How much Mac Power is enough??

[undermind]

I have friends that tell me they run 32 tracks with plugs in Pro Tools LE on a 800mHz G4 without problems. Another friend told me that his dual 1.8 gHz G5 couldn't handle 32 tracks with several plugs. I'm not sure who to believe.

Before G5's existed, we were all chuggin along with 400mHz G4's, but I know a lot has changed since then.

I'm just not going to spring for a $2000 G5 right now. For around $1000 I can get a single 1.8 G5 with a 900mhz FSB, and RAM upgradeable to 8gigs. I know this can handle most of what I want throw at it. But what about at 24-30 tracks running in 24/96? (I'm doing hi-rez format, so I need the 96khz)

I don't need to start a Mac/PC discussion, but for about $800 I can get a Pentium 4 Dual core 2.8Ghz system..

Does anyone know what processor upgrades are possible in the single CPU G5?

 

[dwillis45]

I have friends that tell me they run 32 tracks with plugs in Pro Tools LE on a 800mHz G4 without problems. Another friend told me that his dual 1.8 gHz G5 couldn't handle 32 tracks with several plugs. I'm not sure who to believe.

I don't think there is any answer to that question. It depends on too many factors including the type of plugin, where it resides, the software, the OS, drive speeds, buffer settings, etc.

I'm just not going to spring for a $2000 G5 right now. For around $1000 I can get a single 1.8 G5 with a 900mhz FSB, and RAM upgradeable to 8gigs.

I assume you have a monitor/adapter that will work with the G5. Otherwise, if you go for one of the newer apple displays, they start at $799.

I know this can handle most of what I want throw at it. But what about at 24-30 tracks running in 24/96? (I'm doing hi-rez format, so I need the 96khz)

If I really needed to record at 96khz, I would save for a dual processor G5. Is the perceived improvement in quality really worth the drain on processor resources?

I don't need to start a Mac/PC discussion, but for about $800 I can get a Pentium 4 Dual core 2.8Ghz system..

If you are comfortable with Windows OS etc. I would stick with that. PC's are generally less expensive depending on how you define costs.

Does anyone know what processor upgrades are possible in the single CPU G5?

I haven't seen any G5 processor upgrades, but a qucik call to MacMall or CDW should give you the answer. I doubt Apple would offer any since they want you to move up to a dual processor G5. I'm sure that sometime in the near future someone will make them available. They did for the older G4's. The question is how well will they work, what will they cost compared to buying a new machine, and how difficult will the installation be.

 

[dgatwood]

I assume you have a monitor/adapter that will work with the G5. Otherwise, if you go for one of the newer apple displays, they start at $799.

Since Apple doesn't make single 1.8 GHz G5s in a desktop form factor, unless we're talking about a used one, I'm guessing the original poster is just getting a really good deal on a single 1.8GHz iMac. If not, and you're planning to buy a single 1.8 GHz G5 for $1000 and an $800 display, you'd probably be much better off getting a new iMac....

 

[undermind]

If I really needed to record at 96khz, I would save for a dual processor G5. Is the perceived improvement in quality really worth the drain on processor resources?

Yes it is if you're bringing the 96 or 192khz all the way through on a DVD. Whenever people say there's no difference, I have to assume they've never compared a DVD-A at 24/192 vs redbook cd.

And programs like Pro Tools LE aren't designed to take advantage of dual processing AFAIK.

Since Apple doesn't make single 1.8 GHz G5s in a desktop form factor, unless we're talking about a used one, I'm guessing the original poster is just getting a really good deal on a single 1.8GHz iMac. If not, and you're planning to buy a single 1.8 GHz G5 for $1000 and an $800 display, you'd probably be much better off getting a new iMac....

Well, Apple did make 1.8's in a desktop factor, hence the good price. And no way would I be getting the $800 Apple monitor, as kickass as it may be

Thanks for the reply's

 

[tsl92802]

As a hardcore mac user/mac dork...there is NEVER enough mac. I have a Dual G4 1.42 each, 2gigs of ram, and I can pretty much do anything I want. Altiverb and Ozone can beat the shit out of my resources a tad, but it's understandable (and also while I'm running 50 audio tracks, all with plugs, and 3 instances each of altiverb and ozone). Good stuff macs are.

 

[undermind]

What DAW software are you running tsl?

 

[dwillis45]

Yes it is if you're bringing the 96 or 192khz all the way through on a DVD. Whenever people say there's no difference, I have to assume they've never compared a DVD-A at 24/192 vs redbook cd.

I have never compared the two since--like most people--I'm not using DVD-A. I'll accept your word that the differences are significant. But it raises the question of whether or not these results are easily achieved using relatively inexpensive equipment. If you are expecting decent results you must be using fairly high quality AD converters. At a minimum, I assume you have something like the low end Mytek or Lucid converters or perhaps better (Apogee, Lavry, Prism Sound). I also assume you are using a good system of monitors in a treated room appropriate for producing recorded sound. With this type of professional setup, it seems odd to expect a single processor G5 with a comparatively small cpu (1.8Ghz) to meet your needs.

And programs like Pro Tools LE aren't designed to take advantage of dual processing AFAIK.

So why use Pro Tools LE?

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