What is the best MacBook Pro configuration/setup for video editing, graphic design, and post-production? Update Cancel. I'm on the verge of purchasing a Mac Pro, but at the moment, most of my work outside the office is done on a 2012 iMac with 8 gigs of ram and an Intel quad core i5 2.9 GHz processor. What is the best PC. This capacity of this video card is fine for video editing. 27-inch SCREEN WITH 5K RETINA DISPLAY I opted for this screen size so I can work on multiple windows and apps simultaneously.
CUDA, wide variety of Nvidia and AMD GPU options, numerous flash and SSD storage options & pure CPU power: Why the Mac Pro 5,1 is the creative professional’s choice At Create Pro, the Mac Pro 5,1 is our system of choice and the same goes for a huge number of creative professionals. But why is this? Why do so many audio, video, 3D & still image professionals choose to employ the Mac Pro 5,1 workstation?
There are many reasons for the classic Mac Pro’s continued dominance of the professional market. We’ll explain them today in this post and discuss why the 5,1 is held in such high regard amongst creative users. Mac Pro 5,1 History Before looking at why the 5,1 is presently the professional system of choice. Lets look at where it came from, and the design features that allow it to dominate even in 2015. Initially released in 2010 the Mac Pro 5,1 was the pinnacle of the classic Apple tower design. The 5,1 debuted with a 12 core 2.93GHz processor as the top spec option. By it’s final release in 2012 we saw a 3.06GHz 12 core system.
With a custom Mac Pro build in 2015 you can install a staggering 3.46GHz 12 core CPU ensuring unparalleled CPU grunt. Mac Pro 5,1 workstations shipped with an ATI Radeon 5770 1GB GPU and could be upgraded to an ATI Radeon 5870 1GB GPU. Further down the line Nvidia GTX680 and AMD Radeon 7970 Mac editions were released. Nowadays, thanks to the efforts of various EFI programmers around the world, we have a multitude of modern GPU options for the Mac Pro 5,1 encompassing both Nvidia and AMD. The 5,1 could be configured with up to 48GB RAM on a single processor system and 96GB RAM on a dual processor Mac Pro when it was released. With the debut of 10.9, 10.10 and new CPUs we can now add up to 64GB RAM on a single processor system and 128GB RAM on a dual processor workstation.
The real strength of the 2010 and 2012 Mac Pro systems come from their internal expandability. The Mac Pro is equipped with 4 SATA drive bays and 4 PCI-E 2.0 slots. This means unrivalled customisation and a never ending supply of new components that make the Mac Pro 5,1 better every year. CPU Options The processing power of the Mac Pro 5,1 is highly scalable depending on your budget and can easily match the grunt of the 6,1 for just a fraction of the price. We personally stock 4 different CPU options that we believe can fulfil the needs of all users.
Mac Pro 5,1 CPU options:. 3.46GHz 6 core Intel Xeon W3690. 2.66GHz 12 core Intel Xeon X5650.
3.06GHz 12 core Intel Xeon X5675. 3.46GHz 12 core Intel Xeon X5690 For those with a thirst for unparalleled power the 3.46GHz 12 core processor will score similarly in benchmarking tests to the Mac Pro 6,1’s top spec processor at just a fraction of the cost.
For those that have a smaller budget the 3.46GHz 6 core processor or 12 core 2.66GHz processor will provide impressive power, exceeding that of the Mac Pro 6,1 base models, and still leave change in your pocket. For more information of processors, cores, GHz and CPUs check out our guide to them. GPU Options The fact that the Mac Pro 5,1 has PCI-E 2.0 slots means that theoretically the system will keep getting brand new GPU options as new graphics cards are released. This is in contrast with the Mac Pro 6,1, which uses proprietary GPUs meaning you are tied to the option you choose when your system is assembled.
It should also be noted that the Mac Pro 6,1 has no Nvidia GPU option, this means no CUDA functionality is available on that system. Most PC cards are compatible with the Mac Pro 5,1 out of the box, they wont however have a boot screen and GPGPU functionality is missing in some cases.
