How to choose the right Mac Pro Specs?

Hello all,
Below is a 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

Hello again washleyill,
The defining factor, which you haven't mentioned in either this or your original question, is what your overall budget is.
With the introduction of the new models, it's a new ball game now since I replied to your original question.
Now, if it is within your budget, I would recommend the 2010 Mac Pro 3.33GHz 6-Core "Westmere", with the standard 1TB hard drive, the basic 3 x 1GB RAM, but with the CTO Radeon HD5870 1GB Graphics Card.
This is the same configuration that Lloyd Chambers (of Mac Performance Guide fame) has recently ordered:
http://macperformanceguide.com/index.html
Then buy as much memory as you can afford now from OWC (trade-in the 3 x 1GB of Apple RAM against this):
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Mac-Pro-Memory#1066-memory
(The 1333MHz is now listed on this page as well as the 1066MHZ)
If your budget is large enough, then certainly it is worth considering the 2.93Ghz 12-Core, but the 3.33GHz 6-Core, with maxed out memory and fast hard drives, should be more than adequate for your requirements. The more memory the better for Photoshop CS5!
I have just ordered Photoshop CS5 myself. It is a big step-up from Elements 8, and I was going to wait until next year, by which time, hopefully, any initial problems and bugs should have been resolved.
However, Adobe UK made me an offer I couldn't refuse! The full boxed Photoshop CS5 edition for half price!
Also, the offer included an option to buy Lightroom3 at the same time with a 30% discount off its normal price, and so I have taken the plunge and ordered that as well, because I have never been completely happy with Aperture (II or III). Normally, I would not have purchased both Photoshop CS5 and Lightroom 3, but at these prices the offer was too tempting.
Best of luck with your purchase,
Regards,
Bill

Similar Messages

How late is the new Mac Pro?

Hi! My name is Alvaro and I would like to know how much time have you had to wating for the new Mac Pro since you order untill you get it. I ordered mine last monday (january 20th) and it was the first day that the apple store put "march" as a date of shipment.
I'm excited!!
Thank you!

Folks been waiting for YEARS for a new mac, I suspect there is a lot of pentup demand, especially as Europe has been w/o a Mac Pro replacement or for sale for a year almost now.
Some production and manufacuring lines get shutdown during holidays around the world and you can't just push a switch when it comes to some electronic parts, wafers. And even some early production can reveal the need for changes, new firmware, and other changes. Even the operating system that they ship with is likely showing newer builds every couple weeks until they reach a universal shipped build.
So in some ways the delay can work in your favor. The first 3-4 months are often when they have a chance to test the hardware in the field. Getting software updates from vendors who also need to get their hands on new machine to see that it works properly - even FinalCut Pro 10.1 is seeing changes and improvements in how well it behaves, and that is an Apple suite.
Long overdue. Summer of 2010 will afteralll be 4 yrs since the last Mac Pro configuration, which was only an "enhanced" Early 2009 model itself. That makes it 5 yrs on the same socket and base motherboard.

How fast is the new Mac Pro 8 core comparred to Mac Pro 4 core?

Hi,
I consider to update my 1.5 year old Mac Pro 2.66 ghz (4 core) to a Mac Pro 8 core. I use this machine as the center in my studio running Logic 8. I use a lot of V.I. and plugs.
Can anyone tell me anything about the gain in performance that is possible upgrading to an 8 core?
Or show me where to find information. MacWorld use to be my resource in that kind of matters, but they never use Logic as a test program.
Thanks in advance!
Stigc56
Musicmind.dk

Glenn,
The new Mac Pro will be faster at everything when compared to your older PowerMac, but I think the first 2 items you list will be more dependent upon drive speed.
1. The FSB and memory are faster in the new Mac Pro, but reading from the CD will only be as fast as the optical drive can handle.
2. How fast the TIFF file is displayed in the Finder may be more dependent upon the read speed of the hard drive than the processing speed required to create the thumbnail view displayed by the Finder.
3. Working in CS3 should definitely be faster. Even though you didn't want a response that linked to a test, the following BareFeat test should show how much faster CS3 is on the new Mac Pro.
http://www.barefeats.com/harper.html
Keith

How to choose the right codec in Final Cut Pro?

