Who Can Upgrade dated MP

[Average Pro]

First time post, long time observer.

Want to begin by thanking everyone for the great info available on this site. Some of y'all are frick'n super techs. Have a hard time understanding some of the details.

With that said, my first question/assistance: I need is help with upgrading my 2008 MP. I went through the forum and could not find a vendor or recommended vendor list. Maybe this is tied to the "For Sale" section, which I do not currently have access to (yes, I read and understand the prerequisites).

In short, I'm not interested in doing any of the work myself. I want to turn it over to an established professional who will provide recommendations and provide a quote for options. It has no problems and runs perfectly.

I've found a few sites on-line, but I would like to get recommendations (or de-recommendations) from forum members. I hope listing business names does not violate forum rules. If they do, then maybe it would be acceptable to shoot me a message.

I only want to upgrade the MP to have as a 2nd computer. I'm just waiting for the new MP. As soon as it's available, I'm all over it.

Thank you.

 

[Studio K]

Once you've got the new 2013 Mac Pro, what do you intend to use your 2nd computer (2008) for?

 

[GermanyChris]

@op

Upgrade it yourself after you get the iTube, you'll learn some things and have a nice project.

 

[NorCalLights]

Take the machine in to any independent Apple Authorized Service Provider shop (not an Apple Store) in your area. They'll be able to talk you through your options, and they'll be happy to perform the work for you.

 

[OS6-OSX]

In short, I'm not interested in doing any of the work myself. I want to turn it over to an established professional who will provide recommendations and provide a quote for options. It has no problems and runs perfectly.

After you tell the "established professional" your intended use for the upgraded machine it is quite possible you would have paid for a Mp 6.1!
Figure out what it needs that makes it unable to perform the current tasks.
Price those items, go to YouTube, view installations of said items and save yourself money and a "MacPro Money Pit".

 

[Average Pro]

Intended Use

The computer is primarily utilized for photography. As file sizes continue to increase and software enhancements get thrown in, I notice the programs (Aperture/PS/NIK) run slow for a few moments. By that I mean the picture is not in focus and takes a few moments to completely focus. In addition, when I make a software change and click OK, I can tell there is a delay.

Based on what I have read on this site, the following have been recommended:
1) SSD
2) More RAM - currently 8GB
3) Video Card - currently nVidia 8800 GT
4) eSATA- Already have it, but stopped working after latest version of OS was installed
5) USB 3.0

I've changed HDs, Vid Cards, and RAM and installed eSATA, so I'm comfortable performing these mods. Now, if there are additional upgrades, I would be interested in hearing about them (please keep explanation at High School level). And for these mods, I would rather turn it over to someone and say, "fix and don't worry about the price."
And yes, there is an independent Mac store in my neighborhood that works on them. I'll be contacting them. I like the suggestion about pricing this as it all may approach a new MP (2013).
Also, part of the reason I plan to upgrade this MP (and buy the new) is because it has been such a good machine and I may eventually give it to a relative or just keep it around as a back up.

I await your suggestion/recommendations. And I am reeeeeeeealy waiting for the new MP.

 

[OS6-OSX]

Now you have divulged enough info to work with.
1. If you are using your 2008 mainly for photography you should visit the Adobe lightroom forum (if there is one) and look at the specs of the computers.
a. See if the GPU's are 512MB cards or 1GB and up.
b. Nvidia vs ATI
c. The amount of ram used
d. etc
And yes I read where you use Aperture and not Lightroom
These items (ram, ssd and video card) are easy to install. After more research you may want to purchase 1 item at a time and test the performance.
If you look at my sig you will see I use a 2008. I use it for video editing without issues. I don't want to get into specs about video vs photographs but by tweaking your current system you should not have a problem with any amount of photos of any size.