Question about getting a new mac computer, PCI-x/PCI-e compatibility, PT...

[James Lugo]

MY studio A computer is on it's last leg, it's an old dual 2 gig G5 with Tiger running PT7.4. I have been looking into getting another old G5, 2.7 and running the same system setup Tiger/PT7.4. After a lot of struggling back and forth I just don't think it's gonna be the right thing to do. Honestly the last thing I wanna do is upgrade but I think it's time. I have a lot of questions and I really need help guys. Please don't turn this into an Avid is the devil protools squabble.

So here are my questions:

1. What is a good used mac to get to run an HD rig? Maybe an intel quad core? Maybe something really good but not new (money is a major issue having just moved).

2. What operating system and protools version is best? Honestly I have stayed clear of all the protools 10 threads so I know only a little of what it's about. Would a system running 8 or 9 be good? What are the differences? And what about operating system, is Leopard the way to go or Snow Leopard? Do some operating systems work better with certain versions of PT? Also I see some of the system drives are a TB on some the intels, is that to big? What's an optimum size and speed of a system drive?

3. I have PT7.4 now what is entailed in going to 8, 9 or 10? How much? I had a friend tell me he felt protools 9 didn't sound as good as 8, anyone else?

4. I have a 64 bit Magma chassis with 5 HD accel cards that is PCI-X. How well does it run with the PCI-E card convertor in the computer? How is the latency when tracking? Is it any different then what I have now? What is the model of card that will take my PCI-X magma chassis and connect to my PCI-E intel mac?

How are some of these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-Mac-Pr...#ht_500wt_1156

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-Mac-Pr...item4cfa9a0c33

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-Comput...ht_1932wt_1188
Thanks James

[James Lugo]

bump

[Cans]

Originally Posted by James Lugo

1. What is a good used mac to get to run an HD rig? Maybe an intel quad core? Maybe something really good but not new (money is a major issue having just moved).

Moving from your G5 a quad core mac pro will smoke it, if you're moderately tech savvy i'm sure you could pick up a used bare mac pro for pretty cheap, then just go pick up some SATA hard drives and some ECC ram and you'll be good to go for much cheaper than buying from apple.

(and don't let anyone lie to you, there's nothing *special* about "apple" ram, if you're really concerned with compatibility look up some spec sheets and just find ram that runs at the same cas latency and voltage as "mac" ram)

Originally Posted by James Lugo

2. What operating system and protools version is best? Honestly I have stayed clear of all the protools 10 threads so I know only a little of what it's about. Would a system running 8 or 9 be good? What are the differences? And what about operating system, is Leopard the way to go or Snow Leopard? Do some operating systems work better with certain versions of PT? Also I see some of the system drives are a TB on some the intels, is that to big? What's an optimum size and speed of a system drive?

My advice would be go straight to snow leopard, you might want to avoid lion as i've heard a few negative things about it from different people, but it may work for you. As for PT versions my understanding is you may want to go straight for 9 and wait on 10 or maybe even skip it. Maybe someone with more PT knowledge can provide input on this.

Originally Posted by James Lugo

3. I have PT7.4 now what is entailed in going to 8, 9 or 10? How much? I had a friend tell me he felt protools 9 didn't sound as good as 8, anyone else?

My understanding would be that moving to 9 or 10 wouldn't entail much unless you're talking about going with HD in which case i think you ship off your old HD cards to them and they supply you with new ones for an upgrade fee.

Originally Posted by James Lugo

4. I have a 64 bit Magma chassis with 5 HD accel cards that is PCI-X. How well does it run with the PCI-E card convertor in the computer? How is the latency when tracking? Is it any different then what I have now? What is the model of card that will take my PCI-X magma chassis and connect to my PCI-E intel mac?

I can't provide any input on this as i'm not familiar with Magma products, What do you mean by PCI-X?

Originally Posted by James Lugo

How are some of these:
Apple Mac Pro 2.8 Intel Xeon Quad Core 4 GB RAM 500 GB HD | eBay

Apple Mac Pro Intel 5150 Zeon 2.66GHz Dual-Core 1TB 8GB RAM DVD-/+ RW MA356LL/A | eBay

Apple Computer Mac Pro Quad Core Intel Xeon 2.0 GHz Desktop OSX 8GB Ram 750GB Hd | eBay
Thanks James

I would probably opt for the first one as it has the best CPU of the three and disk space/ram are easily upgraded.

Hopefully this helps.

[James Lugo]

Originally Posted by Cans

My understanding would be that moving to 9 or 10 wouldn't entail much unless you're talking about going with HD in which case i think you ship off your old HD cards to them and they supply you with new ones for an upgrade fee.

Thanks. I can run HD 9 with my old PCI-X Accel cards?