Hi, I'm new to FCP. I'm using the Final Cut Pro 7 and my video camera is Sony SR1e in AVCHD format 1440 x 1080i. Can someone help me to choose the best codec for project setup? Also is the codec setting for transfering video must match the setting for the sequence? Thank you!

convert to ProRes
Watch this
http://library.creativecow.net/rossshane/tapeless-workflowfcp-7/1

How to choose the right project settings?

I'm new in taking video's and in editing them. I bought a Sanyo HD Xacti Video camera and made a lot of clips in my last holiday. The clips are transferred to my compter and have the format .MP4 1280-720 depth 1280 and 29,97 fps.
I want to create after editing en DVD which I can show on my TV 16:9 (PAL-Netherlands)
When I create a new project I have to choose the seetings and I really do not know how to choose!!
What Project settings should I choose because in the settings I only see 30 fps under de NTSC systems. Is there some where a general explanation how to do?
Help will be appreciated very much!!
Greetings Willem

Before the NTSC to PAL, I believe there are other major considerations.
1. You are recording 720p30 1280 x 720 16:9 at 30 frames per second, using the MPEG-AVC/H.264 codec). That sounds to me like your are dealing with what they call "AVCHD-Lite". If so, there are major basic problems editing that in Premiere Elements 7. See Steve Grisetti's FAQ
http://forums.adobe.com/thread/454585?tstart=0
2. Your remarks would suggest that you want to create at DVD-VIDEO widescree (16:9) of your Timeline.
3. So before all else, I would determine if you can successful bring your video into Premiere Elements 7 and export the DVD-VIDEO in the NTSC system before you think about converting an NTSC video to a PAL end product.
4. Typically you select the project preset (new project dialog) to match the properties of your video. Once done that does not stop you from changing the export preset later. In the case of your NTSC 720p30 Sanyo video, I would suggest the project preset (new project dialog) = NTSC HDV HDV 720p30. Think of the project preset as a template from which you can edit your video. Although this 720p is a variant of AVCHD, I suggest the HDV category since there is no 720p preset under AVCHD. Note that the descriptions to the right of where you set the preset.
5. In Share/Disc/Disc, in the Burn Dialog, then select the preset: NTSC_Widecreen_Dolby DVD. If that is all completed successfully then we can talk about conversion of NTSC 1280 x 720 16:9 to a PAL DVD-VIDEO (720 x 576 25 frames per second with a 16:9 flag to stretch the video on display after encoding).
6. You may find the following link helpful:
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/article_converting_ntsc_pal.htm
ATR

How to choose the right processor speed for application

Hi,
Can any one help me to identify the right cRIO model.
I want to choose the cRIO processor for an application. The cRIO- 9025, has processor of 800 MHz speed. Where as there is another cRIO model which comes with 400 MHz of the processor.
How do I decide which model to choose?
The mathematical calculations will help me to reach at a conclusion. I am not sure how to go ahead with the mathematical calculations.
Can any one advise me on this.
ThanX

I don't think you will get any mathematical calculations telling you witch cRIO you have to use based on the level of information you have given.
I don't think there are any mathematical calculations to decide witch cRIO a user can use.
You need to give a lot more information about what you are going to use cRIO for, before anyone can give you an advice.
What does you setup look like ?
Wwitch modules are going in the cRIO ?
What are they doing ( input/output )?
Are the cRIO interacting witch external systems?
Are the cRIO only collecting data ? How fast ?
What operation are the cRIO going to do ?
Just a fewe of the questions you need to ask yourself.

How to choose the right software to open adobe elements 12?

