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Archive 2022 · MAC studio question

bobby350z
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · MAC studio question

Last year I was thinking of upgrading my 4-5 yr old PC with a 16" MBP. They weren't available so I just waited for new Apple announcements. I like this MAC studio as it has enough ports so I won't need a dock. Now my question is should I stick with the base model or upgrade? Cost is not an issue. I am mainly a stills shooter. Camera is 100MP GFX. Sometimes I stitch upto 10 files which can get big but it rare. I am thinking I upgrade to 1TB SSD, 32 cores and 64G RAM to future proof it. Oh, I should mentioned I am mostly CaptureOne user. Any recommendations?

Mar 19, 2022 at 08:29 PM

Peter Figen
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · MAC studio question

Well, C1 literally smokes on a 64GB M1 MBP so it'll be the same on the Studio. That's not much future proofing with only a 1TB drive. I would go with at least the 4TB SSD and probably consider the higher ram option as well, which I think will put you close to $7K. Seeing as how you can't upgrade the ram or hard drive later and you say you can afford it, this is the direction I'd be going - and likely will - y'know, after I absorb the two laptops.

Mar 19, 2022 at 09:18 PM

bobby350z
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · MAC studio question

Peter Figen wrote:
Well, C1 literally smokes on a 64GB M1 MBP so it'll be the same on the Studio. That's not much future proofing with only a 1TB drive. I would go with at least the 4TB SSD and probably consider the higher ram option as well, which I think will put you close to $7K. Seeing as how you can't upgrade the ram or hard drive later and you say you can afford it, this is the direction I'd be going - and likely will - y'know, after I absorb the two laptops.

Peter, I won't be storing any files locally. They will be on external enclosure. My biggest C1 session would be 128GB so local import and edit and then on to the external should be ok. Maybe I don't even have to do that and work directly from the external drive.

Mar 19, 2022 at 11:07 PM

schlotz
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · MAC studio question

A 1Tb internal is probably ok if all photos are located on external drives but if it were me I would at least bump that to a 2Tb drive for some amount of future proofing. This also allows for some local photo storage while working them for a period of time before moving them to the external drive(s).

Mar 20, 2022 at 07:00 AM

Rajan Parrikar
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · MAC studio question

I strongly recommend at least a 4TB drive just in case you decide later on to undertake some video work, or run some other program that may need swap space. You did indicate future-proofing. (A teardown suggests that the internal SSD in the Mac Studio is accessible for upgrade despite Apple's claims. But it would probably take an expert tech to do it.)

Mar 20, 2022 at 08:30 AM

bobby350z
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · MAC studio question

No video. With 64GB RAM, there won't be need for the swap space, or I am wrong?

Mar 20, 2022 at 10:02 AM

mcbroomf
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · MAC studio question

2TB, 128GB, stick with the 48 core GPU version of the Ultra

I keep my images externally but I don't know what software or techniques I'll be using in 2,3,5 years etc that might push local storage and Ram. I don't do video either and never plan to so lower GPU version of the Ultra is OK.

Mar 20, 2022 at 10:13 AM

bobby350z
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · MAC studio question

mcbroomf wrote:
2TB, 128GB, stick with the 48 core GPU version of the Ultra

I keep my images externally but I don't know what software or techniques I'll be using in 2,3,5 years etc that might push local storage and Ram. I don't do video either and never plan to so lower GPU version of the Ultra is OK.

Is it based on get the best out there money no objective or some use case. I can't think of. In 5+ yrs if something really nice comes out any my needs change (say 200+MP camera), I can always buy another one at that time.

Mar 20, 2022 at 10:31 AM

mcbroomf
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · MAC studio question

bobby350z wrote:
Is it based on get the best out there money no objective or some use case. I can't think of. In 5+ yrs if something really nice comes out any my needs change (say 200+MP camera), I can always buy another one at that time.

Well I think I'm saying it's a use case that I can't think of right now. When I look back on what I was asking of my PC 5 years ago it's a good bit different to today.

Yes of course I could obsolete it and get a new one, and maybe I'm wrong and will "need" to if new software needs new hardware, but relative to the amount of money I spend on camera gear, and time I spend processing I think it's worth it (for me of course).