This being said, thanks to a number of Mac EFI developers, there is a continual stream of modern GPU ROMs being released that allow PC cards perform as well on a Mac as they do on their PC counterparts, boot screens and all. Below are just a few of the GPU options we offer for the Mac Pro 5,1, all of them run off internal power with no need for an extra PSU. Internally powered Mac Pro 5,1 GPU options:. AMD Radeon R9 280X 3GB (2 can be installed internally). Nvidia GTX 780 3GB. Nvidia TITAN Black 6GB For many users Nvidia GPUs are essential to their workflow.
CUDA acceleration provides huge performance boosts in many professional applications (detailed ), and is only available on Nvidia graphics cards. For Nvidia users the Mac Pro 5,1 has no competition. For more information on AMD and Nvidia GPUs, GPGPU, OpenCL and CUDA check out our guide. Storage Options Similarly to the GPU department, the Mac Pro 5,1 shines when it comes to storage options. This is due to the 4 SATA bays and 4 PCI-E 2.0 slots which allow installation of HDDs, SSDs and flash storage in multiple configurations. HDD: In terms of traditional HDDs, you can install 5 in the Mac Pro 5,1 (4 in SATA drive bays and 1 in the secondary disk drive). With HDD capacities now reaching as high as 6TB one could theoretically install 30TB of HDD storage in a Mac Pro 5,1.
RAID cards can also be installed which allow HDDs to be configured in a striped RAID, hugely increasing read & write speeds. SSD: Looking at SSD drives, they can be installed on both the PCI-E 2.0 slots and SATA bays. Much faster and reliable than a traditional HDD, SSDs will reach considerably higher speeds than HDDs when in a SATA bay. If you install your SSD on a PCI-E 2.0 slot using an adapter, speeds start to get ridiculous at up to 3x that of a traditional HDD. PCI-E SSDs can be set up in a striped RAID configuration, without the need for a RAID card, if more than one is installed, this will lead to even higher read/write speeds. Flash storage: Finally, the same flash storage that is installed in the Mac Pro 6,1 can also be installed in the Mac Pro 5,1.
Flash storage is incredibly fast, reaching read and write speeds over twice as high as regular SSDs. Whereas the Mac Pro 6,1 is limited to a single flash storage blade, the Mac Pro 5,1 can install multiple flash storage drives as you have 4 total PCI-E 2.0 slots.
Again these blades can be set up in a striped RAID configuration (without a RAID card), 2 1TB flash blades in a striped RAID can reach read and write speeds of beyond 2,000MB/s. For more information of HDDs, SSDs, flash storage and RAIDs, check out our Mac Pro storage guide. Further PCI-E 2.0 expansion 4 PCI-E 2.0 slots not enough? No problem, PCI-E expanders are available allowing you to trade a x16 lane for 4 x4 lanes. This means more GPUs, more SSDs, more flash storage, and overall, just incredible performance potential. We stock CUBIX expanders which, for us, are the best on the market.
But the 5,1 doesn’t have Thunderbolt? Yes, the 5,1 cannot support Thunderbolt. Is this a big deal? The reason why the 6,1,and many other Apple products tout Thunderbolt is that they lack PCI-E 2.0 expansion. The 5,1’s biggest strength is it’s PCI-E expandability and for this reason it does not need Thunderbolt, need extra storage? Install it on the PCI-E slots.
Need more PCI-E slots? Install a PCI-E expander. Thunderbolt is a great piece of technology but it still has a few flaws. It cannot support an external GPU, and with no Nvidia option in the 6,1, this is a deal breaker for many users. The 5,1 can thankfully have Nvidia GPUs installed internally & externally.
Value for Money Let’s face it, the only real alternative to the 5,1, the 6,1, is just plain expensive. The 3.7GHz quad core Mac Pro 6,1 model starts at £2,499. At Create Pro, our. The 5,1 can also be upgraded in the future with new GPUs, extra RAM, more & faster storage, and whatever comes out next. The 6,1 is locked into the spec you choose when you order. This means if you want an upgrade, you need to shell out for another brand new system. Not the case with the 5,1 which can be internally upgraded as and when you like, without the need to purchase a new system.
Summary In the end, it rings true that size does matter. The Mac Pro 6,1 relies on Thunderbolt for expansion, but the tech isn’t quite there yet. External GPUs are not yet possible meaning no CUDA/Nvidia. The 5,1, however, has bags of room on the inside and can accommodate multiple AMD/Nvidia GPUs, flash storage/SSD RAIDs and a host of traditional SSDs. Regardless of price, the 5,1 simply has greater potential as a workstation due to it’s internal expandability.
