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 All Forums >> [Tips, Tricks, & Tutorials] >> Using Digital Juice Products with Final Cut Pro >> Best video card for 24" iMac? | Page: [1] |
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Farley Posts: 274 Joined: 8/5/2006 Status: offline
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Hi- I'm thinking of getting a refurbished 24" iMac to use with Final Cut Express (and Juice, of course!), as well as some effects packages. I know I'll need to max out the RAM (4 gb, apparently), but am confused which would be the best video card for rendering, effects, and the sorts of mischief that Juicers like to get up to? Some of the stock cards offered are the ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO with 256MB memory and the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M with 256MB memory. Then I had an Apple Genius tell me that Nvidia GT120 was the clearly superior choice. So HELP! I'd like to use the machine for compositing multiple layers of effects (not always, but sometimes), and have the ability to work with projects up to feature length (say, 90 minutes). And while I'd like to get a Mac Pro with 8 cores, my current level of (ahem) employment suggests that I try to penny-pinch with a refurbbed iMac if possible. Your thoughts will be VERY appreciated! Thanks! _____________________________ -Steve ---------------------- (4 shelves of Juice) |
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Best video card for 24" iMac? - 
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wizard Posts: 6029 Joined: 2/15/2006 From: New Hampshire, USA Status: offline
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Be careful of how old the iMac you choose could be, especially if you plan to do any updates to keep your apps current. Check what the requirements are for the Express version you want to get. Plus I just found out that the new OS being released in September will only work on Intel based Macs (meaning it won't work on my G5 - UGH). Just something to consider. _____________________________ Pops (in reply to Farley) |
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David M. Brewer Posts: 1659 Joined: 11/11/2006 From: Denver, CO Status: offline
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Make sure the Mac you get is completly compatible with Snow Leopard. Especially the video card!!! H.264 compression and playback is going to move to the video card (is going to be fast). Quicktime X (10) is a whole new animal...new build completely. http://www.apple.com/macosx/technology/#quicktimex Click on the surfer video... (in reply to Farley) |
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dew Posts: 38 Joined: 4/17/2007 Status: offline
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Not trying to hi jack your post but I was coming on to ask the same question, almost. I am looking at a new I Mac 24" 1 TB drive, 4g, core due 3.6ghz, Geoforce GT 130 512mb but I want to run Studio. MacPro to much for me. I am on Avid NLE but need FCP as many of the jobs I see in my area are looking for FCP editors. Wanted the whole studio to learn it all.
(in reply to David M. Brewer) |
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Farley Posts: 274 Joined: 8/5/2006 Status: offline
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D'OH!!!! After not getting much response on the video card question, I finally went ahead and purchased a 24" iMac which is the slightly older generation (and was a lot cheaper). BUT...I now learn that the graphics card (ATI Radeon 2600) will not be supported for the Open CL improvements in Snow Leopard. So I'm having buyer's remorse, and my iMac isn't even here yet (though it's "in the mail," so I can either accept it or get a 15% restocking fee). Supported cards (for Open CL) include: * NVIDIA Geforce 8600M GT, GeForce 8800 GT, GeForce 8800 GTS, Geforce 9400M, GeForce 9600M GT, GeForce GT 120, GeForce GT 130. * ATI Radeon 4850, Radeon 4870 Note that if you don't have a supported card, it doesn't mean Snow Leopard won't work on your computer...it just means you won't see any benefit from Open CL. In the meanwhile, if there's anyone out there with a 24" iMac, 2.8ghz, 4 gb RAM, who wants to pat my hand and say that it works fine for video editing (Final Cut Express) and some effects, it'll be much appreciated. Sigh... _____________________________ -Steve ---------------------- (4 shelves of Juice) (in reply to dew) |
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ddixon Posts: 59 Joined: 11/25/2006 Status: offline
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That iMac will work great with FCE or FCP. My work laptop is a Jan. '09 15 inch MacBook Pro upgraded with 2.8 processor and 7200 rpm drive - I use it all the time with Final Cut. Does your iMac even allow for upgrading the video card?? Some do, some don't. If it makes you feel any better, my home computer is a Jan. '08 Mac Pro 8-core, and its video card is not Open CL capable either! I don't do any gaming so didn't think I needed to upgrade the card, but at least I can add it later. David (in reply to Farley) |
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Farley Posts: 274 Joined: 8/5/2006 Status: offline
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David, Thanks for the reassurance! The graphic display in the iMac really isn't easily changeable, but by all accounts is good in all ways except the "Open CL" compatability. And I've seen it suggested that somewhere down the line, Apple might actually be able to support cards that won't be supported in the first release of Snow Leopard. Mostly I'm looking forward to getting the iMac so I can finally make better use of all my Juice! Steve _____________________________ -Steve ---------------------- (4 shelves of Juice) (in reply to ddixon) |
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wizard Posts: 6029 Joined: 2/15/2006 From: New Hampshire, USA Status: offline
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Don't worry, Steve. You'll love it! Should work fine for FCP Express as-is. Wish you many fun, exciting hours with your new "baby".  _____________________________ Pops (in reply to Farley) |
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Farley Posts: 274 Joined: 8/5/2006 Status: offline
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Thanks, Wiz! I appreciate the support!
_____________________________ -Steve ---------------------- (4 shelves of Juice) (in reply to wizard) |
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wizard Posts: 6029 Joined: 2/15/2006 From: New Hampshire, USA Status: offline
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No problem - I bet you've already lined up two years worth of projects for it. I'd recommend just playing with it for a bit before your first real project. Hope you have the time and opportunity to indulge in some fun.  _____________________________ Pops (in reply to Farley) |
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