Mac Pro 5.1 for PT 2018?

[danieleither]

I'm currently using PT10 HD3 on a Mac Pro 3.1 8-core system. It runs pretty well provided I stick to mostly DSP plugins. I do like using a LOT of plugins in my work and I find it won't cope with many native plugins and runs out of memory easily, despite the system having 32gb. I believe PT10 can only utilise 4gb so this may be the reason why.

I've been considering upgrade to a PT12 or newer HDX setup for a while now (mostly due to the offline bounce and track rendering functionality) however I also understand that the newer tech will handle native plugins more efficiently?

I will also upgrade the MAC. I despise the cylindrical shape of the newer 6.1 Mac Pros so I'm considering a used 5.1 system and would be grateful if people could advise what spec I should be looking for? e.g. 6-core of 12-core? Is 3.46GHz processor enough? Is 32gb enough memory or should I be looking at 48gb / 64gb / 96gb etc?

With regards my usage, I'm a home-studio producer working on my own music only. Only recording a few tracks simultaneously, most of the time tracking one track at a time. Mixture of analogue tracks and virtual instruments 50/50 and typical track counts 35-50.

What I'm looking to achieve is to be able to use a lot more native plugins (e.g. Soundtoys, Izotope, Waves) rather than be restricted to the Avid DSP plugins even though they are excellent.

[tclash]

I am running 2018.12 (regular) on a Mac Pro 4,1 that I flashed to a 5,1. I also recently upgraded the processor to a 6-core 3.46GHz and have 16GB of RAM. I haven't come anywhere near maxing it out, even on a 90 track mix with tons of plugs. This was at a 44.1 sample rate, and I use a fair amount of UAD plugs. But still, it was only hitting about 25% of CPU usage. I also use a lot of Soundtoys/Waves.

I came from PT10 HD Native... It seems like between 10 and 2018 they really optimized plugin CPU usage.

If you don't mind tinkering, you could probably find a 4,1 for cheap and then flash/upgrade. It was not at all difficult to swap out the CPU and the X5690 I put in was only $100.

[KV626]

Originally Posted by tclash

If you don't mind tinkering, you could probably find a 4,1 for cheap and then flash/upgrade. It was not at all difficult to swap out the CPU and the X5690 I put in was only $100.

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.

[tclash]

Originally Posted by KV626

Might be worth reminding that a 4,1 requires delidded CPUs.

The single CPU in 4,1's, like mine, doesn't need to be delidded. That's just the dual CPU models. Mine was a super simple swap.

[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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[the.engineer]

Also consider upgrading your stock 5770 graphics card (or whatever comes with the 3,1 or 4,1) to one that supports Metal. If you’re in the UK Create Pro will help you out. If not then MacVidCards are the place to look.


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[the.engineer]

Originally Posted by danieleither

I'm currently using PT10 HD3 on a Mac Pro 3.1 8-core system. It runs pretty well provided I stick to mostly DSP plugins. I do like using a LOT of plugins in my work and I find it won't cope with many native plugins and runs out of memory easily, despite the system having 32gb. I believe PT10 can only utilise 4gb so this may be the reason why.



I've been considering upgrade to a PT12 or newer HDX setup for a while now (mostly due to the offline bounce and track rendering functionality) however I also understand that the newer tech will handle native plugins more efficiently?



I will also upgrade the MAC. I despise the cylindrical shape of the newer 6.1 Mac Pros so I'm considering a used 5.1 system and would be grateful if people could advise what spec I should be looking for? e.g. 6-core of 12-core? Is 3.46GHz processor enough? Is 32gb enough memory or should I be looking at 48gb / 64gb / 96gb etc?



With regards my usage, I'm a home-studio producer working on my own music only. Only recording a few tracks simultaneously, most of the time tracking one track at a time. Mixture of analogue tracks and virtual instruments 50/50 and typical track counts 35-50.



What I'm looking to achieve is to be able to use a lot more native plugins (e.g. Soundtoys, Izotope, Waves) rather than be restricted to the Avid DSP plugins even though they are excellent.

