Please Help! Purchasing MacPro 3.1 / 3.2ghz 8 core . . or Imac

[AudioMassacre1]

I am thinking of making a purchase on a Macpro 3.1 2008 model, 3.2ghz, 8core.

Questions::

*Would it be best to do 16gb of DDR2 Ram or 8gb of DDR3 ?

*Which OSX would run best on this machine?

Im hoping to find a machine for Video Editing, and the Mac pro includes a Nvidia GTX480 1,5gb video card.

ALSO,

I also have the option of purchasing a Apple 27" iMac 3.4 GHz Intel Core i7 8 GB / 2011 model (non slim) .



Is the imac a better option? I am looking to do video and audio editing.

THANK YOU

 

[OS6-OSX]

A couple things you should post are:
1. How much for the computers?
2. What video app will you use? Editing 4K?

 

[cosmos]

As mentioned it really depends on the prices for each and your needs. If purchasing the Mac Pro, the 2008 models use FB-DIMM memory modules. Depending on where you purchase them they are likely more expensive than DDR modules.

 

[G4DP]

Depends on how long you want to keep the machine for.

The iMac may be faster, but then you can upgrade parts of the Mac Pro as and when needed.

Although the 08's are starting to show there age, if it's not 4K you are doing then it should be able to hand anything for a couple more years.

 

[RoastingPig]

dont buy a 3.1 8 core when the 4.1 single processors are so cheap. 16gb of ram for that 3.1 mac pro is about $350 bucks alone

 

[AudioMassacre1]

I am Looking to edit with adobe premier, I am not sure If I plan on taking on 4k video.
Full HD for sure. I shoot with a Mark iii Canon DSLR camera.

for a few hundred more, I am now Leaning toward a MacPro tower 5.1 6 core, 12 gigs of Ram, Upgraded video card. Does that sound better?

Now My question is, Which OSX should I install that will flow smoothly? I do not want to get stuck with a older computer feeling "draggy" with a new OSX. Any thoughts? Thanks , I am not too good with this sort of stuff.

 

[Baunkjaer]

I would go for the 5,1. As mentioned, the DDR2 ECC is way more expensive, than DDR3 ECC.

As for OS, I´ve no problems with Yosemite. Neither did I have with Mavericks.

 

[h9826790]

for a few hundred more, I am now Leaning toward a MacPro tower 5.1 6 core, 12 gigs of Ram, Upgraded video card. Does that sound better?

IMO, yes, this is a much better option.

As long as you have a SSD, any OS can run "smoothly" with this config. Without it, the loading time will be significantly longer, especially 10.9 or above.

At this moment, Yosemite still have some minor annoying bugs. For a working computer, 10.9.5 may be the best OSX to start with, until 10.10.1 or even 10.10.2 release. (Unless you really need those functions only avail in Yosemite).

 

[Macsonic]

I am Looking to edit with adobe premier, I am not sure If I plan on taking on 4k video.
Full HD for sure. I shoot with a Mark iii Canon DSLR camera.

for a few hundred more, I am now Leaning toward a MacPro tower 5.1 6 core, 12 gigs of Ram, Upgraded video card. Does that sound better?

Now My question is, Which OSX should I install that will flow smoothly? I do not want to get stuck with a older computer feeling "draggy" with a new OSX. Any thoughts? Thanks , I am not too good with this sort of stuff.

I would also recommend a 4.1 2009 Mac Pro as what others have suggested. Better option in terms of cost to upgrade and speed. For the OS, for now stick to Mavericks or Mountain Lion. There might still be bugs with Yosemite until fixes are released.