-
Help with configuration…
I am buying a new Mac Pro system… just wanted to ask for some advice on the configuation before proceding…
Mac Pro 8 x 2.26
12 GB RAM
Apple Care
Extra 1 TB drive to back up the system driveThe main thing I am still deciding upon is storage. Options are as follows:
2TB Caldigit VR + 2 Internal SATA drives (for backup) = $1100
2TB G-Speed Es = $1350
4TB G-Speed Es = $1750
4TB Caldigit HDElement = $3000 (this incl. the free 2TB VR)These are what I can source locally in Canada (can’t get the G-Raid Es Pro anytime soon).
I only envision editing in ProRes – so the VR should be adequate. I would like the option to work in ProRes 4444. I am having a hard time justifying the extra cost of an HDElement if the VR is adequate at about a third of the cost. I don’t work in a broadcast environment and RAID 5, while nice, is probably not essential (assuming I backup regularly).
If I can’t go for the HDElement, is it worth going for the G-Speed Es instead of the VR? It has the benefit of being expandable and RAID 5… though I know speedwise, being only eSATA and not a real hardware RAID, it isn’t much different than a firwire drive.
Note I already have a display. I’m not getting a capture card and external monitor – yet. Will do so hopefully in the not too distant future. The type of work I’m doing atm the moment is not colour criticial anyway – will almost exclusively be viewed on computer displays.
Any thoughts would be much appreciated. I’m hoping to get it tomorrow. Thanks!
-
1 Reply
-
Shane,
If you can’t buy the hard drive sub-system you want, then put three 1Tb drives in the extra internal bays and stripe them as RAID-0. And, in the interim, until you can get yourself the CalDigit raid you really want/need, backup to bare drives that you load into inexpensive firewire enclosures.
Keep in mind, the added throughput of a raid is as useful in your day to day editing as just about anything there is, because it it has such a huge impact on realtime performance, which comes into play every minute of your editing day.
David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los AngelesPOST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™
A forum host of Creative COW’s Apple Final Cut Pro, Business & Marketing, and Indie Film & Documentary forums.
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up