URGENT: Best Snowleopard and QT versions for best performance

[buchie]

Hi there,

I read disturbing messages about 10.6.4 and QT being broken. What is performance wise the most save version of both Snow Leopard or QT?

My mac is:

- MacPro 2008 8-core
- 12 GB RAM
- 4870 1GB
- Mtron SSD system disk
- Vertex 2 SSD 120GB Content disk

I need to play 4 layers of 1080p, which where perfectly doable under 10.5.6

All advise is welcome,

Thanks

Michel Buchner
LiveLAB

[Mr_P]

Either stick with leopard (10.5.8) - as everything seems to work ok
or
Snow Leopard 10.6.0 / 10.6.1 [CORRECTION] or 10.6.2 if you are not worried about video input by cards other than Active Silicon
See post about 10.6.2 QT video input issues:
http://chaldee1.gotadsl.co.uk/~richardb/upload/showthread.php?t=1781

Down-grading is only an option with a non 2010 MacPro - any current versions available from apple as of Aug 2010 cannot be downgraded to previous software version.

With your Mac spec - there is no issue with 64bit - as its only 32bit...

Your issues with HD (or other) playback is not strictly to do with quicktime being broken in 10.6.4 - its more to do with the ATI graphics drivers being broken

If you have the option - try installing an Nvidia GT120 card and do a direct comparison - dont change anything else - and see what results you get.
Generally Snow Leopard gives better performance gains compared to Leopard - except 10.6.4 where the ATI graphics drivers appear to be broken...

For 2010 MacPros there are good workarounds the current issues - and performance does not suffer too much if you follow the suggestions.
(boot in 32bit mode, use an nvidia graphics card, Active Silicon Video input)

See other posts for details:

http://chaldee1.gotadsl.co.uk/~richardb/upload/showthread.php?t=1871
and
http://chaldee1.gotadsl.co.uk/~richardb/upload/showthread.php?t=1875
and
http://chaldee1.gotadsl.co.uk/~richardb/upload/showthread.php?t=1781




Simon

[buchie]

I'll Stick to 6.2, thanks for that Simon,

best regards,

Michel Buchner

[Mr_P]

See correction in original post:

Snow Leopard 10.6.0 / 10.6.1 [CORRECTION] or 10.6.2 if you are not worried about video input by cards other than Active Silicon

See post about 10.6.2 QT video input issues:
http://chaldee1.gotadsl.co.uk/~richardb/upload/showthread.php?t=1781

S

[Gian]

OK,... some easy help here. Please

The "broken" graphics card on new systems 10.6.4, is on the performance to playback HD movs. right ?

I am buying 2 brand new Octos 2010, just released 6 Gb etc... they come with ATI original cards. So those are broken under 10.6.4. OK so far.

Options -
1. Downgrade the system, wicht need to be by cloning another system.
That will work OK ? Snow leopard 10.6.1 or so ?

2. I saw here the GTX 285 option, looks as a great card, and looks NVIDIA cards are not that bad at the moment. ( I am shame to put a older system than came with the computer ).
With NVIDIAS 285's, I need to upgrade the drivers ? looking at the web, I found a updated driver with a CUDA support... we need that ?

Any way... Thanks for that.

Regards

Gian Bortolotti

[Mr_P]

OK,... some easy help here. Please

The "broken" graphics card on new systems 10.6.4, is on the performance to playback HD movs. right ?

not just HD movies...
(there are also issues with adobe applications, if you search the web)


I am buying 2 brand new Octos 2010, just released 6 Gb etc... they come with ATI original cards. So those are broken under 10.6.4. OK so far.

yes


Options -
1. Downgrade the system, wicht need to be by cloning another system.
That will work OK ? Snow leopard 10.6.1 or so ?

No - doesn't seem to boot on to a drive with less than 10.6.4 - I tried with a cloned drive. Probably due to requirement for new drivers for hardware present in the new MacPros which only seem to be in 10.6.4


. I saw here the GTX 285 option, looks as a great card, and looks NVIDIA cards are not that bad at the moment. ( I am shame to put a older system than came with the computer ).
With NVIDIAS 285's, I need to upgrade the drivers ? looking at the web, I found a updated driver with a CUDA support... we need that ?

not tried this yet - the GTX285 may work - very difficult to find stock anywhere... (please let me know if anyone has a source of these anywhere in the world.?.?.) dont know about the driver update - can you email me a link?
GT120 is a cheap option until apple release a fix

Simon

[Gian]

That is the driver I found....

http://www.nvidia.com/object/geforce-macosx-19.5.8f03-driver.html

Original from Nvidia


I just bot one of this... Is on FEDEX, I know is not the apple original upgrade kit, is a changed frankstein, but at least is not overclocked or so.
I will give it a try and let you all know.

THANKS for the help.... Really.

Regards

http://cgi.ebay.com/nVidia-GTX-285-1GB-Video-Card-Mac-Pro-Graphics-NEW-/130433779319?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item1e5e758677#ht_3442wt_1039

[Mr_P]

Thanks for the diver link. - will see what it does.

I cant recomend firmware upgraded or non-apple cards...
... to coin a phrase from a well known manufacturer: - 'can yield unexpected results'
(never thought I'd ever say that!...)

While it may work fine for you - there are other users that shouldn't take the risk.

As mentioned: the GT120 card is a good cheap fix for the moment until apple releases an update

Simon

[buchie]

Hi There,

I bought my video cards flashed as well on Ebay. It all has to do with availability by Apple.
You run a risk, but if you skim the web, you'll find out which brand and type is the best to look for. You can flash your cards yourself, or buy them on ebay.

We have 2 4870 with 512mb more memory then the standard cards. It's really worth the gamble.

Anyway, getting back to my first questions, I have installed 10.6.2 and I see 5 windows with 1080p clips looping flawless. no stuttering. with 10.6.5 I did 3.

Thanks Mr P!

cheers Michel

[gazzer82]

As an FYI the issue with the ATI drivers is not fixed in the latest developer build of 10.6.5, which is a little worrying.

Cheers

[prodigal2]

GTX285 cards work a treat on early 2010 machines, with 10.6.4 with the gfx update.

[Spam Butterfly]

The trick is finding somewhere that sells them!

Hugh

[Mr_P]

Apple no longer sell GTX285 - apparently they are still listed with a number of top level distributors as available from nvidia... but lead time is about 4-6 weeks.

Some are available in the US... but not many.

S

[SourceChild]

Just a few quick notes. Looking at and playing with the latest beta for 10.6.5, the problem doesn't seem to be fixed.

There does however seem to be a possible fix coming in 10.6.6 but that is probably still several months away.

If you are using Phoenix to do video capture then stick to 10.5.8. If you are not doing Capture, you can use 10.6.2 with the QT update.

If you need Catalyst machines right now, I suggest purchasing used machines. Late 2006 machines with x1900, Early 2008 machines with 8800s are my two top choices. Early 2009 machines are decent also but the 4870 requires the mdp-dvi adaptor I'm not to happy about.

A good rule of thumb is to stick wit what works and is proven instead of trying to jump to "more powerful and newer"

[Mr_P]

I still have access to New 2009 MacPros - supplier currently has 10+ Intel Quad Core Xeon 2.66GHz with NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 - Can still get hold of limited number of ATI 4870 too...

Also 30+ 2009 Mac-Mini Server version

S