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would it be stupid to buy a 2010 quad core now ?
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It arrived today: brandnew, with everything sealed and looking very good indeed. Can't connect it yet though as it came with a UK power cord. Hadn't thought of that. So could I use any old cord? Like from a late 2006 model iMac maybe?
Never mind. I went looking for Apple's specs pages and found the answer.
And so I have connected the Mac Pro and it works flawlessly. And very quiet I might add, which is great as I dislike noisy machines...
HelsinkiMac, when you registered, did they ask for a copy of the receipt later maybe? Because I just did it online, filled in the serial number and that was it. Do they send a confirmation after registering a Mac to begin with? I have had Macs for 22 years but I can't remember...
First thing I am going to do now is stuff this thing with 32 GB RAM, a small ssd and 2 additional HDs. Then, in about 6 months or so I will make it a SP hex core and upgrade to the fastest clock speed I can put in! I'm happy now...
NightSun, did you get yours also?
And so I have connected the Mac Pro and it works flawlessly. And very quiet I might add, which is great as I dislike noisy machines...
HelsinkiMac, when you registered, did they ask for a copy of the receipt later maybe? Because I just did it online, filled in the serial number and that was it. Do they send a confirmation after registering a Mac to begin with? I have had Macs for 22 years but I can't remember...
First thing I am going to do now is stuff this thing with 32 GB RAM, a small ssd and 2 additional HDs. Then, in about 6 months or so I will make it a SP hex core and upgrade to the fastest clock speed I can put in! I'm happy now...
NightSun, did you get yours also?
First thing I am going to do now is stuff this thing with 32 GB RAM, a small ssd and 2 additional HDs. Then, in about 6 months or so I will make it a SP hex core and upgrade to the fastest clock speed I can put in! I'm happy now...
NightSun, did you get yours also?
Great to hear the good news about your machine - well, yes the UK cord is there as a minor issue, but seems in an excited situation like this one tends to solve it right away.
I did not received it yet as it only got dispatched yesterday, so probably tomorrow or Monday at latest.
Regarding your RAM upgrades, an important point before you proceed: if you wish to move to a single Hex CPU later on (and use your Mac Pro in such a configuration for a longer period), be aware that in that case, Socket B being empty, only the 4 memory slots adjacent to Socket A will be usable. So, if you need 32 GB and obviously you wish to use it even after the CPU upgrade, then you should buy 4x 8 GB sticks (which, however, is going to be expensive, as only Registered DIMMs will make it). 8 x 4 GB would be at half this price, but then moving from 2 CPUs you will have to discard 4 of them, arriving at 16 GB at max. This may be OK, if your RAM needs are not so crucial to be more than 16 GB for all the time and you plan to even put a second Hex CPU short after the first upgrade. Otherwise you only have the option to use 4x 8 Gb.
I went for 4x4 GB right now (Crucial unbuffered ECC DIMMs), and if once I moved to a DP 3.33 Hex configuration, I may add another 16 GB. But for now it will be enough for my needs.
Actually, technically, they don't need to be ecc registered but you cannot mix and match, from what i understand.
Great to hear the good news about your machine - well, yes the UK cord is there as a minor issue, but seems in an excited situation like this one tends to solve it right away.
I did not received it yet as it only got dispatched yesterday, so probably tomorrow or Monday at latest.
Regarding your RAM upgrades, an important point before you proceed: if you wish to move to a single Hex CPU later on (and use your Mac Pro in such a configuration for a longer period), be aware that in that case, Socket B being empty, only the 4 memory slots adjacent to Socket A will be usable. So, if you need 32 GB and obviously you wish to use it even after the CPU upgrade, then you should buy 4x 8 GB sticks (which, however, is going to be expensive, as only Registered DIMMs will make it). 8 x 4 GB would be at half this price, but then moving from 2 CPUs you will have to discard 4 of them, arriving at 16 GB at max. This may be OK, if your RAM needs are not so crucial to be more than 16 GB for all the time and you plan to even put a second Hex CPU short after the first upgrade. Otherwise you only have the option to use 4x 8 Gb.
