Dual Processors????

[Jim Quinsey]

I'm wanting to buy a new computer and am wondering what opinions people might have on the dual processor Mac G4 machines. I use Vectorworks v9 and Artlantis v4.0 daily. I'm also wondering if Vectorworks runs much better on a G4 chip. I currently have a G3-350 with 448 mb of ram.

I look forward to any and all responses.

Thanks,

Jim

[Donald Wardlaw]

Applications need to be adjusted to take advantage of multiprocessing. There probably is not much benefit to multiprocessing in a drafting program since cpu power is normally not a bottleneck.

MP works especially well in database, image editing, sound and video processing and rendering -if- the software developers have tuned or revised their software to use more than one processor.

Renderworks may some day benefit by multiprocessors.

G4's work fine for VW, but since VW does not employ Altivec instructions, there should not be much difference in performance between say a 500 mhz. G4 and a 500 mhz. G3.

The benefits of a G4 are probably beyond VW. OSX will use altivec a lot so G4 machines, especially at the next 10.1 release, should feel snappier than G3's. Also, if you use other applications that take advantage of altivec, like photoshop, the G4 will give dramatic performance improvements.

Also, if you are using software that is MP aware, (like photoshop) or if you need to run simultaneous operations (like running a rendering application while doing other work) MP may be useful.

Finally, I think a benefit of new hardware is not just cpu speed (which is pretty adequate for most things without even having the worlds fastest computer) but also updated subsytem capabilities (usb, firewire, networking, etc). I think this is especially true with a Mac since Apple integrates hardware subsystems and software for you, and all things considered does a fairly good, if not perfect, job of it.

Hope this helps.

Donald

[Jim Quinsey]

Thank you.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Donald Wardlaw:

Applications need to be adjusted to take advantage of multiprocessing. There probably is not much benefit to multiprocessing in a drafting program since cpu power is normally not a bottleneck.

MP works especially well in database, image editing, sound and video processing and rendering -if- the software developers have tuned or revised their software to use more than one processor.

Renderworks may some day benefit by multiprocessors.

G4's work fine for VW, but since VW does not employ Altivec instructions, there should not be much difference in performance between say a 500 mhz. G4 and a 500 mhz. G3.

The benefits of a G4 are probably beyond VW. OSX will use altivec a lot so G4 machines, especially at the next 10.1 release, should feel snappier than G3's. Also, if you use other applications that take advantage of altivec, like photoshop, the G4 will give dramatic performance improvements.

Also, if you are using software that is MP aware, (like photoshop) or if you need to run simultaneous operations (like running a rendering application while doing other work) MP may be useful.

Finally, I think a benefit of new hardware is not just cpu speed (which is pretty adequate for most things without even having the worlds fastest computer) but also updated subsytem capabilities (usb, firewire, networking, etc). I think this is especially true with a Mac since Apple integrates hardware subsystems and software for you, and all things considered does a fairly good, if not perfect, job of it.

Hope this helps.

Donald

---

[Jim Quinsey]

Thank you.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Donald Wardlaw:

Applications need to be adjusted to take advantage of multiprocessing. There probably is not much benefit to multiprocessing in a drafting program since cpu power is normally not a bottleneck.

MP works especially well in database, image editing, sound and video processing and rendering -if- the software developers have tuned or revised their software to use more than one processor.

Renderworks may some day benefit by multiprocessors.

G4's work fine for VW, but since VW does not employ Altivec instructions, there should not be much difference in performance between say a 500 mhz. G4 and a 500 mhz. G3.

The benefits of a G4 are probably beyond VW. OSX will use altivec a lot so G4 machines, especially at the next 10.1 release, should feel snappier than G3's. Also, if you use other applications that take advantage of altivec, like photoshop, the G4 will give dramatic performance improvements.

Also, if you are using software that is MP aware, (like photoshop) or if you need to run simultaneous operations (like running a rendering application while doing other work) MP may be useful.

Finally, I think a benefit of new hardware is not just cpu speed (which is pretty adequate for most things without even having the worlds fastest computer) but also updated subsytem capabilities (usb, firewire, networking, etc). I think this is especially true with a Mac since Apple integrates hardware subsystems and software for you, and all things considered does a fairly good, if not perfect, job of it.

Hope this helps.

Donald

---

[ajs]

I have to second most of what Mr. Wardlaw says. I use VW/RW 9, Photoshop 6, and Cinema 4D 6.3 quite a bit on my dual 450. For PSD and C4D, that extra processor is a big old help. You can literally see the second processor when rendering in C4D, (and you can put it in the background and keep working) and I am all over my boss' 733 single when it comes to PSD, much of the time.

My VW/RW performance is satisfactory, speedwise, but the program has no idea the 2nd chip is there. Also, unlike many folks on this board, my stuff tends to be less involved/demanding, because I am a scenic designer, and my models are probably much more modest. your mileage may vary.

I dunno if the coming Carbonized VW/RW will permit background rendering, and I dunno a thing about Artlantis and its relationship with multiprocessing.

Right now, though, the only dual being sold is the dual 800, and it is tres spendy. Though you can order slower models from the Apple Store, and customize the order for a dual 800, for several hundred less than the straight cost of the dual, I've heard.

And as always RAM, RAM, RAM, and do not buy it from Apple. : )

HTH

[Jim Quinsey]

Thanks tons. The new pricing on the 733mhz, single processor is very attractive...

[Arturo Mendez]

ajs said:

>And as always RAM, RAM, RAM, and do not buy it from Apple. : )

HTH

I am also about to buy a new Mac, any reason why not to buy from apple...

GS

[Sean Flaherty]

Donald,

OpenGL on the Macintosh is now Altivec enabled, so VectorWorks customers should see an advantage in this rendering mode (assuming that they have the latest OpenGL drivers from Apple).

quote:

---

Originally posted by Donald Wardlaw:

G4's work fine for VW, but since VW does not employ Altivec instructions, there should not be much difference in performance between say a 500 mhz. G4 and a 500 mhz. G3.

Donald

---

------------------

Sean Flaherty

CTO

Nemetschek North America

flaherty@nemetschek.net

[ajs]

Mr. Samsa-

No real reason not to buy a new box direct from the mothership. However, many of the usual 3rd party retailers will offer similar pricing, and often throw in some bundled goodies, maybe free shipping, (also currently offered by Apple) etc. Useful if you need them.

If I were buying a new box from Apple, I'd get the RAM minimum, and probably the smallest HD I could, and then load up on those from outside sources. Apple right now is charging up to TEN times the going rate for a gig of RAM, for instance.

Also, if you don't need the SuperDrive, you can bump an 867 to dual 800s for $600, and so on. Just shop carefully.

I don't think you get any secret support line or extra warranty perks by buying from Apple, so I'd look for the best price on what I want (as opposed to a stock unit, unless that's what I want) from any reputable dealer, including the mothership. And don't forget that refurbs now have the same warranty as new.

HTH