Can I upgrade my Mac Pro from PT9HD to PT12HD...?

[innerbooty]

Hi,
I am happily running Pro Tools 9 HD on a 2009 Mac Pro Quad Core 2.66 Xeon on OSX 10.8.5. But more and more I am getting left behind on upgrades to plugins I use, or want to get into, like Kontakt. So I am toying with idea of taking the plunge to HDX. I think I can keep using my Apogee AD/DA-16X's with the X-HD expansion card. But what I can't get a firm handle on is if I can run the HDX card and PT12. I have Mavericks and Yosemite ready to install on other drives. But maybe my processor can't even handle it? They say "Westmere" processor recommended, but how firm is that recommendation?

Any tips or thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks! - Steve

[JFreak]

I think PT9 is upgradeable, just take a look at avid.com and buy if you have the budget :) however, your computer might also want upgrades, at least more memory as PT11 and later really want to see 16GB or more to function smoothly. Also bear in mind that current software uses more CPU just for itself so you have slightly less CPU available for plugins; however if you plan to be DSP-only that won't matter. With that said, your computer's CPU should be upgradeable.

[Barry Johns]

Originally Posted by innerbooty

Hi,
I am happily running Pro Tools 9 HD on a 2009 Mac Pro Quad Core 2.66 Xeon on OSX 10.8.5. But more and more I am getting left behind on upgrades to plugins I use, or want to get into, like Kontakt. So I am toying with idea of taking the plunge to HDX. I think I can keep using my Apogee AD/DA-16X's with the X-HD expansion card. But what I can't get a firm handle on is if I can run the HDX card and PT12. I have Mavericks and Yosemite ready to install on other drives. But maybe my processor can't even handle it? They say "Westmere" processor recommended, but how firm is that recommendation?

Any tips or thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks! - Steve

The first thing I would do is upgrade the CPU on that computer to a 6 core, and flash it to become a 5.1.

[innerbooty]

Originally Posted by Barry Johns

The first thing I would do is upgrade the CPU on that computer to a 6 core, and flash it to become a 5.1.

Ok, yeah. That's what I was really wondering, what the optimal CPU is for PT 12 HD. Wasn't really aware that you could upgrade the number of cores in a Mac Pro. What does "flash it" to upgrade from 4,1 to 5,1 mean? Is there somewhere I can get more info on how exactly to go about doing all this? Is it something I could do myself...?

Thanks a lot!

[innerbooty]

...I'm seeing processor upgrade kits on MacSales.com, but for 2009 Mac Pro's (which is what I have) they only seem to go up to 8-core. And I don't see anything about going from 4,1 to 5,1...

[29CountsNY]

This thread might give you some more info on upgrading your Mac.
A lot of us have done it and it is pretty easy.

http://duc.avid.com/showthread.php?t=370850

[innerbooty]

Awesome, thanks! Found some stuff Googling, but I will definitely check this out...

[Barry Johns]

Originally Posted by innerbooty

Ok, yeah. That's what I was really wondering, what the optimal CPU is for PT 12 HD. Wasn't really aware that you could upgrade the number of cores in a Mac Pro. What does "flash it" to upgrade from 4,1 to 5,1 mean? Is there somewhere I can get more info on how exactly to go about doing all this? Is it something I could do myself...?

Thanks a lot!

Send me a PM we can't setup a phone call where I can walk you through the process. It's a piece of cake! I've done it twice!

[innerbooty]

Originally Posted by Barry Johns

Send me a PM we can't setup a phone call where I can walk you through the process. It's a piece of cake! I've done it twice!

Hey thanks! That's super cool of you. Just might take you up on that. Wondering if I should actually go buy another 2009 Mac Pro like my current 1 CPU Quad Core 2.66 to do the upgrade on. I might feel better about the whole thing if I can keep my current PT9 HD rig up and running while I get the new one going, just in case things go south somehow. Would that make sense, or is that being overly cautious? Just can't really afford to have more than a couple of days of downtime... (if I did buy another one, what's the optimal model/config to do the upgrade on...?)

[Barry Johns]

Originally Posted by innerbooty

Hey thanks! That's super cool of you. Just might take you up on that. Wondering if I should actually go buy another 2009 Mac Pro like my current 1 CPU Quad Core 2.66 to do the upgrade on. I might feel better about the whole thing if I can keep my current PT9 HD rig up and running while I get the new one going, just in case things go south somehow. Would that make sense, or is that being overly cautious? Just can't really afford to have more than a couple of days of downtime... (if I did buy another one, what's the optimal model/config to do the upgrade on...?)

The best thing to do is look for a 2009 8 Core, which can be upgraded to a 12 Core. I have upgraded the quad to a 6 core, sold it, bought an 8 Core and upgraded it to a 12 core, which is my current computer!