NMacPro 16 Core or 24 Core

[louisenslinproduce]

HI Guys. I would love some input and advice on this.



I have read quite a few articles regarding clock speed vs core count and that Protools doesn't really take advantage of all the cores. Also I see Avid posted that the new 24 and 28 core Mac Pros can cause CPU errors when using low buffer sizes o n HDN?


So 2 questions:


1: Lets assume cost is not an issue ( it is, but lets assume) Will the 24 core machine out perform the 16 core machine?


( I use and HDX system )


2: Regarding VI's, currently I have a separate drive with all my VI samples loaded. Would it be beneficial to get the 8Tb internal SSD option on the NMac Pro and install all the VI samples essentially on the system drive? Or maybe partition the internal HD ( If you can with the new T2 chip) and install all the vi samples on that so they'll be running off the SSD



Sorry one more. If I go with the 16 core, maybe investing in an additional HDX can to help with processing power, mind you most of my pluggins are native, so maybe all that would allow is a higher voice count? Or is that a complete waste?


Thanks in advance.

[uptheoctave]

I have the 16 core and it is ridiculously powerful.
I would go with that.

[JFreak]

If cost is not an issue, more powerful machine is obviously more powerful. But if it is, I would invest my money in more internal SSD than more than 16 cores.

[louisenslinproduce]

Originally Posted by octatonic

I have the 16 core and it is ridiculously powerful.
I would go with that.

Thanks James


So I would defiantly feel the difference from my current 12 core 2013 trashcan?

[JFreak]

Originally Posted by louisenslinproduce

So I would defiantly feel the difference from my current 12 core 2013 trashcan?

I think so. As per everymac.com the Geekbench4 scores are:

2019 16-core:
- Single Core 5197
- Multi Core 56861

2013 12-core:
- Single Core 3343
- Multi Core 25124

[louisenslinproduce]

Originally Posted by JFreak

If cost is not an issue, more powerful machine is obviously more powerful. But if it is, I would invest my money in more internal SSD than more than 16 cores.

Thanks Janne


Would you know why the 24 and 28 core machines have CPU errors on the HDN systems as per Avids info?


Im currently on a 12 core 2013 trashcan, and its been amazing over the past 6 years. But a friend of mine with a similar setup but the 6 core actually told me that when he researched it, the less cores, but higher clock speeds work better with protools.


Would you know if theres any research to back this, or does more cores = more performance withing protools specifically?


Thanks so much




side note, I mainly do post ( high track counts )I often mac my voice count out with my 1 x HDX card. And do a fair amount of composition with VI's .


So Im wondering of investing in another HDX card and getting the 16 core instead of the 24 core and only having the 1 HDX card. Maybe better idea?

[JFreak]

Originally Posted by louisenslinproduce

Would you know why the 24 and 28 core machines have CPU errors on the HDN systems as per Avids info?

Maybe a timing issue. What I have understood is the 24/28 core machines use faster memory than the "slower" versions. HDN has been discontinued and reported being problematic so cannot really say what is the real problem there.

[louisenslinproduce]

Originally Posted by JFreak

Maybe a timing issue. What I have understood is the 24/28 core machines use faster memory than the "slower" versions. HDN has been discontinued and reported being problematic so cannot really say what is the real problem there.

Thanks Janne


Sorry, did you say HDN is dinscontinued? So will there only be HDX?

[JFreak]

HDN PCI-express card is discontinued, HDN ThunderBolt box is still being sold

[Farhoof]

The 24 and 28 core have lower base clocks compared to the 16 core. But all 3 have the same 4.4 GHz turbo boost for pushing single core speeds (as reflected in the same single core geekbench scores). How this affects Protools real world performance is probably a different story but I highly doubt it's worth the extra 5000,-(!).
All I would want is faster audiosuite rendering, I can play large sessions (i'm in post) just fine on my old 5.1 cheesegrater since forever.

Regarding HDX, I would go either HDX2 or HD Native with voice packs. HDX1 is less powerful (for me) compared to Native since the entire card is filled with 'mixer' and I cant even run dsp plugins and there is extra delays due to switching native plugins to dsp mixer. You will need HDX2 though if you want 128 IO for Dolby Atmos.