Mac Pro 5.1 for PT 2018?

[ProtoolsLover]

Originally Posted by the.engineer

I run a 2010 5,1 Mac Pro (see my profile for specs) and I’m bugged by a GUI lag that is driving me insane. I’ve just upgraded to 2018.12 on 10.13.6 and it’s still there. Avid know about it but that’s as far as they’ve got. Otherwise the 5,1 Mac Pro’s with the 3.46GHz 6-core are awesome.


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You need to upgrade your video card.

[ProtoolsLover]

Originally Posted by KV626

Might be worth reminding that a 4,1 requires delidded CPUs. Although far from impossible, that's an extra step that needs to be taken with caution... A "true" 5,1 is a very simple upgrade by comparison.

Delided only for dual 6 core CPU’s

Deliding CPU’s is insanely easy.

[the.engineer]

Originally Posted by ProtoolsLover

You need to upgrade your video card.

Hey ProtoolsLover, I have an AMD Radeon R9 280X 3072MB. That is upgraded...isn't it?

[ProtoolsLover]

Originally Posted by the.engineer

Hey ProtoolsLover, I have an AMD Radeon R9 280X 3072MB. That is upgraded...isn't it?

I just googled that card and there seems to be a lot of issues with it due to power supply needs.

I can tell you that a 4.1 to 5.1 12 core MacPro with a comparable video card slays it. I don’t remember which Video Card I chose (will check when I get gone) but it enables me to run 2 34” ultra-wide monitors and I have zero issues graphically, and the computer screams. 31k Geekbench Scores.

[the.engineer]

Thanks for the info, would love to hear which graphics card you're using.

I did have an issue with power cables but got it sorted.

[tclash]

I just put in a flashed AMD 7950 and I seem to be having less graphics lag, although I haven't really put it through its paces yet.

[the.engineer]

Originally Posted by tclash

I just put in a flashed AMD 7950 and I seem to be having less graphics lag, although I haven't really put it through its paces yet.

Would love to hear how you get on with after more extensive testing. I went for my current card as it has 2x Mini Display Ports which work with my 27" LED Cinema Display

[tclash]

Originally Posted by the.engineer

Would love to hear how you get on with after more extensive testing. I went for my current card as it has 2x Mini Display Ports which work with my 27" LED Cinema Display

Did some more mixing today... The 7950 has definitely helped. I was running a stock GT120 and used to have a lot of GUI lag, especially when adjusting Soundtoys plugs (the Decapitator was the biggest offender), and those issues seem to have disappeared.

I use 1 DVI and 1 Mini Display port to run two 'vintage' 20" Apple LCD Cinema Displays, but the card has one more Mini Display port.

Not sure what these would run in the UK, but I got it off ebay for less than $200. It was flashed by the seller and supports boot screen.

Hope that's helpful.

[chipss36]

a few notes on the 5,1 dual processor , I have found its better to fill memory slots 123 then 567, leave 4 and 8 empty, geek bench scores jump up a great deal in doing so, and beat a few trash can Mac pros score wise now,
I run a macvidcards flashed 780ti card and it works well power wise just using the two 6 pin on backplane to 8 pin cables using the a EVGA PowerLink. and have my boot manager!
I tryed using pcie card for my ssd's messed up boot camp and removed my boot manager, and 3 days of issues...errr removed card.
the difference in speed from the old drive sleds that work perfect,and the outboard hard drive cards is not all that great, 400mbs, vrs 500. "ish"
never have I had issues with drive speeds using ssds anyway in pro tools. ...I just use the drive sleads now. plug the ssd directly in the backplane, run usb3 and usb-c cards and both work well. and I find useful, no issues.

anyway about the only thing I have found that even pushed this rig, cpu wise, is running a mastering program like isotope, on a big mix, not that I would master on a full*mix, anyway love my old Mac Pro, it beats a few trashcan Mac pros, on Geekbench, and has worked just fine on some pretty large mixes, with a bunch of plugs.

biggest problem is I still suck at mixing and mastering.....

[arche3]

Originally Posted by chipss36

a few notes on the 5,1 dual processor , I have found its better to fill memory slots 123 then 567, leave 4 and 8 empty, geek bench scores jump up a great deal in doing so, and beat a few trash can Mac pros score wise now,
I run a macvidcards flashed 780ti card and it works well power wise just using the two 6 pin on backplane to 8 pin cables using the a EVGA PowerLink. and have my boot manager!
I tryed using pcie card for my ssd's messed up boot camp and removed my boot manager, and 3 days of issues...errr removed card.
the difference in speed from the old drive sleds that work perfect,and the outboard hard drive cards is not all that great, 400mbs, vrs 500. "ish"
never have I had issues with drive speeds using ssds anyway in pro tools. ...I just use the drive sleads now. plug the ssd directly in the backplane, run usb3 and usb-c cards and both work well. and I find useful, no issues.

anyway about the only thing I have found that even pushed this rig, cpu wise, is running a mastering program like isotope, on a big mix, not that I would master on a full*mix, anyway love my old Mac Pro, it beats a few trashcan Mac pros, on Geekbench, and has worked just fine on some pretty large mixes, with a bunch of plugs.

biggest problem is I still suck at mixing and mastering.....

Interesting about leaving 2 ram slots empty. Is this much better? Or small improvement?