G5 PPC Setup questions...

[ctyelvis]

Im setting up a second PT setup on an older g5 and have a couple a questions concerning the optimum setup of this 2.7ghz G5 and a PT8 HD3 system.
First, is there any advantage in having 8gb of ram over 4gb with PT8?

Question 2
It's recommended when using a drum program like BFD, to use a separate hard drive. There are only 2 internal drives in the G5. The second drive is dedicated to PT as an audio drive. Should I be running the BFD audio content from the main drive or should I use an external USB drive for BFD?

Thank you!
Chris

[jeremyroberts]

First, is there any advantage in having 8gb of ram over 4gb with PT8?

yes. you will run out of ram with 4gb if your run ANYTHING besides protools. and who doesn't run multiple apps (itunes, preview, safari, etc...). 8gb allows you to work without thinking of ever having to restart to reclaim ram.

Question 2
It's recommended when using a drum program like BFD, to use a separate hard drive. There are only 2 internal drives in the G5. The second drive is dedicated to PT as an audio drive. Should I be running the BFD audio content from the main drive or should I use an external USB drive for BFD?

Don't use USB. if anything, firewire800. But remember, if you mix FW800 with ANY FW400 (even if plugged into the mac directly) your firewire throughput gets squashed to 400, as it all shares 1 firewire bus.

Finally, don't neglect your backup solution.

[2fly]

Hi,

I put an extra drive in on the dvd buss and didn't come across any problems (tho' not sure if you're meant to!) I was using it for sample storage/playback so that might be an option for you...certainly saves on space

Also. personally speaking. I've been running both my G5ppc systems with 4gb or less with no noticeable hiccups either but I'm sure more ram can't hurt.

[Russ M.]

I've been running PT also on my g5 2x2 with only 4 gigs ram with no problems with FireFox, Acrobat and a number of others running.

[ctyelvis]

Thanks guys!