CPU upgrades in the future (nMP)

[Killerbob]

I am finally ready to pull the trigger on ordering my nMP I am thinking;

6-core, 12GB RAM, 1TB PCI SSD, 2xD700

...then upgrading the RAM via OWC to 64GB RAM.

I already have a NAS, and I'm getting the Sonnet Echo Express to hold my 1TB Accelsior and my Sonnet TempoPro (2x512GB Samsung 940 Pro SSDs). Bootcamp is on a 1TB external TB Lacie SSD.

OF COURSE I AM CONFUSED It has taken me a long time to get to this point, and the biggest question has been what CPU to choose

I use my MP for photography and video; Adobe CC, PhotoMatix, Aperture and so forth. Oh, and games in BootCamp...

Should I get the 6-core or the 8-core?

And now to my question;

- Will there be a CPU upgrade in perhaps 12-24 months that would significantly boost the performance of this system (in which case I will get the 6-core now), or not (in which case I will get the 8-core now)?

 

[flowrider]

Concerning your memory purchase. You can pay $799. here:

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Mac-Pro-Memory#1866-memory

or $716. here:

http://www.datamemorysystems.com/ap...5-3-5ghz-md878ll/a-late-2013-memory-upgrades/

I've been using DMS memory since 1985 and have never had a bad stick. They are Mac Specialists, have a Lifetime Warranty and are Great folks to do business with. An $83. savings sounds GOOD to me.

Lou

 

[handsome pete]

And now to my question;

- Will there be a CPU upgrade in perhaps 12-24 months that would significantly boost the performance of this system (in which case I will get the 6-core now), or not (in which case I will get the 8-core now)?

It depends on what you mean by significantly increase performance. Clock speed or cores? Regardless, you're going to be limited to the current batch of Ivy Bridge Xeons. So there are the 8 and 12 core chips that Apple is using along with other 8 and 10 core variants. Basically, check what OWC is offering as an upgrade route and that should give you a good idea.

The next version of E5s (expected late 2014, early 2015) will not work in the 6,1.

 

[Killerbob]

flowrider, thx for the headsup...

----------

So should we expect the CPU upgrades from OWC to fall in price? And, for that deal, you have to ship in the MP, right?

 

[flowrider]

^^^^There are links on the web describing how to change the CPU yourself. If your handy at all, the upgrade does not appear difficult, but many components have to be removed and then reassembled. There have been threads on this forum of folks buying the 4 core up front with the intention of replacing it with the 8 or 10 core model themselves. From what I recall, it appeared to make economic sense, especially when you factor in the value of the 4 core processor.

Lou

 

[handsome pete]

[/COLOR]So should we expect the CPU upgrades from OWC to fall in price? And, for that deal, you have to ship in the MP, right?

Unlikely. The prices of these things don't generally change much, even when the newer versions come out.

 

[Umbongo]

Unlikely. The prices of these things don't generally change much, even when the newer versions come out.

True at retail level for a few years, but they come down in the used market and then really drop when workstations and servers come to end of life.

Should I get the 6-core or the 8-core?

You can get a better 8-core for the price Apple are charging, so go with 6 if you aren't sure and upgrade yourself later as you seemed happy to do that. Or you can opt for 10 cores for the same price Apple want for 8.

You'll probably find that with Intel adding more cores with each new CPU update and how Mac Pros maintain price on the used market that it'll be better financially to sell and buy a new one in 2 years rather than getting a minor CPU upgrade. Especially as you'd get DDR4, faster PCI-E, new graphics and whatever other things they add.

Your usage list doesn't come across as something that is going to benefit from the extra CPU performance, unless you are billing huge amounts and $2,000 is nothing.

 

[Wardenski]

Won't all Xeons be based on the new 2011-3 socket in 12 months time?

I say get 8 core now. Not sure what Xeon model that could be substituted at a later date to justify upgrade expense.

I am not professional so can't help on the work front but from a gaming perspective I don't think games will be an issue CPU wise as my Mac Pro 2008 demonstrates (most of the time).