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hobbesedits
Inspiring
October 19, 2021
Question

Is a Mac Pro good for After Effects?

  • October 19, 2021
  • 1 reply
  • 319 views

Hi, I'm looking into getting a new computer for intensive After Effects and video editing work. I work with 4K video and I'm also looking to work with plugins like trapcode in After Effects and do a lot of 3D rendering.

 

I've currently got a baseline 2019 16-inch Macbook Pro with these stats:

Processor: 2.3 Ghz 8 Core Intel Core i9
RAM: 16 GB
Graphics: Radeon Pro 5500M 4GB

 

When I was working with 1080p video this worked fine for me but 4K is posing problems, way too much chugging in After Effects and Premiere. I'm wondering what the best stats for me could be and whether or not a Mac Pro would be worth it.

 

I know Mac Pros are pretty overpriced, but I do like the operating system more for creative work so would want to go with one if possible. My other option would be a custom built PC but I'm wondering what the real impact of choosing either would be so have some questions:

 

How intensive does your work have to be to require several hundred gigs of RAM? Do plugins like Trapcode/projects using 4K video pretty much require several hundred gigs of RAM to work smoothly or do you only need that much if you're doing much more complex tasks?

 

Will more RAM lessen/stop chugging and freezing when using After Effects/Premiere or is that more to do with the processor? Or both? I don't care as much about faster rendering times, I'm more after improving the experience of using the programs to edit, making that smoother.

 

I've heard good things about the AMD threadripper, but am wondering if the Mac Pro processors are comparable in performance.

 

Anyone use a Mac Pro for heavy AE/Premiere work? How is that going for you? Anyone got reccommedations for good AE focused Mac Pro set ups?

 

I'm also waiting to see what these new M1 Max chips will be like so will hold off on buying anything until reviews are out for the new Macbook Pros.

 

Cheers!

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1 reply

ToolfarmJP
Community Expert
Community Expert
October 21, 2021