I went for 4x4 GB right now (Crucial unbuffered ECC DIMMs), and if once I moved to a DP 3.33 Hex configuration, I may add another 16 GB. But for now it will be enough for my needs.
They don't need to be ECC registered, but among the 8 Gb and 16 Gb DIMMS you will not really find else, as I see. Crucial definitely only has Registered ones in this range, and while OWC does not state anything about this on their webpage, they ask your attention for example that 8 Gb modules cannot be mixed with other 1/2/4 Gb DIMMs. So it is probably because up from 8 Gb they are registered, and the ones with smaller capacity are unbuffered. So, in a DP Mac Pro, it seems the maximum amount of Non-ECC or unbuffered ECC you can install is 32 Gb, by 8x4 Gb DIMMs, and should you use only 1 CPU (as in my case), this is set back to a 16 Gb limit. Over this limits you will need Registered ECC RAM, and cannot mix with other lower capacity Non-ECC/Unbuffered ECC modules.
OWC's 8GB and 16GB sticks are Registered (RDIMM) as well.
You can mix UDIMM's with non-ECC memory (only runs as non-ECC if you do), but RDIMM's cannot be mixed with any other type (RDIMM only).
Yes, realised that myself a bit later. Actually when looking at the price of those 8GB sticks!
That made me rethink the set-up and then I quickly realised, well basically what you are saying here, NightSun. So I decided to buy 4x4 GB sticks and (for as long as I have the 2 cpu's) fill the other 4 slots with the 1GB sticks that came with the machine. I know I will have to put them in a certain order, I saw schedules for that. 20 GB of RAM will be very nice for the time being I think... That's right, 20 GB RAM is plenty for most purposes, unless you have some specific software which needs more to work with it effectively, but then probably no amount is really enough. For a while I was also thinking if I should get 2x8 GB DIMMs instead to let some free slots for later upgrade in case I would stay with 1 CPU for longer, but I don't with to overbuy much my initially planned budget, since there were other important parts to spend for, like the SSD. Once even we will need to change the GT 120 graphic card for one giving a good performance (perhaps a 68xx/69xx later, when the new Mac Pro gets released), but I can live with it for the moment.
Two updates on my Mac Pro:
1. I received an email from Apple, welcoming/congratulating me etc, and telling me I can extend the one year warranty to three years with the Apple Care Protection Plan.
2. I just had a kernel panic...
Did yours arrive yet, NightSun?
1. I received an email from Apple, welcoming/congratulating me etc, and telling me I can extend the one year warranty to three years with the Apple Care Protection Plan.
2. I just had a kernel panic...
Did yours arrive yet, NightSun?
Have you changed anything since getting it? A kernal panic isnt right when it is this new...
Well, it's kinda strange, I still did not receive my Mac Pro. If it does not arrive tomorrow I will give a call to the seller to check what may have happened.
Levina, kernel panic indeed does not sound very well on a brand new machine.. Hopefully it was only a one-time event. I would put the computer under a stress test to see (don't know what software there are on the Mac for such purposes).
Levina, kernel panic indeed does not sound very well on a brand new machine.. Hopefully it was only a one-time event. I would put the computer under a stress test to see (don't know what software there are on the Mac for such purposes).
hammten and NightSun, I'm not too happy about the kernel panic either. I booted the Mac Pro this afternoon and was greeted by the multi-language message. First time for me by the way (not counting a few bombs under Classic). I rebooted without any problems.
I first ran Disk Utility. Everything was all right. I checked permissions and restored them. Then I ran the Apple Hardware Test. All was well there too. I have not had any problems at all today, so maybe it was just a fluke. I have Time Machine running so everything is backed up nicely.
I have no idea what caused it. It can't be bad RAM as I haven't put in any yet. I have looked at the logs, but I could just as well be reading Mandarin...
Maybe I will open a topic about it, ask help with deciphering the logs. Still, I'm not too worried. After all I have full warranty from Apple!
Anyway, NightSun, you not having received your Mac Pro yet IS strange. Mine was sent last Tuesday and arrived on Thursday. That's two days. Yours should have arrived as well by now. Good idea to call them up.
