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So is the D300 decent?
- Thread starter wesk702
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If you are using the GPU for math (as opposed to only gaming) and if you can somehow confirm that the D500 is ECC-enabled, then I would choose it over the D300.
You can always upgrade the memory easily at a later time (and for a discount).
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Yes, you are right. My bad. They are all part of the same 28nm series.
Photoshop, Lightroom, maybe light video editing... and some gaming.
It's the Adobeville stuff that's the real question.
Hopefully this helps make a decision.
http://www.barefeats.com/tube04.html
Also http://www.barefeats.com/tube05.html
I've also seen some nice D700 scores in the "mac format" youtube diary's. I really hope OSX gets crossfireX like Windows. He was getting 111 FPS in Windows 8.1.
As a 3d guy the D700 was not even a question to get when I saw the price was not crazy.
http://www.barefeats.com/tube04.html
Also http://www.barefeats.com/tube05.html
I've also seen some nice D700 scores in the "mac format" youtube diary's. I really hope OSX gets crossfireX like Windows. He was getting 111 FPS in Windows 8.1.
As a 3d guy the D700 was not even a question to get when I saw the price was not crazy.
Haha, I was actually planning to get a rMBP until.....Apple announced the nMP, I'm a 3D CAD guy, but I'll only be getting the D300 as the base MP already stretched my budget and I'm not even sure if my 3D CAD software will take advantage of the dual GPUs, well at least most 3D Render software do make use of dual GPUs
Since we still don't have a lot of tests, that test in the Photoshop thread has inspired me to go to the local Apple store at lunch on Mon or Wends and see if they'll let me run the PS benchmark test. I believe it's the base model they have on display.
The D500s also have a wider memory bus, effectively giving them 50% more bandwidth than the D300's; combined with more memory as well this makes them better for all types of memory heavy workload, though if that's what you're working with then the next step up to the D700's is probably still a better choice.
True, but sofar none of the tests have shown a real-world advantage of significance. (Perhaps driver issue?)
Unfortunately, we are getting very apples and oranges test results, so it's gonna be a long time before we get true performance measures.
Well, they are removable. To be upgradeable would require more GPU options to be available in retail, but this it not true yet.
Doesn't seem likely that they will be either, except to buy other official cards as parts, e.g - swapping D300's for D700's, or maybe future cards if Apple keeps the same connector.
Just doesn't seem like enough incentive for a company to produce a fully custom card to fit the new Mac Pros, compared to PCIe cards which were more of a port change and different firmware. Especially since the new Mac Pro cards aren't quite as simple to swap as PCIe cards either.
My hopes are only based on the assumption that Apple has made a big investment by creating the nMP. They have to support their machine so I hope they have already made the necessary deals with AMD to future-proof nMP. And since iFixit said that GPUs can be removed, the road is open.
But it's too early for anyone to tell.
All I'm saying is that the only options are going to be Apple parts, but most likely not directly from them since while the GPUs are relatively easy to replace, they're not what I'd call user-upgradeable; the connector is a bit fiddly compared to a push-in PCI card, you also need to make sure the GPU contacts the heatsink properly (I think with thermal paste?).
For enthusiasts that's fine, but for third party card makers it limits their market a great deal, especially since cards will be a lot harder for a third party to develop for the Mac Pro due to size, heat and power constraints. So yeah, you'll be able to swap in better D-series cards from those available now by ordering the parts from somewhere, and you may even be able to get any future cards offered in the next generation of Mac Pro (again ordering as parts); that said, while the connector will likely stay the same, the power requirements or temperature of future cards may be another matter, so compatibility is far from guaranteed.
I think Apple sees the new Mac Pro as something you will just swap for the next model, rather than upgrading, so while I'm sure they'll stick to the design for a while to come, upgrades are unlikely to be a focus for them. We'll likely only get them because Apple has decided not to change something, but with Apple, we can't always rely on that
I think they are more interested in future proofing apple (read: sales) than your nMP
I think it's getting to the point where this really might be the case, and folks need to think of the computer as one component of your workstation. So instead of buying the max you can possibly buy, buy what you need now, and in 3-4 years replace it instead of in 5-7 years.
This seems the most logical route now. I've been able to keep my 2009 Quad going for 5 years because I added a GTX285, 840pro SSD and more Ram since then. If I couldn't have done that I would have purchased another machine already.
Yeah, that's why unless I see other compelling benchmarks, I'm sticking with my 2nd order of the Quad/D300/32/512.
Same model I keep debating on. Get that or an iMac/32GB/512SSD considering the benchmarks are all but equal except for Luxmark scores. Plus I get a 2nd, sRGB screen for web work.
Here is another thought...if you think you are going to upgrade the GPU's later (Assuming that Apple will sell you a pair of D700's, that is....)
Let's say you go with D300's. What will you do with those if you go to Apple and pay them $1600 for two D700's (or even more). I doubt anyone will buy the D300's from you, unless theirs are just bad. If you buy the D500's to start, there is a chance to sell them to someone who bought D300's to start, then you recoup some of your money.
So, if you start with D300's, there is a chance to buy used D500's later, but probably slim chance to sell your D300's. If you start with D500's, chances are you can sell those to someone who started with D300's and then use that money toward your upgrade to D700's.
Just something I was thinking about earlier.....Used market will be mostly D500's.
Let's say you go with D300's. What will you do with those if you go to Apple and pay them $1600 for two D700's (or even more). I doubt anyone will buy the D300's from you, unless theirs are just bad. If you buy the D500's to start, there is a chance to sell them to someone who bought D300's to start, then you recoup some of your money.
So, if you start with D300's, there is a chance to buy used D500's later, but probably slim chance to sell your D300's. If you start with D500's, chances are you can sell those to someone who started with D300's and then use that money toward your upgrade to D700's.
Just something I was thinking about earlier.....Used market will be mostly D500's.
Good point but in my case, in my current oMP,, I went from a gt120 and I couldn't give the thing away. ;-)
So...
I tested the standard PS test on a base model nMP at the local Apple store just now. With the current PS CC, I got tests ranging from 8-11 seconds rounding off (variation likely being my friend hitting the stop and start on his iPhone).
So, with that test, the Quad/D300 is about at the same point as a Hex/D500, possibly a bit faster, BUT... that test really isn't enough to really push the hardware anymore to get good benchmarks.
That said, unless I see something different coming from Barefeats, I'm content to stick with my second order of the Quad/D300/32/512 system.
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Yeah, if you keep your system for 5 years +, resale is irrelevant.