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Thread: URGENT: Best Snowleopard and QT versions for best performance

  1. #1

    URGENT: Best Snowleopard and QT versions for best performance

    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
    Michel Buchner
    LiveLAB
    The Netherlands

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    Location
    UK - Milton Keynes
    Posts
    807
    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/~richa...ead.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/~richa...ead.php?t=1871
    and
    http://chaldee1.gotadsl.co.uk/~richa...ead.php?t=1875
    and
    http://chaldee1.gotadsl.co.uk/~richa...ead.php?t=1781




    Simon
    Last edited by Mr_P; 12-10-2010 at 12:06 AM.
    Simon Pugsley

    SNP Productions Ltd. (UK)
    Lighting & Video Control Solutions
    Catalyst|Sales|Hire|Training|Support
    Catalyst Dealer UK Europe & Worldwide...

    Office: +44 (0)1908 410129
    Mobile: +44 (0)7958 390034
    simon@snp-productions.co.uk
    www.snp-productions.co.uk

  3. #3

    Cheers :-)

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

    best regards,

    Michel Buchner
    Michel Buchner
    LiveLAB
    The Netherlands

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    UK - Milton Keynes
    Posts
    807
    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/~richa...ead.php?t=1781

    S
    Simon Pugsley

    SNP Productions Ltd. (UK)
    Lighting & Video Control Solutions
    Catalyst|Sales|Hire|Training|Support
    Catalyst Dealer UK Europe & Worldwide...

    Office: +44 (0)1908 410129
    Mobile: +44 (0)7958 390034
    simon@snp-productions.co.uk
    www.snp-productions.co.uk

  5. #5
    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
    Gian
    Ibeam SP
    SP, Brasil

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    UK - Milton Keynes
    Posts
    807
    Quote Originally Posted by Gian View Post
    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)

    Quote Originally Posted by Gian View Post
    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

    Quote Originally Posted by Gian View Post
    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

    Quote Originally Posted by Gian View Post
    . 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
    Simon Pugsley

    SNP Productions Ltd. (UK)
    Lighting & Video Control Solutions
    Catalyst|Sales|Hire|Training|Support
    Catalyst Dealer UK Europe & Worldwide...

    Office: +44 (0)1908 410129
    Mobile: +44 (0)7958 390034
    simon@snp-productions.co.uk
    www.snp-productions.co.uk

  7. #7
    That is the driver I found....

    http://www.nvidia.com/object/geforce...03-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-285-1...ht_3442wt_1039
    Gian
    Ibeam SP
    SP, Brasil

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    UK - Milton Keynes
    Posts
    807
    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
    Simon Pugsley

    SNP Productions Ltd. (UK)
    Lighting & Video Control Solutions
    Catalyst|Sales|Hire|Training|Support
    Catalyst Dealer UK Europe & Worldwide...

    Office: +44 (0)1908 410129
    Mobile: +44 (0)7958 390034
    simon@snp-productions.co.uk
    www.snp-productions.co.uk

  9. #9

    Buying flashed cards

    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
    Michel Buchner
    LiveLAB
    The Netherlands

  10. #10
    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

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