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Buying a desktop (MAC) need some input

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eheath
Posts: 61100 - Karma: 118,256
Alrighty folks, I've been doing lots of research recently because I have gathered some funds to purchase a new computer. My laptop feels like its going to explode every time I edit/export/compress/do anything with it so I don't want it to die before college is over.


I'm currently looking at iMacs, I would love to be a baller and slay a mac pro but it's out of my price range.


So my price range is roughly 1500. I edit DVCPROHD (P2) and i plan on running final cut, after effects, photoshop, quicktime pro, etc. I'm looking at either getting a 20 inch or 24 inch, both with 2.66 dual core processor with NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics 256mb and 4gb of ram, 24 inch would have a bigger harddrive but i could care less.


Now here comes the questions.

Is it worth it to step up to 1 full HD resolution? I mean, its literally 100 bucks more for 4 more inches, should I just send it?

Should I step it up for a couple hundo more and get the 2.93? with the NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 256mb. According to my research, it's not worth it, but maybe someone on here has a different opinion.

Also, should i throw down another 400 to upgrade my RAM to 6gb? 4gb of ddr3 seems like enough, seeing how i only have 3gb of ddr2 and a 2.33 processor on my MBP.

Spending up to 2000 would almost be acceptable with good enough reason, but the 20inch with additions is 1300 the 24in isw 1500 and if i stepped up processors/ram it would be almost 2gs. I really would rather save 500 for something better and something i need over extra computing shit i dont need.


Any other MAC relation opinions are greatly appreciated.
Sep 2 2009 2:00AM
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InitialG
Posts: 1505 - Karma: 14
4gigs was always enough for me back when I ran vista so you should have no problem on a mac.

Also, a GT120 is just a rebranded geforce 9500 card, which isn't going to be noticiably faster than a 9400m with the same amount of ram. I'd skip that upgrade and get the bigger monitor instead. Being able to have two different applications full size is the shit and makes writing so much easier because you don't have to flip back and forth between word and the internet.
Sep 2 2009 2:21AM
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eheath
Posts: 61100 - Karma: 118,256
Forgot to add, I have a second monitor I already use with my laptop right now that I intend to use with my new desktop.
Sep 2 2009 2:28AM
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InitialG
Posts: 1505 - Karma: 14
Do imac's have a port for a second monitor? Something to check if you haven't. I run a dual monitor setup and I love it, I bet it's pretty much required for editing.
Sep 2 2009 2:30AM
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eheath
Posts: 61100 - Karma: 118,256
Yeah, it has a mini display port so i just have to get mini display to vgi.
Sep 2 2009 2:34AM
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eheath
Posts: 61100 - Karma: 118,256
By vgi i meant dvi, i already have a vgi to dvi adapter.
Sep 2 2009 2:35AM
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dowalibeast
Posts: 3339 - Karma: 207
Yeah I'd go with the 24 inch/2.66/4 gb ram.

I have no problem editing DVCPROHD footage on my laptop which is 2.16 GHz with 2 GB ram, so I'm assuming the 2.66/4 will be plenty.

If you decide the 4 gb isn't enough you could always have more installed/do it yourself. I think the bookstore at my school does it for $80/gig.
Sep 2 2009 2:41AM
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Peter.
Posts: 23796 - Karma: 13,012
side note, i'd throw another stick in on your mbp, just because even numbered ram gigs run in dual channel mode, greatly improving performance over 3 gigs running non dual channel
Sep 2 2009 10:50AM
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eheath
Posts: 61100 - Karma: 118,256
My MBP only takes 3gb, its like the OG intel version.
Sep 2 2009 11:14AM
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freeskibum82
Posts: 6355 - Karma: 5,055
mini display port to dvi is only $9.75 on www.monoprice.com.

And i would shoot for the 6gb of ram since the new Snow Leopard upgrade will definitely take advantage of it when it comes to Adobe products and Final cut.

Spend once and not worry about it later..

You can also look into the miniDisplay-HDMI if you have an HDTV with HDMI so you can do playback on that. Quality is great.
Sep 2 2009 11:29AM
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eheath
Posts: 61100 - Karma: 118,256
Yeah yeah, i mean i usually shoot 720 and the 24 inch is 1920x1200 so hooking up to an HDTV with my iMac wouldn't be something i am looking to do.
Sep 2 2009 11:32AM
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InitialG
Posts: 1505 - Karma: 14
Why pay $400 for a 2gb upgrade when you can buy a full 6gb ddr3 set for half that price on newegg? As long as you buy compatible memory it doesn't matter who it came from, even with macs.

