Q's: 2009 4,1 Quad 2.66 verses 2010 5,1 Quad 2.8

[TableSyrup]

Ok guys.

I've got my next purchase whittled down to two different machines (Have them in line)

Wondering what specific significant differences there are between these two machines, or if one has a better/easier/cheaper upgrade path than the other, in order to determine if the 2010 justifies the higher price tag

2009 Quad 2.66
2010 Quad 2.8

If it matters one way or the other... at some point I intend to swap the processor board and convert to Dual CPU's (To 8 or 12).... SOMEDAY

Is there really any major benefit to the 2010 ??? Aside from being a little newer, literally?

Like, can a 2009 take a Westmere upgrade?
I seem to remember reading something about the processor swap being easier on one?
Maybe some links to existing threads? Having a hard time finding specifics, or direct comparisons...
Things like this...

The 2010 is going to run me around $400 more than the 2009, as a point of reference

 

[paulrbeers]

Wondering what specific significant differences there are between these two machines, or if one has a better/easier/cheaper upgrade path than the other, in order to determine if the 2010 justifies the higher price tag

2009 Quad 2.66
2010 Quad 2.8

Go with the 2009. They are the same computer only with a slightly faster processor. You can flash the 2009 to make it a 2010 so you can drop in a 6-core 3.33ghz processor whenever you want.

As for making it an 8-12 core.... That is a bit different. There is a tray in the 2009's and beyond that house the processors and memory. The single core uses a different tray than the dual core (obviously the tray only has a single slot on it and the dual core has two). Secondly, the processors are different. You have to get specific Xeon processors designed to run in dual operation which are much more expensive than their single core cousins at the same speeds.

 

[TableSyrup]

... at some point I intend to swap the processor board and convert to Dual CPU's (To 8 or 12).... SOMEDAY

Wasn't there a difference in the processors tho?
Like the 2009's were lidless and needed the heatsink spacers, but the 2010 doesnt? Or was that only related to the swap to hex?

Or am I mistaken????

I want to run it in it's quad config for now, and later, when a deal pops up on the dual processor board, grab it, then grab processors, and swap.... when the time comes that I can find the parts in a cost effective fashion

I believe the Quad may very well work for now, I just want to keep the upgrade in mind, as it will really increase the effective life of the machine for me, which I hope to be able to use for quite some time, so the upgrade path is important to me, if one is easier/cheaper/better than the other.

No specific differences in the swaps? Aside from the actual processors used?

 

[keysersoze]

Nevermind

 

[JuniperMonkeys]

Wasn't there a difference in the processors tho?
Like the 2009's were lidless and needed the heatsink spacers, but the 2010 doesnt? Or was that only related to the swap to hex?

Or am I mistaken????

[...]

No specific differences in the swaps? Aside from the actual processors used?

2009 dual-processor machines used lidless processors, and 2010s do not. You can still put lidded processors into a 2009, you just have to do a little more work and be careful when you're tightening the heatsink (or use 2.3mm of washers, if memory serves).

2009 single-processor machines use normal processors with the IHS; flashing them to the 2010 firmware and dropping in a 3.33 hex (or whatever) is crazy-easy. There are few threads on the topic, and/or here's a little pictorial I did on my website. Long story short, the firmware is one click, and the processor drops right in.

For that reason, I'd vote "get the 2009, and put the spare cash towards a W3680 or a new GPU".

 

[thekev]

If you intend to convert to dual cpus, why not buy a 2.26? You'll spend too much buying a new board and trying to hold onto aging technology. Everything 2009 and on is the same board. Make sure it's updated to the current firmware and enjoy. If you're updating a 2009, update it to the hex. The other idea is just extremely bad as it won't be cost effective buying 2 new cpus and a new board. You'll get too close to the point where you may as well get the newest mac pro. Beyond that I would hope the 2009s aren't much over $1200 these days.

