Storage recommendations needed- video editing

Question

Level 1

33 points

Storage recommendations needed- video editing

I'm looking at a Mac Pro and need some good options for storage. I'm not going to spend the money on upgrading the internal PCI-e to 1TB, so I'm getting the base 256gb configuration for the OS, Apps, and Parallels / Virtual machines.

Currently I have a 128gb SSD for the OS etc, and have my Users folder mapped to a internal 7200RPM 1TB drive. It works beautifully, but since Apple took out the option to add hard drives...... I don't know what to do.

As the subject says- this will be for video editing. I need at least 500gb of additional storage, but 1TB would be more comfortable. I'd also like to possibly map some user folders to the external- likely Desktop, Documents, Dropbox, Pictures, Music, and Movies.

So on to my questions.

#1. Would a USB 3.0 external SSD or even 7200RPM drive be fast enough to work with video editing? I assume it would be about as fast as an internal HDD/SSD right? Or no?

#2. Mapping... is the way I'd like to do it a good/bad idea? What's the best option for wanting to retain saving to particular locations, but having them actually stored on a larger drive? Or... would it be better to just form new habits on where I save things?

Thank you for any and all feedback!

PS- Can I use Crucial RAM or do I need the much higher priced Apple provided in a BTO config?

Posted on Jul 27, 2015 11:48 AM

Reply

Answer 1

The hatter

Level 9

60,990 points

Jul 27, 2015 1:08 PM in response to mattd313

The internal "SSD" is PCIe-SSD blade of ~1100MB/sec. Newer SM951's of same design are capable of 1500MB/sec or about 10x faster than a hdd.

So some regret buying with the small 256GB. You can go to ebay and find 1TB units. Adding to Thunderbolt2 expansion and using 1-3 blades out there is possible, though not cheap. And some want those fast units.

USB3 is "okay" for one drive but not more than one - and looking for optimum performance.

128GB you have now is 'enough?' Using hdd now? or not doing video currently. FCP-X primarily or something else?

For the things you list: OS, Apps, and Parallels / Virtual machines - VMs can go anywhere and not always need to be on the boot drive to save room and they don't need high performance.

I wish Apple had made 512GB PCIe-SSD cheaper AND the base size. ebay prices on new Samsung blades are better.

Reply

Answer 2

mattd313 Author

Level 1

33 points

Jul 27, 2015 1:31 PM in response to The hatter

Yea it's enough.

I have:

128GB SSD- OS X and all Apps

1TB 7200RPM- User folder (all storage)

I'm using Adobe Premiere Pro CC.

Why is USB3 only okay for one drive? I would likely want a 2TB Time Machine drive and a 500GB-1TB external storage drive.

Do you (or anyone else reading) have any recommendations for the mapping of the user folders? I wouldn't map the whole thing, just where my files are stored. Not sure a.) how to do this and b.) if it should be done at all.

Thanks again.

Reply

Answer 3

mattd313 Author

Level 1

33 points

Jul 27, 2015 1:32 PM in response to mattd313

Also, I'd totally consider buying an additional PCIe SSD on top of the 256gb, but... Apple. Apple c'mon! They only have one slot. So stupid...

Reply