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Level 1

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What will Logic Studio utilize- 4 core Mac Pro, 8 core Mac Pro, i7w/HT iMac

Hello and thanks in advance for your opinion, guidance, or general help.

The main question is what system does Logic Studio utilize best? Will it utilize the xeon 4 cores? dual 8 core? What about the new i7 iMac which has hyper-threading giving it 4 virtual cores?

Some background... I compose and rework a lot of virtual instrument tracks (20-50+) and need the right mac for the job. I also record real instrument tracks, but not as many or often, average 2 most 16. For the most part I use EXS24 created instruments w/lost of effects for sound tracks and sound design work. I'm no big producer but want the best machine to run logic, but also not overdue it by getting something it can't utilize or use.

Next... you will ask about RAM. Well, I've read Logic only supports 4 GB of RAM and you need at least 6 installed to use all 4 gb. If you know please confirm if that is right and if it changes in Logic 8 vs. Logic 9?

Thanks again, I really appreciate every post since I have received 0 info or confirmation about this topic.

Posted on Dec 16, 2009 11:45 PM

Best reply

G-BoX 988

Level 1

80 points

Posted on Dec 17, 2009 2:16 AM

Logic 9 will NOT use logical cores, so hyperthreading is not a technology of any use in Logic.

I'll go for an 8 cores, as for me, Logic is fine utilizing all the 8 cores on my 2008 MacPro.

As for the RAM, that's the bad point in Logic 9. Logic, as a 32bits app, can address only 4Gb of RAM (reality is closer to 3.6). And Logic 9 uses way more RAM than Logic 8 (600Mb more), so until Apple dare to make Logic a 64 bits app, you'll have to deal with it.

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21 replies

Eriksimon

Level 6

15,416 points

Dec 23, 2009 1:49 AM in response to Mike Connelly

Just to reinforce: I've been on this forum for the past 16 months, about 6/6 (not 24/7) and in this time I've seen no OP, or even any of the seasoned pro's with an 8-core machine that has ever reported seeing and/or being able to use more than 8 cores in Logic, 8 or 9. That is the closest you'll come to reliable online info.
You could post a thread asking if anyone has ever been able to successfully use more than 8 cores with Logic; my bet: you'll get no replies, or the replies say no.

Dec 23, 2009 8:16 AM in response to DrumStudio

DrumStudio wrote:
So this now brings up the question, does logic 8 support all 16 virtual cores of a 2xquad w/hyper-threading mac pro?

Didn't Firechild already answer that? He said that L8 showed 16 meters, but eight were active and the other eight were empty. That sure sounds like L8 isn't supporting all 16.

As Erik said, you could start a new thread asking specifically that (or ask on one of the many other Logic boards), but I'd be shocked if you get a response from someone saying Logic actually uses all 16 cores.

DrumStudio Author

Level 1

0 points

Dec 23, 2009 3:54 PM in response to DrumStudio

Erik, great suggestion. Thank you, I will do so.

Mike, thank you for all your help. You also wrote in a previous reply that firechild only had an 8 core machine, no hyperthreading. So... he shows 16 cores but only has 8 anyway, I am just curious why he would see 16, there is a 16 core machine, apple supports nodes which could access more processors, yet no one knows a definite answer on this subject. You have to admit, if it's taken this long it must be a tough question since no one seems to be giving me a definite answer, even apple said they would have to get back to me.

noeqplease

Level 4

3,589 points

Dec 24, 2009 4:34 AM in response to DrumStudio

Yeah, man,

But WHAT DOES IT SOUND LIKE?????

Dec 25, 2009 7:48 AM in response to DrumStudio

DrumStudio wrote:
You also wrote in a previous reply that firechild only had an 8 core machine, no hyperthreading.

I didn't say that. It sounds like he has an 8 core machine with HT, he'd have to clarify.

And with all due respect, I think you are getting a definite answer but you just don't seem to want to accept it. Nobody has said that Logic uses 16 cores (counting HT cores) - until you hear someone say otherwise, that seems pretty definite to me.

Jan 9, 2010 4:59 PM in response to Mike Connelly

Hi you all!
I'm working with logic 8 on a professional basis, but I'm in no way a technical guy, neither have I dealt with deep technical issues regarding the platform I'm working with. To keep it short:
I've been working with logic 8 on my iMac 2 core duo running with leopard 10.5.8. Everything works just fine.
I would really enjoy not having to FREEZE tracks to keep a smooth and stable workflow going.
I'm working with BFD2 drums, EXS24 samples and lots of audio tracks and plugins from WAVE and Camel.

Now I've read a lot about the i7 iMac.

Having said that all, here my question:
Would an i7 noticeably speed up the performance in a sense of NOT having to freeze tracks so soon???? I mean a real major jump in performance, not just for people with measurement devices.
I'm more a creative guy not caring much about hyper this and hyper that, neither would I know how to check what is using how much Activity. It just has to work while I'm in my creative bubble.

PS: Could I run leopard 10.5.8 on an i7, or would I have to switch to snow leopard?

Many thanks in advance !!

What will Logic Studio utilize- 4 core Mac Pro, 8 core Mac Pro, i7w/HT iMac