I own a Mac 8 core and use it with FCP 6+ to edit footage from and EX1 as well as AVCHD footage from a Canon. All works great...no complaints. Our office needs to get a second mac for work load reasons. Money is tight. Will a Quad core do the job? Does anyone have any experiences with both to offer comparisons in speed with FCP and HD ?
Thanks, Craig

Reports I've read suggest Quad is certainly a capable machine. I'm buying an 8 core (2.66, as this seems the best price performance sweet spot for my needs, but have not got it yet). I take it you've seen the comparisons on sites such as these? Well worth reading before you spend the dosh!

4-core versus 8-core Nehalem Mac Pro (http://www.barefeats.com/nehal08.html)

Pro Apps on Nehalem Mac Pro - Cores? Memory? (http://www.barefeats.com/nehal04.html)

And follow this thread too (Post 36 is well worth reading re your question)...

2.66 Quad vs 2.93 Quad Buyer's Guide (Includes Octos) - Mac Forums (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=691789)

Hope this helps!

I will check out those links...I was not aware of them.
I agree that the 8 core bang for the buck is really terrific. We have had ours for just over a year and have been very pleased.
Thanks again for the feedback.
Best, Craig
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