Mac Pro 2009 4 Core? Or iMac 2011 i5?

[JamerTheProgram]

Hey!
I want to purchase a Mac Pro 2009 Nelhalem.
This is what I would do with it:
Xcode Development (I do iPhone Apps. I usualy have 6 or more xcode projects open)
HD Video Editing
Photoshop work.
Extreme multitasking.

Here is the Mac Pro I could get (Second hand):
Mac Pro Early 2009 Nehalem:
3GB Ram
500GB HDD
GTX 120 512 Mb (I will upgrade anything in this mac)
1 Quad Core Xeon @ 2.66

Here is the iMac 2011 i5 21 inch I could get streight from the apple store NEW:
4GB Ram (I could upgrade the ram on the Mac Pro in no time)
2.5 i5 CPU
AMD Radeon HD 6750M


Cons iMac)

1 The problem with the iMac is: Upgradability.
Im assuming that it will only have 2 ram slots. And I plan on having quite a bit of ram (16 GB Maybe).

2 The GPU is very nice, but I could upgrade to 4 GPUs on the Mac Pro.

3 The Hard Drive upgradability (The Mac Pro can have 4 and the iMac, not sure.)

4 I cannot upgrade the CPU (With the Mac Pro im assuming I can?)

Pros (iMac):
1 GPU, but I could upgrade the mac pro's one in a heart beat.
2 Already have a screen (But I already have one, so It doesnt really matter)
3 It would be new from the Apple Store

I really would like a Mac Pro, but I just want whats best for my needs.


What do you think?

 

[JamerTheProgram]

There is more detailed specs of the Mac Pro:

CPU: Intel Xeon 5500 Series ("Galnestown")

CPU Speed: 2.66 GHz (3500-series "Bloomfield") or 2x2.26 GHz

CPU Cores: 4

FPU: integrated

Bus Speed: see notes

Register Width: 64-bit

Data Bus Width: 64-bit

Address Bus Width: 64-bit

ROM: EFI

RAM Type: PC-8500 DDR3 ECC SDRAM

Minimum RAM Speed: 1066 MHz

Onboard RAM: 0 MB

RAM slots: 4/8

Maximum RAM: 16/32 GB

Level 1 Cache: 32 kB data, 32 kB instruction

Level 2 Cache: 256 kB per-core (1 MB total)

Level 3 Cache: 8 MB on-cpu

Expansion Slots: 1 PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot, 2 PCI Express 2.0 x4 slots

 

[Amethyst]

If you ask this question in "The Mac Pro User"'s forums the answer is definitely "Mac Pro".

 

[MacinJosh]

Since you're thinking of getting a used (or refurbished?) Mac Pro, I'd say that's your best bet. You won't be kicking yourself in the sack if you bought a new one with a new model coming out in a month or two.

The 2009 MP is kickass and will be for many years. You can add another CPU to get more oomph. Update GPU. Add HDs and Blurays. Add other PCIe cards.

I love the iMac, I've owned several but once getting this old Mac Pro, I don't think I could ever go with anything else.

 

[highdefw]

Expansion and upgradability is a major advantage compared to the iMac. I say go for the Pro so you always have the option.

 

[VirtualRain]

I have a Quad core 2009 Mac Pro and it will easily handle any workload I can throw at it... Aperture, Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, etc. Upgrading my RAM from 6-12GB was a nice boost and adding SSD's are an even bigger upgrade. These are both things you can easily do over time when your budget allows with the Mac Pro.

EDIT: I should point out that I run dual GT120's (one to drive each of my two 24" ACD) and I don't feel they are holding me back at all in content creation work. So unless you are gaming with it, I wouldn't be in a rush to upgrade the GPU in that Mac Pro... you would probably benefit more from additional RAM (either 6 or 12GB).

 

[Justinf79]

I'd go for the MP.

 

[blunti]

you will not regret the MP. Go for it!

 

[Macsonic]

I would recommend you get the MacPro. Have to advised you about iMacs. I have used iMacs way back 2006 and the common problem is the LCD screen getting smudges and yellowish tint at the lower corner part. That has been the problem ever since. And expensive to have the screen replaced by Apple if your Applecare or warranty expires. And I heard the 2011 iMacs tend to have a high amount of heat at the top portion but not sure if this is a widespread problem or just an isolated issue.

With the MacPro you get to choose the brand of monitor you want. Plus the 2009 MacPro rams are now cheaper.