Mac Dual core vs Quad core...HELP!

D

dreadnok99

Member
Ok, so I have to buy a computer to edit with using FCP. I currently shoot with a Canon XH-A1 in HD. Most of my projects are music videos or short films. So generally their lengths are 3 minutes and rarely up to 10 minutes in length.

The best i can afford is the 21.5 inch iMac 3.06GHz....it's specs are as follows:

3.06 GHz Intel Core Duo
1920x1092 res
4GB Memory
1TB Hard drive
8x double layer super drive
ATI Radeon HD 4670 graphics with 256 MB

Now, most people are telling me I should atleast get the Quad Core imac....it's specs are...

27inch monitor
2.66GHz
2560x1440 res
4GB memory
1TB hard drive
8x double layer super drive
ATI Radeon HD 4850 graphicswith 512MB

I understand the most important differences in the end will be rendering times and the graphics card. But I can barely afford the first option as it is and can't afford to wait and save for the second option. I also want to avoid borrowing money for the second option. SO, I can deal with longer rendering times, but will the difference really be huge between the two? I guess Im just trying to figure out if I will really regret my decision...unfortunetly, I have to purchase one by sunday due two a contract I ahve to get working on. Keep in mind that most of my projects are under 10 minutes in length.

Any feed back would be much appreciated.
 
I might, and I mean might, be able to upgrade the core duo to 3.33GHz. But again, Im still thinking of just going with the standard first option.

Thanks for any help you guys have given/will give. Again, very much appreciated.
 
the i7 is a substantial leap over the i5, especially on the 27" with the 512 4850 graphics card.

http://barefeats.com/imi7.html
NOTE: in this chart the barefeats comparison shows the i5 with the 4850 and not the 256mb 4670 that would come with the 21.5" iMac

http://www.brighthub.com/computing/hardware/articles/48391.aspx
http://www.brighthub.com/computing/hardware/articles/48788.aspx

http://www.pcworld.com/article/171556/intels_new_core_i7_and_core_i5_processors_explained.html
QUOTE from this article..."Performance
Both Core i7 800-series processors support hyperthreading the same as their Core i7 900-series brethren. The Core i5 750 does not-its four physical cores are all that will appear in your operating system's task manager."

another biggie is the graphics card you get with the iMac i7, 4850 which is the same card basically as the 4870 (upgrade) in the 8 cores.

most of the time you get what you pay for.

another big problem with the iMac is that you are stuck with it for all time since nothing can be upgraded except ram, so there is no way to buy more time when its all of a sudden...not cutting it anymore.

i think if you go with the lower iMac you be kicking yourself in a year or so and wished you had thought ahead more.

david
www.davidprobst.com
 
Last edited:
That's a tough call. I have a quad core 2006 Mac Pro and I hate what rendering times do to my creative flow sometimes. The more time you spend waiting, the less time you spend creating/growing in your discipline.

If you can't afford the i7, I would definitely recommend the i5 over the dual core. This will hold especially true if the rumors of Final Cut Studio 4 fully utilizing Grand Central are true. Add OpenCL optimizations built-in and the i5 a bit more future proof. Rumors of the 6-core Xeon chips for the next MacPro also imply that Apple is leaning towards optimizing their code to handle more cores at once. I'm a gadget nerd, so I always feel like if I can spend a little more money now, I'll be less tempted to drop even MORE money soon to upgrade. Dunno if that's how you work.

More screen real-estate is also a big, big bonus, even if you have a second monitor.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top