Mac Pro 4.1 vs Mac Pro 5.1

[DEMinSoCAL]

The problem with this line of reasoning is the 4,1 can be easily upgraded to match or exceed the specs of the 5,1 with the money saved from buying the 4,1. If he were buying a new Mac Mini or iMac future proofing might make sense.

Likewise buying the 4,1 Mac Pro is more future proofing than the 5,1. Why? Because it has a better processor. It has a higher clock speed and can Turbo Boost higher than the processor in the 5,1. Since the processor is, technically, not a user serviceable part (like the graphics card and hard disks) future proofing is better done with the 4,1.



Here's the situation:

The OP has stated integrated graphics are sufficient for his needs. He's further stated the hard disk configuration is, for the most part, irrelevant as he'll be installing SSD's. As such both the 4,1 and the 5,1 meet his needs as the graphics card and hard disks are, essentially, the only differences between the two.

So what if he should decide he needs more graphics capability? He takes the cost of a new graphics card out of his savings from buying the 4,1 and buys the equivalent (5770) or better graphics card. If he wishes to add more hard disk capacity he can, again, take the savings from buying the 4,1 and buy a $40 1TB hard disk. He is no worse off than had he bought the 5,1.

Given this I see zero downside to buying the 4,1 over the 5,1. Perhaps I'm missing something. If I am I'd appreciate it if you'd be so kind as to point it out.

Tell you what...how about a compromise. The OP says he want's two, one for him and one for his wife. How about he buys one of each, and then he can move the 5770 card into the 4,1 and have the best of both worlds?

He can give is wife the "newer" Mac Pro with the GT120, and everyone is happy!

I should add that, personally, I think the price for either is kind of high, at least compared to US$ prices. There are 4,1 Mac Pro's on ebay for less than $500 shipped.

 

[reco2011]

Tell you what...how about a compromise. The OP says he want's two, one for him and one for his wife. How about he buys one of each, and then he can move the 5770 card into the 4,1 and have the best of both worlds?

Compromise? What is there to compromise? The question is which one of the two should he opt for? There is no question the 4,1 is the better option as it meets his immediate requirements for £220 less than the 5,1. Should his requirements change he can easily upgrade the 4,1 to match (or exceed) the 5,1 configuration with the money he saved by purchasing the 4,1. Given this I am puzzled why so many are so gung ho for the 5,1.

Again: Perhaps I'm not seeing a downside here. Perhaps there are some...if you're aware of any then please bring them up. I'm happy to reconsider my conclusion if I have missed something.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

Compromise? What is there to compromise? The question is which one of the two should he opt for? There is no question the 4,1 is the better option as it meets his immediate requirements for £220 less than the 5,1. Should his requirements change he can easily upgrade the 4,1 to match (or exceed) the 5,1 configuration with the money he saved by purchasing the 4,1. Given this I am puzzled why so many are so gung ho for the 5,1.

Again: Perhaps I'm not seeing a downside here. Perhaps there are some...if you're aware of any then please bring them up. I'm happy to reconsider my conclusion if I have missed something.

I guess that's because you're looking for one. You see things from only one mindset, yours. Myself and others have given other reasons why the 5,1 could be a choice, but your stuck on yours and no one else's makes any sense...TO YOU.

If you really look at it your way only, the OP didn't even need to ask a question here, then, because based on your reasoning, he already answered his own question. The 4,1 is obviously faster (if you call .13Ghz faster), and he already said integrated graphics are good enough, so he kind of answered his own question, unless, of course, there were other reasons/insight he was looking for beside the concrete numbers.

But, to each their own, right?

 

[reco2011]

I guess that's because you're looking for one. You see things from only one mindset, yours. Myself and others have given other reasons why the 5,1 could be a choice, but your stuck on yours and no one else's makes any sense...TO YOU.

You're right...I am looking for a downside...and I'm not finding any. Therefore I've asked others to point them out. So far no one has provided a downside. For the third time: If you've got some then let's hear them.

If you really look at it your way only, the OP didn't even need to ask a question here, then, because based on your reasoning, he already answered his own question. The 4,1 is obviously faster (if you call .13Ghz faster), and he already said integrated graphics are good enough, so he kind of answered his own question, unless, of course, there were other reasons/insight he was looking for beside the concrete numbers.

