Firmware update to 5,1 for 2009 Mac Pro: Equivalent to 2010 after upgrade?

[macmesser]

Assuming same CPU and memory, does the firmware update to v. 5,1 for 2009 Mac Pro make it identical to a 2010 Mac Pro in every aspect? Is a 2009 with flashed firmware capable of the same CPU upgrades as a natural born 2010 Mac Pro? If no for either question, what are differences?

Thanks for insights.

 

[ClassObject]

Yes

 

[macmesser]

Yes

At a lower price 2009 would be the way to go then. Thanks!

Unless. . . a 2008 eight core would approximate it performance-wise in 10-20MB Photoshop files and dabbling lightly in sound, video editing, 3D modeling. These can be had relatively cheaply, enough so that it might pay to pick one up as an interim machine until the latest greatest 2013 iteration comes out and blows the 2010's away in terms of price/performance. Any opinions?