User profile for user: Theatwar
Theatwar Author
User level: Level 1
48 points

Advice on upgrading to SSD for Mac Pro (optimized for AfterEffects & Photoshop)

Hello,


I'm an animator (I use AfterEffects CS5, but will be upgrading to CC soon) and I'm going to start work on a new AE project in a few months for an animated film that will be very demanding (lots of different shots -- meaning multiple projects, all of which will also incorporate large HD stock footage elements as well as multiple layers of art created in Photoshop).


So I'm looking to upgrade my current desktop Mac Pro (a 2010 2x2.66GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon) with SSD drives (and possibly a new graphics card) in order to speed up my system and optimize it for both AfterEffects and Photoshop. (In the past I've created projects using external 7200 RPM hard drives connected via eSATA). I've also decided, for now, not to purchase the new Mac Pro, but rather try and make a smaller investment to speed up my current system.


I'd love any advice that pro users would have that have made similiar upgrades, both in terms of the best equipment (SSD drives and graphics card) and the best way to set up AfterEffects/Photoshop projects using these SSDs.


For example:


1. Should I be purchasing 1 or 2 SSDs, and how should I be using these drives to optimize my system for AfterEffects and Photoshop?


2. Should I install my operating system (I'm on OS 10.8.5 but plan to upgrade to Mavericks when I upgrade to CC) on one separate SSD, and then install my Adobe applications on a 2nd SSD, or can I put both the operating system and applications on a single SSD? And should I be saving my projects on a SSD (if so, which one, if I'm supposed to purchase 2?


3. Should I assign a 2nd SSD as a scratch disk for AfterEffects or Photoshop?


4. I plan on using my current external hard drives (a 12 TB RAID array connected via eSATA) to store the footage and Photoshop elements being used in my AE projects (these files will be multiple GBs, and I can't afford to purchase SSD drives to hold these elements on) and also to store the renders from AfterEffects (which will also be very large files). Is this OK, or will this slow me down and negate whatever speed I've gained from moving to SSDs?


5. In researching how to switch over to SSD, I've considered purchasing 1 or 2 SSD drives. The one I'm currently looking at is called the Murcury Accelsior_E2, a PCI Express SSD sold via OWC. It comes in a few different sizes (120 GBs, 240 GBs, 480 GBs, 960 GBs). Just wondering if this is a good purchase -- the reviews seem to be very positive:


http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/SSDPHWE2R960/


6. I'm also considering upgrading my current graphics card (ATI Radeon HD 5870) to the NVIDIA Quatro 4000 or NVIDIA Quatro 5000, but I'm wondering how much of a speed boost this would give me.


Here's an overview of my current system:


Computer: 2010 Mac Pro with 2x 2.66 GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon

Memory: 64 GB DDR3 ECC

Graphics Card: ATI Radeon HD 5870

Hard Drives (Internal): 2x 2TB Hitachi HD

Hard Drives (External): 12TB OWC Mercury Elite Pro RAID drive array (connected via eSATA)


Apologies in advance for the long message, but I've always recieved great advice from these message boards and I'd appreciate any help!


Thanks,


Dan

Mac Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on Apr 18, 2014 7:28 PM

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14 replies
User profile for user: nolanscott
nolanscott
User level: Level 3
605 points

Apr 18, 2014 9:15 PM in response to Theatwar

Since installing the GTX 680, upgrading to Mavericks and replacing only my Boot-drive with an SSD (Crucial M500 480GB) performance has gone up another step. As a Media drive I use a WD 640 GB Caviar Black.


Performance wit FCPX / Motion 5 / Photoshop etc. is outstanding.

(I don’t have After Effects)


https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-6821


http://www.barefeats.com/gpu680v.html

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User profile for user: Theatwar
Theatwar Author
User level: Level 1
48 points

Apr 19, 2014 1:05 PM in response to The hatter

Thanks for the purchasing advice, Nolanscott & The hatter.


The hatter -- can you provide more details? Here's what your configuration would look like (please correct me if I'm mistaken):


"SSD on SATA II" -- does this mean purchasing a SSD drive that I can install internally, in one of the empty drive bays inside my Mac Pro?


So with this configuration (3 x 500GB Samsung EVO), I'd install 2 of the SSDs on a PCIe SSD controller, and the 3rd in one of my currently empty hard drive bays inside my Mac Pro?


