2x2.4 8 cores, 2TB HD + 480GB SSD vs. 2x2.66 Ghz 12 core w/ 2TB HD

[Mackenna]

So thinking about making my new mac pro faster. A or B which will make the machine run faster when using the whole adobe suite cs5, 3D rendering apps such as C4D and After Effects provided that both get either 24GB or 48GB of ram?

A) 2x2.4 8 cores, 2TB HD + 480GB SSD
or
B) 2x2.66 Ghz 12 core w/ 2TB HD

$700 more for the one with the higher clock speed. How much faster in terms of % and do you think its worth the higher cost?

Thank you in advance for your response.

 

[Macsonic]

So thinking about making my new mac pro faster. A or B which will make the machine run faster when using the whole adobe suite cs5, 3D rendering apps such as C4D and After Effects provided that both get either 24GB or 48GB of ram?

A) 2x2.4 8 cores, 2TB HD + 480GB SSD
or
B) 2x2.66 Ghz 12 core w/ 2TB HD

$700 more for the one with the higher clock speed. How much faster in terms of % and do you think its worth the higher cost?

Thank you in advance for your response.

I would likely go for the 2.4ghz 8 core but the 3.33 hexacore would make a better choice. Adobe applications are mostly single threaded or at most uses 2 corers except for their video apps. I think the 2.4ghz 8 core and 2.66ghz 12 cores do not make much of a speed difference in comparing the two if you're using single threaded applications.

 

[highdefw]

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The extra 4 cores at higher clock speeds would be a significant boost. You would definitely need the 48gb of ram if not more to handle a full render.

Also recommend a 120gb ssd for just OS and Apps.

 

[Mackenna]

UPDATE
After all the responses I got. I did more research and ended up returning the 2010 2x2.4ghz mac pro for a refurbished 2009 2x2.93. Came with the Nvidia GeForce 120 graphics card. Might have to upgrade that later. Also bought Apple Care.

Both machines cost about the same. more power in exchange for older/used model. hope I made the right choice.

I would like to thank all the people who has given advises relating to this topic. It really helps!!

 

[derbothaus]

That 2.93GHz is way better imho. You get all the expansion and the higher clock that adobe likes. + I think you can upgrade to 3.46GHz 12-core later if needed. But most likely wont be. The 2.4GHz is just too low of a clock unless using for server or pure renders.

 

[highdefw]

the 2.93 is a great model. Throw in a 5770 or 5870 for a more fluid use in your 3d apps.

 

[Mackenna]

great to see your comments!
question: are nvidia cards not good for 3d n ae stuff? Radeon is better?

the stock Nvidia 120 should be good enough for now right?

your advise is appreciated!

 

[fr4c]

great to see your comments!
question: are nvidia cards not good for 3d n ae stuff? Radeon is better?

the stock Nvidia 120 should be good enough for now right?

your advise is appreciated!

depends, but for your uses even the 5770 would be a big upgrade.

 

[derbothaus]

Nvidia is great for 3d (maybe even better because of CUDA) but a GT120 is weak sauce. It is on par with Nvidia 9500 which is slower than Macbook Pro's from 2008. ATI 5770 gets 17,000 in 3dmark06. The gt120 gets less than 5,000.

 

[Mackenna]

so for radeon the 5770 is good enough.
what about the nvidia? which would you recommend?

ok here is a dumb question. how do you know when you need a better graphics card?

 

[derbothaus]

so for radeon the 5770 is good enough.
what about the nvidia? which would you recommend?

ok here is a dumb question. how do you know when you need a better graphics card?

When you can't get done what you need to. If all you need is to paint pictures on your screen you'll be fine. Except in PS as you wont have ANY of the OpenGL Advanced options. AE will be a jittery mess unfortunately. You'll see.

 

[highdefw]

You will know the gfx card is not holding up when you start to suffer from lag in the viewport of the your 3d apps. Naturally, if you're looking at millions of polygons, most cards will be brought down to their knees. Currently I'm running a 5770. I highly recommend it.