New Macpro single 6-core or 2.4GHz Quad-Core?

[Dan Preston]

This is exactly my dilemma.
The upside of the 6-core is its faster clock speed. Its downside is only 4 RAM slots … so to get 12GB of RAM, you’ll need to put in three 4GB RAM sticks (slightly more expensive than buying six 2GB sticks, but buy from OWC or Crucial – Apple’s RAM and hard drive prices are ridiculous).
The upside of the 8-core is the 2 extra cores and it has 8 RAM slots. Its downside is the slower clock speed.

My understanding is that FCP is currently a 32-bit application and able to use only 1 or 2 cores and limited in the amount of RAM it can address. But it’s due for a rewrite to 64-bit, and that should enable it to use more cores and RAM. After Effects CS5 is already 64-bit.

So given current software, the 6-core may have an edge. But given the 64-bit future, it’s a closer call processor-wise. And the 8 RAM slots on the 8-core may tip the balance in its favor. And you can use the $200 you’ll save by upgrading the video card (which Motion will probably benefit from). But it’s still a tough choice.

[Nace Zavrl]

I am also in the market for a new Mac pro and have pretty much decided on the 3.33 GHz 6-core Westmere, because neither FCP nor other apps can take advantage of 8 cores. Having 6 cores but also blistering clock speed is the “sweet spot” of Mac Pro processors if you ask me.

I don’t think the lack of more RAM slots on the 6-core is so substantial, as you can still get up to 16GB, which is enough for pretty much anything. Just don’t buy RAM from Apple please 🙂

Nace,

[Mika Niemi]

Hi!
Thanks for the answer , yes that excatly the problem i have. Multithreading in After effects CS5 would love the 8core, but as you sad , the one core for use today would benefit the FCP suite. Im leaning towards the 8 core but thats just based on the “better for the future” and the more ram slots sounds nice. Time is money , but how mutch time would i save using the different machines? Thats the big question and in what areas would the difference show in day to day work?

Fcp editing ? Yes or No. A
Fcp with effecs? Yes or no.
Motion compsiting ? yes or no. A
After Effects compositing? yes or no . A
Color ? Yes or no
Compressor ? Yes or no

Still not shure……. Keep the coming i really appreciate your help.

[Dan Preston]

Some useful references on this:

MacRumors forum discussing 6 vs 8 core options:
https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=989220

MacPerformanceGuide discussion on cores vs clock speed:
https://macperformanceguide.com/Reviews-MacProWestmere-CoresExplained.html

I’m still wavering between the two. And am even considering the 3.2 GHz quad and using the savings to upgrade other components.

[Mika Niemi]

that sounds like a reasonable answer. Speed sounds nice, but im confused. THanks for the links Dan, great read.

[Mika Niemi]

Hi!
I have decide to go with ( i can wait a few more weeks before buying,”on vacation”):

3,33 GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon “Westmere”
8 GB (4 x 2 GB)
1 TB 7200 rpm
ATI Radeon HD 5870 1 GB

I will separetly buy 3 more hd´s and 2 2×4 GB (total of 16gb) memory from other vendors. I havent seen the price tag on the memory yet, though. So in the end the machine will look like this.

3,33 GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon “Westmere”
16 GB (4 x 4 GB)
1 TB 7200 rpm
3 2TB 7200 rpm
ATI Radeon HD 5870 1 GB

Thoughts?

[Nace Zavrl]

Looks good, I’ll be buying a very similar system in the next few weeks. Just try not to mix RAM sticks, use exactly the same ones in the system, as mixing them can result in problems.

Nace,