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2013 nMac Pro with eGPU for FCPX?
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In our workflow, we transcode everything to Pro Res before the edit. It’s a pain upfront, but I think it pays dividends, especially once we begin adding filters, Color Finale, Core Melt, Vignettes, etc.
Only deal with H264 or MP4 on export so not an issue during editing.
FWIW, after a little more digging on the FANTASTIC egpu.io site, it seems like the optimum eGPU and card set up for FCPX on a 2013 Mac Pro trashcan is:
Sonnet eGFX 550W Thunderbolt 3 enclosure
AMD Vega 56 Graphics card
Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapterApprox $800 all in.
This is the same card series that will be in the new iMac Pro. The caveat is that you will need to wait for the new iMac Pro to launch and they update High Sierra to work with this card.
The bummer is the performance loss from TB3 to TB2. The upside is that you can use the Sonnet on other more recent TB3 macs in the future.
Or just wait and buy a new iMac Pro for $5-$10K. Or the 2018 Mac Pro for who knows how much and when…
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Michael- what cameras are you shooting with? Uf you *know* you’re going ProRes from the start you should consider shooting ProRes either in-camera or with one of the many outboard and cheap ProRes recorders from ATOMOS/Blackmagic, etc. As compact as H.264 is as an acquisition/streaming format- it really sucks everywhere in-between.
Noah
FCPWORKS – FCPX Workflow
FCP Exchange – FCPX Workshops
XinTwo – FCPX Training -
[Noah Kadner] “It would be kind of a wash as TB2 sort of negates the gains you get with an eGPU. “
Agreed completely. Waste of money on anything
TOTAL. For the chassis, an RX 580 8GB and even a Belkin USB-C hub for good measure. Save your money.
– RK
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Mostly shoot with C300 Mark 2, Sony F7 or F5. Generally use Edit Ready to do the transcoding.
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Maybe. Gonna wait and see pricing on iMac Pro 10 and 18 Core.
That said, egpu.io reports a performance boost on Bruce X of 16 vs 24 secs—33% increase. That’s not nothing. And likely much better with the AMD Pro Vega cards once Apple releases drivers.
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Yup you could greatly streamline your workflow-
https://www.atomos.com/cameras/canon-eos-c300-mark-ii
Noah
FCPWORKS – FCPX Workflow
FCP Exchange – FCPX Workshops
XinTwo – FCPX Training -
If you were using an iMac you might discover there’s no need tontranscode to ProRes because they have h264 acceleration built into the processor while the xeons don’t. So you wouldn’t deal with h264 during edit either, until export where the acceleration also speeds up export 5 fold.
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https://BretFX.com FCPX Plugins & Templates for Editors & Motion Graphics Artists -
Yes, have used those occasionally in the past and they work great. We primarily hire shooters on our projects, so it depends on their kit, and they often charge an additional rental fee for Atomos and similar. Not that big a deal to transcode at the start of editing…at least so far.
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You make a good point. But I’m on a nMP so that’s the issue. Performance hits.
Although I have to imagine on your iMac if you start adding a lot of filters and plug ins to your non-Pro Res files and timeline, things would really start to bog down, yes?
FCPX wants you to transcode to Pro Res (that’s why it’s the default selection no import) to maintain better performance. At least that’s my understanding of it.
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[Noah Kadner] “Yup you could greatly streamline your workflow-
https://www.atomos.com/cameras/canon-eos-c300-mark-ii“
I use my Shogun off my RED Scarlet for long format shooting.
Even better with a GH4/DSLR since its small form factor.
Love the DNxHD/ProRes options 🙂
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