Then I'd configure them this way:


2 x 500GB PCIe SSD controller: Scratch disks for Photoshop & AfterEffects


1 x 500GB on SATA II (installed in empty internal drive bay inside Mac Pro): System


Regarding installing my system on the SSD -- I will have to split up my essental OS X system files (the OS and apps) from my 'home' folder, as I have way too much media (music, movies, photos, email archive, etc) to fit on the SSD.


The "https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-6821" referenced by nolanscott (thank you nolan!) seems to be a bit out of date, in the 'comments' section there seems to be some debate about whether or not to follow these steps in Mountain Lion. Googling the question brings up a bunch of different approaches (also debates about whether or not to use TRIM -- I have no idea what TRIM is -- and how much 'free space' you're supposed to leave on an SSD).


Are there some solid links on how to migrate/install for the best SSD performance that you can recommend, since you're obviously an experienced expert? I'd like the apps I used the most (Adobe CS apps like AfterEffects, Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator -- and Mac apps like iTunes, Mail, iPhoto, Safari) to be as speedy as possible after reconfiguring my computer for SSD. What's the best way to figure out how to go about performing this installation? Ideally I'd like to keep my 'home' media where it is (on one of my existing 2 x 2TB internal regular hard drives) while moving OS X + apps (After Effects, Photoshop, iPhoto, iTunes, etc) onto the new SSD.


Also, if I create new projects/files in AfterEffects or Photoshop and save them to a standard external disk drive (but I'm using the application off of a SSD) does that give me extra speed, or do I need to be saving the projects/files on an SSD as well...?


Thanks,


Dan

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User profile for user: The hatter
The hatter
User level: Level 9
61,031 points

Apr 19, 2014 1:18 PM in response to Theatwar

Even before or without an SSD it was and still is advisable to move the majority of the home folder media files and data, documents and such to other drive that is used solely for that, for data. You don't need to and actually good idea to leave the essential ~/Library with the system and on the boot drive.


And yes to a projects drive, volume or array - folks use to use an array to improve on performance writing out large 2GB files.


Given the prices and such, you could look at 4 x 2TB for projects, or maybe a 1TB SSD (and use one SSD for scratch) and then move them to external projects disk volume.


Clone your system with CCC and deselect the media folders in home account.


Then move / copy or clone just the media to another drive.


You keep your system + user account data folders and media as is until you are 200% sure and backed up, that you want to reuse the drive for something else, then wipe it.


Install TRIM Enabler before you clone, and repair the SSD with DU after cloning and before using and booting from it first time.


An SSD will boot in 10 seconds, then launch 10 apps in all of 10-20 seconds and be ready for use.


www.macperformanceguide.com - goes crazy with TWO PCIe SSD controllers for scratch and such and attempts to get 1.8GB/sec (900MB/sec is the max out of one controller and two SSDs). Even one SSD is nice and crazy. Depends on how much many and size of your projects and the type of photo and graphic manipulation you perform.


And in extreme cases, even 128GB RAM may be desired to get every last ounce of performance. All depends.


Splitting system and user accounts and data is an old method going back decades, and made easy in OS X since 10.2 and improved with each new OS.

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User profile for user: Theatwar
Theatwar Author
User level: Level 1
48 points

Apr 19, 2014 1:54 PM in response to The hatter

Thanks so much for the additional information!


Currently I own a 12 TB OWC Mercury Elite Pro RAID drive array (connected via eSATA) which I use to save projects, project files, and renders. So (unless I am mistaken) you're recommending that I continue to use this RAID array to save projects, project files, and renders.


(I was looking into purchasing a Mercury Accelsior_E2 for my SSD via PCI -- it has eSATA, so I can continue to connect my RAID array)


Then I would use my new SSD via SATA II for my system, apps, and OS (minus home folder media files, data, documents) and my SSD via PCI for scratch disks for Photoshop/AfterEffects.


Currently I have 2 x 2 TB internal hard drives, which have all my OS + home folder media files.


Can I get more details in terms of the step-by-step instructions when it's time to install/clone? Here's how it looks to me (apologies if I have this out-of-order, and feel free to correct me if I've missed a step or have it wrong -- thank you in advance!):


1. Purchase SSDs (via PCI and internal SATA II) and install them inside my Mac Pro.


(Is there any formatting I need to do at this point to the SSDs once they are all plugged in...?)


