Hi!
I'm looking for a Mac that I can use for video editing. I mainly use Premiere Pro CS6 and After Effects CS6 and I'm wondering what options are out there for a Mac that is capable of GPU acceleration through the Mercury Playback Engine.
I'm not afraid to use the GPU "text file edit" in order to get potential GPUs into consideration.
While searching for something that can do this, I came across some older 2009 Mac Pros on Ebay.
Apparently there are 2 very nicely priced models: 1x 2.66 Quad Xeon Processor and 2x 2.26 Quad Xeon Processor. I'd love this option because you can use "standard" GPUs. Right? The GTX550ti seems like a nice affordable option that apparently beats the heck out of un-rendered Chroma Key.
http://nrsotw.blogspot.com/2012/07/enabling-mercury-playback-engine-for.html
Not to mention, most of them are under 1000 bucks. If I get one, I plan to upgrade the RAM, obviously the video card, and in time the processor. I've heard the $500 3.3 Quad Xeon Processor is a great upgrade, but I'm wondering if it matters if I purchase the 2x 2.26 or the 1x 2.66 if and when I upgrade in the future.
In my head, this all seems like a good plan but hard to piece together. Are there any other comparable Mac's out there in that price range that can do what my "supposed upgrade" can do? How does this rank in terms of the Mac Mini Server, or the iMac? Has anyone tried something similar before?
Thanks!
EDIT: I want to make a quick note: GPU acceleration requires at least 1GB of vRAM, and it appears that not a lot of stock Macs support that.
I'm looking for a Mac that I can use for video editing. I mainly use Premiere Pro CS6 and After Effects CS6 and I'm wondering what options are out there for a Mac that is capable of GPU acceleration through the Mercury Playback Engine.
I'm not afraid to use the GPU "text file edit" in order to get potential GPUs into consideration.
While searching for something that can do this, I came across some older 2009 Mac Pros on Ebay.
Apparently there are 2 very nicely priced models: 1x 2.66 Quad Xeon Processor and 2x 2.26 Quad Xeon Processor. I'd love this option because you can use "standard" GPUs. Right? The GTX550ti seems like a nice affordable option that apparently beats the heck out of un-rendered Chroma Key.
http://nrsotw.blogspot.com/2012/07/enabling-mercury-playback-engine-for.html
Not to mention, most of them are under 1000 bucks. If I get one, I plan to upgrade the RAM, obviously the video card, and in time the processor. I've heard the $500 3.3 Quad Xeon Processor is a great upgrade, but I'm wondering if it matters if I purchase the 2x 2.26 or the 1x 2.66 if and when I upgrade in the future.
In my head, this all seems like a good plan but hard to piece together. Are there any other comparable Mac's out there in that price range that can do what my "supposed upgrade" can do? How does this rank in terms of the Mac Mini Server, or the iMac? Has anyone tried something similar before?
Thanks!
EDIT: I want to make a quick note: GPU acceleration requires at least 1GB of vRAM, and it appears that not a lot of stock Macs support that.
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