Which Mac Mini: 2.7 GHz Dual-Core or 2.0 GHz Quad-Core???

[ProMac07]

Hey everyone. I'm going to be buying a new computer soon to run Pro Tools on. I decided to get a Mac Mini for now with 8GB of Ram and with a SSD. I'm just trying to figure out which Mac Mini should I be getting?

2.7 GHz Dual-Core i7 or 2.0 GHz Quad-Core i7 (Server)

I'm doing Hip Hop/R&B production and probably won't be using too many tracks. As for plug-ins I still don't know how many I'll be using yet.

Which one will be more beneficial to me? I know that the 2.7 GHz dual-core has more power but less cores than the 2.0 GHz quad-core model.

Does Pro Tools benefit from having more cores?
(I read on this site that unless your doing multitasking you don't really need multi-cores.)
http://angelaharris.hubpages.com/hub...ors-Comparison



Thanks, Jay

[CME]

Pro tools is multi-threaded so I'm pretty sure the quad-core server would be the way to go. It also includes 2 hard drives out of the box. Another plus.

And just my .02 but I'd upgrade the RAM and SSD myself. It will save you a good deal of money. Also the new minis can run up to 16gb of ram. Not the 8gb apple says. However there is a big jump in price between 8gb and 16gb. By still something to consider.

[jryser]

I just paid 349 for 16 GB. Well worth the upgrade!


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[ProMac07]

Cool, so I would benefit from the quad-core. I read somewhere on these forums that:

4 x 2.0GHz = 8
2 x 2.7GHz = 5.4

Is this true?

Yeah, I'm upgrading the RAM myself, from macsales.com, with 8gb going for $49.99. Apple charges way too much. So u can run 16gb of ram, cool.

As for the hard drives, I didn't know you can upgrade that as well on a Mac Mini, but that's what I'm gonna do now. Is it better to have an internal Solid State Drive or externally, do u know?


Also, what do u think about running Pro Tools on a Mac Mini, will it be able to keep up?

[CME]

Not sure about the first part of your post but maybe you're referring to hyper threading??? If so yes pro tools will see 4-processors in the dual core i7 mini and 8-cores in the quad.

Yes you can upgrade the hd. Don't remember what sites but there's instructions and how to's out there. It does require a bit of disassembly if memory serves though. And I'd personally go with a ssd internal for the os and apps and have a second internal drive to record to. But keep it a 7200 rpm standard drive.

As far as performance goes, for most people it should be plenty. But you can push any system to its limits if you want to. Really a lot of VI's and amp modeler plugs are the most taxing. I don't use those very often but something to consider. My 2.6 ghz c2d MacBook Pro is still plenty for me. And the quad-core mini is probably 3-4x more powerful.


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[ProMac07]

Yeah I guess I meant multi-threading.

Wait so you use the Solid State Drive for the OS and apps? I thought that was gonna be used for recording?

Also the quad-core brings 2 hard drives (both 7200rpm), so are you saying to take one out, install the SSD and just leave the other 7200rpm Hd there?

[Obsidian Dragon]

Originally Posted by ProMac07

Yeah I guess I meant multi-threading.

Wait so you use the Solid State Drive for the OS and apps? I thought that was gonna be used for recording?

Also the quad-core brings 2 hard drives (both 7400rpm), so are you saying to take one out, install the SSD and just leave the other 7400rpm Hd there?

In most cases, the SSD will help the OS more (faster OS startup, faster application loading, etc.) than the recording drive. This is because the recording process is a sequential writing process and SSD's strength is reading speeds (not writing speeds). SSD's have improved their writing speeds with each new generation so things are getting better. Some folks have had good success recording to an SSD but some have not. Spinning discs are still the media of choice for recording for now.

Please note that the Mac Mini server in it's unchanged configuration comes with 2 5400RPM drives. To get the 2 7200RPM drives is an extra cost option. Also the server comes with Lion Server for the OS. This puts quite a lot of unnecessary applications and services on the OS that may negatively affect the way Protools works. You may consider formatting and loading the regular Lion OS.

[tekis]

Got a MMS! Came stock w/ dual 7200rpm drives. Digging it!

[ProMac07]

So I see. Cool, I guess I'll be using the SSD for the OS, apps and stuff.

Good to hear tekis! Can u give me any feedback.

Obisidian Dragon, the new server models now come with dual 7200rmp drives like Tekis said, go to apple and check it out.


Yeah that's the other thing I was wondering what's so different about the Server model?

I was reading this thread and I'm worrying about any problems I might run into:
http://duc.avid.com/showthread.php?t=307472

[tekis]

It's all been said in that thread. I got 8 gb ram from OWC. I thought about the ssd but haven't seemed to need it so far. Presently, they're expensive...