optimal memory and cache settings for MacPro

[Kevin Camp]

you should have enough ram to just enable multiprocessing (preferences>multiprocessing, check the render multiple frames simultaneously option) and be very happy with the render times.

i think i’d leave the max memory and max ram cache setting alone unless you are having problems. if you have a separate media drive on a separate controller (like you have an external drive for your media) you can enable the disk cache, setting it to use a folder on a drive other than your media drive (like the boot drive). if you only have internal drives, you may actually see a performance loss by using the same drive for media and disk cache, particularly if you render hd or higher resolutions.

i’d also disable opengl in the preferences>previews and set ae to use adaptive resolution. by disabling opengl for previews, you will allow ae to use multiprocessing for previews. they are not compatible renderers and multiprocessing with 8 cores should be faster, and if you have disk cache enabled, any rendered preview frames are cached and can be used for speedier final renders.

Kevin Camp
Senior Designer
KCPQ, KMYQ & KRCW