Computer shopping (IE. Mac Pro.)

[cory.williams]

I am about to get a Mac Pro for editing and what not, I am definitely buying used. I was wondering what you guys
think I should be aiming for? I am looking for a quad core at least,
I'd like a 8 core but I don't know that I really can use all 8 cores
with FC7, I have been reading that the 3.33GHz 6 core does better than
a 2.4/2.6 8 core and I was just curious if I even need anything that
strong. I'd like to get something where I dont have to worry about
buying a new machine for awhile. My budget right now is around $3,000-3,500 I'd like to spend less if I can but if its something that is truly going to kill whatever I do, I don't mind spending the extra money.

As far as what im editing, its mainly just HD footage however I feel like I am going to need to do aftereffects work to step my editing game up as it's probably my weakest point. I have been looking at the refurbs on apples site and I am torn from the 2.4 ghz 8core and the 2.93 ghz 8 core. The difference is about 700 dollars and while I want to have something that I don't have to worry about for awhile I don't know that if that I will notice the difference between the two and if its even worth it for the 700 bucks. Anyways Let me know what you guys think! Thanks in advanced.

 

[philipma1957]

I would suggest the base quad 2.8 and do the cpu upgrade to the hex 3.33 lots of forum member have followed my thread and boosted the quad 60 % in speed


here is the link to the upgrade thread

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1122551/

quad mac pro link

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC560LL/A


link for hex cpu a major company with a 3 year warranty

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Intel-X...57?pt=CPUs&hash=item2312528b49#ht_3265wt_1250



link for 8gb ram sticks use code sizzle for 15 bucks off

https://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=D3-13R8GH1


cost

mac pro 2119
cpu 617
24gb ram 270

total 3006

this machine is more then enough for a few years


note you have a spare quad 2.8 and spare oem ram so you could do this under 3k one more note when I did this the hex 3.2 was 600 and the hex 3.33 was 1000 the hex 3.33 dropped to 617 so you can build your machine cheaper then i did with a better cpu!

 

[highdefw]

I would suggest the base quad 2.8 and do the cpu upgrade to the hex 3.33 lots of forum member have followed my thread and boosted the quad 60 % in speed


here is the link to the upgrade thread

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1122551/

quad mac pro link

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC560LL/A


link for hex cpu a major company with a 3 year warranty

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Intel-X...57?pt=CPUs&hash=item2312528b49#ht_3265wt_1250



link for 8gb ram sticks use code sizzle for 15 bucks off

https://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=D3-13R8GH1


cost

mac pro 2119
cpu 617
24gb ram 270

total 3006

this machine is more then enough for a few years


note you have a spare quad 2.8 and spare oem ram so you could do this under 3k one more note when I did this the hex 3.2 was 600 and the hex 3.33 was 1000 the hex 3.33 dropped to 617 so you can build your machine cheaper then i did with a better cpu!

Do this ^^^

 

[cory.williams]

I would suggest the base quad 2.8 and do the cpu upgrade to the hex 3.33 lots of forum member have followed my thread and boosted the quad 60 % in speed


here is the link to the upgrade thread

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1122551/

quad mac pro link

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC560LL/A


link for hex cpu a major company with a 3 year warranty

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Intel-X...57?pt=CPUs&hash=item2312528b49#ht_3265wt_1250



link for 8gb ram sticks use code sizzle for 15 bucks off

https://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=D3-13R8GH1


cost

mac pro 2119
cpu 617
24gb ram 270

total 3006

this machine is more then enough for a few years


note you have a spare quad 2.8 and spare oem ram so you could do this under 3k one more note when I did this the hex 3.2 was 600 and the hex 3.33 was 1000 the hex 3.33 dropped to 617 so you can build your machine cheaper then i did with a better cpu!

cool this sounds like what I might do. My next question is that does this ruin any warranty? if so theres a macstore where im from thats selling the used computers for what seems cheaper plus more ram.

 

[philipma1957]

cool this sounds like what I might do. My next question is that does this ruin any warranty? if so theres a macstore where im from thats selling the used computers for what seems cheaper plus more ram.

well the warranty question.

the upgrade can go back to stock if you hold on to the quad 2.8 cpu. if you look at the photos no one would be able to tell a hex was in there.
many people have voiced opinions about this upgrade killing the warranty. the answer is not clear-cut in the usa.
always if you break the gear doing the update you are not covered.
I am not a lawyer and I buy ten thousand plus a year from the apple website so my treatment may be better from apple then other buyers. but i would guess that putting in the hex 3.33 since it is the same part that apple uses would not void warranty.

 

[blunti]

if you want to do editing, might as well just hang on until the new MP's arrive. Especially if you want to edit hd (not sure, you have not mentioned this), TB will be definitely nice to have...

.02

 

[cory.williams]

well the warranty question.

the upgrade can go back to stock if you hold on to the quad 2.8 cpu. if you look at the photos no one would be able to tell a hex was in there.
many people have voiced opinions about this upgrade killing the warranty. the answer is not clear-cut in the usa.
always if you break the gear doing the update you are not covered.
I am not a lawyer and I buy ten thousand plus a year from the apple website so my treatment may be better from apple then other buyers. but i would guess that putting in the hex 3.33 since it is the same part that apple uses would not void warranty.

My next question is, would i be able to do what you did with the 3.2? do you happen to have a link to that? I am pretty sure I am going to do this but I also wanna see if i can save a little bit more money.

 

[derbothaus]

My next question is, would i be able to do what you did with the 3.2? do you happen to have a link to that? I am pretty sure I am going to do this but I also wanna see if i can save a little bit more money.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1122551/

The warranty thing is a debate in itself. Some swear it is OK. Every time I talk to an Apple rep they say you will not be able to get Applecare service if the techs notice the strange processor. I would at least keep the original proc in case you need to take it in.

 

[ActionableMango]

You can read the warranty for your self.
http://images.apple.com/legal/warranty/docs/cpuwarranty.pdf

AppleCare people may tell you one thing or another and contradict themselves.

I cannot find anything in the warranty text that indicates the warranty would be void by simply upgrading parts. The closest I can find is this paragraph:

This warranty does not apply: (a) to consumable parts, such as batteries, unless damage has occurred due to a defect in materials or workmanship; (b) to cosmetic damage, including but not limited to scratches, dents and broken plastic on ports; (c) to damage caused by use with non-Apple products; (d) to damage caused by accident, abuse, misuse, liquid contact, fire, earthquake or other external causes; (e) to damage caused by operating the product outside the permitted or intended uses described by Apple; (f) to damage caused by service (including upgrades and expansions) performed by anyone who is not a representative of Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider (“AASP”); (g) to a product or part that has been modified to alter functionality or capability without the written permission of Apple; (h) to defects caused by normal wear and tear or otherwise due to the normal aging of the product or (i) if any Apple serial number has been removed or defaced.

But even that paragraph states that the damage has to be "caused by" the CPU upgrade.

This is all philosophical though, I bet the AppleCare guy could in fact claim the warranty was voided and you'd have to be prepared to fight for it.

Personally I won't upgrade my CPU until AppleCare has ended.