MP 7,1 Need assistance on specification for new Mac Pro

[dubaimac]

Hi everyone, I'm not a designer or programmer, just an apple addict, my business involves a lot of spreadsheets, 15 email accounts on 3 different clients and lots of PDF's and scanning. I have purchased a nano XDR and am running it with a Mac mini, Blackmagic EGPU and a cal digit TB3. I have a Lacie 10tb pro drive and a thunderbolt 3 nvme enclosure and 2tb name ssd on order from macsales. I also have the Logi 4k pro and shure microphone for zoom and teams. Currently using a pair of Kanto U2 speakers, but I have a spare Sonos beam that I could connect either via HDMI (with audio extract since no arc support) or through the SPDIF on the cal digit TB3 hub.

My research suggests that multiple cores are not a priority for my usage, what I would appreciate advice on, is the size of SSD, the correct graphics card ( minimal glitches or issues) to give me support for up to two 6k displays and an HDMI output to do the audio out and/or an SPDIF output as well as then having 4x thunderbolt 3 ports spare for the Logi 4k camera ( full 4k bandwidth), external disks etc. and a couple of regular USB ports.

Photo of the current setup below, any input appreciated thanks

 

[tevion5]

A lot of money for a system what will be a hardcore office computer, but you already know that!

---------------

According to your specs I would personally recommend the exact same as I ordered in 2019:

CPU:
12-core - better bang for buck over 8-core when you're spending this. much already, and enjoy full memory speeds of 2933MHz which you don't get with the 8-core.

Memory:
32GB - probably enough for you for now, and can upgrade much more cheaply aftermarket

SSD:
1TB. Apple's SSDs are very expensive and not exactly THE fastest, but 256TB is too tiny. So get the 2nd worst option and consider a PCIe NVME card down the road.

GPU:
Radeon Pro 580 - Nothing impressive but by the sounds of it you don't need more. It can handle x2 6K displays and has HDMI outputs so you're covered. You can always upgrade later with a cheaper more powerful PC video card, or an MPX module like the W5700X like I did.

---------------

This is IMO the cheapest config that makes sense to order for most people. Good base to build on if needed, but enough to be worth spending the high buy in cost unlike the 8-core.

 

[ondioline]

You'd be better off getting the new iMac, single core performance is much better on the i7/i9 than the W Xeon

 

[OkiRun]

You'd be better off getting the new iMac, single core performance is much better on the i7/i9 than the W Xeon

Poster said they have XDR ready to go with new 7,1 system.
iMac doesn't seem to fit purpose for setup.

 

[dubaimac]

Thanks for the feedback, I have studied the white paper a bit further now and it appears that the 5700x will allow me to use the ports at the back of the pro if I was to get another screen and also because of DSC I will get USB 3.0 speeds o the XDR display, I wont get this with the 580x, good for the Logitech camera. I'm not sure on the increased cost of 12 cores over 8 cores, Ive also figured out that if I use the pegasus J2i, I can put my backup drive internally on the SATA bus and then have another drive partitioned for my personal files. CCC should take care of that.

I have read several forum posts on sleep issues with the 5700 and incompatibility or instability with adobe apps (link below), Acrobat D C is a staple for me, permanently open, this is putting me off.

adobe 5700x

 

[patrick.a]

I would highly recommend going with the 12 core. Gives you way better overall performance - single and multi core and in terms of memory speed. According to Geekbench the 8 core in single core tasks is on the same level as an 2015 iMac. You really don't want that in 2020 for the price you will be paying! Also, go with 48 GB of RAM so you have 6 memory channels filled. This will give you better performance and you have the other 6 to go up to 96 GB whenever needed.

My 12 core with the W5700X works perfectly fine running Creative Suite. No issues at all.

 

[deconstruct60]

Thanks for the feedback, I have studied the white paper a bit further now and it appears that the 5700x will allow me to use the ports at the back of the pro if I was to get another screen and also because of DSC I will get USB 3.0 speeds o the XDR display, I wont get this with the 580x,

The February white paper is a bit dated at this point. It doesn't cover the W5500X . It has DSC also. That is one of the few upsides it has over the 580X. If only ever going to drive just one XDR monitor then it is a reasonable path to higher bandwidth to the USB ports on the XDR monitor.

You probably would not be able to "twin" the XDR ( a second monitor would need to be a more "mundane" 4K or less. Technically, Apple says the W5500X only does one XDR. ). But your set up isn't that conducive to to large monitors.

