nMP vs. Old MP decision help!

[xcharlesy]

Currently using an early 2011 MBP. Which is barely fulfilling my needs. I am in need of a workstation for Adobe / FC / After Effects, but nothing too serious.

I do want to game, and boot camp is a very big + for me..

However..

People seem very confident that the (5,1 Mac Pro) is still very capable. I know nothing about these machines, including model numbers / names / or what to aim for.. but I'd like to know a good solution that will last that I could buy NEW. What site do I buy from? ideally I want to put a serious gaming gfx card in it, and upgrade the ram / ssd.

So please give me opinions, I could customize a 5,1 (assuming those are the most powerful of the old MP) OR I could go out and buy the 4,000 6 core of the new MP.

I like the idea of a big solid tower with lots of upgraded storage etc.. but not if the speeds will be significantly slower.

If anyone is willing to answer my questions in private messages or through Skype / gchat that would be even better!

Trying to make a decision today!

 

[deconstruct60]

....
People seem very confident that the (5,1 Mac Pro) is still very capable. I know nothing about these machines, including model numbers / names / or what to aim for.. but I'd like to know a good solution that will last that I could buy NEW.

Generally, you can't by a 2010-2012 Mac Pro (5,1) new anymore. Apple stopped selling them. There may be some retailers that has some lingering inventory but it is likely dwindling smaller every day.

If want to buy "like new" with full Apple warranty support your only option will soon be Refurbished models from the Online store. Those aren't always available.

if you look at the commentary it largely comes from folks who own 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012 Mac Pro that say they are "good enough". It is as much a statement about staying put with what they already own as much as a statement as a buy.

What site do I buy from? ideally I want to put a serious gaming gfx card in it, and upgrade the ram / ssd.

There are sales folks that prowl these forums selling graphics cards. I'm sure they'll show up in the thread with sales pitches.

 

[xcharlesy]

right now the refurbished online store has sever 5,1 and my local apple store has a new 2.4 12 core.. but I'm not sure how these will compare?

 

[adam9c1]

Those machines are beasts.

I think you also need to value of what's tried and tested vs. jumping into new waters. Sort of like cars. You get a new model that's uber cool but it has some kinks that the next year model fixes.

I have recently upgraded from 3,1 8core 3.0 to 4,1 8core 2.66
While I paid a pretty penny for the 3,1 3 years ago and on top of that bought very expensive RAM for it I'm happy I made the move to the 4,1. I think the timing could not have been better. It looks like the nMP is not available to buy now, just preorder.

I think do your research and post and read replies. I think it comes down to this:
- your needs
- your budget
- your preferred peripherals

For me going from a mini to 3,1 and now to 4,1 at each step it was a pretty penny I could not spend more.
However the machine does not make me money. I don't edit videos or work with photos. It is for my education running virtual machines.

For me what was big was the expansion capability of memory. That's why I went with dual quad vs single quad to get more memory banks.

Good luck.

 

[wildmac]

It all depends on what kind of price you can get a 5,1 for.

I was looking on Craigslist yesterday, and saw 2 listed from one shop for $1800 each (dual 4-core). If you can find something like that, add a new video card and perhaps some ram, you are going to be close to the nMP.

If however, your local Craiglist only has 5,1 rigs selling for $2800+, then you are likely better off getting the nMP.

I'm going to be watching the next few days while we wait for availability of the nMP, and if I see a 5,1 cheap, I may jump on that, otherwise I'll make the larger investment for a nMP.

 

[deconstruct60]

right now the refurbished online store has sever 5,1 and my local apple store has a new 2.4 12 core.. but I'm not sure how these will compare?

If "Adobe" covers Photoshop/Illustrator , FC ( is old final cut or new one ) , and the gaming isn't aimed at bleeding edge ( so in the "just for fun" range) then the new Mac Pro is probably a better fit.

a. If looking for long term support from Apple this will be supported longer.

b. There are some AE tight couplings to Nvidia GPUs but Adobe is steadily unwinding from that. In a couple of years that will be likely be gone. If your are not pressed for performance now and aren't committed to static Adobe apps, then the new model will get faster over time without having to buy anything new.

c. When ready to make transition to newer versions of Final Cut the new Mac Pro will be a better. ( independent of GPUs just the AVX capabilities of the modern CPU put the old one in 5,1 in the rear view mirror. There is no tinkering with a trusted screwdriver that is going to change that. Some folks may show up saying can replace the CPUs. the 3600's are already out of retail.

http://www.cpu-world.com/news_2013/...ues_Xeon_3500_and_3600_server_processors.html


the 5600 will be around longer but still have an "end-of-life" date attached to them.

http://www.cpu-world.com/news_2013/...ues_Xeon_3500_and_3600_server_processors.html

)


If you are firmly committed to software of the past... original Final cut. Adobe CS6 , etc. the 2010-2012 models are better fit.

I doubt you'd be happy though with the dual 2.4Ghz model with that application mix. Most of it isn't going to evenly spread out over all 12 cores. You'll have "single threaded" apps that will cap at 2.4GHz. All of the new Mac Pros will run circles around that. The older single CPU models have discontinued CPUs. You are already on the used parts market with those systems.

 

[teeck2000]

I had the same problem as you and scored a 5,1 3.2 ghz quad model from frys. They had it for $1699 brand new but unfortunately the last one in southern California was a display model, but they gave me 15% off for a total of $1550 with tax, and it still comes with Applecare. I am putting in a W3690 6 core 3.46 ghz xeon, 48GB 1333mhz ram and a GTX 770 4GB, all said and done about $3k total. Now you don't have to upgrade everything and the 3.2 stock is not terrible. My upgrades would bring it about 10-20% single core performance to the $2999 low end New MacPro and possibly faster multicore cause its a 6 vs. 4 core.

I don't know what area you are in but I would suggest calling BestBuy and seeing if they can price match frys price for the 5,1 3.2 ghz, cause they still have some at bestbuy.

http://www.frys.com/product/7181212?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/mac-pro...=4837446&st=categoryid$abcat0501000&cp=1&lp=7

Looks like frys has them in stock in some stores in different states, so maybe you are in one and can go pickup, if not try getting bestbuy to price match.

 

[ActionableMango]

right now the refurbished online store has sever 5,1 and my local apple store has a new 2.4 12 core.. but I'm not sure how these will compare?

Actually, neither the nMP nor that 2.4 12 core are particularly great choices for your intended purposes. Get the highest clock you can afford, or get a single processor 4,1/5,1 and upgrade the CPU yourself.