Imac Or Powermac?, do i need the power? Options

[kjartan]

Hi there!

I'll be starting an electronica group with a friend in the near future, and plan on getting a Mac with Apple's Logic Pro. We'll be programing drums, synths, virtual instruments and using the guitar modeling and synths in real time. This sounds like a huge load to process all at once, and was wondering if an iMac would give Logic enough juice. The portability and lower price is making me lean towards the iMac, but if we REALLY REALLY need the power of the dual 2GHz G5s, then so be it.

Any input you guys could give would be most appreciated.

Thanks!
--kjartan

[beyaRecords]

kjartan,
Steinberg has recently produced a document which may help shed some light on how much processing power you may require:

http://www.steinberg.de/Steinberg/messe_ae...yc_2005-eu.html

click the link at the bottom of the page: Download Multiprocessor Tech Info (PDF)

and look at page 3 of this document which has a chart depicting perfomance levels of various single/dual/dual core processors in regards to using Nuendo with many differnt plugins as you have mentioned. Suffice to say that the G5 2.5GHz machines are not cut out to handle the kind of processing required to enhance the 'creative experience'.

I have a G5 2.5GHz, used with Nuendo 3.1, machine and am now crossing over to an AMD Athlon X2 4400+ based machine because they are far better able to deal with the kind of way I work, which is to have numerous plugins spread over a number of tracks.

If you intend to work in an audio only capacity with a few aux channels setup with a number of effects spread across them, then get an apple G5 series. If like myself you are one of those that like an EQ on every channel with some sound module, just for openers, then get yourself an AMD Athlon Dual Core X2 (4400, 4600, 4800) + based machine.

Cost is another major factor, and the cost of the coponents required to build one of these far more powerful machines is about £1,500 less than I paid for my G5 6 months ago!!

beya

P.S. Anyone interested in buying a G5 2.5GHz 2 Gig ram for around the £1,100 mark? Quick sale wanted hence the price!!