Mac 8-Core with Cinema

[JoelOtron]

Put it through the grind!
I will be watching this thread eagerly..

[kromekat]

WooHoo! - fast!!

Mine should be here early next week! :)

Adam

[bobtronic]

yeah, the 8 core is one hell of a machine. i have much fun with mine. 8 renderlines are sweet :)

cheers,
Bob

[govinda]

Braggarts!!

With the money I'm not spending on a dual-quad, I've bought crazy drugs, a krunk cup, dollar-sign cufflinks and a limo for the weekend. To quote Matthias, 'it's one hell of a machine.' ;)

[JIII]

hot damn!

I want about 8 grand right now :-/

[lllab]

" Mine should be here early next week!"

mine two:-) cant wait for it!

"8 grand right now"

you dont need that much, its 3-4000 "only";-)

cheers
stefan

[acmepixel]

I wish I had the ten grand for it.
[$4600.00 with 3rd party ram, hard drives]

Aand that's not Apples fully loaded price, just -my- requirements.

The last time I paid 10k for an Apple, it included their top monitor, 8100+21inch.
what's that; 12, 15 years ago?

just out of curiosity i ckecked the fully loaded hi-end.....$16,574.00
(with dual 30" monitors)
My dream machine. drools

factoring in inflation and the dollars current poor performance, I think Apples are 80 times faster and much cheaper than the early days.

must be quitting-time. I'm rambling. ;-)

[bobtronic]

Braggarts!!

With the money I'm not spending on a dual-quad, I've bought crazy drugs, a krunk cup, dollar-sign cufflinks and a limo for the weekend. To quote Matthias, 'it's one hell of a machine.' ;)

well to be honest, officially it's not really mine, it's my new office mac. i do all the heavy gi renderings or baking stuff on it now :)

cheers,
Bob

[LucentDreams]

what good is a computer that rendrs in 9 seconds, I mean when will you find the time to have coffee, go to the bathroom, or get some fresh air outside. I need those 20 minute render times for my health and my sanity.


kay maybe I'm jsut a little jealous

[Kuroyume0161]

Just a little jealous, huh? Not me - I'm green wif enfy! ;D

* On a side note: interPoser Pro 3.0 is coming out next week - for $500 ($399 to upgrade) - works just like the current version - all proceeds go to new Mac 8 Pro * (that's a joke, son)

Robert

[robotbob]

sounds dandy, i kind of agree with kai, computers get faster but i never seem to get away from them - errrm whats the editor playback like ?

man my top button is getting tight, must be the homebrew . .

[sinai_1]

"The old G5 dual 2Ghz rendered it in 1min 2secs.
The 8-Core rendered it in 9 seconds!!! and that was straight out of the box, I haven't even installed all the extra Ram yet"
- - - - - --- - - - - - ------------------------------------------
with this kind of performance, isn't it time for Autodesk to start porting Flame/Inferno/Flint to MacOs on the editing/effect/finishing side side( i know, it just wishful thinking) ?

[LucentDreams]

well I wouldn't be surprised if the benchmark was a little faster with XP 64 on the same mac 8 core. Especially the OGL

[Kuroyume0161]

with this kind of performance, isn't it time for Autodesk to start porting Flame/Inferno/Flint to MacOs on the editing/effect/finishing side side( i know, it just wishful thinking) ?

Yes, wishful, very wishful. Autodesk doesn't understand the words 'Apple' or 'Mac'. It's not like AutoCAD and 3D Studio Max haven't been around for like 20+ years. They will only understand - 'at least 33% of user base' before even contemplating such a maneuver. :)

Buy and use more Macs and then it might actually start to seem less wishful. Vista might play a starring role in this - maybe.

[nSomnius]

Is this thing packin' two QX6700's? 2.66 Ghz?

[Per-Anders]

Is this thing packin' two QX6700's? 2.66 Ghz?

No, two X5365's at 3GHz, they're only available to Apple currently.

[PetrolUk]

We could still do with some decent graphics cards for the Mac as usually everything grinds to a halt when playing back with the timeline open. But I've just run up a job we're working on currently and the playback is still slow but way better than my old G5. Actually it's decent enough to not have to keep jumping out of the timeline to check the motion.

