Which Mac mini configuration would be best for a dedicated FCPX/Compressor Encoder?

[Ethosik]

I am looking for a dedicated system to just pump out my FCPX projects. Is the i7 needed for this case? How much RAM would be required?

Some of my projects are quite lengthy, it can take 6+ hours for FCPX or Compressor to finish one project. Will the Mini be fine running for that long at high/max use? The 2019 Mac Pro is way outside my budget right now, and its not like any of the other computers available have superior cooling other than the iMac Pro with is still quite expensive.

If my Mac mini breaks due to using it within 3 years, Apple Care takes care of it right?

 

[FilmIndustryGuy]

I got the i3 with 32 gb ram for 4k projects that are 10 min long. it runs smooth when I set it as best performance instead go quality. looks same to me in preview. when I set it to best quality for preview it isn't smooth. that's all the input I can provide. double video tracks play smooth and fx or transitions take a quick moment to render for payback. its good enough for my use that I dont feel a ego is needed.

 

[Ethosik]

I got the i3 with 32 gb ram for 4k projects that are 10 min long. it runs smooth when I set it as best performance instead go quality. looks same to me in preview. when I set it to best quality for preview it isn't smooth. that's all the input I can provide. double video tracks play smooth and fx or transitions take a quick moment to render for payback. its good enough for my use that I dont feel a ego is needed.

My projects will be up to 6+ hours in some cases. But I’m mostly dealing with 1080p. Is i3 still good enough?

 

[FilmIndustryGuy]

My projects will be up to 6+ hours in some cases. But I’m mostly dealing with 1080p. Is i3 still good enough?

youll probably be good but maybe get the i5 version because fcpx takes full advantage of the processor the whole way. the i7 overheats and throttles unless you give it better cooling situation. either way you should be good because fcpx is very well optimized. either get more internal SSD or youll have to tell fcpx to use external ssd cause i got the 128gb internal and once the mac saves the renders, it chokes the whole system up and i noticed a slight performance loss due to the drive being near full while editing. Personally I just ordered a thunderbolt 3 enclosure for $125 and an inland 2tb ssd that reads and writes as fast as the internal for $350 to use as boot drive. this was recommended by another user on here. well if i was to do this again i would probably get the i5 with maybe more internal ssd although for my 4k uses the i3 runs smooth when preview is set to better performance. Make sure you buy at least 32gb ram and install yourself. that will boost performance. also you can get a fan control app to manually change fan speed since it seems the mac mini fan likes to run at base 1700 rpm even when warming up when encoding 4k file.