Just got a Mac Pro in a trade for my 2011 MBP I5. My current Mac Pro set up is 2 x 2.66ghz dual core Xenon with 24gb of ddr3 at 1066mhz. I am deciding between a 2 x 6 core 2.93ghz X5670 CPU's (which I can acquire a pair for around $115) or 2 x 4 core X5677 CPU's running at a 3.46 ghz for around the same price. I'm trying to decide if the 8 core with the higher 3.46 ghz or the 12 core @ 2.93 ghz would be better. I am looking to future proof this machine as much as possible. Any facts or opinions would help my decision. Looking to spend under $125 on a pair of CPU's, hence why I chose the 2.93ghz x5670. Oh, and my machine was just firmware updated to 5.1, so it does support 2 x 6 core cpus. Thanks in advance!
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Mac Pro CPU Upgrade
- Thread starter Zobrien
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School. Programs such as word, excel, etc. Hoping to get into Photoshop and a few other intensive programs. Mostly just wanting to get the CPU that will last me the longest, I want to hold onto this machine as long as I can, love the looks and the processing power!
X5677, because most of your normal use is bounded by the CPU speed but not core numbers.
Thanks, will definently get 2 of those then! And any idea where I could get a screw driver to take off the CPU heat sinks? Or know the name of it?
X5690 only if you can get them at a price within 10-15% of the X5677, IMHO. The extra 2 cores aren't going to make much difference for most loads. If you are into heavy DBMS or multi-threaded rendering loads then the X5690 might be worth more of a price premium.
emm why upgrade the cpu?
like relay word ... wont need a 2 core never mind 8/12core (16/14 thread's)
2.66ghz is fine even if there's only 4 cores (is it relay a dual core cpu x 2? only 4 cores total or 8 cores total, did not know there was a dual 2 core cpu macpro4.1/5.1)
but relay your not doing anything worth the upgrade get a 250GB SSD and job done.
if it's just for fun then go to town but for the apps you listed i dont see the point.
even Photoshop will be better of with files/scratch on a SSD than a cpu upgrade (it will only use 1-2cores any way 99% of the time).
and as you will be new to it your not going to be pushing the limit where you will see a real benefit to the upgrade.
if you ever do need a faster cpu in say a year or two you can just buy one then and they will be cheaper ^^
like relay word ... wont need a 2 core never mind 8/12core (16/14 thread's)
2.66ghz is fine even if there's only 4 cores (is it relay a dual core cpu x 2? only 4 cores total or 8 cores total, did not know there was a dual 2 core cpu macpro4.1/5.1)
but relay your not doing anything worth the upgrade get a 250GB SSD and job done.
if it's just for fun then go to town but for the apps you listed i dont see the point.
even Photoshop will be better of with files/scratch on a SSD than a cpu upgrade (it will only use 1-2cores any way 99% of the time).
and as you will be new to it your not going to be pushing the limit where you will see a real benefit to the upgrade.
if you ever do need a faster cpu in say a year or two you can just buy one then and they will be cheaper ^^
You need a 3mm hex/allen wrench. The handle has to be at least 5 inches long.
I use this one:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000X285AW
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Thanks guys
after reading what orph said, still think it's worth upgrading CPU's?
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You'll get a good speed bump especially with the 3.46 Ghz CPU's (whether 4 or 6 core). The stock CPU's are decent enough performers, so it really comes down to what it's worth to you, and how much money you want to put into it.
I'm inclined to say yes, it's worth it, but then it's always easier to spend someone else's money. A CPU upgrade (to a W3680 3.33 Ghz in my single CPU cMP) was worth $$$ to me, but then it's my primary work machine. You'll have to decide this one for yourself.
I'm inclined to say yes, it's worth it, but then it's always easier to spend someone else's money. A CPU upgrade (to a W3680 3.33 Ghz in my single CPU cMP) was worth $$$ to me, but then it's my primary work machine. You'll have to decide this one for yourself.
Thanks, looks like I'll be doing the dual 4 core 3.46ghz onesYou'll get a good speed bump especially with the 3.46 Ghz CPU's (whether 4 or 6 core). The stock CPU's are decent enough performers, so it really comes down to what it's worth to you, and how much money you want to put into it.
I'm inclined to say yes, it's worth it, but then it's always easier to spend someone else's money. A CPU upgrade (to a W3680 3.33 Ghz in my single CPU cMP) was worth $$$ to me, but then it's my primary work machine. You'll have to decide this one for yourself.
$120 isn't bad for 8 cores at that ghzI upgraded my cpu a year ago...... these are items i got: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BUAPCM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LOXCNPC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I bought the intel x5670s. They are a pretty good bang for the buck.
I bought the intel x5670s. They are a pretty good bang for the buck.
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Thanks bro
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I agree. I love spending other people's money. But it's much better when it's being spent on me
Lol, agreedI agree. I love spending other people's money. But it's much better when it's being spent on me
Xcode actually uses all cores. More cores and higher speeds to make a difference on fully compiling large projects. Of course, and SSD has the biggest impact when iterating over thousands of files.
Of course, once you are in incremental compiles, it does not make a lot of difference.
Of course, once you are in incremental compiles, it does not make a lot of difference.
Thanks!! Been a Windows guy since last summer when I first started building computers (built 5 since then), so I've done CPU upgrades and installments in those. Glad to see it is pretty similar in a Mac (besides heat sink)
i did upgrade my cpu
but i do do some video editing for work
the X5677 is a good option (or any 4core cpu in a dual cpu setup)
id check the price on the X5677,X5672,X5667 as the top one tends to have a price premium (there wont be a huge difference in speed for most things)
do get a SSD tho that will be the biggest speedup you will see in day to day use.
and for apps like Photoshop having files on a second SSD will relay help
but i do do some video editing for work
the X5677 is a good option (or any 4core cpu in a dual cpu setup)
id check the price on the X5677,X5672,X5667 as the top one tends to have a price premium (there wont be a huge difference in speed for most things)
do get a SSD tho that will be the biggest speedup you will see in day to day use.
and for apps like Photoshop having files on a second SSD will relay help