Bring price into the equation and it’s a no brainer. The 5,1 is highly customisable and great value compared to the current Apple offering. To build your Create Pro Mac Pro today head over to our page now.
You may also be interested in our article were we put a custom 4K Mac Pro 5,1 system against the new iMac Retina, check it out. Thank you very much for such an excellent write up I always wished I could afford a Mac Pro and I was lucky enough to buy 4,1 Mac Pro which I flashed to 5,1. I am more than happy with it.
I have already installed a PCI-E SSD blade and at the moment I’m getting just 450MB/s writes and 725 MB/ s reads, but I’ll invest into it more in the future so I hope I’ll get over magical thousand mark. Oh yeah, and of course I’ll equip this baby with at leat 64GB ram, GTX 970, AC Wifi and Bluetooth 4.0. I’ll also add some large harddrives too! =) Keep up the good work! I’ve just read over at MacRumors that you are working on flashing the latest Nvidia GTX cards, so I’ll keep following you.
Hi Gantsta, In real world situations RAM speed actually makes very little difference. Certainly nowhere near the difference that having more RAM makes, and nowhere near that of the CPU, GPU & storage speed. RAM speed can have an effect on benchmarks, but as mentioned above, in professional applications, it’s not a significant consideration. As for the 5,1 in particular, it’s strength is customisation. Extremely powerful Xeon processors, modern Nvidia & AMD GPU options, flexible storage options from SSDs, HDDs & flash storage and an upper RAM limit of 128GB. The 5,1 is still the professional users number 1 choice, and we can’t see this change in the near future. Hope that helps.
Mac Pro 5,1 isn’t just for power users. A few years ago I sold my 2006 Mac Pro 1,1 because it wouldn’t run Mountain Lion, replacing it with a Mac Mini. I’ve now gone back to a Mac Pro 5,1 from Create Pro, because of the following: Ability to accept 4 3.5″ drives (we have lots of these floating around) Ability to be secured to immovable object with security cable (and to have internal drives under the same lock) as our data is more valuable than the computer. Doesn’t run hot, no risk of overheat-related problems due to decent internal enclosure fans Ability to recharge multiple devices by USB (due to decent PSU) Optical drive(s) Two RJ45 Ethernet sockets as standard. Hi, I have a 2009 8 core Mac Pro 4,1 that currently has a 4gb GTX 680 (Zotac manufacture, flashed for Mac) the problem is I purchased a 27in Cinema Display (Mini DisplayPort version not the Thunderbolt), the GTX 680 does not have a Mini DisplayPort and every adapter I have tried does not display a image on the monitor (I tested the monitor with a MacBook Pro and the monitor is 100% functional). So my question for you is if I purchased a flashed 280x do you think it will work with the 27in Cinema Display? Thanks, Jordan D.
I have a Mac Pro 5,1 mid-2010, running 10.10.5 (14F1603), with a flashed AMD RADEON R9 280X 3GB which works perfectly with my Apple Cinema Display 30″ (DVI connector). I think the 280X will manage the Aluminum 27in Cinema Display ? On the contrary, for having recently tested (before eventually buying) the Dell UltraSharp Monitor UP3214Q 4K with my Mac Pro, I can say that the R9 280X IS NOT 4K@60Hz COMPATIBLE with the Dell monitor UP3214Q, neither with 1 miniDisplayPort (Mac) DisplayPort (Dell) cable, nor 1 miniDisplayPort (Mac) DisplayPort (Dell) cable + 1 miniDisplayPort (Mac) miniDisplayPort (Dell) cable. I have a question: is the R9 280X compatible 4K@60Hz with my Mac Pro 5,1 mid-2010 running 10.10.5 and the LG 31UM97B LED 31″ (4K 4096×2160)? We are waiting for Apple to sell a brand new 4K or 5K monitor compatible with old Mac Pro. Cerven, I would have to agree with Tom that the 5,1 is still a great option. Just a couple months ago I built up a 2012 5,1 with 12/3.46 cores, 128GB RAM, Titan X 12GB GPU, 512GB PCIE Flash drive for the OS (currently Sierra), and a 1GB SSD for scratch and storage. Benchmarks rival the 6,1 for 1/4 the cost and have had no issues.
