I've been wondering about this for sometime and finally had a chance to do a VERY unscientific comparison of 2k/4k renders, cache and playback between the two systems.
HOME SYSTEM: 2011 27inch iMac
3.4 Ghz intel i7
16 gigs memory
ADM Radeon graphics
Lion 10.7.5
Pegasus R6 12TB storage
WORK SYSTEM: Mid 2012 MacPro
2x2.4 Ghz 6 core intel Zeon
32 gigs memory
Quadro 4000 graphics card
Proavio JS 316 32TB storage
Lion 10.8.5
All tests were done using a single :55 r3d file at both half and full debayer with no apps running in the background and all times were measured with a stop watch.
Disk speed (tested via smoke preferences)
Proavio: 246 fps
1460 mbps
27TB available of 30
Pegasus: 72.14 fps
428 mbps
8TB available of 10
Cache 2K :55 file (uncompressed)
Proavio: 5:10 (minutes)
Pegasus: 4:20
Cache 4k :55 file (uncompressed)
Proavio: 25:40 (minutes)
Pegasus: 20:22
Real time 2k playback cached media uncompressed project:
Proavio = Yes
Pegasus = Yes
Real time 4k playback " " " "
Proavio = close, but stutters slightly
Pegasus - Not a chance
Dropped both 2k & 4k files into a 1080 TL...test resize render.
2K :55 file
MacPro: 1:47
iMac: 1:08
4K :55 file
MacPro: 7:57
iMac: 3:36
It always felt like the home system was a little quicker in the render, cache department...and now i know.
What really surprised me was the difference in disk speeds and render times. Again, very unscientific...but intersting none the less.
I'm sending the iMac to OWC for an upgrade to 32 gigs memory and install an 505gig SSD so it will be interesting to see how it stacks up after that...
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