Can I edit videos with FCPX using this configuration ?

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bernek Author

Level 1

0 points

Can I edit videos with FCPX using this configuration ?

Hello,

I'm the soon to be owner of a Mac Mini Late 2012 - i5 base model.

It will have the standard 4GB ram and 5400 RPM 500 GB HDD.

My plans for upgrading it are:

- 8 GB DDR3 1600MHz (2x4GB or 1x8GB+1x2GB from existing memory)
- 120 GB SSD KINGSTON V300

I edit small videos 10-15 minutes in length (1080p only) with a few transitions and effects and some minor color and audio adjustments.

I know if I use 1x8GB + 1x2GB for 10 GB ram total the memory wont run in dual channel mode. For the integrated graphics of the i5 (4000HD) I've read that dual channel memory can improve its performance from 5% to 30% in some cases. Is the FCPX one of these ? If not I will buy 1 stick SODDIM 1600 MHz 8GB capacity and use it along the 2GB existing one.

For the SSD the Kingston V300 120GB is a cheap variant for me. (I'm using a couple in my PCs and they are working for a few years without a problem)

I'm planning on buying an additional SATA cable to add the 500GB (original HDD) to the MINI so I can create a fusion drive.

My bottom question is: Would I be able to edit my videos with this little guy ? (before and after the upgrade)

Thank you !

Mac mini, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5)

Posted on Sep 7, 2015 3:24 PM

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Answer 1

Russ H

Level 7

22,442 points

Sep 8, 2015 12:57 PM in response to bernek

You will be fine – before and after your upgrades.

Not sure that what you want to do with the SSD is worth the effort. Faster boots and launches?

Get an external drive for your media and the extra 4 GB RAM and you will be able to handle the vast majority of projects – both HD and UHD.

Russ

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Answer 2

bernek Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 8, 2015 1:05 PM in response to Russ H

Thanks for the reply !

With the SSD I plan on faster boots and system being more responsive when you launch different applications.

I'm not sure how slow is the 500GB original HDD but at 5400 RPM and few years old it should be very slow.

Since FCPX runs only on Mac I'm ready to make the switch from Windows. I hope I wont be disappointed by its performance that I will get with the Mini.

I don't care too much about rendering times since I can leave it render during the night. I just want it to be responsive when I work doing the actual editing.

I've seen some videos on youtube with people editing on Mac Minis but they were I7s from 2012 (quad cores ...) paired with 16GB of RAM and all had SSDs.

P.S. can you please explain why I should keep media on an external drive ? should it be USB3 enclosure for a laptop HDD ? or a fast USB3 memory stick ?

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Answer 3

Sep 9, 2015 11:33 AM in response to bernek

I'm editing all my projects (weekly sport reports, school projects/~30min, the obeligatory wedding movie/~45min) on a set-up close to yours.

What I have 'pimped' is

a) Ram maxxed out to 16GB, with a late 2012 Mini this is a DIY operation in less than 5minutes ...

b) ext.driives en massé! There's my RaidO, realized with MacOS built-in DiskUtitility and two cheap 2.5" Toshiba drives - <100€, that delivers with ~200mbps. yepp, I know, Raid0 is called shakey, me no pro, possible worst-case: I have to start all over ....

and my latest investment is an extSSD (usb3 connected) 250Gigs/Samsung, warehouse deal amazon ~110€

I'm handling here 4k Multicam ....

This matchbox-sized beast delivers >400mbps

Speed is no issue here, I'm no newsroom - as long as you spread your items (OS, app, cache, sources, project) in a smart way.

My desk is crowded with half a dozen usb3 drives (don't forget backup)

And, don't trust those cross-platform Benchmark Tests - a benchmark test tests benchmark tests 😝

FCPX is somehow 'magically' integrated into OS and hardware - it runs circles around other products.

My/our MacMini offers in such tests the performance of a pocket-calculator, late 60ies …

All I can tell: plain fun to edit! (multi format, 720/60p, 1080/100p, 4k/25p, 'native'/mp4, AVCHD)

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