2009 2.93ghz 8 Core MP or New 2012 2.4ghz 12 Core MP?

[Macsonic]

Hello! In our office we are choosing between buying a used pre-owned 2009 2.93ghz 8 core Mac Pro or a brand new 2012 2.4ghz 12 core Mac Pro. I know the 2012 Mac Pros are 2 year old technologies and as I've read in this forum may not be worth getting and I did a search here before posting. We are ruling out waiting for the 2013 Mac Pro or getting an iMac. We use the machines for Cinema 4D, After Effects and heavy graphic design with big files. I prefer the 8 slot ram so not opting for the 6 core 3.33ghz model though I know this is the sweet spot.

Is the 2012 12 core 2.4ghz almost as fast as the 2009 2.93ghz 8 core model? Saw this Geekbench on the 2012 12 core here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhQprrLW64g

The Geekbench score for the 2009 2.93ghz 8 core is around 17000 I think. Though getting the 2009 model would be less money, by next year this model will be 4 years old. Would appreciate inputs and comments on whether to get the 2009 MP or the 2012 MP. Thanks

 

[derbothaus]

Depends on exactly what you are doing. The 8-core can be faster but by and large crunching wise the 12-core 2.4GHz is faster by about 10-20% in pure performance. The 8-core will be faster at Photoshop for example, the 12-core faster in After Effects. Both have the same amount of memory you can stuff in them. The new vs. used argument is a solid one to consider as well. But Mac Pro's are generally built like tanks.

 

[Macsonic]

Thanks Derbothaus for the inputs and I guess your right. I'll evaluate and weigh the pros and cons. Just for sharing, I've been using both a 2008 2.8ghz 8 core and a Mid 2010 2.4ghz 8 core MP. From what I've experienced, the 2010 8 core 2.4ghz is slightly faster than the 2008 2.8ghz. Both have the same videocard using Radeon 5770hd and same ram. Though this may just be an isolated comparison since both are totally different architecture and DDR3 is faster than DDR2. Thanks

 

[derbothaus]

Thanks Derbothaus for the inputs and I guess your right. I'll evaluate and weigh the pros and cons. Just for sharing, I've been using both a 2008 2.8ghz 8 core and a Mid 2010 2.4ghz 8 core MP. From what I've experienced, the 2010 8 core 2.4ghz is slightly faster than the 2008 2.8ghz. Both have the same videocard using Radeon 5770hd and same ram. Though this may just be an isolated comparison since both are totally different architecture and DDR3 is faster than DDR2. Thanks

Neither the 2009 2.93 8-core or the 2012 2.4 12-core will be a life changing event from the 2010 2.4 8-core you are currently using. From the 2.8, yes. You can tweak based on your needs. The memory is not all that life changing either. Maybe for AE. Still more the better.

 

[Macsonic]

Neither the 2009 2.93 8-core or the 2012 2.4 12-core will be a life changing event from the 2010 2.4 8-core you are currently using. From the 2.8, yes. You can tweak based on your needs. The memory is not all that life changing either. Maybe for AE. Still more the better.

Yup I think you're correct on that. The extra machine is for the new designer we hired and we explained to him there won't be much difference with the other mac pros here. I am still looking forward to the 2013 Mac Pro and Apple continues making Mac Pros.