Update Graphics card to do video editing?

[jngphoto]

I got my early 2008 2.8 Octo mainly for photoshop and photo editing. I added 8gb ram and a couple of 1TB hd's.

Now I want to do some video editing in Final Cut Pro in the near future. Is my stock 2600 card good enough or should I get a better card?

 

[bozz2006]

buy final cut, use it, and then decide. "Good enough" is subjective.

 

[dannymarr]

Would the ATI 4870 improve Final Cut's performance? In what way?

 

[jngphoto]

I know "good enough" is subjective and of course I will try FCP with what I have. I currently have fast HD's, my RAM is at 10GB, my processor is Dual2.8.

I would like to find out from those that do video editing, is where I can improve my current machine to get the most of what I have, if that is possible. More RAM, better graphics card, etc.?

 

[dannymarr]

I would like to find out from those that do video editing, is where I can improve my current machine to get the most of what I have, if that is possible. More RAM, better graphics card, etc.?

I second that.

Could someone layout the basics with what components imroves what?

Example
CPU Cores/Power = Boost in encoding or editing?
GPU Power = Boost in compositing, after effects, motion, shake?
RAM = Boost in everything?

Or a website that explains these things in more detail. Cheers!

 

[grue]

I second that.

Could someone layout the basics with what components imroves what?

Example
CPU Cores/Power = Boost in encoding or editing?
GPU Power = Boost in compositing, after effects, motion, shake?
RAM = Boost in everything?

Or a website that explains these things in more detail. Cheers!

That about sums it up… though RAM won't technically help encoding speeds. Appropriate HDDs will help with a lot of stuff, too.

 

[dannymarr]

That about sums it up… though RAM won't technically help encoding speeds. Appropriate HDDs will help with a lot of stuff, too.

Serious.... I was only guessing.

So generally would it be safe to say:

CPU Architecture/Cores/Clock Speed/Power = Boost in encoding and editing previews
GPU Power = Boost in compositing, after effects, motion, shake, animation, maya
RAM = Boost in everything (minor improvement in encoding)
HDD RAID Config/Speeds = Boost in everything

Does that sound correct?

 

[grue]

Serious.... I was only guessing.

So generally would it be safe to say:

CPU Architecture/Cores/Clock Speed/Power = Boost in encoding and editing previews
GPU Power = Boost in compositing, after effects, motion, shake, animation, maya
RAM = Boost in everything (minor improvement in encoding)
HDD RAID Config/Speeds = Boost in everything

Does that sound correct?

Sounds about right. I don't do any VFX stuff so I can't say for sure what uses the GPU and what doesn't.

 

[MovieCutter]

I know "good enough" is subjective and of course I will try FCP with what I have. I currently have fast HD's, my RAM is at 10GB, my processor is Dual2.8.

I would like to find out from those that do video editing, is where I can improve my current machine to get the most of what I have, if that is possible. More RAM, better graphics card, etc.?

Right now, a better graphics card doesn't give you any advantage in FCP alone. If you're using Motion, then it definitely gives you a boost. But I have a feeling Apple will be utilizing the GPU much more heavily in Final Cut alongside Snow Leopard in the near future, so your best bet is to get the best graphics card you can afford because my sources tell me an update is coming that will allow FCP to utilize the GPU to decode and render effects and video within FCP itself, on top up being much more multi-core aware.