Pro Tools HDX and 4K monitors
 

I'm seeing high CPU usage running at Ultra HD resolution, I can find one reference suggesting that this is a known issue (from last year) – any update on this, Avid?

I am on a MacPro5,1 (2010 6-core), Pro Tools 12.8.1, macOS 10.12.6, HDX, and in this case testing Fabfilter Saturn 1.17 with five bands. At a buffer size of 256 (at 96k), with just signal generator and Saturn instantiated, CPU is spiking up to 100% and the test tone is non-continuous.

What changed in my setup is upgrading my GPU to a RX 480 (and macOS to 10.12.6, which I know isn't qualified). I'm wondering if it's something to do with PCIe bus bandwidth. Switching to a CoreAudio playback engine seems to resolve the problem at the same buffer size, and switching back down to 1080p (so far) seems to make things better, although I need to do more testing. Obviously, putting the old GPU in is the next thing I'm going to try.

Re: Pro Tools HDX and 4K monitors
 

My understanding is that high powered graphics cards will reduce CPU performance.

Re: Pro Tools HDX and 4K monitors
 

Thanks Bob – do you think this would still be an issue even when running at lower resolutions? Since switching back to 1080p, touch wood, it seems to be a bit better. I'm kind of trying to avoid having to put the old card back in...

Re: Pro Tools HDX and 4K monitors
 

I have no idea but these things aren't nearly as linear as we'd like.

Re: Pro Tools HDX and 4K monitors
 

Well said. I'll keep investigating.

Re: Pro Tools HDX and 4K monitors
 

Has anyone tested 4K performance on High Sierra, anything improved?

Re: Pro Tools HDX and 4K monitors
 

Why do you need to run the Pro Tools screen at such high resolutions? I can remember when running Pro Tools Version 5 or 6, we used to change the graphics from Millions of colors to Thousands of colors and it making a dramatic difference. I'm sure those things are the same. Processing is processing. If you want to spend it on 4K resolution of the monitor, that's your choice. But I would assume that you will pay a price in Pro Tools performance. There is a point at which you don't get any better view of Pro Tools, so why spend the processor bandwidth?

Re: Pro Tools HDX and 4K monitors
 

I have a 4K display and it looks best at its native resolution. Sure, I can swap it out, but once you go Retina it’s hard to go back ;)

Re: Pro Tools HDX and 4K monitors
 

You are the one who has to decide whether having the power you need to mix without restrictions is important enough to go with the lower viewing resolution. Latency usually comes along with the package. Nothing bothers me more than having laggy meters. YMMV.

Re: Pro Tools HDX and 4K monitors
 

I’m aware of that :) my question was whether anything had changed in High Sierra, that’s all.