jhyiesla

Q: Need help with video on older Mac Pro

I have a 2008 Mac Pro that more than meets all of the specs for FCP X, except the Mac App store won't let me buy and download because the video card in the system doesn't meet specs.  I've found an apple support page that lists the compatible video cards for FCP X.  Here's my issues:

 

1. Most of the cards on the list are older and not easily obtainable anymore.

2. Even with models that are newer, it's had to find one labeled for Mac - so can I just use any old model of, say, a Radeon HD 5670 or do I need one specificlaly made for Macs?

3. Bottom line is what card can  I use in a 2008 Mac Pro that will meet the specs and that I can actually purchase?

 

Thanx...Jon

Mac Pro, iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Sep 6, 2012 10:48 AM

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Q: Need help with video on older Mac Pro

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  • by innocentius,

    innocentius innocentius Sep 6, 2012 11:08 AM in response to jhyiesla
    Level 4 (1,885 points)
    Sep 6, 2012 11:08 AM in response to jhyiesla

    I have Mac Pro 2006 and bought this card on eBay

    NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 512 MB FCPX works like a dream on this old mchine with 12 GB RAM

  • by jhyiesla,

    jhyiesla jhyiesla Sep 6, 2012 11:35 AM in response to innocentius
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 6, 2012 11:35 AM in response to innocentius

    I saw where that card was compatible as well as a bunch of others.  Was that a Mac-specific card or just some generic card?  I have found some of the older cards for sale on-line, but none of them say "mac" anywhere in the description. I can get some good deals money-wise on these cards, but hate to get them home only to find out that a PNY or Sapphire Radeon...whatever won't work because the Mac drivers aren't compatible.

  • by andynick,

    andynick andynick Sep 6, 2012 11:48 AM in response to jhyiesla
    Level 5 (4,943 points)
    Video
    Sep 6, 2012 11:48 AM in response to jhyiesla

    jhyiesla wrote:

    I've found an apple support page that lists the compatible video cards for FCP X.

     

    . . . . . . . . . so can I just use any old model of, say, a Radeon HD 5670 or do I need one specificlaly made for Macs?

    A Radeon HD 5670 is a Radeon HD 5670 - if it's on the compatible list, it will work in your Mac.

     

    _________________________

     

    This is my pet checklist for questions regarding FCP X performance - you may have already addressed some of the items but it's worth checking.

     

    Make sure you're using the latest version of the application - FCP X 10.0.5 runs very well on my 2009 MacPro 2 x 2.26 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon with 16 GB RAM and ATI Radeon HD 5870 1024 MB. I run it with Lion 10.7.5.

     

    First, check that you have at least 20% free space on your system drive.

     

    For smooth playback without dropping frames, make sure 'Better Performance' is selected in the FCP X Preferences - Playback Tab.

     

    If you have not already done so, move your Projects and Events to a fast (Firewire 800 or faster) external HD. Make sure the drive's formatted OS Extended (journalling's not required for video). You should always keep at least 20% free space on the Hard Drives that your Media, Projects and Events are on.

     

    Check the spec of your Mac against the system requirements:

    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

     

    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.

     

    Keep projects to 20 mins or less. If you have a long project, work on 20 min sections then paste these into a final project for export.

     

    If you ever experience dropped frames, I strongly recommend you use ProRes 422 Proxy - it edits and plays back like silk because the files are small but lightly compressed (not much packing and unpacking to do) - but remember to select 'Original or Optimised Media' (FCP X Preferences > Playback) just before you export your movie, otherwise it will be exported at low resolution.

     

    If you have plenty of processor power, for the ultimate editing experience, create Optimised Media - most camera native files are highly compressed and need a great deal of processor power to play back - particularly if you add titles, filters or effects. ProRes 422 takes up much more hard drive space but is very lightly compressed. It edits and plays back superbly.

     

    Hide Audio Waveforms at all times when you don't need them (both in Browser and Storyline / Timeline). They take up a lot of processor power. (Use the switch icon at the bottom-right of your timeline to select a format without waveforms if you don't need them at the moment, then switch back when you do).

     

    Create folders in the Project and Events libraries and put any projects you are not working on currently, in those folders. This will help a lot. There's a great application for this, called Event Manager X - for the tiny cost it's an invaluable application.

    http://assistedediting.intelligentassistance.com/EventManagerX/

     

    Unless you cannot edit and playback without it, turn off Background Rendering in Preferences (under Playback) - this will help general performance and you can always render when you need to by selecting the clip (or clips) and pressing Ctrl+R.

     

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

    Andy

  • by dinerdog,

    dinerdog dinerdog Sep 7, 2012 9:01 AM in response to andynick
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 7, 2012 9:01 AM in response to andynick

    Thanks andynick, that's great advice.

     

    I have a follow up question. I have a MacPro Early 2008 and finally got a better card, the

    ATI Radeon HD 5870 which works GREAT.

     

    My question is: I have 14GBs of Ram now and am getting more: do you think another 8GB would be enough (making a total of 22GBS) or would I really notice the difference with another 16GB? Making my total 30GBs?

     

     

    It's the MacPro3,1 Quad-Core Intel Xeon, 2,8 GHz.

     

    Thanks in advance. Not hijacking here jhyiesla, I'd say get the best card you afford now.

  • by andynick,

    andynick andynick Sep 7, 2012 9:29 AM in response to dinerdog
    Level 5 (4,943 points)
    Video
    Sep 7, 2012 9:29 AM in response to dinerdog

    To be honest, I'd save the money.

    14 GB is a lot of RAM and neither your Mac or mine is getting any younger. I'd sit on the cash and wait until I was ready to invest in a newer Mac - with all the latest stuff.

    Andy

  • by jhyiesla,

    jhyiesla jhyiesla Sep 7, 2012 10:03 AM in response to andynick
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 7, 2012 10:03 AM in response to andynick

    Thanx andynick for the tips

  • by jhyiesla,Solvedanswer

    jhyiesla jhyiesla Sep 7, 2012 10:05 AM in response to jhyiesla
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 7, 2012 10:05 AM in response to jhyiesla

    I ended up buying a GT120 from eBay. It's for my son and I'm just trying to get him started.  he's been running FC Studio on his Mac Book Pro and wants something with a little more umph. The GT120 I think will be a good card for him to start with and he can always upgrade to something with more memory and power. Thanx to all for the replies.