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Buy used or build hack

A

ashman70

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Dec 20, 2010
980
13
I am running in a Mac Pro 3,1 right now and it mostly does what I need, but I am beginning to play some games (Black Ops and Batman Arkham City) and its beginning to show its age. Now I could drop $400 or so on a 670 and drop it in and that would probably take care of my graphics slow downs, but I am also thinking ahead to the future. I currently have 16GB of RAM and sometimes it gets maxed out, I'd like to go up to 32GB but its prohibitively expensive for this model. I have been pricing out used 4,1's and 5,1's and could get a entry level 5,1 with 16GB on a trade in for my 3,1 for around $800 but then I'm still getting 'old' technology. Perhaps a better way to go would be to spend around $1300 and build a very fast hack. I know there are many opinions around the morals of building hacks, not really looking for those opinions. I also know I don't have to spend $1300 and could drop it down a few notches, this is with a 3770k and I know I'd be happy with a 2500k. I just figure if I am going to pour anymore money into this aging 3,1 I think I might rather put it towards a whole new system with USB 3, thunderbolt, SATA2 and SATA3 speeds.

Just thinking out loud. Comments welcome.
 
ashman70 said:
I am running in a Mac Pro 3,1 right now and it mostly does what I need, but I am beginning to play some games (Black Ops and Batman Arkham City) and its beginning to show its age. Now I could drop $400 or so on a 670 and drop it in and that would probably take care of my graphics slow downs, but I am also thinking ahead to the future. I currently have 16GB of RAM and sometimes it gets maxed out, I'd like to go up to 32GB but its prohibitively expensive for this model. I have been pricing out used 4,1's and 5,1's and could get a entry level 5,1 with 16GB on a trade in for my 3,1 for around $800 but then I'm still getting 'old' technology. Perhaps a better way to go would be to spend around $1300 and build a very fast hack. I know there are many opinions around the morals of building hacks, not really looking for those opinions. I also know I don't have to spend $1300 and could drop it down a few notches, this is with a 3770k and I know I'd be happy with a 2500k. I just figure if I am going to pour anymore money into this aging 3,1 I think I might rather put it towards a whole new system with USB 3, thunderbolt, SATA2 and SATA3 speeds.

Just thinking out loud. Comments welcome.
Click to expand...

I'd never spend that kind of money on old technology at this point of the game... If you don't really need OSX, I'd build a custom desktop and run Windows.. Then, if you so desire, you can do a hackintosh as a side project... That way you have no expectation of it or necessity for it. You can build a hella stable amazing hackintosh, but the most successful results come from learning what you're doing, rather than using some whacky installer like Tonymac's stuff. It is a fair amount to learn, though it's never been easier, especially w/ Z77 boards.
 
I'll never go back to Windows so that is out of the question and I've been experimenting with and building hacks since before Tonymac was even around, so I have plenty of experience in that regard.
 
ashman70 said:
I'll never go back to Windows so that is out of the question and I've been experimenting with and building hacks since before Tonymac was even around, so I have plenty of experience in that regard.
Click to expand...

Well, you're going to need a good graphics card either way, why don't you start with a good graphics card that's compatible with your mac pro? Then if you feel you're still lacking, proceed with the rest of your PC build...
 
cosmicjoke said:
Well, you're going to need a good graphics card either way, why don't you start with a good graphics card that's compatible with your mac pro? Then if you feel you're still lacking, proceed with the rest of your PC build...
Click to expand...

I thought about that too and may just get a 670 to start with and go from there.

Thanks
 
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I have to say I love my Hack a lot over my older Mac Pro.... Think about it and do your research but mine went together with minimal problems and it runs circles around my Mac Pro. I have a GTX-580 that does everything I need it to. I am in the same boat, as a lifelong IT guy I just really like OSX over Windows and dont want to go back.
 
Mindlessdrone said:
I have to say I love my Hack a lot over my older Mac Pro.... Think about it and do your research but mine went together with minimal problems and it runs circles around my Mac Pro. I have a GTX-580 that does everything I need it to. I am in the same boat, as a lifelong IT guy I just really like OSX over Windows and dont want to go back.
Click to expand...

What are the components in your Hack? Who did you use as a guide? No issues with updates at all? Do you game in OSX?
 
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