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Thinking about a new Mac Mini

paintbox
I currently own a 2007 Macbook 2.2 core 2 duo with 4GB ram.
I shoot a Nikon D3 (file size reference). Although my machine works fine as is, I'm thinking it may be time for an upgrade.
My thinking is to move to one of the new Mac Minis.
Now my question is: will the dedicated GPU of the second tier unit give me more performance than the quad core integrated GPU of the server model?
I'm leaning towards the server unit but it is my understanding that C1 relies on the GPU a bit.
To me, time is money and the sometimes sluggish behavior from my Macbook is a bit aggravating.
BTW an iMac is out of the question as I have a very good 24" monitor.
/A Macbook pro was considered but with dual 500GB drives, I could use the Mini as "home base" and still use the old macbook to shoot tethered.
//Mac Pro is way out of my price range.
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  • Paul Steunebrink
    I had the same idea with the release of the latest Mac Mini this week. With the discrete GPU this model comes in a range that was not covered by the Mini before. I think it is more attractive than the server model although the quad core is attempting, the better GPU of the 2.5 GHz model has the upper hand for me but it's a close call, I think.

    Advised options are (from highest to lower priority): 8 GB RAM; 750 GB 7200 rpm drive (or the 750 GB + 256 GB SSD); dual core i7 (instead of i5)
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  • paintbox
    After much research I opted for the 2.7 i7.

    From what I gather (and I could be wrong) the quad core CPU would really only help with the final processing from NEF to Tiff or JPEG. That process isn't really fast on the macbook, but not something that bothered me either.

    The difference between the 2007 macbook and this machine is tremendous! As it should be.
    I have the stock 500GB 5400RPM drive and 4GB ram.
    Ram upgrade (8GB) is forthcoming and I'm tempted to swap the WD 500GB 7200 RPM drive from the Macbook to the Mini but will probably wait and get a small SSD for the OS and applications.

    I would say the most noticeable difference is the thumbing through a catalog in Media Pro, which was painfully slow. Its now nearly instant.

    Well I'm gonna go get all the necessary updates. see ya!
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  • Imre Varga
    SSD is a good idea, it will speed up everything more!

    I am planing to buy the same mini (2.7 i7.)
    Would you be so kind to make a test process with my reference files and settings?
    I am interested to know how the Radeon GPU and i7 speeds up the conversion.

    How loud is the mini when the CPU at full load? How is the heat?
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  • paintbox
    Sure I'll test it for ya.
    Be specific as to how you want it tested.
    You can email me the file, or link it to where I can download it.
    Heat isn't an issue but it does seem to run a little warm.
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  • Imre Varga
    Thanks!
    I am uploading, 10 more minutes.
    How loud is the mini with i7, do you think it is louder than the base model?
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  • paintbox
    That, I couldn't answer. It is quieter than my macbook though.
    Bear in mind my MB has a 7200RPM drive plus the optical drive makes a bit of noise when it spins up.
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  • Imre Varga
    For testing:
    You can download the files from here, please click on letöltés (english page doesn't work):

    http://s3.toldacuccot.hu/letoltes?sid=e ... e=test.zip

    Please use the process recipe enclosed.
    Select the 5 pictures and click on process and measure the time.
    If it possible do it after a restart and do not run anything else beside Capture One.
    Thanks!
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  • paintbox
    OK:
    I ran the first test without restarting the Mini. The average was 29.42 seconds per batch (five files) / 5.884 sec per file)
    After a restart the average was 28.22 seconds per batch.( 5.644 sec per file)
    The process was run five times consecutively for the five files
    No other programs were running.
    The fan kicked in but didn't seem too noisy, however it was noticeable.

    Whats the average on your machine and what kind is it?
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  • Imre Varga
    Thanks! That is very good speed!

    I have a Mac mini 2 GHz (Early 2009), 4 GB RAM, OCZ Vertex 2 SSD.
    13,2 sec / file.

    The fan kicked in. That is not a good news.
    My fan is always 1500rpm and CPU is cool.
    I use this little app to check the temp and the fanspeed

    http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/23049/smcfancontrol
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  • paintbox
    Thanks for the heads up on the app.
    I generally listen to music while working with photos so the fan noise won't bother me much.
    But you have got me thinking about temperature issues, so I ran a little test.
    I repeatedly hit "command-D" so as to process those same photos over and over to get things cooking.
    The temp got as high as 98 degrees C,dropped to the mid 80's and fluctuated in that area. That seems pretty hot to me so I'm gonna do some research on the reliability on a processor running that hot.
    Right now I have the fan running at 2680 and the temp is 50c.
    I'm listening to Pandora,typing this and mail is running. Room temperature is around 73-f .
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  • Imre Varga
    Same room temp.
    Full load: 82 C and 1850 rpm
    Normal use: 40 C and 1500 rpm

    Your CPU (Intel Core i7 2620M) Max. Temperature 100 °C
    http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-Core ... 108.0.html

    What is your lowest rpm when you turn on the mini in the first some minutes?
    Mine is 1500 rpm.
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  • paintbox
    1500 until I installed that app.
    Now its constant 2680 +-
    Its barely audible (to me).
    Looks like the i7 runs 10-15 degrees hotter.