I'm still waiting on the extra Ram but when it arrives I'll cinebench it and see how it comes out. I'll also be sticking XP on it so it'll be interesting to see how that comes out in a cinebench too

As for render breaks I see it a different way. Faster render means the jobs go through quicker = me having a week off in the sun :thumbsup: ....hmm not that I can afford it anymore but the theory is good

[nSomnius]

[No, two X5365's at 3GHz, they're only available to Apple currently.]

.... my drool cup runneth over...

[PetrolUk]

It's still only got 1Gb Ram in it but I thought I'd throw Cinebench at it anyway

CINEBENCH 9.5
****************************************************

Tester : PetrolUk

Processor : G5 8-Core
MHz : 2 x 3GHz
Number of CPUs : 8
Operating System : OS X 10.4.9

Graphics Card : NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT
Resolution : 2560 x 1600
Color Depth : 32-bit Color

****************************************************

Rendering (Single CPU): 486 CB-CPU
Rendering (Multiple CPU): 2278 CB-CPU

Multiprocessor Speedup: 4.68

Shading (CINEMA 4D) : 565 CB-GFX
Shading (OpenGL Software Lighting) : 2283 CB-GFX
Shading (OpenGL Hardware Lighting) : 4511 CB-GFX

OpenGL Speedup: 7.98

****************************************************

[Newstream]

well I wouldn't be surprised if the benchmark was a little faster with XP 64 on the same mac 8 core. Especially the OGL

Unfortunately, installing XP64 on a MacPro isn't as straightforward as one would wish due to driver issues and the fact that BootCamp currently only supports XP.

/ Alex

[imashination]

We could still do with some decent graphics cards for the Mac as usually everything grinds to a halt when playing back with the timeline open.

Its not gfx card related, happens under windows too.

[basilisk]

It is all very well, but if I turn on SMB, AO and render at 720p I will be back to square one (but at least the renders should look a good deal better)

[dan22]

The OGL speedup looks impressive, though 4.68x MP speedup for rendering seems a little low considering there are 8 processors.
I wouldn't have expected 8x, but perhaps more than 4.68x?

Still, what am I saying?...I'm still on your old cast-off...the doughty 2x2Ghz G5 !

One day....

[heathivan]

Did my quick comparison and the same frame renders:
00:53 on Mac Pro 8 Core 3Ghz
02:12 on G5 Quad 2.5ghz

My wait time is down to 40% of what it was. However, I then tend to then crank up the quality settings (AO, blurry reflect, etc.) and my wait time returns to normal. Prettier frame though.

----h

[ArndtvonKoenigsmarck]

The OGL speedup looks impressive, though 4.68x MP speedup for rendering seems a little low considering there are 8 processors.
I wouldn't have expected 8x, but perhaps more than 4.68x?

Still, what am I saying?...I'm still on your old cast-off...the doughty 2x2Ghz G5 !

One day....

My theory is that the CB scenes are not optimal when testing multi core systems as the scene preparation for rendering is still done on one core only. Having a scene with many soft shadows, hair or other post effects will maybe will render in just a few seconds but take another few seconds just for the preparation. This brings the score down compared to single core systems. Just my 2 cents.

[PetrolUk]

The best part about this machine is seeing this window

It's the liitle things make you happy when you're stressing out on a deadline!

http://www.thefrearsons.com/temp/Proc.png

[dan22]

Petrol, now you're just showing off ! ;)

[rsquires]

The best part about this machine is seeing this window

It's the liitle things make you happy when you're stressing out on a deadline!



How do you get those groovy looking CPU graphs? I like em.

On the 8 core subject, I have 4 and they are damn swift and most of the time leave me no time to do the "render roam" as I call it. With 8 I don't think I'd even be able to get up from the desk. But, yes I am officially jealous!

regards

rich

[PetrolUk]

If you want that CPU graph it's on your OS X install disk. Just go into Xcode tools and in the packages folder install CHUD.pkg

Then in your control panel select Processor and tick the show in menu bar.

[cmyk]

Just got my 8-Core (octocore!) today.

Just wanted to rub that in.* ;)






*well... maaaybe I'll post some comparisons to my old dual G5.

[SheepFactory]

I dont use cinema but I just wanted to say I hate you 8 core mac pro owners :)

[kromekat]

At last - mine is on the UPS truck and out for delivery!!:bounce:

..CB scores later...