The Titan X is not flashed so I don’t have a boot screen but it isn’t a problem unless I do an OS update then I have to pop in the old Radeon 5770 to reset the graphics driver back to Nvidia web driver then switch back to the Titan. But that is the only minor complication and one by choice to run the awesome 12GB Titan at a lesser cost. A 980ti would solve that and be a great card too. The trashcan 6,1 is a 2013 model and until Apple comes out with something significantly faster I will cruise along with this screaming 5,1. On a style note, no one ever comments on how incredibly well designed and simple to work on the 5,1 is. Super clean design. If anyone ever produces new logic boards that can bolt in to upgrade the 5,1 to newer faster processors and USB 3.0 (or 4.0), PCI-E 3 or 4 and faster memory speeds, that would be interesting.
Tom, I recently got one of the final (2012-vintage) stock 4-core Nehalem machines (3.2GHz). I read the bit above about all the 4- and 6-core machines now being able to handle 64GB of RAM, if you’re using 10.9 or newer for your OS. I have got Yosemite running, and got 4 x 16GB DIMMS (proper speed, etc., from a Mac-centric vendor), and the machine will only see/use three of them for a total of 48GB.
When I try and use all 64GB, it hangs on boot at the beginning of the grey apple and progress bar. Is there something I am missing that will make the 4- and 6-core machines see and be able to use all 64GB? Plan is to put a GTX 908 Ti in, and run three monitors (card coming on Tuesday!).
Got it booting from an SSD in slot 1, there’s a 4TB drive in slot 2, and slots 3 & 4 each have 6TB drives. Also put in an eSATA/USB3 card, got two 4TB external RAID boxes on via the eSATA (who needs Thunderbolt when you have eSATA?), and a USB3 hub. I plan on keeping this machine alive for a long timehopefully with 64GB of RAM! Thanks for the inspirationgot the idea to do all this after reading your article! Hello Ludditus In regards to your RAM its not the operating system which limits how much you can run.
The W series Intel Xeon processor which is used in the single CPU systems will only support up to 48GB The X series Intel Xeon processor which is used in the dual CPU system will support up to 64GB each that is why you can run up to 128GB. We can provide a full run down of model numbers if needed. We fit only the X series processors so you can get the maximum amount of performance possible. The 980Ti is a fantastic cards seriously impressive performance! There isn’t much you really can’t do with the Mac Pro 5,1. If there anything else we can help with just let us know!
Cheers George. If you are a video editor working in any kind of graphics or non-linear editing, a flashed efi card from any efi developer will have your computer crash while you are working at completely random events. I had one and yes, I tried everything between the earth and the moon for about 6 months praying that this wasn’t too good to be true. And yes MacVid Cards are not different because that is where my GPU came from.
It was not quite there fault, however, I am sure they knew about the issue without saying anything. It is an issue with the web drivers from Nvidia and Adobe perhaps or just Nvidia. Doesn’t matter now. All I can say is that you will have to stick with the Sapphire HD 7950 until you leap to the next machine. I can’t decide whether it’s a good idea to buy a 5.1 Mac Pro. 2010 2.93 GHz 12 core 16GB ATI Radeon 5870 video 1GB?
Is it too old? What are the concerns I will have? I bought a new 20″ imac G5 years ago for over $3000, and it lasted approximately 7 years.
After paying that much $, I felt short changed and no longer want to buy a new imac. I’m concerned that maybe it’s not a good idea to buy a 2010 mac pro from a private seller, in comparison to buying a refurbished imac 21.5 with Retina for a little more, from the Apple website. I want something that will enable me to have good graphic design options, other than Apple’s Pages.
Posted on by Updated Dec. 16, 2018, with revisions to my recommendations based on additional personal experience. Last week, Apple announced upgrades to the venerable Mac mini. And this upgrade turned a diminutive system into a powerhouse. So much so that I’m getting a ton of email about whether we can use the Mac mini for video editing. The short answer is: Yes. NOTE: on using the Mac mini for video editing with Final Cut Pro X.
