Do I have enough processing power?

Question

Do I have enough processing power?

I'm looking into a new HD camcorder ( ) which supposedly works flawlessly with Final Cut Pro X. Right now, I'm using Leopard, but will upgrade to Snow Leopard or Lion when I need to for this software.

My big question is willl I have enough processing power or will I be chugging and choking all the way? Any advice is helpful.

Mac

Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo

Processor Speed: 2.66 GHz

Number Of Processors: 1

Total Number Of Cores: 2

L2 Cache: 6 MB

Memory: 4 GB

Bus Speed: 1.07 GHz

Chipset Model: NVIDIA GeForce 9400

Type: Display

Bus: PCI

VRAM (Total): 256 MB

Vendor: NVIDIA

iMac:

Resolution: 1920 x 1200

Depth: 32-Bit Color

Core Image: Hardware Accelerated

Thanks,

Bob

iMac 2.66gHz, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Apr 19, 2012 11:48 AM

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Answer 1

andynick

Level 5

4,961 points

Apr 19, 2012 11:54 AM in response to Robert Wilkins2

I doubt if you have the processor power to run FCP X and despite what Apple recommend, 4 GB is just not enough RAM - 6 or better still 8 GB should be regarded as the minimum.

Check the spec of your Mac against the system requirements (but don't believe what they say about RAM):

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

Check the spec of your graphics card. If it's listed here, it's not suitable:

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

Andy

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Answer 2

Apr 19, 2012 12:00 PM in response to Robert Wilkins2

Your mac satisfies the *minimum* requirements, but I don't think performance will be that great.

If you can install Snow Leopard or Lion on it, you could try FCP X. There is a 30-day free trial.

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Answer 3

Apr 19, 2012 12:15 PM in response to Robert Wilkins2

Just download the trial version and you will see if it works, it is that simple.

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Answer 4

Apr 19, 2012 12:43 PM in response to andynick

thanks Andy, I did all of the above. It's OK according to Apple, just don't know if it'll be enough...

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Answer 5

Apr 19, 2012 12:44 PM in response to Luis Sequeira1

I will download a trial. I know that I'm barely skating over the minimum ice here but wondering which of the conditions is most crucial or most important...

is it VRAM, RAM, or Processing power?

If I have to boost all three, that's going to be tough...

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