Adam :thumbsup:

[kromekat]

Ok... :eek:

CINEBENCH 9.5
****************************************************

Processor : 8-Core Mac Pro
MHz : 3Ghz
Number of CPUs : 8
Operating System : 10.4.9

Graphics Card : 7300GT x 2
Resolution : 1900x1200
Color Depth : 32bit

****************************************************

Rendering (Single CPU): 487 CB-CPU
Rendering (Multiple CPU): 2304 CB-CPU

Multiprocessor Speedup: 4.73

Shading (CINEMA 4D) : 574 CB-GFX
Shading (OpenGL Software Lighting) : 2189 CB-GFX
Shading (OpenGL Hardware Lighting) : 4431 CB-GFX

OpenGL Speedup: 7.71

****************************************************


...stunned!

I barely had time to see the 8 render lines move down the image before it was done! :D

Adam

[uroshp]

WOW!!! that sure is some speed.. but then again I do agree with Kai- i still like to get up from the computer and walk around while rendering have a smoke, some coffee etc.

8 render lines is a nice view but AAHHHHH too many Benjamins though

[alaskalonewolf]

All right...here we go....I've been holding off for a few weeks with these scores....

Windows XP (32)
Cinema 4d 10.1 (32)
HP 8400 Dual Quad Core x5355 @2.66
8 Gigs Ram Installed...Using only 3
Nvidia 4500

CPU Benchmark
1 CPU - 409
8 CPU - 1965
mulitprocessor speedup 4.80x

Graphics Benchmark
Shading-518
OGL SWL - 1953
OGL HWL - 3480
OGL speedup 6.72x

and the winner is......the new macs by a nose...

Question...How much faster would these scores go if I were running XP 64 and C4D 64?
Kai and I discussed this question at NAB....

BTW. Petals in 11 sec.......8 cores are pretty cool to watch chew thru a render...

Ted Barnett
LoneWolf Interactive
Anchorage, Alaska

[LucentDreams]

yeah I think the intel's are a little better than the amd's so one of those mac 9 cores with XP 64 (64 bit should add a nice speed boost) I imagine XP64 on a mac 8 core would be the best rendering benchmark out there. anything around a 2000 benchmark imo is nothing to scough at though, glad to se you had some time. will be anxious to the comparisons when the new cinebench comes out too.


BTW, one advantage for windows users, you can now run parallel cinema installations too, so its easy to have multiple cloth sims going at the same time, or multiple renders etc. Anyone with a 4 or 8 core should start reading up it he manual on the command line functions, and the free command line video on cineversity for the new ones that came in r10.1 (which sadly aren't in the documents) http://www.cineversity.com/tutorials/lesson.asp?tid=688

multiple instances of cinema running means you can at least have multiple scenes that are using single processor functions like GI, cloth thinking particles etc, rendering at the same time, thus actually speeding up your rendering of multiple scenes

[rob rhodes]

How come the GPU OpenGL score for the nvidia 4500 is slower than the 7300GT? I know they are SLI but i didn't think cinema benefitted from that. That is a very impressive CB score for the 7300 are they really that good in use?

[kromekat]

I am unable to compare with an X1900 from ATI or the Quadro 4500, as I have never used them, but the in-use performance of the 7300GT's seems pretty good to me.

I opened up some old animation files I did a couple of years ago - at the time, on a 9800XT, I would have to reduce the dislpay settings to wire or even box to get an idea of how the motions were working in a shot. With these 7300GT's, I am able to preview the same shots full screen (1900x1200) with lit Gouraud shaded and poly lines!! - so I am not complaining. :)

Plus, Enhanced OpenGL now works, which could be really handy on lighting setup previews etc.

Adam

[rob rhodes]

Cool. I wonder if they are as fast under Xin XP on the mac or if apple have done something special with the drivers?

[PetrolUk]

I don't ever work on anything that would ever push the card to it's limits. As a stock card it does eveything I need it to and I'd rather put the cash towards more memory. I've thrown some pretty complex Mograph setups at it and performance has been great and I've never had to try and strip the scene down to preview the animation.

