Best Setup for FCP X

Yes, it seems as if you have PLENTY of disk space, so I'd ask over in the FCP forum: I don't use it and haven't heard of that error warning before.

Good luck,

Clinton

I'll second this.. stick with firmware rev 0309. I have a Crucial m4 128, 256, and now a 512, all of which had problems in my 2011 macbooks using firmware 000F. Going back to 0309 fixed my issues and is covered under warranty per crucial tech support.

I'm in a similar situation - 2008 2.8 8-core Mac Pro (running Lion) that is feeling long in the tooth doing HD w/FCPX, even with 14GB of RAM, Radeon 5870, and all drive bays filled with 7200 rpm drives. To tide me over until new models, I'm planning to get an SSD. I don't want to mess with the optical bay, but just want to use an internal bay. I've pared down my boot drive, moved iTunes/iPhoto/Aperture/ etc. over to another internal drive, and plan to get a Crucial M4 512 and use it for OS, Apps, and to hold just my current FCPX Event and Project.

1. Any thoughts on the plan for using one drive for OS, Apps, and a single FCPX Project/Event?

2. How should I do the mount? Can I just use this or this with my existing Mac Pro sled?

Thanks!

sszeto - is your SSD a Crucial M4 512? - my reading shows that those have problems with the latest firmware on Macs.

I did post my question about one 512 for both OS/Apps and FCPX Events and Projects at an FCPX forum. I was advised by a couple of pro users that reading/writing all that simultaneously to the same drive would negate the speed advantage of the SSD, so I got a 256 M4 for OS/Apps and am using a 1 TB internal drive as my media drive. I still may try it anyway with my 256 on a small project. After cleaning up old documents, downloads, applications, and moving iTunes/iPhoto/Aperture libraries to another drive, I have over 100GB free on the SSD.

Since the 2008 Mac Pro is limited to 3Gb bandwidth, I can tell a difference but it's not life-changing. Yes, it boots faster but I only reboot occasionally. Programs load faster, but FCPX still takes a while. However, for the $200 cost it was definitely worth it. And, it does help FCPX. I have lots of plugins, effects, etc. and now when I change tools or switch from the Transitions tab to the Effects tab and then click on a category - it all happens instantly. Working around in FCPX is just a more pleasant experience.

My M4 256 came with firmware 000F already on it, and it's working flawlessly. I did not enable Trim. Again, I have read that the 256 is fine with 000F but that the 512 might need to be left at 0309. I also got the Icy Dock sled that I linked to above. It's plastic and was $15, but is working perfectly.

sszeto - You might have to do a "controller" reset, per crucial support:

John : In a Mac, install the SSD, power on and press the Option key to enter the Startup Manager.

Leave it on the Startup Manager screen for around 30 minutes without using the Mac, then power off and disconnect the SSD altogether.

After 30 seconds, reconnect the SSD and repeat steps 1 and 2 again.

Power off, take out and reconnect the SSD and power back on.

After the above steps, the SSD should be detected in the Mac again. If not,

John : If not then fill out the following

John : We have a team specialized to troubleshoot SSD issues. To ensure that you get the detailed assistance you need, please contact our Technical Support department at 1-800-336-8896 (U.S. and Canada only) or at 208-363-5790. Our contact hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Mountain Time). When you call, please have the following information available to assist with the troubleshooting process:

• Motherboard Make/Model:

• Motherboard BIOS Revision:

• SATA Speed: SATA 1 (1.0Gb/s), SATA 2 (3.0Gb/s), SATA 3 (6.0Gb/s):

• What color Header are you using for your SATA cable?

• What is SSD being used for? (O/S, Storage, Page File, etc.)

• Operating System:

• Have you tried swapping out SATA cables? Have you tried different color controller header?

• Are you using the latest revision of Firmware

• Describe the situation causing the issue (i.e.: software being used, is data corrupted, do you get a blue screen, etc.)

David - I had issues with 000F on both my 256GB and 512GB in my 2011 17" MacBook Pro. Switching to 0393 fixed my problems with both drives. The firmware issues seem to depend on the year/type of Mac. For example, I've had no problems with 000F on a 128GB M4 in my daughter's 2011 13" MacBook Pro.

I'm now running the 512GB with 0393 as my main drive in the 2011 17" and a 1TB scorpio blue in the optical bay. There are SATA 3 issues with the optical bay on the 2011 17" so I'm unable to run my 256GB in there.

Great thread.

I have a 2x2.4 Dual Quad Mac Pro and am experiencing delays and dropped frames in FCP X.

I have posted in the FCP X forum trying to get help.

The SSD option looks like a possible solution for me.

Crucial seems a favorite brand.

I could go:

(1) Crucial 256GB for OS/Apps

(2) Crucial 512GB for FCP X Events/Projects

However, 512 will be too small on some projects.

Has a larger SSD like the Mercury Electra Max 3G 960GB demonstrated good performance?

I am told in the FCP X Discussions that using SSD in the drive bays is limited to 3Gb/s versus 6Gb/s with an SSD PCIe card. So, that would push me toward an SSD PCIe card for FCP X Events/Projects. But then I would have too few PCIe slots, and external expanders are not cheap.

Darn.

Has anybody used the OWC Mercury Accelsior PCI Express SSD 480GB card?