Not sure how long you want to hold onto this new Mac Pro , but the W5500X probably has better support longer term for the wind down of x86-64 macOS support. ( 5500 GPU is in some more recent , mainstream macs and the 580 (Polaris) uses are being dropped from the last x86-64 upgrades. )

I'm not sure on the increased cost of 12 cores over 8 cores,

In the context if an nano-XDR to largely read PDF files and email, it isn't much different of an increment value spend increase. If going to "dump" the Mac Pro in 2-3 years because Apple has a new blazing edge system to buy the 12 core will probably hold more of its resale value better.

The new iMacs seriously cover the the 8 core system in performance. Future Mid range Apple Silicon systems have a good chance of doing it also. The "value" of the 8 core system is going to be more so about the slots available and future configuration upgrade possibilites than the CPU "horsepower". Someone in the future who might want to buy it and use it, probably will want 12 cores minimal. ( so the 8 core will be discounted in part for whatever many folks think the CPU upgrade cost will be ; not going to want to pay for the 8 core since they are going to chuck it. ) [ Even the not so new iMac Pro now sits at a 10 core "floor" for models going forward. ]

If intend to buy and "sit" on the Mac Pro for a long while past Apple warranty coverage then 8 cores is OK. Long term possibly can find an option to upgrade the CPU with used parts if find out later need more "horsepower".

Ive also figured out that if I use the pegasus J2i, I can put my backup drive internally on the SATA bus and then have another drive partitioned for my personal files. CCC should take care of that.

If already have a T3 external drive enclosure there isn't much upside in trying to add the expense of a J2i to sidestep it. J2i isn't going to drive a single ( or two ) HDDs any faster.

If you are going to assign the Mini set up to something else or sell it off as a whole subsystem (except the monitor and webcam) , but if not "starting over" the current TBv3 units can be used in the Mac Pro set up ( may need a longer TBv3 cable to connect the MP ports if the system is on the floor and the desk surface is farther away. )

 

[astrorider]

Thanks for the feedback, I have studied the white paper a bit further now and it appears that the 5700x will allow me to use the ports at the back of the pro if I was to get another screen and also because of DSC I will get USB 3.0 speeds o the XDR display, I wont get this with the 580x, good for the Logitech camera. I'm not sure on the increased cost of 12 cores over 8 cores, Ive also figured out that if I use the pegasus J2i, I can put my backup drive internally on the SATA bus and then have another drive partitioned for my personal files. CCC should take care of that.

I have read several forum posts on sleep issues with the 5700 and incompatibility or instability with adobe apps (link below), Acrobat D C is a staple for me, permanently open, this is putting me off.

adobe 5700x

If your worried about the 5700 but want additional USB 3 ports, one option is to stick with the 580 and add an inexpensive PCIe card. Here's one for $45 that works great:

Ableconn PU31-2C-2 USB 3.2 Gen 2x1 (10 Gbps) 2-Port Type-C PCI Express 3.0 x4 Host Adapter Card (ASMedia ASM3142 Controller) - USB-C Expansion Card - USB Type-C PCIe Card

Ableconn PU31-2C-2 USB 3.2 Gen 2x1 (10 Gbps) 2-Port Type-C PCI Express 3.0 x4 Host Adapter Card (ASMedia ASM3142 Controller) - USB-C Expansion Card - USB Type-C PCIe Card

www.amazon.com

 

[eflx]

IMO for best stability and clarity with your XDR after owning bout a W5700X based system and now a Vega II I would highly recommend at very minimum the following. Anything less, you're just wasting your money:

12 Core CPU
48GB RAM (if you use 32GB you're severely limiting your memory bandwidth speeds - you need at minimum 6 DIMMS)
1TB SSD
Vega II (I wouldn't touch one of the Navi GPU's that use display stream compression with a 10 foot pole after using it myself)

That's my recommendation for a minimum spec. system based on experience

 

[dubaimac]

Thanks for all your comments,I spoke with our account manager about my concerns on the 5700, they have provided assurances that I can swap it out at a later date if it doesn't perform as required. The extra tb3/usb c ports and the speed of the xdr display hub made it a convincing choice. reading around Big Sur appears to offer a better experience with the 5700. Apple ram is very expensive in Dubai, so I will either go with nemix or OWC, I have used OWC with no issues in various machines. Either 48gb or 96gb to fill the 6 slots as recommended. Here is the spec and should be with me by the end of the month, this purchase should take me to the next tier for my account, ready for new watches and iPhones!!! Just got to work out where to put it with the limitation of 2m TB3 to the XDR, I think it will have to move from the corner as it is now, to one side or the other.

