Best Mac Pro (2013) configuration for photo editing/processing?

I would assume that this would be a question better suited to ask the guys at Adobe, since they would know if there software would utlilize the extra cores. I am a photographer and always opt for the more power when I can, you never know when it will come in handy. I'm sure in the long run, Adobe and other will figure out how to utilize the new larger machine to it's fullist. I think that maybe if you wind up in to a 4K or 8K video workflow the extra cores might come in handy.

www.macperformanceguide.com

Mozzzaaa

I have the exact same requirements, here are my findings based on some observations from Activity Monitor and research based on how the hardware works.

Photoshop does not utilize multiple cores well for many standard editing ativities - therefore one core will be busy while the rest remain idle, however I have noticed over time that upgrades to Photoshop seem to take more advantage of multiple cores as Adobe updates the code. For example, appling filters utilize all of the cores while the filters are computing changes (smart sharpen for example). Try running CPU monitoring in Activity Monitor (double click the CPU graph to display all cores).

Lightroom utilizes all of the cores for Import, export and other activities that process multiple files. Being more modern code, it beter utilizes muti cores.

Keep in mind that each core handles two code threads, therefore a four core system is capable of processing 8 "streams" of code, the 6 core can manage 12 threads, etc.

Here is a screen shot of Mac Book Pro running PS CC Smart Sharpen:

All the new Mac Pro run at 3.9Hz Turbo Boost - they are all the same in that respect. This means that when the processers are not hot, at least one core will run at 3.9Hz - therefore on a relativly idle machine (just editing in PS for example) you would likley be running at 3.9Hz on all the Mac Pro 2013.

There are also the GPUs to consider. Apple as usual has not made enough information available to easly determine the cost benefits of the more powerful GPUs and I don't know if PS would utiliize the AMD GPUs well now, or perhaps better utilize them for the future. Perhaps someone could comment on that. Here is an interesting article: http://architosh.com/2013/10/the-mac-pro-so-whats-a-d300-d500-and-d700-anyway-we -have-answers/

Clearly the D500 that is standard with the 6 core seems a major bump over the 4 core D300 (therefore the costs of the 6 core reflect that). I don't know how much the D700 would cost - it would be helpful if this were published so I could consider my order.

There are two GPU in the new Mac Pros - but the purpose of the second one is not toally clear (thanks again to Apples's communication). It likley will be utilized for all sorts of things that don't really exist now and FCP X is scheduled for a new release better utilize the GPU for video (as nwaphoto mentioned video processing will be a major use of this equipment).

I was interested in your comment regarding 64 Meg ram. Yes that would be a hudge boost to PS performance, but would it be better to purchase from Apple or wait for OWC who offer RAM at major discounts over Apple. Once again, no info yet that I am aware of.

I believe the flash drive is upgradable but rumor has it that it uses a proprietary connecter. Makes me want to go with the largest size but once again OWC might be the way to go for an upgrade in a year or two.

In the past, the 6 core 2012 Mac Pro's were somewhat of a sweat spot in terms of horsepower vs cost. I will be considering that in my decession to upgrade. So I am considering a 6 core, will check out the Ram and Flash diIsk based on price - which is the infor I don't have. If you have anything please post

Thanks

The Samsung PCIe Apple uses will be available to retail in 2014, and Crucial has ECC DDR3 for the new Mac Pro and prices, which likely will improve more even. Samsung has proven to work well and is used in other Macs, and they have had good prices on 500GB and up.

You can also see why I don’t recommend the 12-core model to anyone except those whose software will definitely make very good use of all of its cores, at least most of the time — because for any other conditions, it’ll be slower than the others.

On paper, and these Geekbench results from the 6- and 8-core support this, it looks like you really can’t go wrong with any of the CPU options below the 12-core — the deciding factors should only be cost and how much parallelism you can take advantage of.

http://www.marco.org/2013/11/26/new-mac-pro-cpus

http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=Mac%20Pro%20%28Late%202013%29

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1660838

From information from various web sources, especially Intel and Anandtech:

The 4 or 6 core uses a reasonable sized die and the price difference between the processors (only) is on the order of US$600.

The 8 to 10 core model provide much more L3 cache, but commands on the order of a US$1500 premium on its much larger die. Its clock speed will be slower.

The 12 core model has an entire additional ring Bus, and additional memory controller, and commands an additional order of US$2000 above the 8 core. Its overall clcok speed will be slower still.

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So the overall value equation has not changed. There is a big knee in the curve above the 6-core.

If your work maxes out the number of cores you have been using, you may need to pay the large increments and move up the line to more cores.

Everyone else may be better served by the 4-core and the 6-core, which are generally faster at jobs that do not max out all the processors (i.e., stuff other than compressor and fluid dynamics modeling).

When packages are re-written to take advantage of the compute-power in the GPUs, this may shift a bit.

Hi,

First of all, thanks for the information here. Really useful.

I'm a photographer from Malaysia and I'm planning to go into Videography as well. I'm leaning towards the 6-core model but am wondering if I should increase it to 8 core. The main problem is its a huge jump in terms of pricing and I'm not sure if it's worth it.

I'm not an expert in computer hardwares. Can anyone here help me by giving me an example of what software uses multi core processing?

Right now, I'm using Lightroom and photoshop mostly with plugins and filters for editing work. Will probably start using final cut X once I go into videography. Would 6-core be sufficient and can it handle 4k video or would the 8 core be a safer bet? For me an upgrade from 6 to 8 core is about MYR5,100 which is equivalent to around USD1600.

Thanks 🙂

Would 6-core be sufficient and can it handle 4k video or would the 8 core be a safer bet?

Yes, the 6-core would be sufficent if you are not using compressor. You can get a lot of work done with the six-core and if it seems too slow, get one with more cores later.

Early reports are that even the 4-core and the 6-core edit multiple streams of raw 4K video and can apply multiple filters to that video in real-time.

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The incremental price of the 8-core is so large, you could get half a new Mac Pro cylinder, or a nice used Mac Pro silver tower for that money.

Thanks for your reply Grant,

I was told that the processor can't be swapped out in the future, is it true?

But based on what you said, the 6-core looks like it should last me at least a good 3-5 years before I need a more powerful machine.

Thanks again mate, cheers 🙂

That's awesome mozzzaaa,

I'll probably go straight for the 6-core configuration with D500 GPU.

I have to find out if I can get a good and cheap OWC RAM. If I can I'll go for the 16GB, if not will be at least 32GB.

The rest will be similar to yours and I already have a Pegasus R4 so don't really need additional storage for now. Should last me a while but with the Nikon D800 files, not sure for how long lol.

My other headache now will be the display. Would love to have a 4k display but it's probably way too expensive for now. I'd settle for a good AH-IPS certified display. If anyone got a good recommendation of model, I'm all ear. Otherwise, no worries.

Thanks again for this thread, I've been search as well online but can't really find a good answer. At least now I know what I should be getting 🙂

No I haven't but hopefully will do it soon after I make a few calls checking up on the RAM. I hope to work with medium format someday too lol.

Have a blast with your mac pro mate when u get it!