Performance of FCStudio 3 on Mac Pro 8 core ?

Question

I decided to upgrade to FCS 3 (already purchased) from FCE. Further, an upgrade from my old G4 to an 8 core MacPro 4,1 (ddr3, direct connect {no FSB), Nehalem, 6GB ram, but not yet purchased), since FCS3 requires an Intel Mac.
I just found out by searching here that FCS 3 is still 32 bit (eek!). I had incorrectly assumed that it was 64 bit but got suspicious when I couldn't find mention of it. So it seems that rethinking whether an 8 core with multi threading and virtual cores and more than 4 GB ram is beneficial, is in order, because one can spend $1K less on a 32 bit machine with less memory.
While many here feel that the next FCP version will be 64 bit, there is no word from Apple (naturally) of that or when it might be available.
I don't know much about Snow Leopard since I'll be jumping up from Tiger and I also don't know much about multi-threading other than it allows virtual cores to help with the processing power. What I do know is that 64 bit architecture requires 64 bit code to speed up the processor output other than the new "turbo boost" mechanism.
*My questions:* Does 32 bit FCS 3 have the ability to take advantage of multiple cores in a quad chip or is it going to use only 1 of the 4 cores and does that mean that clock speed is the dominant factor in processor throughput? Extending that further, will the second quad processor, in an 8 core, take any load off the first quad processor? All of which is asking: if you have 8 physical cores will the 32 bit FCS 3 be using only 1 of those 8? Does it use any virtual cores or is that just pie in the sky for FCS now?
Any light you can shine on this for me is appreciated.
Ken

Answer 1

Does 32 bit FCS 3 have the ability to take advantage of multiple cores in a quad chip or is it going to use only 1 of the 4 cores and does that mean that clock speed is the dominant factor in processor throughput?
The current version of FCP..and all the past versions...uses only ONE processor. The only app that uses all those cores is Compressor. But when it does, it is FAST. Shake does this too. So no matter how many processors you have, FCP only uses one processor. But when you go to compress something, and have QMaster set up to use all the processors...it flies!
if you have 8 physical cores will the 32 bit FCS 3 be using only 1 of those 8? Does it use any virtual cores or is that just pie in the sky for FCS now?
Pie in the sky...possible future versions.
Shane