This provides real-world performance data. Like all computers, you get the best possible performance by buying a fully-tricked out, top of the line system. And, like all computers, that may require more money than you have to spend. So the purpose of this article is to help you prioritize balancing cost vs. SYSTEM DESCRIPTION (All images courtesy of Apple.) Based on my research, the new Mac mini is a solid machine for video editing, with the ability to configure the system with up to 64GB of RAM, a 6-core Intel i7 desktop-class processor, and a 10Gigabit Ethernet port.
The I/O available on the new Mac mini allows users to connect a number of devices through its 4 Thunderbolt 3 ports, 2 USB-A ports, HDMI 2.0 port, and analog audio output jack. With these ports, you can connect a 5K display plus a separate 4K display, or up to three 4K displays.
NOTE: The system offers Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports, this means that you’ll need to purchase an adapter to connect any Thunderbolt 2 devices. These adapters are readily available from a number of vendors, including Apple, for about $50.
Links. Mac mini Overview:. Mac mini Tech Specs: The system also natively supports:. Up to three 4K displays: Two displays with 4096-by-2304 resolution at 60Hz connected via Thunderbolt 3 plus one display with 4096-by-2160 resolution at 60Hz connected via HDMI 2.0. – OR –. Up to two displays: One display with 5120-by-2880 resolution at 60Hz connected via Thunderbolt 3 plus one display with 4096-by-2160 resolution at 60Hz connected via HDMI 2.0 LARRY’S PRIORITIES When it comes to optimizing a computer system for video editing, when you can’t purchase the top of the line, here are my spending priorities:.
GPU. RAM. Storage speed and capacity. CPU speed Increasingly, both Final Cut Pro X and Adobe Premiere Pro CC are leveraging the GPU for effects, rendering and export. However, the Mac mini does not give us an internal choice for GPU.
When it comes to optimizing a computer system for video compression, my priorities shift:. CPU speed. Storage capacity and speed.
RAM. GPU While some video transcoding and compressing codecs are multi-threaded (which means they take advantage of multiple cores in a CPU), many others are not. These single-threaded codecs take advantage of pure CPU speed more than the GPU. UPDATE: I’ve been using the Mac mini outlined here for about two weeks, and running a series of media compression tests with it.
Based on this, I’ve changed my recommendations for both RAM and SSD capacity. THOUGHTS ON THE GPU Here’s the key point behind deciding which GPU to get.
A graphics processing unit is optimized for pixel manipulations: texturing, rendering, color grading, exporting anything that involves manipulating the colors of pixels. All you are getting when you purchase a “higher-grade” GPU is more speed.
Not better quality, just speed. If you are a student, a hobbyist, or someone with indeterminate deadlines, there’s no compelling reason to get a faster GPU; the faster speed doesn’t justify the cost. If you are someone living with constant deadlines, who does a lot of effects and color grading, and needs projects exported “yesterday or sooner,” then a faster GPU makes sense. One of the big limitations of the original Mac mini was its reliance on an Intel Iris graphics card.
This was woefully underpowered for any serious graphics work, such as video editing. That changed with the latest release.
All configurations of the new Mac mini use the Intel UHD Graphics 630 card. For editors who are working primarily in HD with limited motion graphics and effects, or who have deadlines that are flexible, the Intel UHD Graphics 630 will work well. For users who need faster performance, for example, working at higher resolutions such as 4K, with RAW video, or with more complex graphics and effects, the Blackmagic eGPU or newly announced Blackmagic eGPU Pro are great options for these types of graphics-intensive tasks. The updated eGPU Pro includes a Radeon RX Vega 56 graphics card with 8GB of high bandwidth memory. The card offers similar performance to the graphics card in iMac Pro.
Links. Here’s a link for more information on the Blackmagic Design eGPU:. Here’s an Apple KnowledgeBase article on how to setup FCP X in macOS Mojave for an external eGPU: My recommendation is to go with the internal GPU, until you find yourself spending too much time waiting. A slower GPU does NOT mean you can’t edit, it simply means that tasks like rendering and exporting may take a little longer.
If you need more speed, add an external GPU as your budget allows. THOUGHTS ON RAM The Mac mini ships with a minimum of 8 GB of RAM, which can be user-upgraded to 16, 32, or 64 GB. The good news here is that you can upgrade the RAM at any time, without needing to make a decision at the time of purchase.
