Just bought an 'Octa-Mac'...

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LeviathanStrategy

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Understanding that most software out there still doesn't take advantage of the multi-threads with the various cores, will FCP's render time be significantly improved over a standard Core2Duo machine?

I know that RAM plays a large part in the equation, I haven't decided if I'm going with 12 or 16 megs of SDRAM, suggestions?

I do a lot of HDV work and plan on moving up to the RED ONE, 4k camera in the next couple of months.

Suggestions on other upgrades, I need to load up on some gear while my partner is out of town! :)
 
The 8 core shouldn't give you much of an advantage for FCP, it's really good for 3d apps and compositing apps.
 
Im looking at one of these macs. Im looking at getting the 8 x 3.00Ghz core machine with 6GB's rams and 512mb of video ram. It will set me back about £3,500. But i need it for cineHD video and 3D.

I think in final cut it will make the difference in the rendering side of it.

Thanks,
 
While on the topic of Mac's, I am at a large debate here. With tax and educational discount, I can get a Fully Loaded, 3 Gig Ram, 750 Hard Drive, 256 7600 GT Graphics Dual-Core Imac 24" for about $3800. For about the same price, I can get a Quad 2.66, 250 Hard Drive, 512 ATI Graphics, 2 Gig Ram, and 20 Inch Monitor. Granted, the screen size and hard drive space are much less, but I can always add more. Same with the ram. I imagine I can grow with the machine more.

My question is really how much faster does the upgraded from 2 to 4 to 8 processors really affect Real-Time performance since all are around the same rate 2.33-3.0. I understand that each is double as fast in regards to rendering because of the Cores, but I edit HDV 720P footage. I do minor Motion stuff. If I am delviering something, it can wait and render overnight. I really am starting to think I don't need the Quad processor. I need the computer to last about 3 years and do not plan on ever doing major graphics or editing higher than 1080 (which even my G4 can handle).

I still own a Powerbook G4 which at the time was maxed out (a little over 3 years now) and at the time I could have gotten a desktop G5, but needed the mobility. I now want a desktop system and am worried that buying the lowest processor will put me at the bottom again very soon.

I am waiting until Apple upgrades the machines first anyway, but I was just wondering about the real-life performance differences. I am most concerned as I said with Real-Time differences between the 2-4-8 cores. at 2.33, 2.66, and 3.0 respectively.
 
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at the end of the day it depends on what you want to do with it. Remember, 8 cores. Find me a windows machine that has 8 cores (not a server) Not even dell does 8 cores.

Thanks,
Nathaniel
 
Nathaniel McInnes said:
Find me a windows machine that has 8 cores (not a server) Not even dell does 8 cores. l
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I'm almost certain that you can configure a Boxx Technologies machine with 8 cores.
 
Nathaniel McInnes said:
at the end of the day it depends on what you want to do with it. Remember, 8 cores. Find me a windows machine that has 8 cores (not a server) Not even dell does 8 cores.

Thanks,
Nathaniel
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If they did make one it would sound like a vacum cleaner....lol
 
I am waiting because of that. I heard the Santa Rosa chips are shipping next week, so new iMacs and Macbooks/Pro's should be on the way. There are rumors that the iMacs are going to see a new design as well. Should they put a Quad Intel Core 2 Dup Santa Rosa in the iMac (if even possible), that will sway me that way definatly.
 
Rob said:
If they did make one it would sound like a vacum cleaner....lol
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My Power Mac G5 is quiet. I have tried a mac pro with th e 8 processors and 12gb ram in it. (editing house) where i work. It is extremely quiet. Quieter than my Power Mac.

Thanks,
 
Wait as long as you can; if you can't wait any longer then buy the best that's available.

I'm waiting for the new introductions; I need to get a Mac for the Red and the Hydra, but neither of those are out yet so I keep waiting... and things just keep improving...
 
Quick question about the 8-Core Macs:

(1) Is it Four Processors with 2 Cores each, or two Processor with 4 Cores each? Either way, which is faster for real time performance and rendering?

EDIT: Nevermind, just re-read the Apple site and it mentions Two-Quad Core Processors...
 
In answer to the question, you want at least 512mb of RAM per core, ideally 1gb per core... plus room for system overheard. So either way you'll have plenty of RAM. Although I'm a big fan of more. If I was dumping that much money into a system, I'd just get 16gb. But no, 12gb will not be a bottleneck. And, in the end, 4gb more RAM is 4gb more RAM.
 
I recently got a new mac pro with:

quad core 3ghtz
8gb ram
x1900

You never hear it unless the DVD spins up. My external raid set up is much louder.
 
Barry_Green said:
Wait as long as you can; if you can't wait any longer then buy the best that's available.

I'm waiting for the new introductions; I need to get a Mac for the Red and the Hydra, but neither of those are out yet so I keep waiting... and things just keep improving...
Click to expand...

Best advice yet.
 
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