I have downloaded adobe elements 12 as instructed but it is now asking which software I want to use to open the file either from installed programmes or from the web. What is best to choose please?

what os?
what file name/extension are you trying to open/run?

How to choose the right foreign key to be used when processing a dimension

Hi,
here is the problem I'm facing : I need to create a dimension in my cube from the table dimDocumentVente.
Here are the relations between my tables in SQLServer.
dimDocumentVente
    ID
    ID Article
    ID GroupeComptaProduitTVA
dimArticle
   ID
   ID GroupeComptaProduitTVA
dimGroupeComptaProduit
   ID
   Code
with Foreign keys between :
- IDGroupeComptaProduit in dimDocumentVente and ID in dimGroupeComptaProduit
- IDGroupeComptaProduit in dimArticle and ID in dimGroupeComptaProduit
- IDArticle in dimDocumentVente and ID in dimArticle
In this dimension (based on dimDocumentVente), I add the information ID from dimGroupeComptaProduit.
When I process the dimension, I see in SQL Profiler that the relation between the 2 tables is done using dimArticle, which is not what I want to do. I want to use the relation which is between dimGroupeComptaProduit and dimDocumentVente.
Is there a way to tell SSAS, that I want to use the foreign key between dimDocumentVente and dimGroupeComptaProduit to calculate this attribute ?
From the user point of view, the information contained in the table dimGroupeComptaProduit contains information linked the the VAT rate. This information is linked to the items in our ERP (Dynamics NAV), and when we create a new order, this information is
copied in the order line and the user has the possibility to override it. So in the cube, it's interesting to both analyse from the value stored in the item and the value stored in the order. That's the reason why !
Thanks in advance for your help.

Thanks for your answer but unfortunately, that's not exactly what I'm looking for.
I mean, I want to create a dimension based on table dimDocumentVente in which I want to include the information "code" coming from dimGroupeComptaProduitTVA table.
Please see below.
As you may notice, I have several foreign keys.
When I process the dimension, I see in SQL profiler that SQLServer is using the relation between dimDocumentVente and dimArticle plus between dimArticle and dimGroupeComptaProduitTVA to process my dimension. It's necessary for me that instead, it uses directly the
relation between dimDocumentVente and dimGroupeComptaProduitTVA. Is there a way to change this ?
Thanks.

How to choose the right format picture?

Hello, on my website [ 4ensure.com ] I've created the costum header and put there logo whic I created with adobe photoshop cs5.1 and when I scroll down the titles of pages down of them crosses the header text. The logo text is in JPEG format. I've tried PNG and some other formats but doesn't work. Which format I need to do the photo to make a solid background not to be crossed by anythig?
I hope you understand what I'm asking?
Thanks in advance!

This has nothing to do with the image format. You need to read up on web design or simply pick a different WP theme that doesn't use a static header placement in an absolute DIV.
Mylenium

How to choose the right format?

Hello, on my website (2hinsurance.com) I've created the costum header and put there logo whic I created with adobe photoshop cs5.1 and when I scroll down the titles of pages down of them crosses the header text. The logo text is in JPEG format. I've tried PNG and some other formats but doesn't work. Which format I need to do the photo to make a solid background not to be crossed by anythig? I hope you understand what I'm asking?
Thanks in advance!

Delete in code
position:fixed;
http://hackcenter24.blogspot.com/index.html
http://hackcenter24.blogspot.com/2013/05/iron-man-3-hacks-cheats-tools_12.html

FAQ: How do I choose the right sequence settings?

