OS X v10.5.6 + G4 1.25GHz + FCP Studio 2

[Philip Goetz]

I found a G4 desktop that runs at 1.25GHz and has 1GB of RAM. If I pay $129 for the latest OSX it looks like I can run FCP Studio 2. I will start off editing SD footage and if that goes well may do some HDV. Is there anyone out there running this same configuration? I hope to bump the RAM up higher if it isn’t too hard to come by.

Minimum System Requirements for 10.5.6 are:
* Mac computer with an Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor
* 512MB of physical RAM
* DVD drive for installation

Final Cut Studio 2 System Requirements are:
* A Macintosh computer with a 1.25GHz or faster PowerPC G4, PowerPC G5, Intel Core Duo, or Intel Xeon processor
* 1GB of RAM
* An AGP or PCI Express Quartz Extreme graphics card (Final Cut Studio is not compatible with integrated Intel graphics processors)
* A display with 1024-by-768 resolution or higher
* Mac OS X v10.4.11 or Mac OS X v10.5.5 or later

 

[JeffCGD]

This machine, if stuffed with as much RAM as it can fit, plus some faster hard disks, an the appropriate OS etc, may well be able to install and launch FCP, but it's going to run it like an absolute DOG.

You may be able to edit Standard Def content, albeit slowly, and your renders will take a fair while; but HD content will be too much for this old machine due to its weak processor, very slow memory speed, and slow hard drive technologies. If you look at my signature, you'll see I'm rocking one of these old relics, so I know what I'm talking about.

I would recommend either buying a new or second hard Intel Mac Mini, and cram it with as much RAM as it'll carry, plus get a modern, fast FIREWIRE external drive for content – the internal drives are best left to the OS as they are slower laptop style drives. This is probably going to be the most cost effective way to run FCP at a half decent speed with SD and HD content.