Just seen that you’re in the UK, definitely check out Create Pro


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[steins]

Originally Posted by danieleither

I'm currently using PT10 HD3 on a Mac Pro 3.1 8-core system. It runs pretty well provided I stick to mostly DSP plugins. I do like using a LOT of plugins in my work and I find it won't cope with many native plugins and runs out of memory easily, despite the system having 32gb. I believe PT10 can only utilise 4gb so this may be the reason why.

I've been considering upgrade to a PT12 or newer HDX setup for a while now (mostly due to the offline bounce and track rendering functionality) however I also understand that the newer tech will handle native plugins more efficiently?

I will also upgrade the MAC. I despise the cylindrical shape of the newer 6.1 Mac Pros so I'm considering a used 5.1 system and would be grateful if people could advise what spec I should be looking for? e.g. 6-core of 12-core? Is 3.46GHz processor enough? Is 32gb enough memory or should I be looking at 48gb / 64gb / 96gb etc?

With regards my usage, I'm a home-studio producer working on my own music only. Only recording a few tracks simultaneously, most of the time tracking one track at a time. Mixture of analogue tracks and virtual instruments 50/50 and typical track counts 35-50.

What I'm looking to achieve is to be able to use a lot more native plugins (e.g. Soundtoys, Izotope, Waves) rather than be restricted to the Avid DSP plugins even though they are excellent.

I had the same setup as you before I upgraded to PT HD Native/Mac 4.1 (flashed to 5.1) 8-core a few years ago. Couldn't be happier. My mixes are usually 64-128 tracks with the usual plugins. No problems. I would consider 64GB Ram if you are using a lot of VIs. Look for the fastest Mac Pro 5.1 you can find, the 6 or 12-cores are not far behind the entry level Mac Pro 6.1 in performance.

[off the wall]

Originally Posted by danieleither

I'm currently using PT10 HD3 on a Mac Pro 3.1 8-core system. It runs pretty well provided I stick to mostly DSP plugins. I do like using a LOT of plugins in my work and I find it won't cope with many native plugins and runs out of memory easily, despite the system having 32gb. I believe PT10 can only utilise 4gb so this may be the reason why.

I've been considering upgrade to a PT12 or newer HDX setup for a while now (mostly due to the offline bounce and track rendering functionality) however I also understand that the newer tech will handle native plugins more efficiently?

I will also upgrade the MAC. I despise the cylindrical shape of the newer 6.1 Mac Pros so I'm considering a used 5.1 system and would be grateful if people could advise what spec I should be looking for? e.g. 6-core of 12-core? Is 3.46GHz processor enough? Is 32gb enough memory or should I be looking at 48gb / 64gb / 96gb etc?

With regards my usage, I'm a home-studio producer working on my own music only. Only recording a few tracks simultaneously, most of the time tracking one track at a time. Mixture of analogue tracks and virtual instruments 50/50 and typical track counts 35-50.

What I'm looking to achieve is to be able to use a lot more native plugins (e.g. Soundtoys, Izotope, Waves) rather than be restricted to the Avid DSP plugins even though they are excellent.

I use an upgraded Mac Pro 5,1 with Pro Tools 2018.12 MacOS 10.13.6 (see sig for full details). I have no issues whatsoever with this combo.

I would definitely look for dual processor 8 or 12 core machine and upgrade the processors to 3.46 which is the highest you can get for the 5,1. Also consider putting an SSD boot drive on the PCI bus.

[the.engineer]

Originally Posted by off the wall

I use an upgraded Mac Pro 5,1 with Pro Tools 2018.12 MacOS 10.13.6 (see sig for full details). I have no issues whatsoever with this combo.

I would definitely look for dual processor 8 or 12 core machine and upgrade the processors to 3.46 which is the highest you can get for the 5,1. Also consider putting an SSD boot drive on the PCI bus.

Hey offthewall, I have nearly the exact same setup as you (bar the 12-core and PCIe boot drive, although that's in the post!) are you not getting any GUI lag on clips when editing? I'm having real trouble, very laggy compared to 11.2.2 HD on 10.9.4.