Mac Pro....how much RAM? at DVinfo.net

Chad Dyle · June 7th, 2008, 11:32 PM

I plan on ordering a Mac Pro next week. I'm waiting to see if Apple changes specs on it this week. Either way, I need to know how much RAM is enough. I use 2-4 GB on my PC's that I use to edit. I was told that I might need as much as 8 GB for FCP. What do you guys think? I'm just editing HDV video (capped as Pro Res) and maybe some Motion stuff down the road.
Also, is it best to buy the RAM from Apple or order it from Newegg?

Thanks,

Chad

Mathieu Ghekiere · June 8th, 2008, 05:12 AM

I'm editing HD on my Macbook Pro with 2GB RAM without many problems.

But because you have 8 cores, I would look at indeed maybe 8GB RAM. I think I've read once (but I can't confirm or tell why) that it's best to have at least 1GB per core.

Don't order RAM from Apple! It's so overpriced, you couldn't believe! Nobody orders RAM from Apple, that's just crazy, you'll pay 3x as much money.

Mike Barber · June 8th, 2008, 10:28 AM

According to their minimal specs: 2 GBs for uncompressed SD and compressed HD (which should be fine for HDV); 4 GBs for uncompressed HD. I don't know anything about the "1 Gig per core" thing that Mathieu referred to; that's the first time I've ever heard of it and sounds like urban-techno myth to me.

Apple is over priced... way overpriced. Check out Memory2go, I have ordered memory from them before and they have good stuff at reasonable prices. And yes, they do sell memory with the Apple approved heatsinks.

BTW, I'm about to order a Mac Pro as well. Was thinking of placing the order today, in fact. I haven't heard a peep about any upgrades to the Mac Pro line (they just had an update a few months ago), so I don't think you need to wait... or has anyone heard anything I haven't?

Bill Pryor · June 8th, 2008, 11:31 AM

I edited HDV on an older G5 with 2 gigs, now I'm using a 17" MacBook Pro with 4. Two is adequate, four is great.

As noted above, do not buy the extra memory from Apple. It's more than double the going price.

Adam Slaght · June 8th, 2008, 02:37 PM

I just got my Mac Pro on Wednesday. I got the dual 2.8s with 2gb of RAM, 320 and 500 hardrives installed when I bought it at the Apple store. I then ordered 4GBs of ram from OWC. Cost me 200 bucks overnighted to my door for the RAM. I also ordered 2 more seagate 500s(119/each) from them. All were installed on Friday and I have been playing all weekend with my new toy.

I still cant believe how great it runs. I would suggest to go with 6gb of RAM.

Enjoy

Mike Bisom · June 9th, 2008, 09:23 AM

You can never have too much memory or hard drive space.

That said, start with 4GB and take a look at your Activity Monitor at the end of the day.... is there a high percentage of swaps? If so, you can benefit from more memory. Most applications on the market simply can't see more than 4GB of memory anyway. However, the OS can manage any amount of memory simply making multi-tasking that much more fluid. If you have FC AND Motion open, you may benefit from more than 4GB of memory.

For what it's worth, I have a Dual 1.8 with 3.5GB of RAM and a Dual 2.7 with 7GB or RAM... I notice the difference by working with multiple apps on the 2.7. If I am just straight cutting, I can't tell a difference between the two.

Mike

Chad Dyle · June 9th, 2008, 10:34 AM

Perfect! I'm going to order it with 2GB and have another 2GB shipped from somebody online. I will be using it as a render box for right now. Once I learn FCP, then I will actually do some editing with it. I will also use it for dumping/converting HDV.

Jon Omiatek · June 9th, 2008, 05:15 PM

I have 8gb that I purchased from OWC and couldn't be happier. I also have a 5 spinpoint 1tb drives in a raid 0. The spinpoints in a raid 0 will give you the needed bandwidth to edit multiple streams of HDV.

Peter Brewer · June 10th, 2008, 05:47 PM

I have 8gig in an 8 core 2.8 macpro. You will need this amount if you use motion. If you install istat menu, you can see the amount of memory that is being used at any time. Also you can see which of the 8 cores are being used.