[Cans]

Originally Posted by James Lugo

Thanks. I can run HD 9 with my old PCI-X Accel cards?

I wouldn't see why not, but don't take my word for it, all sorts of weird shit happens generation to generation with hardware. If you can provide more information on the specific cards you have I might be able to dig up some more info for you, but your best bet is just to talk to one of the Avid guys.

[James Lugo]

They are just standard PCI-X HD accel cards from like 7 years ago. I did speak to Magma and my chassis won't work I have to get a new chassis. Fukk.

[Krubbadoo]

James, I was in a simlar situation and found a PE6R4-I Magma chassis here for 1k. I almost bought brand new at 2.5K but decided to put WTB wherever I could and it did pay off. I recommend this to you.
You should probably buy a newer 4 core MacPro instead of an (before Nehalem) 8 core. Knowing Avid's way of working, I suspect the older ones won't be supported soon, and you'll also benefit from Hyper-threading on newer machines. Refurbished ones are not as expensive.
I was pretty reluctant on upgrading my old G5 HD3 PCIx setup, but I did buy a Westmere 8 core and used Magma to be able to keep the old Cards and everything works flawless on HD10. You get LOTS of power with the Native side adding to the TDM cards. I honestly think that this setup can last several years. Best of luck to you. Don't hesitate if I can helpin any way.

Mart
Krubbadoo@hotmail.com

[Cans]

Originally Posted by Krubbadoo

You should probably buy a newer 4 core MacPro instead of an (before Nehalem) 8 core. Knowing Avid's way of working, I suspect the older ones won't be supported soon, and you'll also benefit from Hyper-threading on newer machines.

That gave me a good laugh, good way to slam Avid. Though unless they decide they're gonna try and implement a *smaller* instruction set it'll be damn near impossible to stop supporting an (not so much) older cpu.

Hyperthreading would be valuable, but just HOW valuable?

My advice is always this: Will the extra money provide an efficiency increase that can maximize your profits? Or is it a situation where you think it's a good idea but the reality of it is that it's a waste of money because you're not actually utilizing that extra power.

Just some food for thought.

[James Lugo]

Cans it feels like a total waste of money, I don't want to upgrade it's just the other option is buy another older G5, maybe a 2.7 with light use and hope for the best. Personally mixing on a console I couldn't care less I barely use the system half the time anyway.

But it just looks like going intel is going to be to expensive right now with my move and all, I am tapped out.

[Krubbadoo]

Avid's been good to me on the overall HD7 to HD10 upgrade process since I've had the chance to get a hold on an HD9 upgrade which got free upgrade to HD10. I must also state that their customer service's been great with me throughout the whole thing. Still, I recommend to James to be careful with which Mac to buy so he can benefit from better support and 'easier' future upgrades. I must state that I see a big benefit in using a powerful Mac to be able to use RTAS processing as an addition.

[Krubbadoo]

Of course if you don't need' a new up to date computer and don't do Midi stuff very much with virtual instruments ,just get a big G5 and be in for the smallest expense.

[Cans]

Originally Posted by James Lugo

Cans it feels like a total waste of money, I don't want to upgrade it's just the other option is buy another older G5, maybe a 2.7 with light use and hope for the best. Personally mixing on a console I couldn't care less I barely use the system half the time anyway.

But it just looks like going intel is going to be to expensive right now with my move and all, I am tapped out.

Have you gotten a good life out of your current G5?

The biggest thing i'm seeing is that the old PPC macs are being phased out entirely and the'yre beginning to lose software support.

the other thing is moving to an entirely native 64 bit OS will give you plenty of options for resource allocation. If anything get an older intel mac pro over another g5 if you can even if it costs more, it'll be worth it.

[muziekschuur]

I think the new thunderbolt will create a way of using all those old cards...
I moderate the Tascamforums and a developer of the Tascam DM3200/DM4800's mentioned firewire is part of the Thunderbolt protocol.

I assume next year there will be alot of thunderbolt devices. Maybe a way to attach your Magma chassis to a Mac mini server. A Mac mini server is relatively cheap (1000 euro's) and has thunderbolt. This way you could use the Protools cards in the new environment...

If you can hold out that long.... Plenty of heavey dual dual Mac pro's being dumped. There is a whole world of secondhand market around the current Mac Pro's. Maybe a hackintosh could be something. That way you could have a slot for the PCI card from the MAGMA. Giving you all the benefit of the older gear. Protools 7.4 still is golden..

Maybe a move to a simple Windows machine with a core7 ? This way you could buy a puter wich still has the desired PCI slot to put the MAGMA card in?
The Windows pc as a backup to the Mac untill you are comfortable with it? A current i7 is very very fast. And would bring you many many RTAS plugins extra.