In general, the settings of a sequence should match those of the primary footage type in the sequence. Though Premiere Pro can mix footage of various types in a sequence and compensate for differences in characteristics, performance and quality are maximized when such conversions are avoided.
See this video for more information:
How do I choose the right sequence settings?
Also see these sections in Premiere Pro Help:
Create a sequence
Sequence presets and settings

Sorry to say this - but you've got the wrong advice from Adobe.
You were right in selecting the profile for Epson premium glossy paper - if that's what you are printing on.
The magenta cast is most probably due to double color management, i.e. color management for your printer was not switched off. You did all the right moves , but still the color management for the printer was not switched off. This seems to be an Epson - Lightroom problem. You are about the fourth poster who has this problem with Lightroom and Epson printers. All of them said that they were sure that they had color management by the Epson printer switched off. There seems to be a hidden setting that prevails or is called by Lr.
The magenta cast is typical for double color management.
Read this - maybe it helps: http://people.csail.mit.edu/ericchan/dp/Epson3800/printworkflow.html#display_calibration
Don't miss the section on "How to print images from Lightroom".
I don't have an Epson printer so can't give you further insight on this. Except ...
Disable - temporarily - all custom print profiles and templates that you may have created. Move them to a different folder where Lr does not find them. I cannot guarantee that this helps but if the problem persists it might be worth a try.
One of the above mentioned posters said that the problem disappeared after disabling an old print preset that he had created for a prior version of Lr.

How do I transfer photoshop files on my mac air to the larger mac pro?

How do I transfer Photoshop files from my Macbook air to the larger Mac Pro?

There are a number of ways, but the simplest is by USB thumb drive of sufficient capacity. The more elegant if both machines are on the same network is by switching file sharing on on the Mac Pro, and then logging into it from the Air. The Mac Pro drive will appear on the Air's desktop and allow you to simply drag the files over.
For sharing, you will need an account on the Mac Pro, or the ID and password of an account already on the machine.
File sharing basics are outlines in the support document at http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1549?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

I urgently need to know how I can connect 8 thunderbolt display, I was thinking with the new mac pro will come out, but I wonder if it is possible to connect an iMac to 4GB of graphics card, but suffers from the imac. thanks

I urgently need to know how I can connect 8 thunderbolt display, I was thinking with the new mac pro will come out, but I wonder if it is possible to connect an iMac to 4GB of graphics card, but suffers from the imac. thanks

I tightened all HD screws and it didn't help. With the machine running and side of the case off, I physically stopped both the video card fan and the front case fan with my finger for a couple seconds and the noise continued. I also took all hard drives out one by one and rebooted each time. Again, the noise continued until I took out the Mac HD in Bay 1, rebooted, and I had a very quiet, silent machine. The issue is the hard drive in bay 1 that shipped with the computer, it's without a doubt causing the hum/woosh sound. I still need to know if I can safely swap the Mac HD from bay 1 to bay 4 without any issues to the operating system. I would like to try that to see if it dampens the noise but I also want to make sure this swap won't screw up my machine at all.

How do you physically secure the new Mac Pro's?

I am looking to buy the new Mac Pro, and went to see one in the apple store today, I asked the shop assistant how I would physically lock the Mac Pro to something too keep it safe and secure in an office environment and he said he didn't know how you would. It doesn't seem to have a laptop style hole to use a cable lock or anything like that. They are incredibly small and easy to pick up and pop in a bag...
So has anyone come across anything like this to answer my question?
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5695967?tstart=0
This discussion doesn't seem to be a reasonable solution.
Cheers

@Will172
I am not a DIYer especially not when it comes to locking something as valuable as a Mac Pro.
My go to compnay for locking mac stuff is maclocks and they just announced this http://www.maclocks.com/mac-cable-locks/mac-pro-lock-bracket-with-security-cable -lock-fits-new-mac-pro.html
Don't know if you already built the solution for yours but this is looking to be a great one.
I have dealt with maclock on a few occassions because I bought their macbook pro bracket lock and couldn't be happier.

Hello I am a student. How do I sync my mac pro to my ipad? I would like to finish typing my papers but I can not download the APA sample template on my ipad.

Hello
I am a student how do I sync my mac pro to my ipad? I would like to work on my paper when I am not at home. I can not download the APA template to my ipad.
Thank You

Email it to yourself, then fetch it on your iPad.

How to choose the right Mac Pro Specs?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for