Buying a new Mac Pro

Hello,
After many happy years with my G4 and using my MacBook Pro for higher end editing I am finally getting around to replacing the G4 with a brand new Mac Pro.
It will be used manly for video editing so I will get the best model available.
Here is my questions.
1. Does anyone know when the next best thing, so to speak, will be released by mac? If I buy the Two 3.0GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon, will a better one be released soon after.
2. Does anyone know a good graphic card for video editing? I have been cutting HD projects but have never really been techy enough to know how to configure to get the best out of a computer.
3. Is it worth filling all the drive space with drives and RAIDing them up.
4. Is there anything else I maybe forgetting?

1. Does anyone know when the next best thing, so to speak, will be released by mac? If I buy the Two 3.0GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon, will a better one be released soon after.
Only Apple knows the answer to this question. We have no insights or information on what new products/software Apple may introduce in the future.
2. Does anyone know a good graphic card for video editing? I have been cutting HD projects but have never really been techy enough to know how to configure to get the best out of a computer.
There are presently only three video cards from which you can choose. All are generally more than adequate for video editing. If high speed video is a must then you should upgrade to the ATI X1900 card.
3. Is it worth filling all the drive space with drives and RAIDing them up.
Only if you need the storage space. However, you will find it is cheaper to buy additional drives third-party than have them pre-installed at purchase. You might consider reading this article to learn more about RAIDs.
4. Is there anything else I maybe forgetting?
Only you know.

Similar Messages

  • Questions about buying a new Mac Pro for 4k video editing.

    Hi everyone,
    I'm currently looking into buying a new mac pro and I have a few questions. I'm a filmmaker/freelance editor looking to get a system that can handle any/at least most 4k formats that I might throw at it, and will hopefully last me around 7 years or so, like my last mac pro has. I've saved up about $5,300 and am becoming more obsessed with getting it asap, but am willing to wait a bit and save up more if necessary. I also play the occasional elder scrolls or civilization game, and might run windows on the new system as well. So here are my questions:
    1. I've read rumors that a newer build could be released this year, with newer processors and graphics cards. Is there anything to point to when? I tend to buy things a month before a newer version is released, and I'd like to prevent myself from doing it this time around..
    Here's the Build I'm looking at:
    6 core
    2 D700s
    base ram to be upgraded myself to 32Gb (2x16Gb cards leaving 2 slots empty to expand to 64Gb later)
    512Gb-1Tb internal hd
    2. Should I be considering the 8 core? I'm not too excited about the additional $1500, but I want a system that will last.
    3. Is getting the two 16Gb chips of ram and leaving two slots empty a bad idea?
    4. I currently work with FCP studio 2 and love it. Not sure whether to go with FCP X, or adobe. Any thoughts?
    5. I'm not finding many deals for cheaper ram and hard drives. OWC's prices seem to be comparable to Mac's. I want to do the ram so I have room to upgrade to 64Gb later, but are there any hard drives out there that would make it worth upgrading it myself?
    I appreciate any insights you might have. I plan on getting a decent raid and 4k monitor in the next year or so, but for now just want a base system that will keep me editing and will be ready for 4k when I take that next step.

    The late 2013 Mc Pro uses Intel Xeon ECC processors (error correction), and as far as I know Intel has not announced any newer Intel Xeon processors than those in the late 2013 Mac Pro.  I would not expect to see an update to the 2013 Mac Pro until the end of 2015 at the earliest and probably later than that.
    If time is not an issue, then you should be quite happy with the 6 core 2013 Mac Pro.  It will do an excellent job with 4K video footage. And, yes, I would suggest getting the best raid system you can afford.  That is actually more important than processor speed since I/O is frequently the bottleneck when doing multi camera video or 4K video.
    I have the latest version of Adobe's Premiere Pro 2014  CC installed on my late 2013 Mac Pro and i have used it a bit without problems.  However, I find it much much slower to edit with than FCP X.  Also be advised that if you Google you will find several individuals on the Adobe Forums who purchased the late 2013 Mac Pro and have not been able to use it with Premiere Pro CC because of either a hardware incompatibility or software issues between Premiere Pro CC and BMD's Resolve.  It is quite possible that I have not experienced these problems because I have not made very demanding projects with Premiere Pro CC on my 2013 Mac Pro.
    I strongly recommend FCP X.  Apple released FCP X before it was ready, and many early users were unwilling to take the time to learn how to use this very different NLE which is not track based.  Apple has over the last 3 years since FCP X was released, issued more than 10 updates (all free), and the program is stable and blazingly fast.  I urge you to check out the FCP X training offered by Ripple Training and/or Larry Jordan. Both are inexpensive, and worth every cent.  Watch their training videos and you will be up to speed in FCP X in no time at all, and you will wish you had switched a long time ago.
    If you can afford the 1 TB of PCie internal flash storage on your Mac Pro, then by all means get it.  For me 1TB is well worth the cost.
    As far as editing 4K video, the format of the video will be important to the ease of editing.  For example, I am able to edit in its native format (XVAC S) several streams of 4K video form my Sony FDR-AX100 with no problems.  If I were editing Sony's XVAC format used in their professional 4K cameras, that might pose a problem that would require transcoding.  Similarly for other 4K formats. XVAC S is an easy format to edit natively because it is essentially a high bit rate h.264 format.
    Best of luck on whatever you decide to do, and happy editing.
    Tom

