Dual Processor G4

[OddsAre]

Hey folks. I looked around a bit before I posted and couldn't find anything. But I am putting together a mobile rig with a Pro Tools Mix system (1 core, 3 farm, v. 6.4) with a Big Ben clock and 2 Appogee Rosetta 800/96's with the mix cards. My question is whether I should get a Dual Processor G4, or stick with a single. I remember hearing headaches years ago about duals. I am looking for extreme reliabilty as is anyone I assume. I currently run an HD3 system off a single 867 G4 with hardly any problems. Is it worth grabbing a dual? Just wondering if someone could shed some light. Thanks!!

[CHRIS AIKEN]

I'd love to hear opinions as well as I'm thinking of getting one for my 6.4 mix4 system.I currently use a single 1.25 but the increased used of htdm and soft synths see me taxing my system sometimes.

Chris

[Ploch Klaus]

In my opinion you should prefere a dual processor machine - as long as you use OSX!!!
A dual 1 GHz machine summs up to a processingpower of about a single processor with 1,8 GHz. So - i think its worth it (i use a Dual 533 MHz G4 with HD1, a Dual 1GHz G4 with HD2 and a Dual 2,5 GHz with Logic) - and to be honest - i cant remember my last crash (with OSX.3x, also my two PowerBooks never ever crash) - just read carefully what apple and digi wrote about how to install software (and repair disk permissions!).

[proxy]

Great results here with a QuickSilver Dual 1ghz. Very stable in general, and recently I put in a Mix++ and it seems to be stable too.

- Proxy

[OddsAre]

Thanks everyone,

Looks like I will try to find a dual machine. Hey Ploch, any idea where I could find where and what apple and digi have wriiten about installing software and repairing disk permissions?

Thanks again!

[Howardk]

Keep in mind that the first of the Mirror Door G4s had noisy power supplies and run really hot (which can be a problem with Digidesign cards). Apparently there is a hardware update available from apple or a 3rd party. I am not up on on the details of which specific models are a problem or how to obtain the update, which I believe involves replacing the power supply. I think the Quicksilver Macs are ok and my Dual-1.42GHz-G4 seems to run fairly cool and is not very loud. I am sure someone on this forum will know the details.

[peter kraemer]

yo, we are using a mirror door G4 dual 1ghz and have no probs with it. BUT...it´s really loud it´s okay if you have a machine room (or a silent rack).
machine is running stable with our mix+! no temperature probs.

[spinsong]

Another option to keep the noise down is the verax cooling kit for the G4 (do a search)...my verax modded dual 1.25 Ghz MDD g4 is pretty silent... comparable to a g5...

don't know which is more silent because I havent done a head to head controlled environment comparison, but the g5's weren't as silent as hyped up to be the last time I checked at the apple store...

plus the verax mod kit keeps your computer cooler

[minister]

any idea where I could find where and what apple and digi have wriiten about installing software and repairing disk permissions?

look at the top of this forum, about 4 permanent posts down. read the install manual.

[Ploch Klaus]

Exactly