Vienna Symphonic Library Forum
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  • E8000 to spend on hardware- new iMac Pro or slaves for my 2011 Macbook?

    Hi all! I've been using Logic to run Kontakt and other VSTs on my 2011 Macbook Pro (i7 processor and 8GB RAM), but it hasn't been able to handle large files so I've invested in VSL and am now taking the plunge and borrowing a lot of money to upgrade my hardware system.

    I am looking to spend about E8000 ($9000), and was all set to buy an iMac Pro with the following specs:

    • 2.5GHz 14-core Intel Xeon W processor, Turbo Boost up to 4.3GHz
    • 64GB 2666MHz DDR4 ECC memory
    • 1TB SSD
    • Radeon Pro Vega 56 with 8GB of HBM2 memory

    Would that be powerful enough to run large VSL templates with Logic Pro on the one machine? Or would I be better off spending less on the Master computer and buying a few PC slaves? (I can also use my old Macbook pro as a slave, whatever my set up)

    Essentially I'm asking if you needed to get the best set up possible with my budget, (given I have an old macbook at present), what do you think would be the best way to go?

    In case it makes a difference, I currently mainly write a lot of electronic music for commercials, but am classically trained so plan to develop my orchestral scoring to broaden my versatility.

    Thanks in advance!


  • I have been looking into various systems also, and notice how much more powerful the HP workstations are than Macs.  

    https://store.hp.com/us/en/mdp/business-solutions/hp-z8-workstation--1?jumpid=ma_smb_hero_na_2_180729

    These just obliterate all Macs in existence.  Has anyone noticed that?  Not as expensive either.  


  • last edited
    last edited

    @William said:

    I have been looking into various systems also, and notice how much more powerful the HP workstations are than Macs.  

    https://store.hp.com/us/en/mdp/business-solutions/hp-z8-workstation--1?jumpid=ma_smb_hero_na_2_180729

    These just obliterate all Macs in existence.  Has anyone noticed that?  Not as expensive either.  

    Hello William,

    You say not so expensive ! you are joking !

    it starts at 3000 $ but I have managed to configured a HP Worstation and it's price is 91 000 $

    So when you compare you must compare with the same components 😉

    Comparaison done when the dustpin was availlable, Macpro was cheaper than the HP Workstation

    We are waiting for new Macpro !

    A good buy is to find a second hand 2010 12 core Macpro and to add a SSD and 64 GB


    MacBook Pro M3 MAX 128 GB 8TB - 2 x 48" screen --- Logic Pro --- Mir Pro 3D --- Most of the VI libs, a few Synch... libs --- Quite a few Kontakt libs --- CS80 fanatic
  • Well I know they go up a bit - with 1.5 TB of RAM, 24 cores and 10 SSDs.  Ha-ha!  That would be fun to have in my cryogenically cooled studio.  But I meant in general they are much cheaper if you spec them out.