megansnapvp
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Q: How do I make my FCPX run faster on my Macbook Pro?

How can I make editing on my FCPX faster? I use an iomega 1 TB external hard drive to edit off of and I have a MacBook Pro: Processor 2.8 GHz Intel Core i7 4 GB 1067 MHz. What would you suggest to make this program run as fast as it possible could? I am a wedding videographer and need my computer and this program to run as fast as possible to cut down on post productions time.

Posted on Jan 9, 2012 12:40 PM

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megansnapvp

Q: How do I make my FCPX run faster on my Macbook Pro?

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  • by andynick,

    andynick andynick Jan 9, 2012 1:09 PM in response to megansnapvp
    Level 5 (4,943 points)
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    Jan 9, 2012 1:09 PM in response to megansnapvp

    Here's my pet answer for this (very common) question.

     

    First, check the spec of your iMac against the system requirements:

    http://www.apple.com/finalcutpro/specs/

     

    Particularly your graphics card. If it's listed here, it's not suitable:

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4664

     

    If you are getting crashes, there is some conflict on the OS. Create a new (admin) user account on your system and use FCP X from there - if it runs a lot better, there's a conflict and a clean install would be recommended.

     

    Other ways to improve performance:

     

    Create optimised media.

     

    Hide Waveforms at all times when you don't need them (both in Browser and Storyline / Timeline). They take up a lot of processor power.

     

    Create folders in the Project library and put any projects you are not working on currently, in there. (Twirl it closed to hide them).

     

    Move your Projects and Events to an external HD (make sure it's formatted OS Extended - with journaled on or off) and run from there.

     

    The biggest single improvement I saw in performance was when I upgraded the RAM from 8 GB to 16.

    Andy