Going to order this unless...

[netnothing]

There's little-NO real world advantage to a triple channel memory configuration. OTOH, more memory is always an advantage.

At ~$50/4G I'd recommend a 4x4GB setup.

Go with 8G modules if money is not an issue.

JohnG

Agreed.....depending on what you do, MORE memory is almost always better. Last thing you want is to start swapping to disk. What good does the slightly faster triple-channel memory do then?!

Now, if you won't come close to ever utilizing anything close to 12GB....then sure, try the triple-channel config.

-Kevin

 

[DeeEss]

So today my SSD's arrived and having said the Mac Pro had some noise, I can safely say that with the SSD's it's actually more quiet than my 2007 macbook pro. The fans are more quiet and there is no disc search obviously.

 

[Danekero]

So today my SSD's arrived and having said the Mac Pro had some noise, I can safely say that with the SSD's it's actually more quiet than my 2007 macbook pro. The fans are more quiet and there is no disc search obviously.

Awesome, I'm ordering a SSD with mine and that makes it feel like it's worth the investment. I do a lot of work at night, so noise is a factor...

 

[scottsjack]

So after reading a lot of threads here and with my birthday coming up next week, I've decided to get the 2010 mac pro with:

3.2ghz quad core
1TB hard drive
ATI Radeon HD 5870 1GB
12gb owc ram (4gb x 3)
120gb ssd (owc)
Monitor (can anyone recommend a good led backlit monitor? can't pay more than $400).

Does that sound good?

I'll be adding more hard drives later. Does anyone know how loud/quiet it will run? I mostly work at night (sadly) so need my comps to be fairly quiet to be able to concentrate. Also, should I get apple care now or after 3 months?

I will be ordering this next week, unless there's an upcoming update soon. I just checked the buyers guide and it says there should be an update in about 2.5 months, but from what I've read here most ppl are suggesting a late 2011/early 2012 update. So a bit confused... if there's an update in 2.5 months then I'd definitely wait.

Thanks for your help!

That's the same machine I ordered from Apple last summer, fastest quad processor and the good video card. I also got 12GB of OWC RAM when it was over $400 (boo).

If I had to do it over again I would get either 2X8GB or 3X8GB depending on funds. The ability to go to 24GB would be really good since I can saturate 12GB with Aperture 3 and PS CS5 grinding away while Safari is open.

The 1TB WD black drive that came with my machine was the cheapo out-of-date 32MB cache version than can be had for about sixty bucks currently. I'm running a WD 2TB black drive in the lower bay as the boot drive. It's noticeably faster than the OEM drive. Bays 1 and 2 also have the latest 2TB Caviar blacks. Bays 3 and 4 have 1TB black drives that are a couple of years old and will in time be replaced the the 2TB models.

I love working with this computer, it's a ball. I would have preferred the hexacore but the additional $800 was not doable.

You won't be disappointed.

 

[strausd]

Thanks for all the answers

I think I'll probably get 12gb ram at first and leave the 1gb ram out, and then later I might add another 4gb.

And my goal is to get a 27in ACD eventually, but need a couple more paychecks first So looking for a 24in display that I can use for now and then once I have the 27in acd I'll use it as a secondary display or give it to my brother.

So far I've found this display: http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-PX237...acklight/dp/B003HFG6S0/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_1_2 but will look on ebay for a ACD.

Just saw this: http://store.apple.com/us/product/FB382LL/A , might get that.

I love my Dell u2311h, it is incredible. I do a lot of photography, video, and am starting to do some 3D stuff. When I was looking into a monitor for my Mac Pro, the samsung was my first choice, at least until I learned more about the difference between TN and IPS panels.

LED is nice, but I consider the panel type to be much more important than the backlighting. I would suggest going for an IPS panel over the samsung, you will be happy you did. The color on IPS panels are so incredibly better. I have not had a single problem with my Dell u2311h and you can find them for under $320.

You may also want to check out this thread for some more details. It has a lot of good information about nearly every type of monitor:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/892832/

 

[mrt209]

I love my Dell u2311h, it is incredible. I do a lot of photography, video, and am starting to do some 3D stuff. When I was looking into a monitor for my Mac Pro, the samsung was my first choice, at least until I learned more about the difference between TN and IPS panels.

LED is nice, but I consider the panel type to be much more important than the backlighting. I would suggest going for an IPS panel over the samsung, you will be happy you did. The color on IPS panels are so incredibly better. I have not had a single problem with my Dell u2311h and you can find them for under $320.

You may also want to check out this thread for some more details. It has a lot of good information about nearly every type of monitor:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/892832/

Thanks for the link, going to read it in a bit.

Did you have any pink tint issues with your display? Was considering the Dell u2311h at first but then read a lot of complaints about them having tint issues and that the Dell support was really slow.

 

[strausd]

Thanks for the link, going to read it in a bit.

Did you have any pink tint issues with your display? Was considering the Dell u2311h at first but then read a lot of complaints about them having tint issues and that the Dell support was really slow.

Nope, have not had a single issue with pink tints or anything like that. Everything has been working really well. I am considering buying a third one, just need a little more $$ for that.

 

[mrt209]

Nope, have not had a single issue with pink tints or anything like that. Everything has been working really well. I am considering buying a third one, just need a little more $$ for that.

Thanks, actually just ordered my Mac Pro and the u2311h earlier tonight Hope I dont have any issues with it as well, would suck to have a MP but no screen Going to get the ACD in a couple of months when I can afford it.