Seeking Upgrade Advice on my MacPro 3,1

[CooLSpoTz]

Seeking Upgrade Advice on my MacPro 3,1

I am attempting to game on this machine but running into problems trying to get TitanFall in bootcamp to even load. It plays CS:GO, League of Legends, OK on lower settings. I do some light editing in Photoshop/lightroom and FCP X once in a while.

I picked up my MacPro 3,1 2x2.8GHz 8 Core in 2012 on Craigslist for $800. Upgraded it to 10gb of Ram (800MHz). Tossed in a GTX 285 I had laying around in a PC and added a WD VelociRaptor 600GB 10000 RPM 32MB. Been happy with it until now.

I just got a nice Tax Return and have been looking at the new MacPros, but the wife might get mad at me if I spend more on my computer than the car I just bought her.

I have looked at most of the last threads like this seeking hardware help, and this is the list I came up with:

• Samsung 840 EVO 500GB SSD ($267)
  Or
• Crucial M550 512GB SSD ($305)

• Apricorn Velocity Solo x2($90)
  I like the Solo x1 as its $40 cheaper but thought I might regret it later.

• Used PC EVGA GTX 680 for $285
  Or
• Used PC ZOTAC GTX 760 for $230

From what I can gather the Zotac card uses 2x 6pin and it wont be hard to hook up, but I don’t understand how the EVGA cards connects. I hope it’s not with an extra power supply as I go to LAN Parties and they have power limits.

I am trying to switch 100 % to MAC and let go of my PC. I plan on selling the GTX 285 card and my i7-965 Extreme Edition, 480 GTX setup to justify these upgrades. I also have two older SSDs (Intel X-25 160GB & Intel 320 Series 160GB) I looked at for doing RAID-0 but focused on the limited 70mb write due to the Intel X-25. I also feel that only 320gb for a boot drive is a little small. I have a Dorob S hooked up Firewire 800mb for Time Machine / Storage

I am all ‘eyes’ on your thoughts about this or if there is something else I am missing. Thanks in advance for the help! I am a long time lurker, 1st time poster. Look forward to what you come up with!

 

[ShawnF]

Seeking Upgrade Advice on my MacPro 3,1

I am attempting to game on this machine but running into problems trying to get TitanFall in bootcamp to even load. It plays CS:GO, League of Legends, OK on lower settings. I do some light editing in Photoshop/lightroom and FCP X once in a while.

I picked up my MacPro 3,1 2x2.8GHz 8 Core in 2012 on Craigslist for $800. Upgraded it to 10gb of Ram (800MHz). Tossed in a GTX 285 I had laying around in a PC and added a WD VelociRaptor 600GB 10000 RPM 32MB. Been happy with it until now.

I just got a nice Tax Return and have been looking at the new MacPros, but the wife might get mad at me if I spend more on my computer than the car I just bought her.

I have looked at most of the last threads like this seeking hardware help, and this is the list I came up with:

• Samsung 840 EVO 500GB SSD ($267)
  Or
• Crucial M550 512GB SSD ($305)

• Apricorn Velocity Solo x2($90)
  I like the Solo x1 as its $40 cheaper but thought I might regret it later.

• Used PC EVGA GTX 680 for $285
  Or
• Used PC ZOTAC GTX 760 for $230

From what I can gather the Zotac card uses 2x 6pin and it wont be hard to hook up, but I don’t understand how the EVGA cards connects. I hope it’s not with an extra power supply as I go to LAN Parties and they have power limits.

I am trying to switch 100 % to MAC and let go of my PC. I plan on selling the GTX 285 card and my i7-965 Extreme Edition, 480 GTX setup to justify these upgrades. I also have two older SSDs (Intel X-25 160GB & Intel 320 Series 160GB) I looked at for doing RAID-0 but focused on the limited 70mb write due to the Intel X-25. I also feel that only 320gb for a boot drive is a little small.

I am all ‘eyes’ on your thoughts about this or if there is something else I am missing. Thanks in advance for the help! I am a long time lurker, 1st time poster. Look forward to what you come up with!

I'd go for the EVO 500GB and save myself a few bucks. It's quite good value for an SSD. That said the Mac Pro's internal SATA connectors are all the old SATA2 type so you won't be getting maximum speed - perhaps just over 300MBs tops. You'd need to invest in a PCI-E adaptor to get maximum performance from modern SSDs. But if you don't mind running slower, the SSDs are still way better than standard mechanical hard drives.

As for the graphics, I use the GTX660 Ti from Leadteak. The 660 Ti is a lower-ranked card compared to the GTX680 and even then it still requires connection to the power supply. And I am pretty sure GTX760 cards also require the same connection to the power supply.

 

[m4v3r1ck]

Seeking Upgrade Advice on my MacPro 3,1

1. 2x 840 EVO SSD
-A. 500GB OS X applications and work/scratch folders for Photoshop / Lightroom and FCP X. Projects to be filed on your storage device
-B. 250GB BootCamped Windows

2. Velocity SOLO X2 giving you the max R/W speeds from the two SSD's. A no-brainer for a 100% stable dual boot system. Perhaps you could wait a bit for the upcoming DUO X2, a PCIE card that can host 2 SSD's on the card itself, so no wired spaghetti inside your MP. See my thread about it if you will: Velocity DUO X2 NOTE: I never got the beta card working in my MP 3.1, but perhaps that Apricorn has resolved it for the MP 3.1. On hold for the requirements set by Apricorn.

3. GTX 760 (PC) if 2x 6-pin due to max power draw from the PCIe (no bootscreen)

This upgrade will extend your MP 3.1 for many years to come. Good luck choosing your upgrades!