  • Buying the new Mac Pro

    Hi there, I want to buy the new mac pro, I am a after effect user, need to know which graphic card to select, there is two option: 1-NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 with 512MB four of them, or 2-ATI Radeon HD 4870 with 512MB of GDDR5 memory single one.
    Thanks Edward.

    true Andrew!!
    NVIDIA GeForce FX 5600XT (256 MB)
    I have, works with AE CS4, basta.
    no need for Photoshops' geeky eyedropping and GPU intense interface improvements.
    anything else is pure hardware marketing insanity (not blaming Adobe directly, ok!?)
    I think it's really time for a slowdown on new technology impacts and settle down to the key purposes and develop them. that would take a huge impact on operability, stability, exchange among other platforms.
    this digital warfare must come to an end.
    it kills creativity!
    without creativity this planet will become dead...

  • Buying a new mac pro, new things to consider?

    Hello all,
    Below is the question I posted in may along with someone's response. I'm wondering if I should still go with the response I received considering the new release of the mac pro 12 core. Did anything change that I need to note in my purchase or is the below response suitable? THANKS!!!!!
    my question:
    I need some help in choosing the right specs for my mac pro. I am looking for a computer that will help me in running my small business and keep my art portfolio organized. I'll probably be running several programs at a time (ex. mozilla, itunes, adobe bridge, dreamweaver, illustrator, and photoshop). More specifics below
    What i'll be using it for:
    building a few websites
    managing my small business
    large photo file editing
    keeping business files, artist receipts, etc
    cataloging my art portfolio (large photo files)
    storing photos, music, and short videos
    graphic design
    infrequent film editing
    infrequent sound editing
    what programs i'll be using:
    CS5 (mostly photoshop, illustrator, bridge, dreamweaver)
    iphoto
    itunes
    maybe minimal finalcut/soundtrack pro
    maybe minimal aftereffects
    Advice?
    My concerns are that it needs to run pretty smoothly with multiple programs open, no overheating, plenty of space for file storage and application support.
    Hello washleyill,
    My advice would be to buy the standard configuration 2.66GHz Quad Core (i.e. 3 x 1GB RAM, 640GB hard drive) from the Apple store, with the exception of the graphics card which you can buy as a CTO option for $200.00. It is well worth the upgrade from the GT120 - I know, because I upgraded myself last November after using a GT120 for 4 months.
    With regard to the memory, if you can afford it now, buy 4 x 4GB from OWC now. If not, I would suggest that you buy 2 x 4GB now, and then add another 2 x 4GB in the future. 16GB of RAM is a much better option than 8GB for your requirements. You can sell the 3 x 1GB RAM to OWC in "part exchange", and there would be little difference in price for 2 x 4GB to the CTO option of 4 x 2GB.
    http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Mac-Pro-Memory#1066-memory
    Instead of buying 2 x 1TB hard drives as a CTO option, you could purchase 2 x 1.5TB or 2 x 2TB HDDs for less money, and you would still have the 640GB. Spare drives are always useful. I use my original 640GB as a spare emergency system boot drive (OS and applications) in an external enclosure.
    Another alternative is to wait a few more weeks, in case the rumours of the introduction of a new Mac Pro range in June have any foundation.
    Regards,
    Bill

    Interesting questions you have posed here.
    I am thinking about upgrading from my MB to a MBP and I too intend to run a similar set of programs, and with large RAW photo files in Aperture. I find my MB is struggling and I dont want to invest any money in upgrading it, I will use it as a back up. I like the MBP and the 13" screen version is so handy and portable.
    Have you made your decision yet...or are you still sitting on the fence like myself..?
    Regards
    Paul

  • Should I buy a new Mac Pro or an iMac?

