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What should I buy?
I’m going to be adding another editing computer to my business setup. Right now I have a 2GHz PowerPC G5. Memory is 4.5 GB DDR SDRAM. And my FCP version is Final Cut Pro HD 4.5
I’ve been actually somewhat disappointed lately with this setup. I feel like I’m always rendering (even when I have the settings on playback and low quality). And my FCP has been acting sluggish as well. I make a cut or I move a clip down the timeline and it waits 3 beats before actually completing it.
I don’t think it’s memory or space because it was acting the same way even when I freed up a lot of memory, and I still have about 47GB combined on my two internal drives.
Anyway, I digress. What would you suggest as a good computer to look into for a second editing system?
Also, I’ve heard that Final Cut Express is supposed to be so fantastic as far as rendering time and speed. Is that true? How would Final Cut Express be different than if I did an upgrade from my current 4.5 version?
So I guess, bottom line, if you were looking to buy something with the best performance imaginable, what would get?
Sally
Sal
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4 Replies
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How ’bout the latest and greatest MacPro Tower? That’s what I would get. The other situation you have going on there is that your older computer sounds like it needs some maintenance. Do you perform regular maintenance? If not, your new computer will end up like the old one. Just a word of caution.
Kevin Monahan
http://www.fcpworld.com
Author – Motion Graphics and Effects in Final Cut Pro -
[sally obrien] “I don’t think it’s memory or space because it was acting the same way even when I freed up a lot of memory, and I still have about 47GB combined on my two internal drives.”
Sally,
47gb remaing drive space is nothing. And you say that’s total on two drives. This alone is a killer. Since you bought that system hard drives have dropped in price by a thousand percent. 500gb drives are only $100.
Also, FCP 4.5 is ancient history. FCP is much more efficient in later versions, having been better optimized for realtime capabiliy.
The bottom line is, you can get a lot more out of that aging computer by simply upgrading the hard drives, the O.S. and FCP, or you can buy the whole enchalada. Its sounds like you want to save some dough, so I encourage you to try the upgrade path first, the hardware and software will be useful in any new machine you buy later, so you have nothing to lose.
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.
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I think the upgrade from 4.5 to FCS2 is $700. So it’s not like you have to lay out the whole $1,200+ for the latest FCP. (I’m sure FCExpress is much cheaper though. 🙂
Ed -
I’m with everyone else here as well. Upgrade to FCS-2 for $700.00 and buy some 500 or 750 Gb drives. Like David said you can take that investment with you if you upgrade your tower in the end but it might make all the difference in the world. Also make sure your 4.5GB of ram is in matching pairs and properly installed in consecutive slots.
“thou can not stir a flower without crumbling a star” ……Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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