I think if I was working with High poly counts etc then I'd go for the other cards but for Motion graphics it's perfect

[alaskalonewolf]

It looks like kromekat is running dual graphics cards....I would bet that is where he gets a great performance boost. The 4500 is a dual PCI-E card....I could never get two of them into my box unless I removed my main editting card.....

[kromekat]

It looks like kromekat is running dual graphics cards....I would bet that is where he gets a great performance boost. The 4500 is a dual PCI-E card....I could never get two of them into my box unless I removed my main editting card.....

No I believe that others running only one of the 7300GT cards get practically the same OGL scores. In previous queries here and elsewhere, nobody has ever claimed any great benefit in running 2 cards alongside each other, but despite that - I decided it was worth having the full 256Mb of RAM per 23" screen regardless.

Adam

[alaskalonewolf]

Interesting...I thought I read somewhere about increasing performance with 2 cards..I'll have to see if I can dig that info up...

My HP has 3 PCI-E slots. I have a AJA Zena in the first, a ATTO dual channel ultra SCSI card in the second, and the Nvida in the third...the problem is the third slot has a 16x connector, but only works at a 4x speed...I asked Nvida if that would work, and they said yes with performance loss...That could explain my poor performance....

Ted

[imashination]

The bus speed ( x4, x8, x16...) has no real impact on performance. Its main characteristic is how fast textures and shader code can be sent to the card. Raw polygons per second is mostly unaffected

[mm149047]

I dont use cinema but I just wanted to say I hate you 8 core mac pro owners :)

i use c4d and i agree !

[graz]

While I realize that Adam is using two monitors, would there be a benefit to having twin graphics cards for only one monitor? Does the workload get distributed across all available cards installed?
Would two of the 7300's be a better choice than one x1900's if you were using a single 30" Apple LCD?
Thanks,
Mike

[FR33K]

While I realize that Adam is using two monitors, would there be a benefit to having twin graphics cards for only one monitor? Does the workload get distributed across all available cards installed?
Would two of the 7300's be a better choice than one x1900's if you were using a single 30" Apple LCD?
Thanks,
MikeGF 7300 has max. resolution: 1920 X 1200, apple 30" has 2560x1600.

[PetrolUk]

No that's not correct as I'm running my GF 7300 GT @ 2560 x 1600 on an Apple 30" monitor

[Newstream]

No that's not correct as I'm running my GF 7300 GT @ 2560 x 1600 on an Apple 30" monitor



So to run 2 x 30-inch cinema displays, one would require at least 2 x GF 7300GT cards?
Would that be correct?

Cheers / Alex

[mogh]

so alaskalonewolf

lets do some incorect apple to birne math
i have a 15% speedbosst on my X2 4400+ from 32 to 64 bit

your score of

8 CPU - 1965 would be around
2259,75 on 64 Bit Windows

but i personaly find it not conftable in 64 bit beacuse no plugins and the feeling that you miss this ord that programm, but thats just my stomage.

cya

[PetrolUk]

So to run 2 x 30-inch cinema displays, one would require at least 2 x GF 7300GT cards?
Would that be correct?

Yeah that's correct. If you want to run 2 x 30" screens off one card you have to go up to a card with two dual-link DVI. So that's either the ATI Radeon X1900 XT or the Quadro FX 4500.

But even though a single 7300GT won't run 2 x 30"s it will run a 30" and a 23" together.

[Continuumx]

Ok... :eek:

CINEBENCH 9.5
****************************************************

Processor : 8-Core Mac Pro
MHz : 3Ghz
Number of CPUs : 8
Operating System : 10.4.9

Graphics Card : 7300GT x 2
Resolution : 1900x1200
Color Depth : 32bit

****************************************************

Rendering (Single CPU): 487 CB-CPU
Rendering (Multiple CPU): 2304 CB-CPU

Multiprocessor Speedup: 4.73

Shading (CINEMA 4D) : 574 CB-GFX
Shading (OpenGL Software Lighting) : 2189 CB-GFX
Shading (OpenGL Hardware Lighting) : 4431 CB-GFX

OpenGL Speedup: 7.71

****************************************************


...stunned!

I barely had time to see the 8 render lines move down the image before it was done! :D

Adam

Wow Adam, my dream system is one capable of breaking 2000 cinebench points, 8 core wow!

[williamsburroughs]

as i push these polys and effects...it is still not fast enough. :)

but I am diggining it nonetheless.

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