2. Install TRIM Enabler


(Once it's installed, what do I do with TRIM Enabler? Is it an app that runs 24/7 in the background, or is it an app that I need to launch on a regular basis and perform commands on the SSDs...? Very confused on what TRIM Enabler does.)


3. Use CCC to clone system from old internal hard drive to new internal SSD drive. When using CCC, deselect media folders in home account before cloning (so I am NOT cloning media folders from old hard drive to new SSD drive).


(What specific media folders should I be deselecting? I'd like to keep my music, movies, iPhoto/Lightroom files, and email archive where they are now -- on the 2 x 2TB internal drives that shipped with my Mac Pro. Is there a link that provides more info on this process? Never used CCC before but I assume it's not too hard to use...?)


4. CCC clones system gets 'cloned' (minus the media folders) to the SSD that is installed via SATA II in empty internal drive bay inside Mac Pro.


5. Repair the SSD with DU after cloning and before using and booting from SSD.


(What is DU? How does it work? Not familiar with DU...?)


6. Reboot computer from system running on SSD.


7. Open Photoshop/AfterEffects (now running from SSD) and assign new scratch disk (the SSDs on PCIe SSD controller).


8. After 100% sure that system + apps that have been cloned is working via SSD, delete ONLY system and apps from old hard drive (but do not delete media files).


(Now that my system is on a separate SSD drive, when I do things like purchase new music from iTunes, will it get downloaded to the old location (my old hard drive with all my media)? In other words, are there steps I have to perform in order to relink my media folders now that they're on a separate drive?


Thanks,


Dan

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User profile for user: gemstonepark
gemstonepark
User level: Level 1
9 points

May 16, 2014 4:19 PM in response to Theatwar

DO NOT use the Quadro 4000 card. While it is an awesome card, I have/had one for a little less than a year of total use, operating Stereoscopic with Premiere, After Affects, and Photoshop, but the card has some heat sink issues. I have found numerous people all over the internet with this problem and contacted PNY. You will get a 3year warranty from PNY if purchased from an authorized dealer on thier site. However if the issues happen and you try to fix as many on the internet are trying to do, you will void the warranty. My personal thoughts are that more than likely the card may fail despite its professional uses. I am currently rebuilding my system looking into new HD's myself but am upgrading my card to the k5000. The Koeppler is much more usefule for faster, more interactive graphics for editing and the professional use. Personal belief is that I'd rather buy one card for 1500 than two for 1600 when they fail. B&H has a good deal on the k5000 now.

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User profile for user: gemstonepark
gemstonepark
User level: Level 1
9 points

May 21, 2014 11:26 AM in response to Theatwar

SSD is of course the best. There are no moving parts and less chance for failure. As well, it is silent due to this fact and less heat, However, SSD is expense and limited in size right now. I am finding that as you get into the 7200/10000 rpm cards they are very close. You can purchase a seagate 2TB 7200 rpm barracuda for about 85.00 anywhere and they meet many of the standards of the more expensive HD's 64 mb/... From what I also understand the difference between 64 and 128 is very small compared to the prices and by saving money now, allows you to put away for getting the ssd as they get larger capacities. Eventually, ideally, I myself will be using higher capacity SSD in the box and thunderbolt a server HD externally later. For now it's four internal HD's

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User profile for user: The hatter
The hatter
User level: Level 9
61,031 points

May 21, 2014 11:40 AM in response to Theatwar

I am finding - and buying - a lot of the Samsung EVO 500GB SSD $250 now. Small, near zero latency and seeks, 100K I/O's per second so great 500MB/sec reads (on SATA III) and work really well even on old SATA II bus for a system.


You only need about 50GB for a basic system, so a 120GB SSD is fine, though larger capacity is handy and has better specs (more cells, more channels as t hey have their own built in controllers) that a 250GB $150 might do better.


Cannot compare to even best hdd in terms of booting, loading programs and data or zero noise and heat. No weight.


On a pcie SSD card they are great for Aperture, iPhoto, scratch and data use. And don't use and therefore keep your SATA II drive bays open for other uses. And you get the full SATA III performance.


