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beardedbil
21-04-2009, 08:26 PM
I am looking to build a Catalyst with this equipment, does anyone see any issues? Thanks in advance!
Bill

Mac Pro -
Two 2.26GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon
6GB (6x1GB)
Mac Pro RAID Card
640GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s
640GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s
640GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s
ATI Radeon HD 4870 512MB
One 18x SuperDrive
Apple Mighty Mouse
Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad
Apple Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter

Active Silicon: LFG4 (4 composite inputs)
VGA2USB: Switch live from any VGA input
TRIPLEHEAD2GO
Sonnet Allegro USB 2.0 (for internal Dongle)
M-Audio Fast Track Pro (for audio output)

Right now we will not be using this with a lighting console, so artnet or DMX is not needed at this time.

Any suggestions? Do I really need to use an SSD or will two 640GB 7200rpm drives in a raid be okay? Mostly will use 1 to 2 layers only at a time. Thanks!

jasonrudolph
21-04-2009, 09:51 PM
a RAID wont help you when it comes to standard SATA drives. In fact, it could hurt when it comes to performance in catalyst. I would strongly suggest getting at least one SSD (even a small one) where you can migrate the files you are using most in your show, you'll see a significant increase in performance.

Also, with the HD4870, remember it only has one DVI port, and then the MiniDisplayport, which you will need adapters to use. I just did a show that had three new machines on it, one with a 4870, and two with Nvidia 8800s, and I couldn't discern a difference between them, and the 8800s have two dual link DVI ports built in.....

beardedbil
21-04-2009, 10:26 PM
Thanks for the reply,
Do you have any suggestions for an SSD? and aren't most 2.5 in? Will they fit the apple drive bay? Also I dont think Apple offers the Nvidia 8800, it seems I can only choose ATI HD4870 or the NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 512MB... (is this the 8800??)
Thanks for your help!
Bill

jasonrudolph
22-04-2009, 01:08 AM
You can buy the 8800 separately from apple (it's not officially listed as an upgrade for the current models, but the card works just fine in it), it might be backordered right now, not sure. There is also the ATI 3870hd, but I haven't personally tested this card, all the tests I have seen seem to say it is quite close in performance to the others.
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/ATI%20Technologies/100435928/

The OCZ drives are great for the price, there are a number of models available, you want a CoreV2 or newer. They are 2.5", and to mount them, you need this adapter...
http://www.maxupgrades.com/istore/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_id=180

here is one of the drives
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227411

beardedbil
22-04-2009, 04:54 AM
Thanks so much for the info I will be sure to add the SSD to my package and get rid of the extra Raid card

Mr_P
22-04-2009, 12:55 PM
OCX Vertex range doesnt seem to perform as well as the V2 or Vertex range despite quoted specifications. Id recommend:

OCZ Core Series V2 SATA II 2.5" SSD
http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/flash_drives/ocz_core_series_v2_sata_ii_2_5-ssd

or
OCZ Vertex Series SATA II 2.5" SSD
http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/flash_drives/ocz_vertex_series_sata_ii_2_5-ssd

I manufacture a Drive Sled which allows you to fit a 2.5in SSD in a MacPro. Link shows v1: http://gallery.mac.com/simonpugsley#100127&bgcolor=black&view=grid
v2 will be available in May and is re-designed to support 2.5in drive connection to raid cards, or as a spare 3.5in drive sled - contact me directly for a quote.

Dont use SATA.

Nvidia 8800GT has 2 x DVI Dual-Link ports. There are some other Mac compatible ATI cards on the market, but they are not officially 'supported' by apple.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB137Z/A

Try and get the TH2G-Digital edition. It will give you more resolution options and will work in both Analogue or Digital modes. It is also tried and tested with the Nvidia 8800GT card

Simon

Peter
22-04-2009, 03:10 PM
According to barefeats the 8800 isnt yet compatible with the macpro 2009 but will be in the future

beardedbil
22-04-2009, 05:21 PM
I heard the same that it only works with the earlier 2008 version... Now I am stuck :-/

I guess I will build it with the ATI 4870 until the 8800 works with the machine....

Thanks guys for all your help! I really appreciate it...

jasonrudolph
23-04-2009, 12:19 AM
well, they now have a new driver, read the note on this page....
http://www.barefeats.com/quick.html