Mac Pro
Z0W3
Configuration
• 3.3GHz 12‑core Intel Xeon W processor, Turbo Boost up to 4.4GHz
• 32GB (4x8GB) of DDR4 ECC memory
• 1TB SSD storage
• Radeon Pro W5700X with 16GB of GDDR6 memory
• PCIE CARD 065-C7N6 NONE
• Stainless steel frame with feet
• Magic Mouse 2 + Magic Trackpad 2
• PRO APPS 065-C171 NO FINAL CUT PRO X PREINSTALLE
• SW LOGIC PRO X 065-C172 NO LOGIC PRO X PREINSTALLED
• Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad - British
• Accessory Kit

 

[choreo]

Mac Pro
Z0W3
Configuration
• 3.3GHz 12‑core Intel Xeon W processor, Turbo Boost up to 4.4GHz
• 32GB (4x8GB) of DDR4 ECC memory
• 1TB SSD storage
• Radeon Pro W5700X with 16GB of GDDR6 memory
• PCIE CARD 065-C7N6 NONE
• Stainless steel frame with feet
• Magic Mouse 2 + Magic Trackpad 2
• PRO APPS 065-C171 NO FINAL CUT PRO X PREINSTALLE
• SW LOGIC PRO X 065-C172 NO LOGIC PRO X PREINSTALLED
• Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad - British
• Accessory Kit

I purchased the exact same configuration the end of June. I upgraded the RAM to 96-gig about 6 weeks later. My only issue "appears" to be with the w5700x card, but I may never be able to confirm without spending a few thousand more for a Pro Vega II card to test (not likely to happen). I have been plagued with random restarts since the beginning. I finally turned off computer sleep a couple weeks ago and that helped with the Adobe apps crashing on launch. Unfortunately, I am still greeted with the login screen where it has crashed during display sleep randomly. By turning off computer sleep, I have only seen two crashes in Quicktime and one in Illustrator the past couple weeks, so not allowing the computer to sleep has helped. I would by no stretch describe my 7,1 as a stable platform.

 

[bcomer]

I purchased the exact same configuration the end of June. I upgraded the RAM to 96-gig about 6 weeks later. My only issue "appears" to be with the w5700x card, but I may never be able to confirm without spending a few thousand more for a Pro Vega II card to test (not likely to happen). I have been plagued with random restarts since the beginning. I finally turned off computer sleep a couple weeks ago and that helped with the Adobe apps crashing on launch. Unfortunately, I am still greeted with the login screen where it has crashed during display sleep randomly. By turning off computer sleep, I have only seen two crashes in Quicktime and one in Illustrator the past couple weeks, so not allowing the computer to sleep has helped. I would by no stretch describe my 7,1 as a stable platform.

I have a 12 core with 96GB of OWC RAM and the 5700 MPX module.
Very stable and have not seen any issues with the 5700.

 

[dubaimac]

looks like its arriving early, hopefully tomorrow now, my nemix ram will arrive tomorrow as well, really fast shipping to Uae, my pegasus is already here. Can I ask for some advice please, thanks in advance

Should I setup the Mac Pro out of the box without any additions first, or install the ram and pegasus straight away?

Any advice or a link to anything specific on the Mac Pro setup? Just the same as I do for all my new Macs? I'm not doing a Mac to Mac transfer from the mini, was going to start from scratch?

 

[bcomer]

looks like its arriving early, hopefully tomorrow now, my nemix ram will arrive tomorrow as well, really fast shipping to Uae, my pegasus is already here. Can I ask for some advice please, thanks in advance

Should I setup the Mac Pro out of the box without any additions first, or install the ram and pegasus straight away?

Any advice or a link to anything specific on the Mac Pro setup? Just the same as I do for all my new Macs? I'm not doing a Mac to Mac transfer from the mini, was going to start from scratch?

Setting it up as received gives you a baseline on stability.

 

[dubaimac]

Just to let you know all has been stable since last Wednesday, not one crash or unexpected action. I installed the Pegasus j2i, but I just didn't like the clicking and noise from the HDD's so I have ditched those and put in a pair of 4tb Samsung 860 Evo's. Silence is golden, media and drop boxes moved and working perfectly, photos on another. I have also received my kryom.2 cards and will install those with the 970 evo 2tb's tomorrow, that will hold my windows on one and then the other for a clone of my main drive. I also painted the support brackets to match, a few photos for you