RAM upgrade questions for the board

[David Roth weiss]

Jim,

The bare minimum to rum FCP properly is 4gb total, so you really need 3gb additional at a minimum, and that’s if you don’t plan on running other programs at the same time you’re editing with FCP. I’d get 4gb additional if I were you. As you will read in an upcoming article I’m writing for the Cow Magazine, according to the guys who make our software, “you can’t have too much RAM.”

So long as you add pairs you’ll be okay. So, find the best deal, probably 1gb sticks, and whip out your credit card. RAM is a steal now these days and you’re working, so go for it…

David

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Post-production Supervisor
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles

POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY

[Gary Morris mcbeath]

David,

I seem to recall that earlier versions of FCP could only address 2GB of ram. Has that changed with later versions, like FCP 6 I have now?

I’d add a 2-4 gig more to my dual 2.7, if I though it would actually be used. I have 4.5GB now, and two slots still open.

BTW, my neurons seem to be firing quite well this evening. I think.

Gary
SaltAire Cinema Productions

[David Roth weiss]

Gary,

I just added 2gb additional to my G5 on advice I’ve obtained during the writing of my article. I think I’ll add a few megs of RAM to my brain and then I’ll really be set.

Apparently RAM usage has changed in FCP — at some point the useable RAM was increased to 4gb. I’m not absolutely certain if that’s for all machines, or just the Intel machines. I’ll let you know when I get the official answer.

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Post-production Supervisor
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles

POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY

[Jim Bruce]

Hi David,

Thanks for your response… though I’m now out 300 clams!

Put in an order at crucial.com for 4 GB of RAM.

I just hope my CPU keeps chugging along – it was a bit of a toss up on whether to just upgrade my whole system at this point but I figure my current G5 could make an excellent logging/digitizing station someday.

I look forward to your article.

thanks again.

Cheers,

Jim

[Jason Porthouse]

Jim,

Don’t sweat it… i cut HDV docs on a dual 2ghz G5 for a client of mine regularly, without a hitch or glitch in maybe 4 years, since the machine was shiney and new and cutting edge…

Make sure your storage is OK (minimum ext FW on a second FW card – the one I use is a SATA drive on a G-Tech SATA card) and you should be good to go. The 2ghz can handle HDV all day long – just go for a coffee when it renders. Your money will not be wasted, and you’ll find the G5 a trusty parner in crime if my experience is anything to go by…

Jason

[Tom Brooks]

Looks like it can use up to 4GB. Other programs like After Effects can suck in a lot more. Next version in new OS might be able to use more??

[Tad Newberry]

i just added 2 GB yesterday, when my system was FCP 5.0.4. my “System Profile” was showing all 4 GB, so i’m assuming FCP was able to access the 4GB as well. these chips were added to my original (4) 256 MB chips, which then had (2) 500 MB chips added last year. so, all 8 slots are currently filled. the next go ’round will be to throw those 256’s away (unless any of you want them from me at a really good price?) : ) and replace with 1 or 2 GB each. i’ve heard the G5 (Dual 2 GHz) can only accept a max of 8 GB RAM?

the funniest part was when i got back from the store and added my new (2) GB chips yesterday, i read a post here saying that Kingston chips were not good. guess what i had just installed? : )

so far, so good, but i’ll post more if i have any problems…

thanks for helping out a bonehead!
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dual 2 GHz PowerPC Mac G5
2GB MB DDR SDRAM
GeForce FX 5200 graphics card