Retail PCIe based flash are suppose to hit the market later this year. As are 5TB (now) and 6TB later this year. And 1.2-1.5GB/sec which is faster than even PCIe SATA III RAID0 where 800-900MB/sec is best you can gets and still not as fast and smooth operating as the nMP flash storage.


A pair of 10K WD VelociRaptors are loud, hotter, but make a nice 2TB 400MB/sec that some do use and can come in a native Thunderbolt enclosure from WD (not cheap but nothing TB is now is it).

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User profile for user: Theatwar
Theatwar Author
User level: Level 1
48 points

May 21, 2014 2:57 PM in response to The hatter

Thanks so much for jumping back into the discussion, The hatter! I had some earlier questions from before that I was hoping you could answer:


Currently I own a 12 TB OWC Mercury Elite Pro RAID drive array (connected via eSATA) which I use to save projects, project files, and renders. So (unless I am mistaken) you're recommending that I continue to use this RAID array to save projects, project files, and renders.


(I was looking into purchasing a Mercury Accelsior_E2 for my SSD via PCI -- it has eSATA, so I can continue to connect my RAID array)


Then I would use my new SSD via SATA II for my system, apps, and OS (minus home folder media files, data, documents) and my SSD via PCI for scratch disks for Photoshop/AfterEffects.


Currently I have 2 x 2 TB internal hard drives, which have all my OS + home folder media files.


Can I get more details in terms of the step-by-step instructions when it's time to install/clone? Here's how it looks to me (apologies if I have this out-of-order, and feel free to correct me if I've missed a step or have it wrong -- thank you in advance!):


1. Purchase SSDs (via PCI and internal SATA II) and install them inside my Mac Pro.


(Is there any formatting I need to do at this point to the SSDs once they are all plugged in...?)


2. Install TRIM Enabler


(Once it's installed, what do I do with TRIM Enabler? Is it an app that runs 24/7 in the background, or is it an app that I need to launch on a regular basis and perform commands on the SSDs...? Very confused on what TRIM Enabler does.)


3. Use CCC to clone system from old internal hard drive to new internal SSD drive. When using CCC, deselect media folders in home account before cloning (so I am NOT cloning media folders from old hard drive to new SSD drive).


(What specific media folders should I be deselecting? I'd like to keep my music, movies, iPhoto/Lightroom files, and email archive where they are now -- on the 2 x 2TB internal drives that shipped with my Mac Pro. Is there a link that provides more info on this process? Never used CCC before but I assume it's not too hard to use...?)


4. CCC clones system gets 'cloned' (minus the media folders) to the SSD that is installed via SATA II in empty internal drive bay inside Mac Pro.


5. Repair the SSD with DU after cloning and before using and booting from SSD.


(What is DU? How does it work? Not familiar with DU...?)


6. Reboot computer from system running on SSD.


7. Open Photoshop/AfterEffects (now running from SSD) and assign new scratch disk (the SSDs on PCIe SSD controller).


8. After 100% sure that system + apps that have been cloned is working via SSD, delete ONLY system and apps from old hard drive (but do not delete media files).


(Now that my system is on a separate SSD drive, when I do things like purchase new music from iTunes, will it get downloaded to the old location (my old hard drive with all my media)? In other words, are there steps I have to perform in order to relink my media folders now that they're on a separate drive?


Thanks,


Dan

Reply
User profile for user: gregfromsan diego
gregfromsan diego
User level: Level 1
0 points

Jul 4, 2014 7:04 AM in response to Theatwar

I do most of my work in After Effects and use Carbon Copy Cloner (CCC) to nightly clone my boot/app drive and my project files drive to it's backup mirror clone. I've had the boot drive go bad, and switched over to the clone drive without losing more than an hour--which would have been a huge burden if I hadn't been prepared. Test your clone OS backup occasionally by simply specifying it in your startup drive control panel. CCC has taken a huge stress off my backup shoulders.


I also have a 240GB SSD drive that I use for caches. In your AE preferences, point your cache files to it. AE says I don't have enough space if I try to allocate more than 100GB to it, but it's hard to know how much I'm maxing it out. I use it for other caches as well in other apps (like C4D).


I've been told NOT to upgrade to the Nvidia Quadro for the sake of After Effects--that it only really benefits the 3D ratracer, which I don't use.

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Advice on upgrading to SSD for Mac Pro (optimized for AfterEffects & Photoshop)

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