Think I might move from rMBP to MP

[seveej]

Have you considered the 27" iMac? you can keep your dual monitor setup (using only 1 TB display, and still get a very very fast computer. The maxed out model will cost you, but I'll match current gen Mac Pro performance with its new GPU. You could, of course, wait for the next generation of Mac Pro.

I have not actually had any experience with the newest 27" iMac's, but my i7 2,8 (Quad) (also not a slouch) had the same problem - fans went into overtime as soon as CPU load grew.

Honestly, for everyone who is working with a significant CPU load (and does not absolutely need portability) I recommend a Mac Pro.

OTOH, if the OP had posted the same question in the MBP-forum, the answers may have differed...

RGDS,

 

[phoenixsan]

Well.....

the Mac Pro have expandability to accomodate the growing size of a digital media production operation. Outdated? Yes, Underpowered? Not so sure. And I think the TB peripherals can be reused with some sort of adapter/connector (but not to full TB speed/specification).

 

[deconstruct60]

Bought the rMBP last year (maxed out memory and SSD) plus 2 Thunderbolt displays and a Thunderbolt external HDD, and it's been a great setup.

This sure reads like a "I've bought $3K of Thunderbolt equipment so the next Mac Pro is going to have to have (or should have) TB" kind of threads.
However, if not one of the tail-wag-dog ones ....

If it is purely the fan noise and not the rMBP performance with the fans going is the primary issue then the iMac is a better fit. You can fire up Activity Monitor to see if you are bumping into memory/cpu/disk throttling. If not being substantively throttled in anyway then it is just a noise problem; not a performance one.

You can reuse one or both of the TB Displays. ( Using both will have 3 screen set up again with more real estate).

The performance isn't going to to down.

The thermal/heat extraction system on the iMac is more efficient than the rMBP so it won't as high. If looking for minimized noise changing out all the gear would be required but noise being a higher proirity than performance really isn't a good match for Mac Pro long term. At least not without turning repetitively to the used market for long term solutions.