    Hi,
    I co-run a video production company in the UK. We have an old 2009 iMac, a MacBook Pro from 2010/11 ish, and a PC all used for video editing, and some other intensive apps like Photoshop and Adobe After Effects.
    We're about to spend some money on either a fully specced 2013 iMac or a new Mac Pro. The mac Pro we'd be able to afford would be £1500 more than the iMac (which includes purchasing an external display, mouse and keyboard - all of which an iMac obviously already includes so the price comparison is valid).
    The Mac Pro would be a 3.7 quad-core processor, 256ssd, 12gig ram - which I would then upgrade to 64gig (somewhere else for financial reasons) and finally Dual AMD GPUs with 3gig of ram each. That's all we can afford unfortunately!
    The iMac would be a 3.5 quad core, 1TB fusion drive, and 8gig of ram that I would then max out externally to 32gig, and finally NVidia Geforce 4gig GPU.
    Either one we buy we'd get Applecare.
    Any suggestions as to which would be better to purchase? Our difficulty comes with the fact that we don't have an awful lot of cash to spare, and we also have other things we'd like to invest in (building improvements etc). The guys who work at the company are naturally leaning towards the Mac Pro, as was I intially, but my job is also to spend our money as wisely as possible, so I'd like some advice on whether the Mac Pro is worth spending that extra £1500 on.
    Obviously I understand the Mac Pro will be faster generally speaking, but will it really make a big difference when using Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects and Photoshop? Or is a fully specced iMac going to be just as good?
    Also what other advantages, other than just speed, would a Mac Pro bring?
    Cheers in advance,
    Phil

    One question to ask yourself is how long you need this machine to do these tasks and what future programs/tasks will you need?
    While both machines can handle everything you mentioned now, the MAc Pro will be faster now, and easier to expand in the future.  The iMac will simply not be as cost effective long term.  If however your needs wont change or you don't plan to use the machine more than 3-4 years, the iMac is going to get the job done and of course be much cheaper.

  • About to buy a new Mac Pro

    A few months ago I posted a very simlar question, but can't find it anymore.
    I'm ready to purchase a new Mac Pro, now I have a 2008 8 Core 2.8GHz with 10 gig ram and was looking at the latest 8 core with a lesser speed of 2.4. GHz and cannot find a benchmark comparison of those two models. The closest I found was at Barefeat's site, where it show a chart with the difference of 6 seconds exporting 50 JPGs out of Aperture, 68 seconds on the new 8 core and 62 seconds on my 2008. My opinion is that the difference doesn't worth a $3,500 dollars purchase, unless there are numerous advantages I'm overlooking.
    Another idea was to double the ram on mine and get a new video card, planing to keep my 2008 as a server in case I buy a new one.
    Need advice and suggestions, making a decision this weekend before something else comes up and spend the money . As I said, purchasing a new one is not an issue, just want to make sure is worth it.

    Mac Pro 2009 and later have Multi-Threading and improved memory, so their specs for compute power are near double what 2008 and previous models were:
    Primate Labs has posted Geekbench results for all the Mac Pro models since 2006. Here are some of the numbers in 32-bi/64-bit modes:
    2.0 GHz 4-core 2006, 4011/4445
    2.66 GHz 4-core 2006, 5178/5865
    2.8 GHz 4-core 2008, 5650/6456
    3.0 GHz 4-core 2006, 5768/6567
    2.66 GHz 4-core 2009, 8265/9226
    2.8 GHz 4-core 2010, 8629/9723
    2.93 GHz 4-core 2009, 9072/10072
    2.8 GHz 8-core 2008, 9105/10523
    3.0 GHz 8-core 2007, 9172/10783
    3.0 GHz 8-core 2008, 9460/11153
    3.2 GHz 4-core 2010, 9829/10279
    3.33 GHz 4-core 2009, x/11475
    3.2 GHz 8-core 2008, 10108/11807
    3.33 GHz 8-core 2009, 10304/11476
    2.26 GHz 8-core 2009, 11831/13323
    2.4 GHz 8-core 2010, 12722/14083
    3.33 GHz 6-core 2010, 14049/15781
    2.66 GHz 8-core 2009, 14330/16034
    2.93 GHz 8-core 2009, 15529/17608
    2.66 GHz 12-core 2010, 20226/22733
    2.93 GHz 12-core 2010, 21661/24333
    from: http://www.lowendmac.com/deals/best-mac-pro-prices.html
    This chart shows that to EQUAL what you have now, buy a 2.93GHz FOUR-Core 2009 or later.
    The real "sweet spot" in the current offerings is the six-core at only 1.5 times the entry models instead of 2x or 3x. (It's a build-to-order of the four-core.)
    In case of a tie, always choose more MegaHertz over more processors.

