How Much Mac?

[Todzilla]

Guys,

I need a new, or at least a newer Mac.

I just finished a looooong overdue CD project which was done entirely in DP, using an 8 year old Mac (G5, dual proc 1.8GHz, 4G RAM). The box performed very well and with some tricky work arounds (printing CPU intensive effects, avoiding 96K sampling), I was able to get the machine to work through the whole process.

I don't use lots of VIs, but I want to be able to use multiple CPU-intensive plugins (ProVerb?) and up to 60, 70 tracks at 96/24 resolution.

My aim is to purchase a used Mac Pro (just the box, no monitors) for $1000 to $1500 in the next few months. What's a reasonable mix of processing speed, number of processors, and RAM to run Digial Performer with my goals in mind?

Looks like Quad processors from 2.66 to 3.0 GHz and 8G RAM is in the ballpark, but I don't know if I should push toward more processing power over more RAM.

Thanks in Advance

[Phil O]

You can always save up your nickels and get more RAM. I'd go for the most powerful processor you can afford and worry about adding RAM and hard drives down the line.

Phil

[FutureLegends]

The above is very good advice and the way I'd do it as well...
Unless you're working with large sampled VIs you're getting very far with 4-5gb of RAM...

[Todzilla]

Thanks guys!

My old Bessie has 4G RAM, but it's slow as bejesus and hates lots of convolution verbs and 40+ tracks. Bump format up to 96/24 and it starts to sob uncontrollably.

I'm thinking quad core, as fast as I can find and 6-8G RAM. Seems doable on eBay, especially in the 6 month time frame I'm targetting.

[jandron]

If you want to think outside the box, look at the new iMacs; the entry level 21.5" model with the quad core i5 Sandybridge will probably blow the doors off whatever you're looking at and cost around 1200. You can easily and cheaply increase RAM and HD capacity and bump up to the i7 for a few hundred more. Something to consider, if you don't need card slots.

[mikehalloran]

I went with a 27" iMac. There is no way that I would consider a 21" for DP. My daughters have new 21s so I am able to compare.

With the 2011 iMacs, the only way to upgrade the hard drive is to have it done when you place the order - you may add an SSD drive later but not another mechanical drive. In the Spring, when reasonably priced Thunderbolt externals finally hit the market, external drive performance with the iMac will rival additional internal drives on the Mac Pro.

I like the idea of a recent Mac Pro for DP, however. I made my purchase decision for other reasons than DP. you can get some nice 23" monitors in the $150. More RAM is cheap.

[daveyboy]

I just saw a used 2.8 dual quad core at dealmac.com for under $1500. I have the same machine but it is 4 years old. If you don't need pci slots I might look into an iMac though as it seems you'll get a lot of bang for your buck there. And, you a get a year warranty which is worth having.


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[NazRat]

Something else to consider is a Mini server with a Thunderbolt display.