Sep 2 2009 11:47AM
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freeskibum82
Posts: 6355 - Karma: 5,055
touche.. good point.
Sep 2 2009 12:41PM
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connoroh
Posts: 2333 - Karma: 246
I have a 20 inch iMac for my secondary computer besides my MBP. I really wouldn't see a reason for going the extra 4 inches. Especially for the price. Personally i find the 24 and 30 inch displays overwhelming.

4 gigs of ram is plenty. You really shouldn't need more. If you do want more, don't buy the 6 gigs from Mac directly, get whatever you need to replace and do the swap yourself. You'll save a ton of money.

Just because the Insane technology is there, doesn't mean you need it. Even the lowest end iMac they offer is easily good enough for what you do.

Editing Video doesn't call for a half gig graphics card, 3 ghz processor, and 6 gigs of ram, unless you plan on using fcp, ae and photoshop simultaneously. Save yah money.
Sep 2 2009 12:56PM
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Blandct
Posts: 1858 - Karma: 37
I would recommend getting More RAM if you use after effects with tons of layers, 3D channels and motion blur your renders will be atrocious and playback will be a bitch, but if you don't go that far in after effects and just do some title sequences and basic mo graph it would be pretty hard to justify the money for the RAM
Sep 2 2009 1:00PM
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powder_submarine
Posts: 204 - Karma: 17
i think could be of some kind of interest, as i'm looking as well to buy an iMac:

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/08/07/apples_next_imacs_rumored_with_compelling_new_features.html
Sep 2 2009 1:44PM
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connoroh
Posts: 2333 - Karma: 246
i had a feeling that would be misread.

I meant if you could physically use all the programs at once.
Sep 2 2009 2:14PM
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eheath
Posts: 61100 - Karma: 118,256
So, i should wait?
Sep 2 2009 2:40PM
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freeskibum82
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atleast wait till after Sept 09th as they have a press event scheduled.
Sep 2 2009 3:16PM
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eheath
Posts: 61100 - Karma: 118,256
fuckkk i want a free ipod!
Sep 2 2009 3:19PM
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connoroh
Posts: 2333 - Karma: 246
They did the same thing last year. They had the huge student deal which ended sept 15th, and sept 16th all the new macbooks came out. Wait.
Sep 2 2009 6:05PM
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eheath
Posts: 61100 - Karma: 118,256
Word, glad I made a thread, I was literally a click away from purchasing.
Sep 2 2009 6:47PM
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978
Posts: 123 - Karma: 34
get the larger graphics card. believe me i wish i did on my macbook pro. i do alot of after effects and the graphics card doesnt render welll with 3d
Sep 2 2009 6:52PM
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gordie.
Posts: 2014 - Karma: 84
this.

as long as you have enough ram, having more isnt going to help you

go for the 4 gigs of ram

you'll know after a while if you need to step it up, keep an eye on activity monitor

don't bother going for the higher processor, its not THAT much of a gain for the money

i would say go for the larger display though, only out of personaly preference

hit up a external HD right away, just keep one permanently there
the less you have clogging it up, the better your editing will run

also i think you mentioned you have anotehr monitor for editing or something, either way, this is a great idea, it helps incredibly
Sep 3 2009 2:47AM
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Crock360
Posts: 2100 - Karma: 23
my gf was debating the 20" vs 24" for a long time. I kept saying not to worry about the extra, that 20" was plenty big enough. Well she proved me wrong. I have a 22" Acer monitor for my powermac G5, so I was thinking 2" smaller would be fine, but when that 24" iMac showed up I was instantly jealous. Maybe a little overwhelming, but perfect for running Final Cut, or even just awesome to watch dvds on. I say the extra $200 is worth it for the bigger screen, but save your money on ram.
Sep 3 2009 7:35AM
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freeskibum82
Posts: 6355 - Karma: 5,055
word on the street is an iTouch with a camera... so that may be a deal with a new comp as well.
Sep 3 2009 8:58AM
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eheath
Posts: 61100 - Karma: 118,256
Come on I edit on a laptop, I have like 4 externals already haha
Sep 3 2009 11:23AM
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connoroh
Posts: 2333 - Karma: 246
nah, the deal is purely to get rid of old stock. They get rid of old hardware for what you think is a deal, and then come out with brand new stuff for the same price.