8 GB of RAM is fine for HD editing in both Final Cut and Premiere. 4K and above frame sizes benefit from 16 GB of RAM. I have not found a compelling reason to install more than 32 GB of RAM. While the extra RAM won’t hurt, you won’t see as big a performance boost as you will by going from 8 to 32 GB of RAM. (As a note, all my iMac systems have 32 GB of RAM.) While you can buy RAM from Apple and have it factory-installed, you can save hundreds of dollars by buying RAM from reputable third-party companies like. UPDATE: My revised recommendation is that for a video compression system, 8 GB of RAM is fine.
For video editing, more RAM is better. To keep costs low, you can purchase the minimum 8 GB configuration, then upgrade to at least 16 GB from a third-party source as you need more. If your workflow feels fast enough, you have enough RAM.
If you are spending too much time waiting – add more. THOUGHTS ON THE CPU Apple makes it hard to compare CPUs because one is an i3, another is an i5 and the third is an i7. In looking for an understanding of the differences, I found this recent PC Magazine article: “If you want a plain and simple answer, then generally speaking, Core i7s are better than Core i5s, which are in turn better than Core i3s. Nope, Core i7 does not have seven cores nor does Core i3 have three cores. The numbers are simply indicative of their relative processing powers. “The more cores there are, the more tasks (known as threads) can be served at the same time. The lowest number of cores can be found in Core i3 CPUs, i.e., which have only two cores.
Currently, all Core i3s are dual-core processors.” i5 CPUs are quad core, but “they don’t support Hyper-Threading which is the ability of a single core to serve multiple threads. “This is one of the many reasons why Core i7 processors are the creme de la creme.
Not only are they quad cores, they also support Hyper-Threading. Thus, a total of eight threads can run on them at the same time. “The upshot is that if you do a lot of things at the same time on your PC, then it might be worth forking out a bit more for an i5 or i7. However, if you use your PC to check emails, do some banking, read the news, and download a bit of music, you might be equally served by the cheaper i3.” Here’s the link to the full article: My recommendation is to upgrade to the 6-core i7. Video editing and compression, especially at larger frame sizes, requires a beefy processor. Also, it’s important to mention that these are all Intel 8th-generation 65W desktop-class processors — not mobile processors meant for notebook computers. THOUGHTS ON STORAGE The Mac mini comes with up to 2 TB of internal SSD which, according to reports, is blindingly fast.
The problem is that in today’s media environment, 2 TB is not enough storage. I regularly shoot projects that take multiple terabytes of storage. So, even if I invested in a 2 TB SSD, I’d still need to buy external storage. Remember, also, as your frame sizes increase or you move to HDR or high-bit-depth media, a single spinning hard drive won’t be enough. You’ll either need to purchase a RAID or another SSD. Frankly, for a full suite of editing apps, plus the macOS, you really only need 100 GB of storage.
So if you are on a tight budget, a 256 GB SSD will be enough. Personally, I like having a bit more space for exports and working files. UPDATE My recommendation is the 512 GB SSD and reserve it for the macOS, applications and general workspace. Then, store all your and projects on externally connected media using Thunderbolt 3; preferably a RAID. After using this system for two weeks specifically for video compression, I find that the 512 SSD is the sweet spot for storage. 256 GB is acceptable, but very limiting when you need to create high-quality work files.
THOUGHTS ON INTERCONNECTION For the first time since the iMac Pro, the new Mac mini includes the option to install 10 Gb Ethernet port. This option is especially useful for users who keep media on shared storage or for configurations that require high-bandwidth networking today or in the future. For comparison, a 1 Gb Ethernet connection can transfer data up to 128 MB/second.
A 10 Gb Ethernet connection can transfer data up to 1.25 GB/second; ten times faster. However, there are several “gotchas” here, because to take full advantage of this high-speed connection you will also need:.
Servers that attach to the switch using 10 Gb Ethernet or faster. A data switch capable of processing data at 10 Gb speeds. Cat 6 or 6e cabling between the switch and your computer. I fully applaud Apple for adding this connection – it is valuable and needed! However, unless the rest of your network also supports 10 Gb Ethernet – or will be upgraded to do so – adding this option won’t make any difference in your data transfer speeds. HERE’S MY RECOMMENDED CONFIGURATION This screen shot illustrates what I recommend.