I first ran Disk Utility. Everything was all right. I checked permissions and restored them. Then I ran the Apple Hardware Test. All was well there too. I have not had any problems at all today, so maybe it was just a fluke. I have Time Machine running so everything is backed up nicely.
I have no idea what caused it. It can't be bad RAM as I haven't put in any yet. I have looked at the logs, but I could just as well be reading Mandarin...
Maybe I will open a topic about it, ask help with deciphering the logs. Still, I'm not too worried. After all I have full warranty from Apple!
Anyway, NightSun, you not having received your Mac Pro yet IS strange. Mine was sent last Tuesday and arrived on Thursday. That's two days. Yours should have arrived as well by now. Good idea to call them up.
Ok, good news finally, the Mac has arrived today
This is really a beautiful machine, inside and outside, turning it on indeed it is quiet. But of course I'm especially looking forward to its performance. I already put the 4x4 GB DIMMs into the slots, and I started to run the Hardware Test just to be sure that nothing is faulty. Well, one minor thing disappointed me a bit, the lack of Airport card that I only realized when turned it on. Although it is not a big deal, as later on I will use an Ethernet connection, but currently the wireless connection is the only easy way for me to get it to the Internet. Anyway, probably I'm going to order one Airport card from ebay and install it myself.
Levina, HelsinkiMac, how did you proceed with registering the Mac to have the Apple warranty?
This is really a beautiful machine, inside and outside, turning it on indeed it is quiet. But of course I'm especially looking forward to its performance. I already put the 4x4 GB DIMMs into the slots, and I started to run the Hardware Test just to be sure that nothing is faulty. Well, one minor thing disappointed me a bit, the lack of Airport card that I only realized when turned it on. Although it is not a big deal, as later on I will use an Ethernet connection, but currently the wireless connection is the only easy way for me to get it to the Internet. Anyway, probably I'm going to order one Airport card from ebay and install it myself.
Levina, HelsinkiMac, how did you proceed with registering the Mac to have the Apple warranty?
Congratulations, NightSun. That must be a relief! It's a beauty, isn't it?
I'm completely in love with it, kernel panic or not. I'm converting my Star Trek DVD's to mkv's at the moment and Handbrake does it blazingly fast, using all 16 threads, with an average of 900% CPU usage. There simply is no comparison with my old (late 2006) iMac where it took Handbrake forever to do a 4-episodes DVD. Handbrake really shows the strength of hyper-threading.
Anyway, getting carried away now...
As to registering. I did that online. Just google 'Apple Product Registration' and it's the first hit. You have to log in with your Apple ID (or create one if you don't have one) and then follow instructions.
After a few days I received a welcome mail from Apple that also stated that I could extend the warranty to three years.
I'm completely in love with it, kernel panic or not. I'm converting my Star Trek DVD's to mkv's at the moment and Handbrake does it blazingly fast, using all 16 threads, with an average of 900% CPU usage. There simply is no comparison with my old (late 2006) iMac where it took Handbrake forever to do a 4-episodes DVD. Handbrake really shows the strength of hyper-threading.
Anyway, getting carried away now...
As to registering. I did that online. Just google 'Apple Product Registration' and it's the first hit. You have to log in with your Apple ID (or create one if you don't have one) and then follow instructions.
After a few days I received a welcome mail from Apple that also stated that I could extend the warranty to three years.
what "gaming issues" are you talking about? my iMac 27" owns everything i've trown at it so far.
and how can the 21" look small, when you use a 20" ?
i'd wait though, in the end i think it would be totally worth it to wait a few months for a refresh.
and how can the 21" look small, when you use a 20" ?
i'd wait though, in the end i think it would be totally worth it to wait a few months for a refresh.
I clocked it. It took 22 minutes to do one DVD, that's 5.5 minutes per episode. For me that is incredible. My iMac would take an hour to do one episode!
Here's a screenshot (click for larger version).
Now see, I think that's nice!
that is fast.
By the way, NightSun, I just came across this Apple site, filled in the Serial Number of the Mac Pro and was not happy with the result: everything has expired.