June 7th, 2008, 11:32 PM	#1
Chad Dyle Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 410	Mac Pro....how much RAM? I plan on ordering a Mac Pro next week. I'm waiting to see if Apple changes specs on it this week. Either way, I need to know how much RAM is enough. I use 2-4 GB on my PC's that I use to edit. I was told that I might need as much as 8 GB for FCP. What do you guys think? I'm just editing HDV video (capped as Pro Res) and maybe some Motion stuff down the road. Also, is it best to buy the RAM from Apple or order it from Newegg? Thanks, Chad __________________ www.chaddyle.com www.chaddyleproductions.com

June 8th, 2008, 05:12 AM	#2
Mathieu Ghekiere Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Belgium Posts: 2,195	I'm editing HD on my Macbook Pro with 2GB RAM without many problems. But because you have 8 cores, I would look at indeed maybe 8GB RAM. I think I've read once (but I can't confirm or tell why) that it's best to have at least 1GB per core. Don't order RAM from Apple! It's so overpriced, you couldn't believe! Nobody orders RAM from Apple, that's just crazy, you'll pay 3x as much money. __________________ http://productionsofthe3rdkind.com http://pr3k.com

June 8th, 2008, 10:28 AM	#3
Mike Barber Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Toronto ON Canada Posts: 731	According to their minimal specs: 2 GBs for uncompressed SD and compressed HD (which should be fine for HDV); 4 GBs for uncompressed HD. I don't know anything about the "1 Gig per core" thing that Mathieu referred to; that's the first time I've ever heard of it and sounds like urban-techno myth to me. Apple is over priced... way overpriced. Check out Memory2go, I have ordered memory from them before and they have good stuff at reasonable prices. And yes, they do sell memory with the Apple approved heatsinks. BTW, I'm about to order a Mac Pro as well. Was thinking of placing the order today, in fact. I haven't heard a peep about any upgrades to the Mac Pro line (they just had an update a few months ago), so I don't think you need to wait... or has anyone heard anything I haven't? __________________ Mike Barber "I'm laughing to stop myself from screaming."

June 8th, 2008, 02:37 PM	#5
Adam Slaght Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 60	Love it!! I just got my Mac Pro on Wednesday. I got the dual 2.8s with 2gb of RAM, 320 and 500 hardrives installed when I bought it at the Apple store. I then ordered 4GBs of ram from OWC. Cost me 200 bucks overnighted to my door for the RAM. I also ordered 2 more seagate 500s(119/each) from them. All were installed on Friday and I have been playing all weekend with my new toy. I still cant believe how great it runs. I would suggest to go with 6gb of RAM. Enjoy

June 9th, 2008, 10:34 AM	#7
Chad Dyle Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 410	Perfect! I'm going to order it with 2GB and have another 2GB shipped from somebody online. I will be using it as a render box for right now. Once I learn FCP, then I will actually do some editing with it. I will also use it for dumping/converting HDV. __________________ www.chaddyle.com www.chaddyleproductions.com

June 8th, 2008, 11:31 AM	#4
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	I edited HDV on an older G5 with 2 gigs, now I'm using a 17" MacBook Pro with 4. Two is adequate, four is great. As noted above, do not buy the extra memory from Apple. It's more than double the going price.

June 9th, 2008, 09:23 AM	#6
Mike Bisom Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Kenosha WI Posts: 65	You can never have too much memory or hard drive space. That said, start with 4GB and take a look at your Activity Monitor at the end of the day.... is there a high percentage of swaps? If so, you can benefit from more memory. Most applications on the market simply can't see more than 4GB of memory anyway. However, the OS can manage any amount of memory simply making multi-tasking that much more fluid. If you have FC AND Motion open, you may benefit from more than 4GB of memory. For what it's worth, I have a Dual 1.8 with 3.5GB of RAM and a Dual 2.7 with 7GB or RAM... I notice the difference by working with multiple apps on the 2.7. If I am just straight cutting, I can't tell a difference between the two. Mike

June 9th, 2008, 05:15 PM	#8
Jon Omiatek Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 755	I have 8gb that I purchased from OWC and couldn't be happier. I also have a 5 spinpoint 1tb drives in a raid 0. The spinpoints in a raid 0 will give you the needed bandwidth to edit multiple streams of HDV.

June 10th, 2008, 05:47 PM	#9
Peter Brewer New Boot Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 15	I have 8gig in an 8 core 2.8 macpro. You will need this amount if you use motion. If you install istat menu, you can see the amount of memory that is being used at any time. Also you can see which of the 8 cores are being used.