Perhaps, like me, he's looking for someone to point out the upsides to buying the 5,1. So far I haven't seen any provided. All I've seen is the 5,1 currently offers a level of graphics performance that might meet his future needs. Future proofing is what you called it. That's reasonable if the 4,1 couldn't be upgraded to the same graphics level at less cost than the difference between the two systems. However the 4,1 can easily be upgraded to the same or better configuration of the 5,1. So why pay for something on the off chance you may need it in the future? And why spend the money on current (or in this case old) technology when there's a good chance you can buy better technology at the time you need it?

But, to each there own, right?

This isn't about "to each their own". This is about buying the system which makes the most sense. So far no one has provided a reason to go with the 5,1 over the 4,1. It looks as if the 4,1 can be had with the same level of graphics and hard disk for less money than the 5,1. The 4,1 can probably be had with better graphics and the same hard disk for the less money as the 5,1...or at least equal money.

My request should be easy if there are downsides. Therefore instead of attacking me why not provide the requested information?

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

You're right...I am looking for a downside...and I'm not finding any. Therefore I've asked others to point them out. So far no one has provided a downside. For the third time: If you've got some then let's hear them.


Perhaps, like me, he's looking for someone to point out the upsides to buying the 5,1. So far I haven't seen any provided. All I've seen is the 5,1 currently offers a level of graphics performance that might meet his future needs. Future proofing is what you called it. That's reasonable if the 4,1 couldn't be upgraded to the same graphics level at less cost than the difference between the two systems. However the 4,1 can easily be upgraded to the same or better configuration of the 5,1. So why pay for something on the off chance you may need it in the future? And why spend the money on current (or in this case old) technology when there's a good chance you can buy better technology at the time you need it?


This isn't about "to each their own". This is about buying the system which makes the most sense. So far no one has provided a reason to go with the 5,1 over the 4,1. It looks as if the 4,1 can be had with the same level of graphics and hard disk for less money than the 5,1. The 4,1 can probably be had with better graphics and the same hard disk for the less money as the 5,1...or at least equal money.

My request should be easy if there are downsides. Therefore instead of attacking me why not provide the requested information?

I already have. Peace out.

 

[reco2011]

I already have. Peace out.

Where?

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Converting from pound to dollars the 4,1 costs $958 whereas the 5,1 costs $1,294. A difference of $336. On Ebay I can purchase an Apple 5870 (better than the 5,1's 5770) for $190 with free shipping. I can buy a brand new 1TB hard drive for $40 from Micro Center. So by buying the 4,1 I get a faster processor, a better video card, and 500GB more disk space and save $106. Where is the downside?

 

[MacVidCards]

Where?

----------

Converting from pound to dollars the 4,1 costs $958 whereas the 5,1 costs $1,294. A difference of $336. On Ebay I can purchase an Apple 5870 (better than the 5,1's 5770) for $190 with free shipping. I can buy a brand new 1TB hard drive for $40 from Micro Center. So by buying the 4,1 I get a faster processor, a better video card, and 500GB more disk space and save $106. Where is the downside?

Shorter epeen.

 

[Larry-K]

following on from my previous thread, i have decided i definitely want to go down the route of a mac pro. I was originally thinking of a mac pro 3.1 but i think i would be better off getting something as new as possible, however, i am on a limited budget and now my wife wants one as well, so need to get the best value for money.

Out of the two configurations below, which would you opt for? Is going for the 5.1 worth the extra £220? I'm not too bothered about the hard drives as i'll be putting ssd's in anyway.

mac pro 4.1
quad core intel xeon 2.93ghz
2 x 4 gb ram
2 x 250gb hard drive (one caddy missing)
bluetooth
nvidia geforce gt120 512mb
airport card
£629

mac pro 5.1
quad core intel xeon 2.8ghz
2 x 4 gb ram
1 x 1tb hard drive
bluetooth
radeon 5770 hd 1gb
airport card
£849

5.1

 

[Baunkjaer]

i went with the 5,1, as it were only marginally more expensive, than the 4,1.
As the OP I did´t care about the drives, as they were upgraded to SSD´s from day one. The 4,1 I were looking at came with GT120, but the 5,1 were equipped with the HD 5870.
All I wanted was a MP as new as possible, in good condition. The 5,1 suited my needs, even though it was rather expensive.

Keep in mind, that these machines are very expensive outside the US. I paid 1.000US+, and still consider it as a good buy.
Gotta love the EU, and danish customs

 

[dejo]

Mod Note: This thread was closed so that we could clean up all the off-topic bickering. Now that it's reopened, please remain civil and on-topic.