However, they give you the option to prove that you are first owner. You have to fill in some stuff and upload a copy of the invoice. So I did that and hope to hear from them soon.
You know, I never quite understood how HelsinkiMac did it when he said he sent them the receipt, but I think this may be it.
Anyway, I thought I would let you know.
However, they give you the option to prove that you are first owner. You have to fill in some stuff and upload a copy of the invoice. So I did that and hope to hear from them soon.
You know, I never quite understood how HelsinkiMac did it when he said he sent them the receipt, but I think this may be it.
Anyway, I thought I would let you know.
Hi Levina,
Thanks for your suggestions regarding registration. I just started the process and waiting for their confirmation email. Please let me know if you have any news.
Well, in the meanwhile I applied the firmware upgrade utility, this was easy and works perfectly. However, I came across with the first obstacle in the next step: I simply removed CPU B to see how it works with only 1 CPU. It boots fine, but soon after that fans are spinning up to maximum. Do you anybody know a workaround for that?
Thanks for your suggestions regarding registration. I just started the process and waiting for their confirmation email. Please let me know if you have any news.
Well, in the meanwhile I applied the firmware upgrade utility, this was easy and works perfectly. However, I came across with the first obstacle in the next step: I simply removed CPU B to see how it works with only 1 CPU. It boots fine, but soon after that fans are spinning up to maximum.
Do you anybody know a workaround for that?For now I installed back the old second 2.26 CPU, so to say restored the original state of the Mac. This short experience shows that if screws of the heatsinks are not tightened completely, the CPU is not recognized and fans are spinning up, just as if the socket were empty.
I have tried performance on DxO Optics by processing a set of images and it utilized all 16 threads running practically at 100%. It has run very fast and this is especially a nice surprise for me since the single-thread performance of this software is quite slow otherwise.
By the way, CPU B, which has been reinstalled with fresh thermal paste, is now considerably cooler (by about 5-6 degrees) than the stock-installed CPU A both when idle and under heavy load. Of course, this is something one would expect after these Macs were sleeping in a warehouse for 2 years.
By the way, CPU B, which has been reinstalled with fresh thermal paste, is now considerably cooler (by about 5-6 degrees) than the stock-installed CPU A both when idle and under heavy load. Of course, this is something one would expect after these Macs were sleeping in a warehouse for 2 years.
Levina -oops I should have mentioned the power cord, I thought about it after ordering and got one from ebay that arrived before the computer did!
My registration seems like a mix of the two you did! I went to register online, and I think was redirected through to the Finnish site, but instead of just filling in the serial and that being it, it indicated that the warranty was out, like yours did through that site you linked. I filled in the details, uploaded a jpeg of the receipt (which was the longest bit as I was in the middle of setting up the computer, updates etc and it took ages to get my HP printer/scanner talking to the Pro!), and the following day got the email to say that the registration was accepted, the warranty was reset to the day I purchased it, and (I think, this might have been only on the website) that it was eligible to buy applecare.
Nightsun - I didn't realise those machines didn't have airport, as this one does. Do you have bluetooth too, as sometimes that seems to be an optional extra on the Pros?
Both - let us know once everything has been registered, and also how the upgrading goes. Am just about to hit buy on an SSD and Ram to take it to 12GB, but will be very jealous once you start installing single or twin hexcores etc!
My registration seems like a mix of the two you did! I went to register online, and I think was redirected through to the Finnish site, but instead of just filling in the serial and that being it, it indicated that the warranty was out, like yours did through that site you linked. I filled in the details, uploaded a jpeg of the receipt (which was the longest bit as I was in the middle of setting up the computer, updates etc and it took ages to get my HP printer/scanner talking to the Pro!), and the following day got the email to say that the registration was accepted, the warranty was reset to the day I purchased it, and (I think, this might have been only on the website) that it was eligible to buy applecare.
Nightsun - I didn't realise those machines didn't have airport, as this one does. Do you have bluetooth too, as sometimes that seems to be an optional extra on the Pros?
Both - let us know once everything has been registered, and also how the upgrading goes. Am just about to hit buy on an SSD and Ram to take it to 12GB, but will be very jealous once you start installing single or twin hexcores etc!