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Mac Pro 4.1 purchase dilemma, Please Help!

Flocarino

Flocarino

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 4, 2010
260
38
Montreal, Canada
OK, here's the situation:
I want to buy a ''new'' Mac Pro 4.1 and I have 2 offers:
1-Mac Pro Intel Xeon Quad Nehalem 2.66 Ghz 8GB RAM 640GB HDD for $1000
2-Mac Pro Intel Xeon Quad Nehalem 2 x 2.26 GHz - RAM 6 GB - 640 GB - GF GT 120 for $1200

They are configured basically the same with the exception of Single VS Dual Processors.

Which one would you guys choose? Let me know Please?
Thanks
 
Well, you haven't said what you plan on doing with your mac, so everything is just a guess work.

Personally, i'd go with #2 (i did in real life and paid a good bit more than $1200). Especially since it's only $200 more than #1.

You'll probably want to upgrade the HD and memory regardless of which one you get.

Tests that aren't multi-threaded may perform better on #1, but you'll be able to throw a lot more work at #2 before you notice any drop in performance.
 
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minifridge1138 said:
Well, you haven't said what you plan on doing with your mac, so everything is just a guess work.

Personally, i'd go with #2 (i did in real life and paid a good bit more than $1200). Especially since it's only $200 more than #1.

You'll probably want to upgrade the HD and memory regardless of which one you get.

Tests that aren't multi-threaded may perform better on #1, but you'll be able to throw a lot more work at #2 before you notice any drop in performance.
Click to expand...


I'll only use the Mac Pro at home for gaming, surfing the net and some light Photoshop & Video Editing...but VERY little.
 
Flocarino said:
I'll only use the Mac Pro at home for gaming, surfing the net and some light Photoshop & Video Editing...but VERY little.
Click to expand...

Hello. I think I know the Mac Pro's you're talking about…;)
The 2.66 is 1.399€ and the 2x2.26 is 1.899€, plus 59€ for shipment. Right?

Well, If I were you, from what you've written, I would go for the 2.66 Ghz. Apply the 2010 firmware hack, then swap the cpu for a W3680.

For less then 2.000€ you can have a great performer. Don't forget to replace the GPU in the 2012's Mac Pro refresh.

Regards
 
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Flocarino said:
What do you mean???:confused:
Click to expand...

The Geforce GT 120 is a weak graphic card. If you're thinking of games on Windows you need to consider a new one. The Mac Pro probably is going to be updated on 2012; maybe with a 6xxx series or a 7xxx series graphic card.

Regards
 
Xanix said:
The Geforce GT 120 is a weak graphic card. If you're thinking of games on Windows you need to consider a new one. The Mac Pro probably is going to be updated on 2012; maybe with a 6xxx series or a 7xxx series graphic card.

Regards
Click to expand...

OK, thanks.
Still, I'm hesitating between the 2 models....

...maybe the Single 2.66, upgrade the RAM and GPU and later the CPU to a six core!?
 
What you should consider:

1) What you'll use the Mac Pro for
2) How much money you want to spend
3) Costs of upgrades

#Don't forget this; in the mono is easy to replace the cpu. The dual is hard! You can easily break the cpu's board…

Take you're time and think well!

Regards
 
I think it would be a good setup but I agree it needs a new GPU. I would shoot for the 1200. Not much more and you will probably regret if you don't.
 
It's a split decision and I know I won't try to upgrade the CPUs in the Dual 2.26Ghz as it is too risky while in the Single 2.66 it's fairly easy, after all I upgraded my MP 1.1 to Dual 3.0Ghz 5365's.;)
 
Flocarino said:
It's a split decision and I know I won't try to upgrade the CPUs in the Dual 2.26Ghz as it is too risky while in the Single 2.66 it's fairly easy, after all I upgraded my MP 1.1 to Dual 3.0Ghz 5365's.;)
Click to expand...

this is a no brainer buy the single cpu quad core 2.66 put in a hex cpu end of story. based on your workload you don't need the dual cpu
 
4.1

Canadian here i have 2.66 early 2009 mac pro 4.1 just installed 12 gb memory and its awesome i do graphic and editing. So i would go with 2.66 since you don't even need this one.