Regardless of which Mac mini you start with, you’ll end up at the same configuration for the same price: $1,499 (US). Also, remember that the Mac mini is just the computer, you’ll also need to purchase a monitor, keyboard and mouse. UPDATE: This is the system I purchased and I’m very happy with the system.
It is a workhorse for media compression – which is my principle reason for buying the unit. I only use it as a back-up system for video editing.
I’m also planning on using it as a media asset management server, I’ll have more on that after the first of the year. EXTRA CREDIT Here are two relevant articles that may also be of interest to you:. Dear Larry, Thanks, in advance for any assistance or clarity you can provide. At the moment, I’ve got a mid-2014 iMac (21.5″), with a 1.4Ghz Intel Core i% and 8 GB 1600 Mhz DDR3. The graphics chip, according to the machine, is an Intel HD Graphics 5000 1536MB.
My problem is that I find the computer unbearably slow when trying to edit and create in FCPX. That said, I find it confusing almost to the point of desperation when I try to figure out whether I’d be better off with a new mac mini, or a new imac. If, as I suspect, I’d be better off with either one, in which direction would you lean, and, if it’s not too much to ask, why? Cheers, in advance, Tufty. Gav: First, given your description, I recommend the 27″ iMac.
Here’s an article with more details: Why? The answer is specific to your case:. You currently have an iMac, with a Mac mini you would need to purchase a separate monitor and keyboard. Your current 2014 iMac is “too slow” – speed, with FCP X, is GPU dependent. The iMac has better GPU options than the Mac mini So, read my article, look at your budget, tell your heart to slow down, then configure a 27″ iMac to optimize it for FCP X.
Thank you Larry if for me, and i already owned imac 21″ or 27″ mostly the 27″ (that is a good and ok machine for most task one can trow at it.) then wait to see if apple will come out with new refresh imac, i guess that must have be one of the reasons apple sterve the new mac mini of dedicate GPU, i dont do a lot of 4k video, but i do up to 3 to 5 hrs video in 1080, and thats a lot for not having at least ok GPU. Also to consider the resolution of the 27″ imac!
Then add up to 8GB of GPU, the imac 2017 will still be a best buy if you’re considering buying 5k monitor with the mac mini. Saurabh: Well, it depends. Given the difference in price, I can’t see any advantage to getting an i5 chip; especially because you can’t upgrade to the i7 later. The amount of RAM you need is not dependent upon the amount of storage space your images take (300 GB) but the resolution of the images. Images are loaded into RAM for editing – so, if you are editing lots of images at the same time, or very large images, more RAM will help. It is NOT that the less RAM won’t work, but that the system won’t work as fast.
On the other hand, you can add more RAM later, which you can’t do with storage or CPU. So, if you have the money, get 16 GB.
If budgets are tight, start with 8 GB and add more RAM as money become available. Seb: Your English is MUCH better than my Italian! A base-level Mac mini should be fine, especially for 1080p HD video. The 8 GB of RAM will be fine. The smaller SSD means you’ll need to invest in external storage (an attached hard disk or RAID). The GPU means rendering will be slower, but exactly the same quality as a faster GPU. And the i3 processor will easily edit video – but will render and export a bit slower.
In other words, what are are trading off – especially for HD video – is not quality, but speed. Dear Larry – thank you for your thoughts and recommendations. I was just in the midst of purchasing a mini, and took your advice. YES, I am finding the internal video card is working fine, and it even performed very well using Magic Bullet Denoiser 3, which I have found to be a render heavy filter with an older underpowered computer. I this set-up (32 GB RAM) and it FLEW. Felt like warp drive to me. HERE IS THE THING – installing your own RAM on this machine is edgy.
OCW provides a good video tutorial. I would have been dead without it! This is not your father’s big spacious computer.
You also need specific Torq tools, which I had to order twice, because I didn’t realize I needed a T6 Security tool. This is an involved process, and you must completely disassemble this little bugger to get to the RAM. The 500 GB drive is perfect. This is great machine, that takes up very little real estate on your desk.