New Mac Pro 6-core

[orest]

Hi all!

I just bought the new Mac Pro 6-core modell with 512 gig SSD and 32 gig of ram. I also have an external Thunderbolt enclosure with 2 terabyte SSD.

I'm just saying, this is a killer machine and I will be able to run a lot of VI channels in Logic before it will "be angry" with me.

If you are composing orchestral music and you are using a lot of orchestral plug-ins, this is the machine for you! It's really good looking, takes almost no space at all (compared to the old Mac Pro...) and it's totally silent!! It's almost as you think that it's not turned on.

This is really the computer I've dreamt of all my life!

And, if you are doing music the 6-core machine will be faster that the 12-core (the single CPU in the 6-core version is faster that the dual CPU in the 12-core).
The DAW will only work with 1 CPU and use all the cores, well, if you are using Logic. Not sure if the other DAW's can handle the 12-core in a better way.

[elser]

Congrats, they seem like an amazing computer!

[mojobone]

Congrats on the new machine!


I may have to do some tests with Logic, to see if it spreads the workload any better than Tracktion. I have a dozen multithreaded cores in an older Mac Pro, so T6 asked if I wanted to use 24 cores; that's the box I ticked, though it might run smoother with less, depending on the template I have loaded. I have 40G of RAM, but if you allocate that per virtual core, it's only 1.66G each. My system's showing signs of strain with fewer than a dozen tracks and about the same number of plugins, albeit at vanishingly low latencies.

[orest]

Logic is better nowadays regarding handling multi-cores.
But as you are saying, it's best to set the cores manually (sometimes) otherwise, at least Logic, will set the cores to a maximum setting, that's 12 in my case (6 logical and 6 virtual).

I loaded some old projects and the meters are barely moving in this monster machine...

[andygabrys]

as you mentioned in your last post Alexander, Logic X and especially 10.2.1 has been re-coded and recoded so that all real and virtual cores are utilized even on an actual 12 core machine - so its fully taking advantage of all the horsepower in 12 core 5,1 and 6,1 mac pros.

as for the 6 core being faster:

well its all relative. You have higher frequency RAM (as long as you don't go over 64 GB at which point its the same speed as 5,1 mac pros). You do have the big lightning fast apple flash drive, quiet running etc.

the main thing being:

6 core machine at 3.5 Ghz - yes one core is faster than one core of a 2.66 ghz 12 core machine.

but by the same, each individual channel in Logic will run on a separate virtual core - so if you have 24 tracks each with its own instrument / VI samples loaded you could actually be in better shape with a 12 core / 24 virtual core machine.

But it likely doesn't matter that much - both older 5,1 12 cores and 6 core of greater 6,1 both have ridiculous amounts of processing power.

[mojobone]

Hm. Switching to 12 cores from 24 hasn't affected the CPU meter at all, but interestingly, Addictive Drums 2 reports using an entire core with 1.7 ms latency. I may need to load some larger sessions to learn anything useful.

[madkeys88]

Dang! I'm drooling guys. If only I could get one of these babies. I'm sure my Logic Pro and Vienna Ensemble would play together. Oh well, I see it in the future.

[andygabrys]

Dang! I'm drooling guys. If only I could get one of these babies. I'm sure my Logic Pro and Vienna Ensemble would play together. Oh well, I see it in the future.

buy a used 12 core mac 5,1 (like Mojo and I both did independently) and you will have an excess of power at almost unbeatable price point.

[jonnybutter]

Hey Mark,

I was in your position for a while - running everything on a 2009 MBP in my case. I did have 8gb of RAM which helped, but...I feel your pain. Andy's suggestion about buying a conventional tower Mac Pro is a great idea - it's really a good value. You can stuff it with ram and drives and be in great shape for several years. I use an 8 core with lots o RAM and can run pretty heavy sessions. A 12 core, as he and Mojo use, would be even better. You will LOVE having a tower, after the MBP.

[mojobone]

Yeah, but you're not gonna toss it in your carry-on luggage when you fly to Nepal to record throat singers. Which reminds me, I need to test the Zen Studio with my mid-priced four-year-old PC laptop.