2008 Mac Pro 8-core or 2011 iMac 4-core for Resolve

Hello all,

I need your advice on which would be the better purchase. I have the chance to get a (base model) 2008 Mac Pro for $250, or a 2011 iMac for $700.

Here's the specs on both systems:

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/m ... specs.html

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/i ... specs.html

Even though the Mac Pro's current gpu doesn't support OpenCL, will Davinci Resolve (free version) take advantage of the extra cores during export to ProRes and be just as fast or faster than the iMac? My main purpose for the Mac is to transcode to ProRes, if I need to do any editing or VFX work, that's on my PC workstation.

Thanks so much!
~Adam

That iMac is very much limited in resources. You can add memory, but you can't upgrade the GPU or the processor and I doubt you would be happy with the performance with only 512MB VRAM. Refer to the new Configuration Guide for guidance (page 13):

"The 27” late 2014 Retina 5K iMac with 4GB GPU RAM provides a flexible and versatile desktop workhorse for real time editing and grading material up to and including HD video. There are no special setup requirements for the 27” late 2014 Retina 5K iMac. The late 2013 iMac with the 4GB GPU RAM model is also suitable.

With both models UHD timelines are practical with some performance limitations especially when using optical flow speed changes, temporal processing and noise reduction. The new 27” mid 2015 Retina 5K iMac with 2GB GPU RAM and many of the older model iMacs with 2GB of GPU memory will reach these GPU limits at lower resolutions and with fewer editing tracks or color grading nodes. Very limited performance is possible on the 2010 and 2011 top of the line iMac’s and these systems will not be suitable for any temporal processing, NR or images greater than HD resolution."

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Thanks, Rick for your reply!

Even though the Mac Pro's current gpu doesn't support OpenCL, will Davinci Resolve (free version) take advantage of the extra cores during export to ProRes and be just as fast or faster than the iMac? My main purpose for the Mac is to transcode to ProRes, if I need to do any editing or VFX work, that's on my PC workstation.

Almost tempted to buy both.

You will likely need to accessorize the MacPro (be happy if it arrives with an AC cord).

If the GPU doesn't support OpenCL, what does it support? What is it?
Resolve is still going to want CUDA to be entirely happy, so you are looking at trying to find, and make work, an nVidia card... which probably might be easier than it sounds, especially if all you are trying to do is transcoding... but really wondering if you need Resolve for that?

As far as the Light application is concerned, which is now known as "Resolve version 12" as opposed to "Resolve Studio version 12", it can access one GPU, so it better be a good one.

The current config guide won't be much help to you as it is primarily cncerned with configuring later model Macs, the nMP in particular and latest iMacs. Find the previous guides down the scroll menu (like for version 10) for older platforms.

jPo

Thanks JPOwens for your response. It's a local sale, so I can test the Mac Pro. I guess that's the best way to see if it will work okay (even without a modern GPU).

You can always upgrade the 2008. The iMac is what it is forever.

You should really look for a dual CPU 2009 Mac Pro tower for the sake of forward compatibility. I upgraded mine as my needs increased and right now I've got a rig that'll stomp the latest $12k trash can for less than half that - with no signs of becoming obsolete any time soon. Only downsides; no USB3 and no Thunderbolt - but honestly, who cares? My hard drives actually go IN the computer.

Mine is sitting nicely under my desk stuffed full of raided SSD's, RAM, NVIDIA GPUs…and the only cord sticking out I can see is the one that goes to my keyboard. Pretty brilliant for a 6 year old.

Thanks Cliff! But for the purpose of just transcoding files (clients demand ProRes!) is the Mac Pro still a good deal? It only has 2 GB Ram installed, but could be upgraded if needed. I already have a 6-core PC workstation for all my video work.

Thanks Cliff! But for the purpose of just transcoding files (clients demand ProRes!) is the Mac Pro still a good deal? It only has 2 GB Ram installed, but could be upgraded if needed. I already have a 6-core PC workstation for all my video work.

Yes, the Mac Pro is the way to go if nothing else just for the internal drive storage.

Yes, the Mac Pro is the way to go if nothing else just for the internal drive storage.

Thanks Cliff! Have a good day.

~Adam