Re: [ccp4bb] mac pro configuration for crystallographic computing

- Protein crystallography

Main steps:

- Protein purification
- Crystallisation

Special:

- Programs for crystallography
- X-ray detectors

Basic tutorials:

   - Chemistry
   - Protein
   - Peptide
   - Amino Acids

Xtal community:

- CCP4BB

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CCP4bb <-- 1999 <-- November 1999 <-- 30 November 1999

Previous message:
Subject: mac pro configuration for crystallographic computing
From: Gretchen Meinke gretchen {- dot -} meinke {- at -} TUFTS {- dot -} EDU
Date: 2007-06-20

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Subject: Re: Survey on computer usage in crystallography
From: Paul Emsley emsley {- at -} YSBL {- dot -} YORK {- dot -} AC {- dot -} UK
Date: 2007-06-20

Subject: Re: mac pro configuration for crystallographic computing
From: Juergen Bosch jbosch {- at -} U {- dot -} WASHINGTON {- dot -} EDU
Date: 2007-06-20

Gretchen Meinke wrote:

> Hi--
> I last saw some entries on the Mac Pro Xeon dated ~ April 2007. Were
> they purchased? Are you happy with them?
>
> Does ccp4, mosflm, hkl2000, coot run seamlessly on them?
>
> If so, what was the final cost and configuration (we would like stereo).
> How much memory should one get?
> Assuming Nuvision glasses for stereo, A CRT monitor (either NEC or
> Viewsonic)
>
> Based on previous readings, it still looks like the FX4500 is the only
> graphics card to support stereo for macs, correct?
>
> Thanks for any and all input.
> Gretchen Meinke
>
I don't have one of those beast in my hands unfortunately. But I can
verify that all except of HKL2000 (which I don't use, so I don't
care/bother to check if there is an OS X version there) of the programs
you mentioned run without any troubles.
There's one more program I know that has not been ported to OS X and
that is Grasp but there are other options to draw nice electrostatics.

Regarding memory I would go for 1 GB per CPU and not less, otherwise you
have a nice 4 core CPU but you are putting the brakes on if say 4 solve
jobs run in parallel because they all need 500 MB or perhaps if you have
larger problems to solve even larger than that.

I'm running all my stuff from data processing to paper submission on my
MacBook Pro 1.83 GHz with 2 GB of RAM. The only reason I leave my Mac is
to sit in front of a Linux box running Coot in stereo.

If you google for Stereo on Macintosh you will find a list of more than
1 graphics card which are stereo enabled on the Mac. the FX4500 is just
the turbo card, there are also some from ATI which seem to work. But I'm
not an expert in stereo graphics cards.

Hope that helps. If you have further questions regarding Mac & OS X
don't hesitate to ask. I assume you are aware of the following web page:

http://xanana.ucsc.edu/xtal/

Juergen

--
Jürgen Bosch
University of Washington
Dept. of Biochemistry, K-426
1705 NE Pacific Street
Seattle, WA 98195
Box 357742
Phone: +1-206-616-4510
FAX: +1-206-685-7002

CCP4bb navigation

CCP4bb <-- 1999 <-- November 1999 <-- 30 November 1999

Previous message:
Subject: mac pro configuration for crystallographic computing
From: Gretchen Meinke gretchen {- dot -} meinke {- at -} TUFTS {- dot -} EDU
Date: 2007-06-20

Next message:
Subject: Re: Survey on computer usage in crystallography
From: Paul Emsley emsley {- at -} YSBL {- dot -} YORK {- dot -} AC {- dot -} UK
Date: 2007-06-20