The deal is also for students going back to school.
Sep 3 2009 11:49AM
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freeskibum82
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or people who graduated from college 5 years ago and still have a student id.....
Sep 3 2009 12:00PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,398
that is an ipod event, not a mac event, dont expect anything of new imacs till january around ces
Sep 4 2009 2:01PM
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eheath
Posts: 61100 - Karma: 118,256
fuck really? shit
Sep 7 2009 4:34AM
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Six.0.Tree-ski
Posts: 4059 - Karma: 67
fuckkkkkkk
Sep 7 2009 4:26PM
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japanada
Posts: 13784 - Karma: 1,957
4gigs of ddr3 will be plenty, keep in mind that ddr3 is twice as fast, so 4 gigs ddr3=8gigs ddr2.
Sep 7 2009 8:13PM
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Six.0.Tree-ski
Posts: 4059 - Karma: 67
^ so if he only said this he would be correct
Sep 7 2009 8:36PM
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special_k10101
Posts: 1498 - Karma: 72
if you get a chance, pick up the newest issue of PC World
they directly compare the 20 inch iMac, and the 24 inch iMac, as well as a number of other all in one computers. 

the 9400 on the 20 inch is apparently just pathetic, so i think that you would have a difficult time editing on it, seeing that it can barely play a 3d game at an acceptable frame rate.

however, the 24 inch blew the competition out of the water, so since you are a serious video editor you should definitely step up to the gt 120 because that card isn't available on the 20 inch.

good luck
Sep 7 2009 9:00PM
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special_k10101
Posts: 1498 - Karma: 72
roughly twice
this is true
Sep 7 2009 9:04PM
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eheath
Posts: 61100 - Karma: 118,256
Well, I'm guessing the graphics card is better than the one in my 3 year old MBP which is a ATY,RadeonX1600 256mb.
Sep 8 2009 1:18AM
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Travis.T
Posts: 21 - Karma: 18
god i would fucking love a mac Pro... but untill then my MacBook pro works just fine renders HD not to badly either.
Sep 8 2009 1:25PM
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special_k10101
Posts: 1498 - Karma: 72
i just checked,
the results are similar...

the X1600 is a discrete graphics card, while the 9400m is integrated, so despite the fact that the X1600 is much older it still runs just about on par with the newer chip.


Sep 8 2009 7:46PM
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eheath
Posts: 61100 - Karma: 118,256
Hm, well that there says they are basically the same, so with 4gb of ddr3 i feel like it would be fine? I mean, i currently run the same graphics card with 3gb of ddr2...
Sep 8 2009 8:14PM
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freeskibum82
Posts: 6355 - Karma: 5,055


....choose already!!

if you get the 24 lemme know what you think. ive got the mcp with 4gb of ddr3 and it flys.


Sep 8 2009 8:30PM
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eheath
Posts: 61100 - Karma: 118,256
I really need to figure out this graphics card shit first.
Sep 8 2009 8:46PM
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Six.0.Tree-ski
Posts: 4059 - Karma: 67
this thread is helping me greatly so keep it going lol
Sep 8 2009 9:56PM
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freeskibum82
Posts: 6355 - Karma: 5,055
read up on the nvidia forums. there is a ton of good information regarding the cards there and realworld use as oppose to hearsay: NVIDIA FORUM
Sep 8 2009 9:59PM
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eheath
Posts: 61100 - Karma: 118,256
fucckkk worth it to drop extra 300 on the better graphics card???
Sep 12 2009 3:32PM
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eheath
Posts: 61100 - Karma: 118,256
pulled the trigger, 24inch 2.93 processor, so stoked!
Sep 12 2009 6:23PM
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Legoman
Posts: 533 - Karma: 13
Well if your gonna use Final Cut then I suggest getting something with at least and independent graphics card as in the requirements page for final cut it says they are not supported: it does say Intel integrated graphics card but to be honest I think you would have a much harder time with just the 9400 or w/e it is as its just an integrated card which tend to suck especially coming from your MBP which will have a proper graphics card.

http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/specs/

Also if you can afford to wait a little there should be some new iMacs around the corner:

http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/

Now there usually pretty on-point and apple products tend to follow the cycles. Have a look on their forums you can probably get some questions answered by some more nerdy mac people than on here too.

Also if you wait for the new ones the current ones will probably be cheaper in the clearance section and you can probably get the spec you want and save yourself some skrilla.

Also quite a few people on that site have mentioned buying the refurbs and said your probably better off buying a refurb when it has allready being fixed and again save yourself some more money.

Oh and unless for some reason you cant buy any upgrades yourself of a internet site such as ram and hdds as apple charge you through the ass. If you wiki your model and find out what spec it takes youll probably pay half the price than apple will for putting in the same thing.

Theres usually really simple tutorials on how to do stuff like that on youtube and things. Took me about a 4minutes to put in a 320gb hdd which would have cost me 4x the price from apple. Ram is the same really simple. Dont know about iMacs but its a computer, its practically lego.

Hope that helps you save some money. 
Sep 13 2009 12:36PM
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TylerS
Posts: 2720 - Karma: 49
ok i dont know too much about computers but right now you may "regret" spending the extra $300 but if your using this all the time then definitely do it. see what im trying to say?
Sep 13 2009 9:59PM
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