Upgrade question

[bcomer]

I know like this have been asked a number of times but external input is always welcome.

I currently have a 2008 8x2.8Ghz 16GB 8800GT MacPro and have a chance to upgrade to a 2010 12x 2.66Ghz 8GB 5770 MacPro for my box and $2,000.00.

The 12-core also comes with AppleCare for another two years.

Most work is Photoshop and one or two VMs running.

It does not always come down to "need" but some extra thoughts are welcome.

 

[philipma1957]

WELL assuming the deal is legit especially the applecare it sounds like a good deal. I will come back with the math in 5 min. A new 2.66 12 core is 5k you have 2 years apple care so even though it is not new 4k min seems fair

here is a dual quad from 2008

http://cgi.ebay.com/APPLE-MAC-PRO-E...le_Desktops&hash=item20b8947413#ht_3209wt_788

the asking price is 2200 it is close to yours. if he sells at 2200 after fees and shipping he would get about 1900. so if you sold you may get 2000 but you would have trouble finding the dual hex 2010 for 4k with 2 years apple care. also 2010 ram is lower price then 2008 ram. you can get 32gb from in the shape of 8 4g sticks for 50 to 65 a stick. you also get an airport extreme.


one last thing right now the upgrade cpus for the DUAL 2010 hex are costly but in two years when the applecare ends the cpus may be low cost and the dual hex 2.66 could go to a dual hex 3.33 or 3.46 for under 1.6k as opposed to 3.2k now. all in all if you know the seller and can afford 2k it looks good to me.

 

[minifridge1138]

I would make the swap.

Assuming that you have the spare $2,000.

Here's why:
1) It is more future proof. Not that a 2008 is in any danger of being obsolete, but we are talking about technology. It will be many years before the 2008 seems out of date, but it will be even longer before the 2010 seems out of date.
2) Two more years of warranty. I can't hurt to have.
3) It is a beefier machine.

If money is even slightly tight, i'd keep what you have. It does what you need, and something even better than the 2010 will be out by the time it doesn't meet your needs.