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Tenacious Dyl · Dec 30, 2004, 11:37 PM

I have exactly $3,600.00 (US Dollars). I do a lot of heavy video editing, and rendering. On the side, I do some graphics (still form, not video) editing, filtering, and rendering. I also work with some 3-D environment programs such as Maya.

If you were in my shoes... with $3,600.00 What would you buy as a configuration. I really need some *professional* advice.

Here are the requirements:
1) Your use of the money must include a Powermac G5, and it must be a dual processor model.
2) Your use of the money may only be on "New" items, Absolutely NO used products and NO refurbished products.
3) All of the stores / sources / etc you use must ship to the US.
4) When applicable, 6% Sales tax (Michigan) must be factored in.

I have gone through many possible uses of the money (Dual 1.8, very very loaded with ram, video card, etc) (Dual 2.0 with slightly less extras) (Dual 2.5 with almost nothing added to it) (Etc...)

I appreciate all general comments / suggestions, as well as detailed accounts. If you plan on spending some of the money at different online retailers (ie, not just apple.com) then please include links.

I greatly appreciate any help and any comments. Thank you for your time.

iT4c0 · Dec 31, 2004, 02:45 AM

here is some configuration from macmall.com
They have a great free upgrade program. Here is how it goes.
Dual 2.5Ghz PowerMac G5 512mb memory - 2,994
Free (mail-in rebate) 1GB memory upgrade - 138.99
Laci 200GB external HD for back up - 168.95
So you will get the dual 2.5 G5 with total of 1.5gb memory plus an external HD for 3,301.94
plus Tax - 198.12
You total would be 3500.00
Now lets say you will get your money back from that memory upgrade. You probably can throw another 1GB later on to make it 2.5gb
Their free 1GB upgrade is starting from the dual 2.0GHz model. You probably can downgrade your CPU and put that 500 dollar different in the memory.
Let me know what you think?

Tenacious Dyl · Dec 31, 2004, 10:46 AM

I like any option that "lets me get" the g5... however this leaves me with a stock 64 meg video card, correct?

auero · Dec 31, 2004, 11:13 AM

I heard that Macmall ram gives kernal panics. Is that true?

deboerjo · Dec 31, 2004, 12:43 PM

Originally posted by Tenacious Dyl:
I like any option that "lets me get" the g5... however this leaves me with a stock 64 meg video card, correct?

The stock video card on the 2.5GHz model is the Radeon 9600XT, not the GeForce FX 5200 that's standard on the others.

So I take it software is not included in that $3600?

I'd recommend the dual 2.5 (it's just too good a deal to pass up), upgrade the ram to 1GB ($150 from Apple store), which with tax is $3337.94. That leaves you with plenty left over for a nice 19" CRT monitor like this, and a decent scrollmouse like this.

I'd also recommend taking advantage of the $99 for Final Cut Express offer that Apple's offering with the purchase of a system, if you can afford just a little extra and you need video editing software.

ideasculptor · Dec 31, 2004, 10:34 PM

If you join the apple developer connection for $500 per year, you are eligible to buy one apple computer at a STEEP discount every year. A simple bare bones 2x2.5 powermac is about $550 cheaper under the developer discount, and if you add things like a higher end video card, more memory, extra drive, or an apple cinema display, the savings can approach $1000. Plus, you get access to tech support that normal apple users have to pay for, and the $99 Final Cut Express eal is only $79.

Apple RAM is even almost cost effective under the developer discount. Without that, I wouldn't even consider buying extra RAM in the system. Get it somewhere else. Also, if you are going to be moving video around a network, forget wireless and the extra cost, and stick with wired gigabit ethernet. Getting rid of the useless modem will save another $30. If you absolutely must have an LCD monitor, check out the 20" widescreen Dell monitors which use the same hardware as apple's for $799, but a CRT display will give you a higher quality picture, more responsive display, and more screen rel estate for a fraction of the price of an LCD. By 2 high quality 20" CRT monitors for the cost of one LCD. And remember that you need a minimum of 2gigs of RAM for effective video or audio editing, and the more the better.

There isn't a lot of variety in mac pricing, so figure out what you are going to buy and see if the developer discount will net you significant savings. If you can convince your work to buy you the dev access because 'you need early access to Tiger' (that was my excuse), then work will pick up the $500 signup fee and you can keep the discount for yourself.

You can check out prices at the developer store here:

http://store.apple.com/AppleStore/We...ADC?qprm=38839

--sam

Catfish_Man · Dec 31, 2004, 11:30 PM

Originally posted by ideasculptor:
<snipped ADC suggestion>

...and then you can send me those silly WWDC DVDs that you don't need.

