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Will a G4 fulfill my needs for FCP4.5?
I’m looking into buying a new computer or mac.. Are sick and tired of my computer breaking down at all the crucial moments..
I searched around the forum and found some topics regarding this. But not complete..
I’m wondering if a used G4 will do the job for me with FCP 4.5? After effects, photoshop, shake, ++ Generally all the programs needed to do a complete short film and commercials. All professional.
I have looked around in Norway on the used macs for sale, but don’t really know what to look for.. I figured you should maximize ram, and get a big external harddrive, but still.. the cpu, buss speed, etc, etc….?
Can anyone give me some directions on what to look for and what to leave behind?
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6 Replies
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In your list of programs that you are interested in running, I think Shake is going to be the one that asks the most of your system. Its minimum requirement is a 1 GHz G4. Check out all of the tech specs on the software you want to run and come to your own conclusions.
FWIW, at home I’m running FCP 4.5 and After Effects 6 on a dual G4 500 MHz powermac with nothing to complain about. However, my computer at work just got upgraded to a dual G5 2 GHz powermac and the render times are ridiculously fast compared to my computer at home. So, if you are an impatient sort of person or if you realize that time=money, get the fastest computer you can afford.
By the way, I have had great success with finding amazing deals on used macs on eBay.
Jason
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It all depends on which G4 model. I would suggest a minimum of a G4 Dual 1.0 Ghz. Then again, You can buy a used G5 Dual processor fairly inexpensive these days. Pay now and pay later or just pay a little bit more now and have a system that wil last you awhile.
G5 Dual 2.5 160GB System 400GB Media Drive ATI 9800 256MB 6 GB RAM
Dual Gig Quicksilver 1GB RAM 80 GB System drive (3) 250 GB internal media storage
15″ Al Powerbook 1.25 1GB RAM
OS 10.3.8 FCP 4.5, DVDSP 2, QT 6.5, Boris Red 3GL 2.45 TB External Stor -
I have a G4 Dual 800 running FCP 4.5 that is rock solid with no crashes. Your plans to maximize the amount of RAM is well justified, as this is a must to get the most out of FCP. My G4 will only accept 1.5 Gbytes but later models will accept up to 2 Gbytes, as far as I know.
As far as RT effects without rendering, my rather slow G4 will play simple cross dissolves and colour correction at the same time (on 1 video track only) in some instances if the dissolves are a half second or less without dropping frames. This is in addition to playing 6 audio tracks at the same time. Faster G4s may be able to play more RT without dropping frames.Fast hard drives will also be your best bet to get the most out of any G4 you find. Try and get an internal ATA drive for media that runs at 7200rpm. I think with the G4 @32bit addressing you can’t use more than a 139 Gbyte internal hard drive, but you’re not restricted to the same size limit if you go external with firewire. Not sure about hard drive size limitation with external SCSI or ATA raid setups, since all I’ve ever used is firewire.
I can’t advise you on running Shake or After Effects, but Photoshop works fine. My G4 has served me very well through the years and hopefully you’ll find something in Norway.
– Don
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Thanks guys.. This helped me on my way. I’m going to see a used complete editing G4 station next weekend, and hopefully get a godd price on that.. But untill then, I’ll keep looking..
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Hi,
Used G4’s hold their value so well that unless you get a really good deal on a G4 I think you should look for a deal on a dual g5. About a year ago I sold a G4 Dual 867 for $1,400 and got a G5 Dual 1.8 (refurb with full waranty) for $1,800. G5’s are cheaper now than they were then so I think for a few hundred extra if you shop for a good deal you can probably get a dual G5. I don’t think the savings of a G4 are worth it.
Best Wishes,
Mitch
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At work I have a dual 2 GHz G5, but at home I have a Mac Mini with a single 1.25 GHz G4. FCP 4.5 on both machines, and I edit DV resolution. It’s not about to set any land speed records–I can definitely tell it’s slower if I’m paying attention to it. But if I’m just editing, I don’t notice.
What I do miss is a lot of things being realtime on the G5 that aren’t on the G4. No problem, really. I’m always editing from external drives and I walk them back and forth between office and home on occasion. If I edit something on the G4 that needs a lot of realtime effects, I just don’t render them. When I have the drives at work to lay off to tape, the beefier processor means no render’s necessary.
Maybe a similar semi “offline/online” edit situation would work for you?
I also use After Effects on the Mini. Renders aren’t great, but it’s fine to use. (Renders give me an excuse to take a lunch break, too.)
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