which supposedly will be recognized.

Also anyone has any experience editing video with an OWC Mercury Elite Pro hard drive? http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other World Computing/MEAQ7W20TB64/ ?
I was also thinking about maybe starting to use a RAID system so I have a backup of my video, does anyone have an suggestions for a low cost way to get into a RAID setup?
 
Sure- get as much RAM as you can afford. It's not just FCP that will benefit but any other program you're running at the same time and you're always running something. OWC is fine, personally I prefer LaCie and G-TECH more these days.

Noah
 
Thanks for the help. I think buying 6gb RAM ($110) + a new internal HD ($130) + a new battery ($13) is going to run me at least $370. Would it be a waste to put this amount of dough back into a 2007 laptop or be better spent going towards a newer MBP? (and sell my current one for like $500)

Also I checked out the G-TECH drives and found one which is 1tb G-RAID, but says it's firewire bus-powered. Does that mean it doesn't need the AC power adapter?

This G-RAID drive is twice the size (2tb) but the same price, the only difference I can see if the firewire bus-power, is that the only difference?
 
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I can't find the info on Apple's site right now but it is recommended to have an even amount of RAM for FCP. I run 6 on my Mac Pro and have no idea what I'm missing but even is recommended.
 
Yeah that's called parity- as RAM comes in pairs and the pairs must match to work it's pretty hard to not have Apple ram in an even number. That said- $370 would go much further than buying a brand new machine which is a sizable investment. But then again I have no idea what your total budget is.

Noah
 
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