Tenacious Dyl · Jan 1, 2005, 12:11 AM

Thanks everyone.... my employer will not pay for anything to do with my graphics work. I am actually currently a chef

hehe. I do video as a hobby, small film-maker, enjoyment. I have a circle of friends that do photography, video, etc.

So... the $500 developers subscription seems to be a viable option. If I understand correctly, by paying $500 to join, I can get around $550 out of the total cost of the Powermac G5. If this is true... then I will CERTAINLY join, hehe.

It also seems to be agreed that I should go for the Dual 2.5 ... I am a little nervous, as I have heard (from apple store people even) there have been a lot of problems with them. Do you believe I dont have much risk in getting an overheating machine or a malfunctioning one?

Again, I have $3600, and 6% sales tax. I know that I can get ram from sources such as "www.ramseeker.com" but it seems cheap ram is just full of problems... and with such a powerful computer, I want to make sure I have NO ram problems.

Please keep the help coming. I greatly appreciate all of your kind help

mikellanes · Jan 1, 2005, 07:33 AM

Originally posted by Tenacious Dyl:
Please keep the help coming. I greatly appreciate all of your kind help

Two things, what will you be editing, and what codecs will you be editing in?

If you are going to stick to DV, I would just get a fast internal SATA drive 16MB cache and as much storage as you need.

If you will be doing Uncompressed SD or higher rate codecs you will need to consider a RAID option which will eat in to your budget.

Also the editing software you will be using makes a difference, if you are using Final Cut I would say getting motion will be a priority in the future and you will want a Radeon 9800 at least to run that.

As for everything else I'd say a dual 2.5 is the model to go with, super fast, we have 4 and no problems with ANY and we got them as soon as they came out. Just get as much RAM as you can afford and at least 3GB for final cut/after effect, etc.

If you are a serious video editor you will be making enough to upgrade soon enough, typically purchases will pay for themselves with 1 or 2 jobs. Trust me you will eventually want at least a 23" display for Final Cut and a second 20" is helpful

Tenacious Dyl · Jan 3, 2005, 12:06 PM

Thanks everyone, by using my student discount, I was able to get the dual 2.5 G5, 2.5 GBS of ram (from another source) the nvidia 6800 GT, and the 250 GB SATA internal drive.

I believe my next investment (once im not broke) with be a nice monitor, probably a flat-panel dell (really cheap). I have a personal conflict with dell, but their newer LCDS (i forget the model name, a neighbor and also fellow video editor / filmer / etc purchased one and opened it to find it was merely a re-packaged Samsung display.

I'll update when my g5 arrives :-) (apple said 1-2 weeks

)

MORT A POTTY · Jan 3, 2005, 01:09 PM

good choice (not necessarily on the monitor though...) but the 6800GT is the best bang for the buck IMO at the moment. well, will be when they get the drivers fixed.

MacNStein · Jan 3, 2005, 08:40 PM

Originally posted by auero:
I heard that Macmall ram gives kernal panics. Is that true?

It's crap, go with Crucial or Mushkin.

Rodster · Jan 3, 2005, 10:09 PM

Also if you can wait to see what Apple plans to release shortly you may save some additional cash. Chances are if the Power Mac's get a speed bump they may drop the price on your dual 2.5 unit.

Just a thought.

MORT A POTTY · Jan 4, 2005, 12:43 AM

Originally posted by MacNStein:
It's crap, go with Crucial or Mushkin.

Corsair is also good.

Sn1PeR · Jan 5, 2005, 05:30 PM

Check around for LCD monitors on newegg and zipzoomfly.com I picked up a BenQ 19" FP931 for pretty cheap off newegg and have been very happy with it.

omar96 · Jan 5, 2005, 11:23 PM

Originally posted by Tenacious Dyl:
I have a personal conflict with dell, but their newer LCDS (i forget the model name, a neighbor and also fellow video editor / filmer / etc purchased one and opened it to find it was merely a re-packaged Samsung display.

Absolutely. The Dell FP2001 is what you're thinking of and I've been coveting a buddy's for quite a while now. It's awesome, the best LCD I've ever seen.

d.fine · Jan 6, 2005, 05:43 AM

Originally posted by Tenacious Dyl:
Again, I have $3600, and 6% sales tax.

Pfff, over here I pay 21% tax, lucky you ...

I'd recommend a loaded Dual 2.0, I got me one but payed in Euros with 21% tax so... (got me at about 3.500 euros : Dual 2.0, 2GB DDR, 250 GB HDD, XT9600, AE)

Good luck with your hunt, and let us know what you get !