Need a new desktop, advice?

[s!ke]

Well as the title describes, I would like to get a new desktop. Currently I have a MP mid 2010. loaded, with a 1080 (non TI) in it. But since, I'm stuck in Yosemite due to drivers. I'd like to update to Catalina, and get a new desktop with latest tech such as BT 4+, Handoff, 801AC/AX, etc. But
I can't afford the new MP, and don't want the trash can. I have a MBP for work (I don't want to use as a personal comp). Should I just switch to AMD gCard and then switch to Catalina and move on? or I was thinking about a Mac Mini and using an external GPU? Should I build a PC instead (please no)? I love Mac, but they don't have any stand alone desktop units between the mac mini and mac pro. I need something that is fully upgradable but in the 1000-2000 range, not $6000!


Notes:
I'm a web designer and music producer that needs at least 16b ram, 8-12gb Vram, upgradable processor please, and upgradable (multiple slots) SSD please
I don't want an iMac (I need my larger displays)
I can't afford a new Mac Pro
If I get a new MBP the display would be a waste since I'd use it in clamshell
Mac mini doesnt seem upgradable enough.

Sigh, am I asking too much? Is the new Mac Pro the only option? Damn that **** is overpriced

 

[glawrie]

Have you thought about simply updating your cMP? I also have a mid 2010 MP 5.1 and it is running Mojave just fine, and has BT4, 801AC and works with hand-off and so on. The updates to get this were not hard or so expensive:

• I updated the processors to Xeon 5670 (2.93 Westmere Hex core)
• I updated the graphics card to an AMD Radeon R9 280X
• I updated the BT / Wifi card to use a BCM94360CD chip (using an OSXWifi.com Update card)
• I added more RAM (using cheap recycled modules from eBay)
• I added a SATA SSD for the system disk

Total cost about £550, and all works just fine. There was nothing overly complicated to do in making these upgrades - probably the BT/Wifi card update is the most tricky (but only because there are some little antenna cables that need reconnecting that are a bit fiddly to work with).

I don't have extreme needs, but you can push the cMP to be much more powerful than this (faster cpu, much more powerful GPU, much more RAM) - really depends on what you need to do.

I'm in process of updating the system disk to be a 2TB NVMe disk connected via a PCI card - which is possibly a better thing to do than adding the SATA SSD.

HTH

 

[Fishrrman]

"I need something that is fully upgradable but in the 1000-2000 range, not $6000!"

2018 Mini.
i7 CPU.
512gb SSD.
16gb of RAM (from factory), or... 8gb and add 32gb or more yourself.
Save $$$ by buying from the online Apple refurbished store (I did, quite pleased).

Then... eGPU later on, if you need it.

I'd stick with Mojave unless you KNOW Catalina can work for you.

 

[throAU]

I'm a web designer and music producer that needs at least 16b ram, 8-12gb Vram,

That 8-12 GB vram has no impact on either web development or music production.

What else are you doing on the machine to necessitate that, or is it just some arbitrary requirement because you want it?

No mac has internally user upgradable SSD with multiple slots, except for the mac pro.


If you must have the GPU, i'd buy a mac mini, bump the RAM yourself, and a GPU enclosure. And if you don't need the GPU, then scratch the eGPU box.

Then when you need to upgrade further, resell the mini and buy a bigger badder newer model mini. They're cheap. Also, a 6 core mini will likely smoke your 2010 mac pro in terms of CPU throughput.