 

[TableSyrup]

Great pictorial

I just locked the 2010 down - just fell together.
There were some logistical issues in getting my hands on it (Not local), but I ironed it out

It was $400 more, but includes 32GB RAM, 5770, SSD Sleds (Spare, has installed HDD's)

I got it for $1250, + shipping

This was vs the 2009 with 3GB RAM and a GT120, local and easy, and $400 less, but the RAM and Vid Card is worth more than the difference

I think I'm gonna be a happy camper out the box... but in the interim, may go for a Hex if the price makes sense

Still can't seem to locate pricing on a 2010 Dual CPU Board with Heatsinks
But.... that can wait - even the Quad 2.8 with 32GBRAM is gonna be an overall improvement over the 8 Core Modded 1,1 I just stepped out of

Off to find threads on the 2010 swaps Thanx

 

[paulrbeers]

But.... that can wait - even the Quad 2.8 with 32GBRAM is gonna be an overall improvement over the 8 Core Modded 1,1 I just stepped out of

Sadly, depending on how heavily threaded the work you do is, that may not be the case at least from a CPU standpoint....

 

[TableSyrup]

Sadly, depending on how heavily threaded the work you do is, that may not be the case at least from a CPU standpoint....

Yeah, without running the Quad 2010 myself, I wasn't sure either, but some good folks running the same apps are reporting that the Hypethreading quads are performing the same, or virtually, in Pro Tools - so I figured I'd make the transition.

As far as Final Cut Pro X, I'm not sure, but that's light work I'll just be getting in to with music videos, so I'm hoping it will suffice... not my main line of work... just side hobby stuff, so even if it doesn't do so well, it's not the end of the world, or revenue, for me.

(I do see 8 Core 2008 GeekBenches than the Quad 2010's, so I know there are differences, but how they translate appears to NOT be as significant as the real world application for my audio needs)

just hoping I'm making the right move overall....
and of course, I can always Hex it if there is a rush, right?
Hex's show some great scores



Time will tell.
I'll know from first hand experience next week.
Hopefully it's the right move... if not, chock it up to experience

 

[thekev]

Great pictorial

I just locked the 2010 down - just fell together.
There were some logistical issues in getting my hands on it (Not local), but I ironed it out

It was $400 more, but includes 32GB RAM, 5770, SSD Sleds (Spare, has installed HDD's)

I got it for $1250, + shipping

This was vs the 2009 with 3GB RAM and a GT120, local and easy, and $400 less, but the RAM and Vid Card is worth more than the difference

I think I'm gonna be a happy camper out the box... but in the interim, may go for a Hex if the price makes sense

Still can't seem to locate pricing on a 2010 Dual CPU Board with Heatsinks
But.... that can wait - even the Quad 2.8 with 32GBRAM is gonna be an overall improvement over the 8 Core Modded 1,1 I just stepped out of

Off to find threads on the 2010 swaps Thanx

I'm not convinced that putting in a dual board is worth it for what it could cost. A hex is a decent upgrade. I would agree that you did well. GT120 sucks, and 32GB of ram is awesome. You can cache anything you like without worrying about memory.

 

[TableSyrup]

Yeah, can't really beat the price.

Has Apple Care till Jan 31, 2014 that is being transferred to me.

All in all a steal in my book, and I shouldn't NEED to do anything to it aside from slap my SSD's in it

As far as the Dual Processor board goes, there's an AnandTech review of a swap where they butchered a socket, got a replacement board from Apple for $400 - Given they let em keep their old dual board....

I imagine maybe I could stir up around the same deal ??? Maybe a little more? Somehow? Somewhere? (Particularly being mine is good and includes the processor)?

If nothing else, I can sell my old board and processor to recoup some of the upgrade cost.

Eventually a dual board would pop up on ebay with heatsinks... maybe even with proc's.... SOMEDAY

Anyway, beating a dead horse here I guess.
If I need something sooner, I can go the hex route if needed - if that's the cheapest option.