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Help With Mac Pro Purchase for Audio Recording

J

JCMusic

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 18, 2008
12
0
HELP! I have up to around $4,500 to spend on a new Mac Pro for Audio Production. Upgrading from a G5 dual 1.8. Yeah for me! I have to make this purchase before Sept. 2011, so not sure if holding out for new Mac Pro models is possible. I run Digital Performer 7, All Spectrasonics software (Omnisphere, Trillian, Stylus) other large virtual synths, and of course audio recording.

I'm confused looking at current Apple models, as well as others that are still available through retailers. Have been scouring every thread I can find and getting mixed input.

Basically, what's my best options from these models below for now and a long lived future? I need to include additional RAM and Hard drive additions to these prices below of course. MANY THANKS!

One 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon "Nehalem" processor - $2,499
Two 2.4GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon “Westmere” processors - $3,499.00
- OR -
Six-Core 3.33GHz Intel Xeon W3680 "Westmere" CPU - $3,698.95
- OR -
Refurbished Mac Pro 3.33GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon Nehalem - $3,139.00
Refurbished Mac Pro 2.66GHz 8-Core Intel Xeon Nehalem - $3,299.00
Refurbished Mac Pro 2.93GHz 8-Core Intel Xeon Nehalem - $3,649.00
 
With your budged, this is what I'd do:

Refurb 2009 2.66GHz Quad core: $2000
24GB DDR3 1333MHz RAM: ~ $330
Intel 6-core W3670 (3.2GHz): $600 or W3690 (3.46GHz): $1050
120GB SSD boot (Intel, OWC, or OCZ): ~ $250

That's about $3200 for the 3.2GHz option. Leaves you another $1000 for additional storage (possibly another SSD for your audio plugins) and backup.
 
But a 2009 MacPro requires a firmware hack if you want to put a hexacore like the W3670/3680/3690 in it.

For a CPU upgrade without the hack, the W3565/3570/3580 quads are options.
 
If you're comfortable doing upgrades, you could buy an entry level 2010 Quad and upgrade the processor to a 3.2GHz Hex for about $600... getting you into an enviable machine for about $3K before other options.
 
Last edited:
VirtualRain said:
If you're comfortable doing upgrades, you could buy an entry level 2010 Quad and upgrade the processor to a 3.6GHz Hex for about $600... getting you into an enviable machine for about $3K before other options.
Click to expand...

How exactly will he up it to a 3.6 hex? I didnt know there were 3.6 hex's available, but even a 3.46 will cost him over 1000, leaving him out of pocket about 900 for the cpu even after reselling the quad on ebay.
 
It's not really clear based on your post what you need in terms of processor power, memory, and storage. How long will you be using it for? When will you have the opportunity to upgrade or buy a new workstation?


If 16GB of memory sounds lackluster to you, then I'd definitely go for a dual processor system. We just found out that it it's possible to stick a hexacore processor into the 2009 systems, so I recommend a dual quad core system like the 2.93 octo.

What do you need in terms of storage? How many sample libraries are you trying to support?
 
Ravich said:
It's not really clear based on your post what you need in terms of processor power, memory, and storage. How long will you be using it for?
Click to expand...

He is currently on a G5 so I would guess he does not need a lot of power and he will be using it for a very, very long time. ;)
 
Definately the Six-Core 3.33GHz Intel Xeon W3680 "Westmere" CPU for audio

or if you are a computer tinker the older quads, with the EFI hack and put the chip in yourself
 
zephonic said:
But a 2009 MacPro requires a firmware hack if you want to put a hexacore like the W3670/3680/3690 in it.

For a CPU upgrade without the hack, the W3565/3570/3580 quads are options.
Click to expand...

Is this upgrade on an 09 MP Quad, possible for the hex processor too, or only the octo core model of the 09?
 
A Core 2 Duo machine is more than enough for DP7. DP7 is still a 32-bit application and you will run out of addressable memory before you run out of processing power.

What type of interface are you using?
 
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