PS. And if money were no object it would be the 8TB version with 64 GPU cores but I don't see the need for either (again .. for me).

Mar 20, 2022 at 10:39 AM

bobby350z
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · MAC studio question

mcbroomf wrote:
Well I think I'm saying it's a use case that I can't think of right now. When I look back on what I was asking of my PC 5 years ago it's a good bit different to today.

Yes of course I could obsolete it and get a new one, and maybe I'm wrong and will "need" to if new software needs new hardware, but relative to the amount of money I spend on camera gear, and time I spend processing I think it's worth it (for me of course).

PS. And if money were no object it would be the 8TB...Show more →

But from the reviews that I am seeing so far, it seems adding more CPU as well as cores doesn't help after some minimum. This for stills.

Mar 20, 2022 at 11:31 AM

mcbroomf
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · MAC studio question

bobby350z wrote:
But from the reviews that I am seeing so far, it seems adding more CPU as well as cores doesn't help after some minimum. This for stills.

Not sure what you are saying by "more CPU as well as more cores". In the OP you'd defined "1TB SSD, 32 cores and 64G RAM". By 32 cores you are referring to either the Neural Engine or GPU as the CPU options are 10 and 20 cores depending on whether you go Max or Ultra. I agree that neither are probably of too much of an issue if you're sticking to stills.

My preference though will be the Ultra, partly in addition to what I've mentioned is that all ports are Thunderbolt 4. I already have 3 TB3 devices and I know (expect?) I'll add more over the years. I don't want to daisychain.

The good thing is that reviews are trickling in and I can wait. If you can too it won't be too long before we can see all of these options tested side by side.

Mar 20, 2022 at 12:01 PM

bobby350z
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · MAC studio question

Mar 20, 2022 at 12:36 PM

hiepphotog
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · MAC studio question

bobby350z wrote:

I say waiting for this guy’s review is your best bet. 64gb is already way too much atm for any stills application except for a constant stitched giant panoramas. Storage space is a very personal thing, i would stick with at least 1Tb and go for 2Tb if I feel like I am lazy at time to move the files to an external. It’s really not about future proofing, just your habit of file management IMO. C1 does utilize some of the GPUs, but the base Ultra should leave you a lot of headroom. Lastly, if you think you can easily upgrade in 5 years time, I say you don’t really need to future proof yourself too much. I’m Looking to upgrade from my PC as well.

Mar 20, 2022 at 06:48 PM

bobby350z
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · MAC studio question

hiepphotog wrote:
I say waiting for this guy’s review is your best bet. 64gb is already way too much atm for any stills application except for a constant stitched giant panoramas. Storage space is a very personal thing, i would stick with at least 1Tb and go for 2Tb if I feel like I am lazy at time to move the files to an external. It’s really not about future proofing, just your habit of file management IMO. C1 does utilize some of the GPUs, but the base Ultra should leave you a lot of headroom. Lastly, if you think you can...Show more →

Thanks a lot. I was going to put an order today but got lazy. Maybe tomorrow or wait for a couple other reviews.

Mar 20, 2022 at 07:24 PM

Scott Stoness
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · MAC studio question

I have a 1tb nvme in an enclosure. It benchmarks at 2500 with thunderbolt connection. Generally it transfers files at about 500mb/s from my imac (ssd). It cost about 250$/usd to get 1tb. Add another $200 for 2tb.

[I saw a benchmark of internal ssd on studio max and it hit 4500 so an external (2500) on thunderbolt might be slower but likely not 1/2 as fast. Newer more expensive nvme hit 3500. The T/B bus on my imac is shared (limited) by monitor, external, etc.so you might get better than 500mb/s But 500mb/s is fast enough for 8k]

I get by with 0.5TB in imac now without problems. I don't do video but if I did the nvme is fast enough. When I boot from nvme I don't notice a difference. And faster nvme cards are available.

My point - if you get a thunderbolt 3/nvme enclosure you can get about the same speed as prebuying a 2tb(or4) internal. So don't fuss over more than 1tb.

Apr 05, 2022 at 01:37 PM

bobby350z
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · MAC studio question

Ended up with 1TB SSD and 64GB RAM. Now a wait of 2 1/2 months.

Apr 07, 2022 at 03:16 PM


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