~ Cheers

 

[CooLSpoTz]

I'd go for the EVO 500GB and save myself a few bucks. It's quite good value for an SSD. That said the Mac Pro's internal SATA connectors are all the old SATA2 type so you won't be getting maximum speed - perhaps just over 300MBs tops. You'd need to invest in a PCI-E adaptor to get maximum performance from modern SSDs. But if you don't mind running slower, the SSDs are still way better than standard mechanical hard drives.

ShawnF wouldn't the Apricorn Velocity Solo x2 count as an PCI-E Adapter?

----------

3. GTX 760 (PC) if 2x 6-pin due to max power draw from the PCIe (no bootscreen)

This upgrade will extend your MP 3.1 for many years to come. Good luck choosing your upgrades!
~ Cheers

How long would the wait be for the Velocity DUO X2?

and why the GTX 760 over the GTX 680?

 

[ShawnF]

ShawnF wouldn't the Apricorn Velocity Solo x2 count as an PCI-E Adapter?

----------



Yes, the Apricorn Velocity is a PCI-E card that allows you to mount 2.5inch SATA-3 SSDs. So you can use that. I am currently using the Addonics Quad mSATA PCIe SSD. It has no issues booting OSX and Windows 7/8 and you can have up to 4 mSata drives on 1 card. Have been using it for 3 weeks now in JBOD and RAID0 configuration and its rock solid.

http://www.addonics.com/products/ad4mspx2.php

If you plan to use 2.5inch SSDs then go with the Apricorn.

 

[Tutor]

ShawnF wouldn't the Apricorn Velocity Solo x2 count as an PCI-E Adapter?

----------



Yes, the Apricorn Velocity is a PCI-E card that allows you to mount 2.5inch SATA-3 SSDs. So you can use that. I am currently using the Addonics Quad mSATA PCIe SSD. It has no issues booting OSX and Windows 7/8 and you can have up to 4 mSata drives on 1 card. Have been using it for 3 weeks now in JBOD and RAID0 configuration and its rock solid.

http://www.addonics.com/products/ad4mspx2.php

If you plan to use 2.5inch SSDs then go with the Apricorn.

Thanks Shawn. It looks like just what I've been looking for.

 

[mad3inch1na]

You can get a 1TB 840 EVO for about 450$ right now. Totally worth it if you have the money. I would also get the gtx 760 or a gtx 770. It is about 80% as powerful as the 680, but it is much more power efficient and will use less space. If you have extra PCIE slots, SLI will be much easier as well. If you really want the 680, you might as well go with a 770 since it is really just a tweaked 680. I'm sure you could pick one up for about the same price. They sell for 330$ new, or you can pick up the 4GB version for 380$. 50$-100$ extra for a brand new, more powerful card is much more worth it. Also, if you get the GTX 760, just get a new one. You can pick up a 4 GB Zotac for 270$ on Newegg. It is totally worth the 40$ to get it new.

Matt

 

[CooLSpoTz]

ShawnF wouldn't the Apricorn Velocity Solo x2 count as an PCI-E Adapter?

----------



Yes, the Apricorn Velocity is a PCI-E card that allows you to mount 2.5inch SATA-3 SSDs. So you can use that. I am currently using the Addonics Quad mSATA PCIe SSD. It has no issues booting OSX and Windows 7/8 and you can have up to 4 mSata drives on 1 card. Have been using it for 3 weeks now in JBOD and RAID0 configuration and its rock solid.

http://www.addonics.com/products/ad4mspx2.php

If you plan to use 2.5inch SSDs then go with the Apricorn.

What type of mSATA would you toss in there?

----------

You can get a 1TB 840 EVO for about 450$ right now. Totally worth it if you have the money. I would also get the gtx 760 or a gtx 770. It is about 80% as powerful as the 680, but it is much more power efficient and will use less space. If you have extra PCIE slots, SLI will be much easier as well. If you really want the 680, you might as well go with a 770 since it is really just a tweaked 680. I'm sure you could pick one up for about the same price. They sell for 330$ new, or you can pick up the 4GB version for 380$. 50$-100$ extra for a brand new, more powerful card is much more worth it. Also, if you get the GTX 760, just get a new one. You can pick up a 4 GB Zotac for 270$ on Newegg. It is totally worth the 40$ to get it new.

Matt

Great advice. Is there a problem connecting the power up to a GTX 770? I see most of them with an 6-pin & 8-pin for power connections. If not, how do you advise connecting them?

 

[m4v3r1ck]

ShawnF wouldn't the Apricorn Velocity Solo x2 count as an PCI-E Adapter?
Yes, the Apricorn Velocity is a PCI-E card that allows you to mount 2.5inch SATA-3 SSDs. So you can use that. I am currently using the Addonics Quad mSATA PCIe SSD. It has no issues booting OSX and Windows 7/8 and you can have up to 4 mSata drives on 1 card. Have been using it for 3 weeks now in JBOD and RAID0 configuration and its rock solid.

What was your setup routine for the Addonics Quad mSATA PCIe SSD, to boot both OS X and Windows?

----------

ShawnF wouldn't the Apricorn Velocity Solo x2 count as an PCI-E Adapter?
How long would the wait be for the Velocity DUO X2?

I really don't know...

 

[ShawnF]

What type of mSATA would you toss in there?

Not much choice of mSatas for me here in Asia. Either Crucial M500 or Samsung EVO. The Crucials are cheaper but have slightly slower write speeds of about 250MBs. In a RAID0 config with 2 240GB drives, I am getting about 545MBs which is satisfactory for me.