But my question is this you guys are saying that in 2.66 mac pro 4.1 you can switch cpu i was repeatedly told that i cant do this in my machine.

and philipma1957 what do you mean hex cpu? if i can switch cpu on my mac how is it done.

thanks
 
Either one is a steal. I paid $1200 for my quad, same ram with 3.5TB's storage and couldn't be happier. For what you want it's overkill (for a lot of us!), but for those prices you can't go wrong. Since you game, get the quad and use the extra $200 towards a gpu upgrade. My two cents. Cheers.
 
where are you all finding 2009 machines for these prices? i haven't seen any for much less than $2000

like others have said the single processor machine is a lot easier to upgrade and will probably work for you.
 
OP, don't buy stolen goods ;) :p :D

Get SP (2.66), flash it to 5.1 and upgrade to hex. It still will be a bargain.
 
666sheep said:
OP, don't buy stolen goods ;) :p :D

Get SP (2.66), flash it to 5.1 and upgrade to hex. It still will be a bargain.
Click to expand...

I think I 'll go with the Dual 2.26Ghz, just because the other guy with the Single hasn't answered me back and I really don't want the opportunity to pass me by.
I'll surely miss the CPU upgrade part but hey, I'll get a GPU and RAM instead:D
 
Flocarino said:
I think I 'll go with the Dual 2.26Ghz, just because the other guy with the Single hasn't answered me back and I really don't want the opportunity to pass me by.
I'll surely miss the CPU upgrade part but hey, I'll get a GPU and RAM instead:D
Click to expand...

I think that's the best way to go.
If you're just going to get a 2.66 ghz single processor, you might as well buy a new mac mini, save a few hundred dollars, AND get a warranty.
 
Got the Dualie 2.26Ghz and it was a nice surprise to say that I hit the jackpot.
First, I got it for $1100 and now for the surprises:
1) The guy from whom I purchased it is a local TV producer and I recognized him right away...seen him on TV :)...he was clearing his studio of equipment.
2) The Mac Pro is a BUILT TO ORDER and none of the specs written above in the description, his own description, were right....beside the processors :)
3) It comes with 2 x 640GB drives, 12GB of RAM, ATI Radeon 4870, Bluetooth, Superdrive and surprise BluRay Drive:D
4) To top it off...it is still under Apple Care Warranty until next year;)

What else can I say.....I'm a happy camper.
 
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Flocarino said:
Got the Dualie 2.26Ghz and it was a nice surprise to say that I hit the jackpot.
First, I got it for $1100 and now for the surprises:
1) The guy from whom I purchased it is a local TV producer and I recognized him right away...seen him on TV :)...he was clearing his studio of equipment.
2) The Mac Pro is a BUILT TO ORDER and none of the specs written above in the description, his own description, were right....beside the processors :)
3) It comes with 2 x 640GB drives, 12GB of RAM, ATI Radeon 4870, Bluetooth, Superdrive and surprise BluRay Drive:D
4) To top it off...it is still under Apple Care Warranty until next year;)

What else can I say.....I'm a happy camper.
Click to expand...

Very good deal. Congrats, from what I can find at least on eBay a machine like that is going for around 2k here in the states
 
CRIIM44 said:
where are you all finding 2009 machines for these prices? i haven't seen any for much less than $2000

like others have said the single processor machine is a lot easier to upgrade and will probably work for you.
Click to expand...

Got mine on Ebay. Wanted a 2009 (fit my budget), looked for a few months. Most were going for $1600 or so (buy it now, auctions typically were higher). Happened to be bored at work one day, logged on, there it was, just posted. Did a quick check to verify model and pulled the trigger. It's always a gamble, but couldn't be happier. Did some mods, added extra drives, so far so good!

Congrats to the OP, you hit a home run. Enjoy.
 
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