    BTW, in Capture One I tried turning CL on in preferences. Rendering took a big hit. I thought the graphics card may help that but maybe I'm not understanding how this stuff works.

    I'm gonna try batching in NX2 and see how things work.

    I have a customer that needs a CD burned and it turns out one cannot use the macbook through the network to do so.
    So now I gotta go get a drive. Gotta go
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  • Imre Varga
    What do you mean by this: Rendering took a big hit.
    Did it slow down?
    I have the general preference Use openCL: Auto
    Which Capture One version do you test on?

    If the fan speeds up because the smcFanControl app, than you have to take it down!
    How did you measure the 1500 without the app?
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  • paintbox
    Yes rendering slowed down quite a bit when open CL is set to auto.
    And by rendering I mean when scrolling through the images. When CL is off they clear up immediately, when it's on, they take longer.
    Capture One Pro 6.2.2 64 bit.

    I was mistaken about the fan speed at idle. Its around 1800+-

    I felt keeping the fan higher, even at idle can't really hurt anything.
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  • Imre Varga
    That is strange! (Yes rendering slowed down quite a bit when open CL is set to auto.)

    Here is some info about it:
    http://www.phaseone.com/en/search/artic ... nguageid=1
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  • paintbox
    [quote="NNN634268408865085920" wrote:
    That is strange! (Yes rendering slowed down quite a bit when open CL is set to auto.)

    Here is some info about it:
    http://www.phaseone.com/en/search/artic ... nguageid=1


    Thanks for the article. The GPU in my Mini (6630M) is not on the supported GPU list.
    I read somewhere in the forums to turn it off when I had the macbook, and it certainly helped. The setting remained the same when I migrated to the Mini so I thought I 'd try it again. No luck.
    Maybe they will get support in an update.

    Not trying to sidetrack but I was using handbrake to rip "A Clockwork Orange" yesterday.
    The fan maxed out and the temperature got as high as 98C, but not over.
    Took about 45 min. Its been awhile since I used it but that seems pretty quick.
    Anyway it cools really fast so I'm figuring it momentarily goes into turbo mode, thereby increasing the heat.
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  • Imre Varga
    Thanks for the sidetrack info, it is good to know.
    What was the biggest rpm you experienced?

    Back to topic:
    Is there any change in speed when you process or just in preview rendering with openCL?
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  • paintbox
    OK, I opened a support case for the non support of the Mac Mini GPU.
    Here's the response:
    Hi - the Mac can be used and Capture One installed and used as well - only limitation is the open CL which is using the Graphic card as accellerator for faster performance of Capture One. But in daily use and general handling of images - it's a fine solution. Only if a user needs to retouch and process thousands of images every day - then a PRO Mac should be preferred.


    So in my opinion, the Mini Server would be better if one uses P1 exclusively. That is if the software can make use of the Quad Core processor which I imagine is the case.
    I use P1,Nikon NX2, and PSCS5 so its just fine. However the lack of support for the Mini GPU is very disappointing.
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  • Imre Varga
    I have got my own new Mac mini. I decided to buy the 2.3 GHz (Core i5)
    (8 GB RAM, OCZ Vertex2 SSD)

    Testing process time: 5.9 sec/file
    I think this is not a big different between the i5 and i7 CPU, but the price is.

    Could you please send me the link of that GPU debate?
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  • paintbox
    Are you sure the SSD isn't playing a part in your processing time?
    I'll try and find the discussion.
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  • paintbox
    Not sure but this may have been the thread which prompted me to turn it off:

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  • paintbox
    Ran the same test as before.
    I have upgraded my Ram (8GB) and there is a Lion update as well. (10.7.1)
    Averaged 26.9 seconds per batch
    5.38 Seconds per file.
    Its a tad bit faster than the first run.

    I'm really curious as to whether the SSD is helping your times. I'm sure it has to a little since the files have to be written to the drive once processed.
    Oh, if only the SSD's were cheap enough to experiment with!

    BTW, what size SSD did you get?
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  • Imre Varga
    The Vertex2 SSD is 160 GB, which is enough for me for everyday workflow.

    Here is the test you requested:
    The original 500 GB Hard Disk of the Mac mini was in external USB house.
    Testing process time: 6.6 sec/file

    My opinion:
    The result might be a little bit better if the hard disk is inside in the mini.
    In the long run there is enough time to do the writhing under the hood, the SDD doesn't make a big different.
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  • paintbox
    Yeah I agree about the SSD vs the HDD write times being negligible.
    Its more of quantifying the difference. I get a little OCD when it comes to measurements 😊
    If you haven't got the 10.7.1 update, do so. There's a pretty big jump in Safari performance.
    I was thinking the 120GB would do me, 160 would let me keep my iTunes media onboard. Whenever third party cable makers get us some Mini hard drive cables, I'll probably just cram a SSD in with the stock drive.
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  • Imre Varga
    Yes, I updated already.
    120 GB is enough, I had one.

    The mini is good! So far so good!
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