MAC Mini Slow - What to increase SSD or Get new machine ?

Tangoblu
Tangoblu
edited November 2014 in SecuritySpy
i have a late mac mini with a core 2 processor and 8g of RAM. Only 4 AVtech IP cams and it seems rather sluggish even if i drop the camera frame rate. Would a SSD help or should i just look at a news I5 machine ?

Thanks

Comments

  • Ben
    Ben
    Hi - you mention your Mac mini has a Core 2 processor, but is it a "Core 2 Duo" that has two independent cores? If you go to "About This Mac" via the Apple menu, what exactly does it say there under "Processor"?

    Open Activity Monitor, which you'll find in your Utilities folder within your Applications folder, and locate SecuritySpy in the list of running applications - roughly what is reported there for its CPU usage?

    An SSD will help only if the overall performance is limited by the hard drive and not the processor, which is unusual in SecuritySpy installations. If you let me know the about information I can give you further advice.
  • Tangoblu
    Tangoblu
    Hey Ben .. Yes it's a core 2 duo 2.26 ghz with 8g of ram.

    Believe it or not it says security spy 136% under % CPU

    Surely that is not Normal
  • Ben
    Ben
    Thanks for the information. Your Mac has two independent cores, so the maximum CPU usage as reported by Activity Monitor would be 200%. This is just how it reports the usage - if your Mac had 4 cores then the maximum would be 400%.

    136% for SecuritySpy, plus some time for other processes, puts your Mac at near-capacity. Provided you are happy with the frame rate you are getting from the cameras then I would say your Mac is fine for your setup, but if you want better performance you'll need a faster Mac. Installing an SSD won't help.
  • AndyWalton
    AndyWalton
    Hello everyone! I've been thinking about switching from SSD to HDD. Can you please give you best suggestion regarding this matter.Thanks in advance!
  • Ben
    Ben
    Hi Andy,

    If you need lots of storage space but speed isn't a big issue (e.g. this will be for storing SecuritySpy's captured files), then a HDD is the better option, as this will give you much more storage space for the same money. For the best of both worlds, many people use an SSD as the startup drive, and then use an external HDD for the captured footage. This has the benefit of generally improved responsiveness of the computer.

    If you have any further specific questions about this please let us know.

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