mac pro fcp x users: u change your graphic card?

R

robfilms

Veteran
mac pro fcp x users: u change your graphic card?

i saw a fab FCP X presentation last week by Evan Schectman/Radical Media given at Abel Cine/NYC.

I'm thinking about getting on the FCP X train sooner than later.

I'm presently using FCP7 on a 2008 Mac Pro 2.8 8-core 12gig ram/with 8800gt 512 graphics card.

For those Mac Pro folks, when you went with FCP X did u change graphic cards?

If yes, what did you start with?/what did you buy?

How is FCP X working out for you?

Any and all thoughts are appreciated.

Be well.

Rob
Smalltalk Productions
 
Hi Rob, i gave up waiting for the next macpro and went for an iMac i7 3.4 Gig processor maxed out completely 2 Gbyte graphics card SSD system drive etc
I run both FCP 7 and FCP X on this new beast.
Now FCP 7 runs considerably faster on this new machine (the old machine was a macpro 1,1 5 - yrs old ?) but FCP X screams along its just so fast. Once you start cutting on FCP X FCP 7 seems so slow.
Also it is a departure from the standard time line but I am beginning to see where Apple are going with this and Im warming to it.

I did a lot of research , read blogs articles etc on FCPX and this is a ton of misinformation out there, FCPX can do everything FCP could do edit wise, indeed it can do a lot more. You need to learn how to use it, all the tools are there but in a much more logical sense.
This is version 1, I know the XML is missing but it is an old format perhaps a newer format is well overdue. Apple should have introduced a new system before abandoning it.
Its a little unstable but .. but if it crashes when you relaunch your straight back to where you were on the edit, no missing edits (its as if it autosaves every 0.1 seconds)

I used to use "save as" a lot when i wanted to take the edit off in a different direction as an experiment, save as is missing but you can duplicated an edit ..so I use that instead.
 
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XML was added to FCP X in the 10.0.1 update.
Any of the graphics cards Apple currently sells for Mac Pros will work with FCP X just fine.
I'm running a Radeon HD 4870, 16GB RAM, 2x3.2 quad core, and am very happy with it.

You will benefit most from upgrading the graphics card and adding RAM for sure.

Ripple Training has about the best video based FCP X training around. It comes with footage so you can follow along hands-on, too.
 
robfilms said:
mac pro fcp x users: u change your graphic card?

I'm presently using FCP7 on a 2008 Mac Pro 2.8 8-core 12gig ram/with 8800gt 512 graphics card.

For those Mac Pro folks, when you went with FCP X did u change graphic cards?

If yes, what did you start with?/what did you buy?

How is FCP X working out for you?

Rob
Smalltalk Productions
Click to expand...

I'm pretty much running the same box as you except 10 GB RAM instead of 12. You must upgrade your graphics card to install FCPX.

I bought the Apples ATI Radeon 5770 1GB ZML MC742ZM/A from Amazon. I'm not blown away by the performance but it's adequate.
 
Do I need a faster Graphics Card?

Do I need a faster Graphics Card?

I am testing FCPX trial version and seem to be having problems with playback flicker. Using the same .mov in FCP7 it plays OK. OT has no problem playing. In FCPX it plays choppy. When I export/share via FCPX the flicker remains.

Is this typical for FCPX or do I need a faster graphics card?

Or...?


I am using:

[SUP]MacPro Quad-Core Intel Xeon
[/SUP][SUP][/SUP][SUP]Processor Speed: 2.93 GHz[/SUP]
[SUP][/SUP][SUP]Number Of Processors: 1[/SUP]
[SUP][/SUP][SUP]Total Number Of Cores: 4[/SUP]
[SUP]Memory: 8 GB
Several Apple Tb harddrives and an external Tb Gtech
NVIDIA GeForce GT 120/ VRAM (Total): 512 MB[/SUP]
 
I ordered the Radeon HD 5770 from B & H for $223 plus $12 for two (2) day delivery. I need it quick as my Final Cut Pro X trial expires in five (5) day. I see tracking says out for delivery. Soooo, In anticipation I take Mr. MacPro to the garage and fire up the compressor and blow out any accumulated dustbunnies. Not much. Together we go back to the office and he is placed on the Anthro desk. I remove the NVIDIA GeForce GT 120. Mr. MacPro is in the midst of un-whole. Mr. Dell workstation is wondering as is Ms. MacBookPro. iPhones are hovering in the backgrounds and all are wondering what is going on.

Our UPS delivery is always about 6pm. The doorbell rings and here is a huge, really huge, box from B&H. I assume too much packaging but inside packed in the air pillows is another tan cardboard box. Inside that box I spy a gray box with an Apple logo upon. I break the seal and violate the Apple box. Inside is the graphics card encased in perfectly fit foam. Perfectly cut as if for precious jewels.

Thank you Steve Jobs.

There is a 120 page instruction booklet but only eight (8) pages apply to me. In the office I install the 5770 card and cable in thirty (30) seconds. I plug in the cables and fire up Mr. MacPro. All is OK. I check About this Mac>Graphics Display and see the Radeon HD 5770 mounted. I go to FCPX and play back some of the flickering videos and all seems OK


I'll let you know my progress and if this Radeon HD 5770 is the answer.
 
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