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M4 Mac Mini versus 13700K, RTX 3080 for video editing

waloshin

waloshin

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Oct 9, 2008
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I do a lot of low resolution video editing for clients, but need performance to get the jobs done quickly. I transfer VHS, camcorder tapes 480i to digital average customer 10 tapes to 30+ 2 hours each or more. I currently use a 13700K, RTX 3080 desktop to do the work I edit in Premiere Pro using the codec Apple Pro Res 422 LT 8 bit.

How much slower or faster would a new Mac Mini M4 be? And Yes I am aware storage will be limited on the Mac.
 
Wait for actual testing. Common Geekbench benchmarks do NOT accurately account for thermal throttling from prolonged processing that can be encountered with video processing. We don’t really know yet if thermal throttling is a concern with the M4 and M4pro mini, and benchmarks are NOT a good predictor.
 
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the differences are likely to be minimal compared to the time taken to ingest the vhs tapes.
 
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If performance is your key concern then consider going for the Studio model. Apple's pricing has historically been that a base mini, or a mini pro with a few upgrades is about the same price as a Mac Studio. At that point, the studio becomes better value because it has a better CPU at the same price as the upgraded mini.

This may change with the new M4 Studio, no idea when it will come out, could be next week or months. Currently the M4 base and the M4 Pro are the only ones out.

You'll need to research which particular bits of the Mini are most relevant to your workflow and whether any spec upgrades make sense for your use case. As a test, you could buy a used M1 mini and see if the tools and software interface sit well with you.
 
Chuckeee said:
Wait for actual testing. Common Geekbench benchmarks do NOT accurately account for thermal throttling from prolonged processing that can be encountered with video processing. We don’t really know yet if thermal throttling is a concern with the M4 and M4pro mini, and benchmarks are NOT a good predictor.
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Very true do we know what the max power use is whole system wide when the M4 Mini is maxed out?

Also does the base mini have a system fan?
 
I have no used Final Cut Pro for 10+ years does the newer versions have software like Adobe Media encoder?

The reason why I ask is I like to edit 10-30 VHS tapes at a time and then send them to Adobe media encoder to render. With my current of this uses about 600-800 watts of power and heats up the place significantly especially in summer.

I look forward to trying a Mini M4 to hopefully speed up my workflow as well as using less power! I capture in Pro Res 422 LT 8 Bit I am sure the M4 will crush it compared to my desktop!

As long as the Mini doesn’t slow down on older legacy 480i 422 LT pro res files.
 
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I would imagine ProRes editing will be very quick but exporting to H264 won’t be as quick?
 
Well, it’s not linear 😃 because ProRes are usually higher res or bandwidth (thus: larger) than H264 files.

Generally, as a rule, your CPU will be breathing easier with an extra help from dedicated media engines (or double of them in case of Max), especially when such engines are matched with perspective codecs. Same with additional memory bandwith which rises accordingly to price your pay for CPU.
 
wojtek.traczyk said:
Well, it’s not linear 😃 because ProRes are usually higher res or bandwidth (thus: larger) than H264 files.

Generally, as a rule, your CPU will be breathing easier with an extra help from dedicated media engines (or double of them in case of Max), especially when such engines are matched with perspective codecs. Same with additional memory bandwith which rises accordingly to price your pay for CPU.
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Very true I will see how the M4 performs for me and might upgrade if necessary.
 
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I just got the Mac mini m4 with 512 storage. I added a 4tb nvme ssd on a usb hub and tested on adobe premiere with Bmpcc 4k braw q0 footage on 4 layers overlapping (som 16x9 and some anamorphic) all 4k dci and added some lut as well as some color adjustment and grade. The footage is on a Samsung t5 ssd. The scrubbing was instant. And playing is smooth.

Same on my i7-11gen 64 laptop would have struggled and need to see playback to half resolution to play smooth. So I’m pretty impressed with the resolution.

I do wish I have gotten more ram on the mini but since this will be an occasion editing system on location with mostly 1080 footage. It would be fine.
 
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