  • Help with buying a new Mac Pro

    Hi all,
    I'm currently in the market for a new Mac Pro, as I seem to be stretching the boundaries of what my MBP can do in a reasonable amount of time. After reading these forums for a while, I still have some questions/concerns about my needs that I hope someone can answer.
    I will be using the Mac Pro for web development (CS4 and CS5 down the road), video editing on FCE, and possibly audio work in the future. I'm about to graduate college and am still somewhat unsure if I will be using more powerful software in the immediate future. One other thing, I tend to have a bunch of apps open at once (Mail, Safari, FF, VMWare, MSOffice, iCal, etc.), and I don't want to have to close them all out to get decent speeds when rendering video. I currently don't use any "Pro" apps (FCP/LogicPro), but I haven't ruled them out for future use.
    Would I be better suited with the 2.66 Quad (possibly 2.93) or with a 2.26 Octo? I'm concerned the Quad would have a much shorter life with the 4 RAM slot limitation, but paying for the Octo and leaving a bunch of cores idle would not be ideal either. I'm planning on buying before SL release, because I want to be able to install it on my own terms.
    Any input appreciated,
    Ty

    I think the quad has a lot of potential and even with 'only' 16GB RAM (4 x 4GB) you shouldn't be hurting.
    Nothing you listed should be a significant bottleneck. And if that day comes, there will be equally more powerful bass level systems.
    Most of the non-intense apps will only use a small small fraction of your resources. The 2.66 is nice and will throttle up or down as needed, and just surfing etc run @ 1.6GHz. iTunes for now is 'out of control' and buggy.
    Q: you want to buy now also to use your student discount I assume.
    Check these Store Specials for price / config
    http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/mac_pro

  • Need to buy a new mac pro

    I read some reviews and tests on web, but didnt get a conclusion... What config is better to buy:
    1. Mac Pro 2008 3,1 8 core 3.0mhz 8gb RAM 500gb HD nivida geforce 8800gt - U$1.000
    2. Mac Pro 2010 4 cores 2.8mhz 3gb RAM 1tb HD Ati radeon HD 5770  - U$1800

    On CPU testing, the numbers are only about 18 percent different:
    Primate Labs has posted Geekbench results for all the Mac Pro models since 2006. Here are some of the numbers in 64-bit mode:
    2.0 GHz 4-core 2006, 4506
    2.66 GHz 4-core 2006, 5933
    2.8 GHz 4-core 2008, 6543
    3.0 GHz 4-core 2006, 6661
    2.66 GHz 4-core 2009, 9225
    2.8 GHz 4-core 2010, 9659
    2.93 GHz 4-core 2009, 10119
    2.8 GHz 8-core 2008, 10715
    3.2 GHz 4-core 2010, 10834
    3.0 GHz 8-core 2007, 11014
    3.0 GHz 8-core 2008, 11376
    3.2 GHz 8-core 2008, 12054
    2.26 GHz 8-core 2009, 13400
    2.4 GHz 8-core 2010, 14174
    3.33 GHz 6-core 2010, 15574
    2.66 GHz 8-core 2009, 16066
    2.93 GHz 8-core 2009, 17608
    2.66 GHz 12-core 2010, 22418
    2.93 GHz 12-core 2010, 24219
    3.06 GHz 12-core 2010, 25375
    --from http://lowendmac.com/deals/best-mac-pro-prices.html

  • Buying a new Mac Pro, need help with Screen

    Hello everyone, Im getting a Mac Pro, and I need a good lcd monitor to go with it. At the same time I would like to be able to have a LCD screen in my room to watch tv. Is it possible to watch tv with the Apple displays, any other displays or should I buy a LCD TV that has capabilities to be connected to a computer. I read a post that suggested a Dell screen to somebody for the purpose of watching tv.
    Please any advice would be appreciated.
    Gonzo

    Elgato <http://www.elgato.com> lets you watch a record TV programs on the Mac's screen.
    There are some non-Apple monitors with video, as well as DVI inputs. Some even contain TV tuners and speakers.
    Some TVs can be used as computer monitors but there are potential problems:
    Low resolution
    Overscan (menu bar and dock off the screen)
    Computer display not filling screen
    Non-square pixels
    Interlacing

  • Looking to buy a new Mac Pro...

