Processor recommendations for new MacPro

[Eric Seaberg]

We're finally upgrading our mid-2012 MacPros to new and am wondering if anyone has a recommendation for the CPU? 12-core? 16-core? Is the 8-core enough?

We'd load them with minimum 48GB RAM and probably bump up the graphics to Radeon Pro W5700X with 16GB.

We will NOT be using Avid hardware in most of the machines but using Thunderbolt to Focusrite Dante. We do have two systems that will retain HDX-2 cards as we need 128-IO on both of those, but the rest can certainly run on the 32-IO limitation.

Thanks for the help. We want to move on these quickly before Apple turns everything into M1, knowing it's going to take Avid quite a while to catch-up.

[bzone]

Originally Posted by Eric Seaberg

We're finally upgrading our mid-2012 MacPros to new and am wondering if anyone has a recommendation for the CPU? 12-core? 16-core? Is the 8-core enough?

We'd load them with minimum 48GB RAM and probably bump up the graphics to Radeon Pro W5700X with 16GB.

We will NOT be using Avid hardware in most of the machines but using Thunderbolt to Focusrite Dante. We do have two systems that will retain HDX-2 cards as we need 128-IO on both of those, but the rest can certainly run on the 32-IO limitation.

Thanks for the help. We want to move on these quickly before Apple turns everything into M1, knowing it's going to take Avid quite a while to catch-up.

Upgraded to the 7.1 with the 16 core. If you check specs it’s the best advancement for where your coming from. Running 384 gigs of ram and Sonnet m.2 cards with Samsung SSD ‘s on HDX 3 system for ATMOS and other audio. Don’t know if you need video capabilities or audio. Been very stable and quick compared to old duel 6.1’s system for scoring with VEP and VI’s.


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[Eric Seaberg]

Originally Posted by bzone

Don’t know if you need video capabilities or audio.

Strictly audio but a couple of these systems are doing audio post to picture, so we will upgrade all of them to the "midfield" Radeon W5700Z graphics card.

Thanks again for the thoughts!!

[JFreak]

Originally Posted by Eric Seaberg

Strictly audio

You would be fine with a 2002 G4 laptop then. Assuming I understand your workflow the slightest, you should put your money into GPU and memory. CPU will be more than enough for you even if you opted for the cheapest.

[DetroitT]

Worth noting is the rack version can open / add / remove cards without unplugging-all on backside as you’ll need to do with the tower version.

[Eric Seaberg]

Originally Posted by JFreak

You would be fine with a 2002 G4 laptop then. Assuming I understand your workflow the slightest, you should put your money into GPU and memory. CPU will be more than enough for you even if you opted for the cheapest.

Actually we've settled on a config that our production systems engineers recently built for some of our video editors, Avid, Premiere & DaVinci, and we decided to build the same systems for audio. It'll be a lot of horsepower, but they want to keep everyone the same. Will probably add dual-channel fiber cards to get faster access to the SAN.

[Southsidemusic]

Just curious - Why are you asking here if you have your own ”production systems engineers” plural?? Seems weird IMO

[bzone]

Originally Posted by Eric Seaberg

Strictly audio but a couple of these systems are doing audio post to picture, so we will upgrade all of them to the "midfield" Radeon W5700Z graphics card.

Thanks again for the thoughts!!

Understand, for 4K it will be great. The Scale Logic System is fantastic. Doing multiple shows, daily’s or large scale theatrical it gives you a lot of control and options. Don’t know if you will need more cores to speed along. We chose the 7.1 rack version to get in and out of quickly if needed.


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[Eric Seaberg]

Originally Posted by bzone

Understand, for 4K it will be great. The Scale Logic System is fantastic. Doing multiple shows, daily’s or large scale theatrical it gives you a lot of control and options. Don’t know if you will need more cores to speed along. We chose the 7.1 rack version to get in and out of quickly if needed.


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Yup, we're doing the rack, as well. We're adding a couple of SSL System-T consoles later and the rack MacPros will rack along side the SSL engines.

Thanks again to everyone for the input!!

[dominicperry]

There's a good video (2 in fact, but the second one is very short) on YouTube by Neil Parfitt, who works in music composition and sound to picture, about sizing a Mac Pro for audio work. It may not answer all your questions but it's informative and he's a clever guy. He uses PT and HDX and MTRX, UAD and a room filled with analog gear too. And Logic on the same machine.

His conclusion is that 16 core is the sweet spot from a price/performance perspective, although he bought the 28 core for his own use.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXl4rPEgFBA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMC2EEu-6aM