4 core vs 8 core consensus?

[M2E]

I have a 4 core 2.66ghz Mac Pro now. I wanted to know if they have any upgrades processor wise for my cpu. Can I get an 8 core upgrade down the line or right now? I've heard about being able to upgrade your Mac but, don't see it anywhere on the Mac site. Can some one point me to it.

Thanx

Marc

[John_Toolbox]

I have a 4 core 2.66ghz Mac Pro now. I wanted to know if they have any upgrades processor wise for my cpu. Can I get an 8 core upgrade down the line or right now? I've heard about being able to upgrade your Mac but, don't see it anywhere on the Mac site. Can some one point me to it.

Hmmm.... Everymac.com says that the early quad cores are two separate dual core processors. These are upgradeable:

http://www.everymac.com/systems/appl...rocessors.html

If you bought a later model(since they have made 8 cores standard, I believe this is january 08 and newer) and "downgraded" it to a 4 core, my understanding is that they just pull a CPU from one of the two sockets, so you end up with a motherboard that has one empty socket and one with a 4 core processor. The newest generation is upgradable, though they don't give much info on it. I'd guess it's very similar if not the same as the upgrade I just linked.

There may be differences in the motherboard architecture that make the later models better, I didn't look closely at the specs to see.

[John_Toolbox]

There may be differences in the motherboard architecture that make the later models better,

And yes there are, Faster system bus and RAM speed.

http://www.everymac.com/systems/appl...l-mac-pro.html

[Table Syrup Records]

Wouldn't it benefit him then to just buy the 8 core as a 4 core to get the fullsize MB for future upgrade ability!? Compromises his price range between the two.... actually closer to the lower end, but would allow him to jump to 8 come the time it would benefit him. Also, by then the processor would be much cheaper!

I vote 8 core with one CPU (Or 4 as it were) removed............

Of course..... I'm still running a dual core LE and dual core TDM and both work like power houses for me as I still produce from hardware and dump into Pro Tools after my production is ready.

Next on the list: a Neko or Miko!!!! January is supposed to see a motorized fader release!!! 100mm, but oh well.... I keep telling them I won't buy until they expand/reconfigure a chassis to accept HD cards, and give me a tilt screen, but I just can't wait anymore! January it will be. Just to host Virtual stuff and reason, etc etc.... I still plan to sequence that with my MPC4000. It just gives me a freakin keyboard/synth/etc on steroids is all........ yummy........ plus it clones other synths! Samples and maps em out! YOU CAN'T BEAT THAT WITH A STICK!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry... got carried away.......

8 core.... 8 core..... definitely 8 core.... scaled down to 4.....

budget and upgrade considerations galore.....