    Here is my desired configuration:
    Mac Pro ($13,949.00)
    Two 16x SuperDrives
    500GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s
    32GB (8 x 4GB)
    Apple Wireless Keyboard (English) + Mac OS X Accessory kit
    Two 3.2GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon (8-core)
    Apple wireless Mighty Mouse
    NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 512MB (Two dual-link DVI)
    Apple Cinema HD Display (30" flat panel)
    AppleCare Protection Plan for Mac Pro (w/or w/o Display)
    Now here's my question:
    32GB of RAM from Apple is $9600 (which we all know that Apple charges a premium for RAM)
    Is this memory just as good as apples???
    http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/64FB4MPK32GB/

    For what it's worth, I actually prefer the Dell monitors to the Cinema displays. Price difference aside, they have a much brighter screen even though the same LCD panels are used in both. It means you have a much greater overhead for the long term. You turn down the brightness to start and are able to increase it over the years whereas my Cinema Displays have required maximum brightness almost from the beginning and then they get dimmer over the years, requiring a backlight replacement about 3 years into their life. (If users have never gotten a backlight replacement they won't actually see the dimming but is is significant.)
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  • Looking to buy a new mac pro will there be a i7 version?

    I have an iMac 24" and looking to get a mac Pro as my needs have changed.
    I have compared an iMac and 2.66GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon "Nehalem" processor ( two (friends) side by side and I have to say there is nothing in it, my initial thoughts were the Imac has better graphics and seems faster using Photoshop and final cut.
    Does anyone know if they will make a i7 version (non xeon) and if the price will drop as the Mac pro seems to be so very expensive since the introduction of the i7 Imac in the region of £800 I'd say.

    http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/mac_pro
    No, Mac Pro = Xeon, and there is quad 3.3GHz BTO $1200 extra.
    You were looking at 2009 Mac Pro? sounds like 2006-7 model possibly.
    Whether you need more hard drives and memory then an iMac Core i5 is up to you.
    http://www.amug.org/amug-web/html/amug/reviews/articles/intel/macpro-2009/
    http://www.barefeats.com/imi7.html

  • After Effects CC and new Mac Pro with FirePro D700

    Hello
    I'm about to purchase a new Mac Pro, 64GB RAM, SSD 512, Two AMD FirePro D700. Working with post-production software basically use Adobe After Effects CC, my doubt is whether the normal After Effects continue working on this new machine. If it is fully compatible with this video card and if all resources will have a better income. And what can you tell me about the Ray-Traced with these video cards.
    Thank you.

    • Adobe does not support AMD cards with their ray-trace renderer, and are unlikely to do so in the future.
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    • Adobe has hinted at substantial improvements to AE multi-threading efficiencies in a coming release.  The implication is that more CPU cores will be better utilised in the future. 
    I will be buying a new Mac Pro soon too.  What the above tells me is that After Effects will continue to be best served by faster and more multi-cored CPUs, rather than better GPUs.  For my money, I will stick with the cheaper D500 GPUs, and get a better CPU option.

  • New Mac Pro for photography (raw edition).

    Hi,
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    This machine should last at least five years.
    Any advice is welcome.
    By the way, anyone knows how to solve the Eizo Colornavigator 6 compatibility with the OS X Mavericks issue?.
    Thanks a lot!.
    Cristóbal.

    Hi FatMac and The hatter,
    Thanks for yours suggestions, it's been very helpful!.
    i'm using a MacBook Pro (6.2) 2.8GHz i7 8Gb Ram (not upgradable) and 500Gb SSD connected to an Eizo monitor. It does his job but lately having heavy overheating and slow down its performance in a notorius way. Its a good machine but is not made for serious editing.
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    This should be a notorious improvement for me.
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    Thank you very much for your advice and links!!.
    Best,
    C.

  • There is a estimated date for the new Mac Pro?

    Hi I'm going to buy a new Mac Pro in the next months, I'm trying to find if there is going to be a new mac pro to wait until then but i find almost no information. I would like to know if here i can find some.
    Thanks in advance

    http://www.macworld.com/article/1167247/cook_apple_planning_professional_mac_for _2013.html

  • Advice on choosing a new mac pro model

    Hi. I'm looking to buy a new Mac Pro for use mainly with AE, Premiere, Photoshop plus Element 3d and trapcode. Should I spend most $$ on the CPU or the GPU? For just under $6.5K I can get the 3.7 quad+dualD700's or the 3.5 6core +dual D500's (Plus 32 GB of Ram). Any advice would be appreciated. BTW, I'm looking to do hi rez 4K renders in Element 3d (I know this uses GPU but am unsure as to whether I can get away with the lower spec'd GPU's. Does anyone use this with lots of vram for hi rez renders and how much vram seems adequate? Thanks!

    You're not saying which model of MacPro you are considering, but if you go with the Quad, you will NOT be able to run all 11GBs of ram. You have 4 slots, and slots 3 & 4 are shared. So you can put the 2x4 for the 8, but then you will only be able to run the 2x1 for another 2, giving you a total of 10GBs.

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