How much memory on Mac Pro for FCS2, Avid MC, and Photoshop? at DVinfo.net

Michael Wisniewski · July 25th, 2008, 12:36 AM

Never owned a Mac, so I'm new to all this. Looking at getting a Mac Pro in the basic 2GB configuration with an NVIDIA video card. Wondering if it's worth it to get more memory to increase performance, and if there's a point of diminishing returns. Will be running FCS2, Avid Media Composer, and Photoshop.

Eric Darling · July 25th, 2008, 01:16 AM

You'll definitely want more RAM. There is a point of diminishing returns, but where that is depends on your typical workflow. RAM is so cheap anymore that it probably makes the best sense to at least triple your total to 6 GB. That's what I run with, and I'm quite happy with the results on my system. Just make sure you're matching the types - use the same speed RAM for all of your chips.

If you're doing lots of RAM intensive stuff, or you tend to have lots of RAM-hungry apps open with tons of files open, you might want even more.

Stick Tully · July 25th, 2008, 07:23 AM

i recently got a new mac pro with the 512 nvidia card.. opted for 4gb of ram which suits me fine and i use fcp and after effects a lot.

if you can afford more, go for it but i wouldnt buy it from apple, they charge a fortune. Either buy some extra and put it in yourself or get a reseller to do it for you

best of luck, and enjoy the mac

Stick

Robert Lane · July 25th, 2008, 07:35 AM

Michael,

What Eric said... and: You'll want a video card with a minimum of 512MB of VRAM because many of the updated FCS apps use the GPU for processing filters, especially FxPlugins.

Mike Bisom · July 26th, 2008, 09:57 AM

Adding memory is relatively cheap and certainly easy. Keep in mind that many applications won't see more than 2GB (written as 32-bit applications). Photoshop will see around 3.7 and use even more as scratch. Another thing to consider is that you always have at least two apps running: the one you are working with and the OS. At that point, 4GB of RAM is good. Add another open app and 6GB is good.

If you go to Applications > Utilities > and open Activity Monitor at the end of a typical workday, you can check how many page-outs (swaps) you have had. A higher percentage (vs page-ins) means you could benefit from more memory, a lower percentage means not as much benefit. A swap is when the computer runs out of RAM and uses the hard drive.

Mike

July 25th, 2008, 12:36 AM	#1
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Makati, Metro Manila Posts: 2,706 Images: 32	How much memory on Mac Pro for FCS2, Avid MC, and Photoshop? Never owned a Mac, so I'm new to all this. Looking at getting a Mac Pro in the basic 2GB configuration with an NVIDIA video card. Wondering if it's worth it to get more memory to increase performance, and if there's a point of diminishing returns. Will be running FCS2, Avid Media Composer, and Photoshop. __________________ "Ultimately, the most extraordinary thing, in a frame, is a human being." - Martin Scorsese

July 25th, 2008, 01:16 AM	#2
Eric Darling Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 463	You'll definitely want more RAM. There is a point of diminishing returns, but where that is depends on your typical workflow. RAM is so cheap anymore that it probably makes the best sense to at least triple your total to 6 GB. That's what I run with, and I'm quite happy with the results on my system. Just make sure you're matching the types - use the same speed RAM for all of your chips. If you're doing lots of RAM intensive stuff, or you tend to have lots of RAM-hungry apps open with tons of files open, you might want even more.

July 25th, 2008, 07:23 AM	#3
Stick Tully Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Brighton Posts: 92	i recently got a new mac pro with the 512 nvidia card.. opted for 4gb of ram which suits me fine and i use fcp and after effects a lot. if you can afford more, go for it but i wouldnt buy it from apple, they charge a fortune. Either buy some extra and put it in yourself or get a reseller to do it for you best of luck, and enjoy the mac Stick

July 25th, 2008, 07:35 AM	#4
Robert Lane Go Go Godzilla Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA Posts: 2,823 Images: 15	Michael, What Eric said... and: You'll want a video card with a minimum of 512MB of VRAM because many of the updated FCS apps use the GPU for processing filters, especially FxPlugins.

July 26th, 2008, 09:57 AM	#5
Mike Bisom Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Kenosha WI Posts: 65	Adding memory is relatively cheap and certainly easy. Keep in mind that many applications won't see more than 2GB (written as 32-bit applications). Photoshop will see around 3.7 and use even more as scratch. Another thing to consider is that you always have at least two apps running: the one you are working with and the OS. At that point, 4GB of RAM is good. Add another open app and 6GB is good. If you go to Applications > Utilities > and open Activity Monitor at the end of a typical workday, you can check how many page-outs (swaps) you have had. A higher percentage (vs page-ins) means you could benefit from more memory, a lower percentage means not as much benefit. A swap is when the computer runs out of RAM and uses the hard drive. Mike