MP 2008 or 2009

[ADADEEJAY]

Hello fellow Mac Family.

I haven't purchased a new Mac since the 1st G5 came out. I guess you can say I'm way past due.

I use my G5 for music, running programs like Protools 8 and Reasons 4. I don't do any graphics or gaming, just music.

I'm looking into getting a Mac Pro, and after talking to several heads they advised me to check out this site, so here I am.

I'm hearing that brand new MP's are not my best option, as Protools and other music software may not work with Mountain Lion, And that my best option is to look into a 2008 or a 2009.

I'm also reading and noticing that Ram and other upgrades for a 2008 is just way to expensive and parts might not be available much longer.

So now looking at 2009's and either 4 core or 8 core..

Any suggestions ?

 

[Macsonic]

Hello fellow Mac Family.

I haven't purchased a new Mac since the 1st G5 came out. I guess you can say I'm way past due.

I use my G5 for music, running programs like Protools 8 and Reasons 4. I don't do any graphics or gaming, just music.

I'm looking into getting a Mac Pro, and after talking to several heads they advised me to check out this site, so here I am.

I'm hearing that brand new MP's are not my best option, as Protools and other music software may not work with Mountain Lion, And that my best option is to look into a 2008 or a 2009.

I'm also reading and noticing that Ram and other upgrades for a 2008 is just way to expensive and parts might not be available much longer.

So now looking at 2009's and either 4 core or 8 core..

Any suggestions ?

Hi ADADEEJAY

Welcome to MacRumors. Most likely a 2009 Mac Pro is your best option. You're right that ram for 2008 Mac Pro is expensive. For 2009 if you're going with the quad core look for the 3.33ghz, for 8 core what you will commonly see is the 2.26ghz which sells for $1500-$1600 nowadays. There is also the 2.66ghz 8 core or the 2.93ghz 8 core if your budget permits.

 

[minifridge1138]

Hello,

Either of the Mac Pros you mentioned should be a noticeable upgrade from your G5.

Since you're migrating from PowerPC, you probably want to stay on Snow Leopard because it was the last version of OS X that supports Rosetta. That way you should be able to use all/most of your existing software.

I don't recommend the 2008 simply due to ram costs.

If you want a single CPU machine, then the 2009 or a 2010 (which can also run 10.6) is great. The 2009 can probably be found for less money (the machines are identical).

If you want a dual CPU machine, then the 2009 is okay, but the 2010 is better. It supports more CPU options AND uses off the shelf xeons (the 2009 used a 'lidless' cpu and is much harder to upgrade) should you ever decide to upgrade the computer yourself.

Good luck!!!

 

[OS6-OSX]

Go for the 2009. I think Koolie has one!


MacPro 2008 3.1 | 14GB Ram | Quadro 4000 | MC6.0 | OS 10.6.8 | MOTU HDX-SDI | ATTO R644| LaCie 324

 

[ADADEEJAY]

Koolie mite just have one....lol

sounds like a 24k addition

 

[thekev]

2009 all the way. Given that they still use most of the same components, it's likely to be supported longer.

 

[MacProFreak]

I bought a 2010 quad and dropped a 3.46GHz processor in it. Have two SSDs on the way, will put a new GPU and some more RAM. It's a very fast machine, at least for my needs. (audio and video + bootcamp) - So I'd say 2009 or 2010 models are the best bang for the buck right now.

 

[seveej]

Hello,

Either of the Mac Pros you mentioned should be a noticeable upgrade from your G5.

Since you're migrating from PowerPC, you probably want to stay on Snow Leopard because it was the last version of OS X that supports Rosetta. That way you should be able to use all/most of your existing software.

I don't recommend the 2008 simply due to ram costs.

If you want a single CPU machine, then the 2009 or a 2010 (which can also run 10.6) is great. The 2009 can probably be found for less money (the machines are identical).

If you want a dual CPU machine, then the 2009 is okay, but the 2010 is better. It supports more CPU options AND uses off the shelf xeons (the 2009 used a 'lidless' cpu and is much harder to upgrade) should you ever decide to upgrade the computer yourself.

Good luck!!!

I agree with basically everything said here, but I'd put another spin on it.
If 2008 MP's and 2009 MP's were otherwise similar (including price), I'd go for a 2009 any day. But the world don't work like that...

- Given that any Mac Pro (especially past 1,1) will be a hefty upgrade,
- Given that you'll buy a used computer and they usually come as they are
- If money is an issue

, then it's all up to the package you stumble across.
A month ago I had to choose between:
Octo 3,1 with enough ram for ≈ 800 €
Quad 4,1 with (barely) enough ram for ≈ 1400 €

I expect that the Octo2008 will meet my computing needs for some years to come, and when the 2010 MP (or a similar technology) is below 1000 €, I'll upgrade.

RGDS,