Is a used 2008/9 Mac Pro Quad Core a good investment?

[DJ Hellfire]

Hey guys, I'm trying to eventually make the complete switch to Mac slowly. I started with a MacBook Pro to replace my laptop a couple years ago. Got an iMac to replaces my family computer earlier this year. Now I want to move forward with the studio rig to complete the switch. The thing is I need the desktop configuration so I can add all my internal drives and connectivity and such, so I wanna go with a Mac pro, which is big money!

So, compared to my PC build in my sig, would a used 2008/2009 Mac Pro Quad Core be a good investment? They are going for $700-1000. What you guys think?

[Marcel Risberg]

Originally Posted by DJ Hellfire

Hey guys, I'm trying to eventually make the complete switch to Mac slowly. I started with a MacBook Pro to replace my laptop a couple years ago. Got an iMac to replaces my family computer earlier this year. Now I want to move forward with the studio rig to complete the switch. The thing is I need the desktop configuration so I can add all my internal drives and connectivity and such, so I wanna go with a Mac pro, which is big money!

So, compared to my PC build in my sig, would a used 2008/2009 Mac Pro Quad Core be a good investment? They are going for $700-1000. What you guys think?

Mac Pros are great machines. If you can get your hands on a 2009 with some RAM in it I'm sure it's worth a $1000. I have a 2008, eight core, and it's running my projects fine. 100 tracks of film sound from a single WD VelociRaptor HDD, not even SSD.

Keep in mind, technology moves fast forward. Software developers like Avid CAN, if they like, exclude supported compatibility with older hardware to be able to code for newer processors that use new instruction sets or processor extensions.

Here is a fantastic resource for researching Mac performance:
http://browser.primatelabs.com/mac-benchmarks
I suggest you take a look at it and also run Geekbench (2) to compare your OC machine to the standard clocked Macs in the list.

Good luck and welcome to the light side. ;-)

[albee1952]

Much depends on which cpu you are looking at. My 2007 quad 2,66GHz Mac Pro was barely a 20% boost from my previous dual core AMD setup(AMD 6000+). So IMHO, an 8 core gets a yay, but the bottom of the line gets a pass(from me). Have you considered building a Hackintosh? $1500 would build a pretty stout(and NEW) machine Food for thought

[DJ Hellfire]

Originally Posted by albee1952

Much depends on which cpu you are looking at. My 2007 quad 2,66GHz Mac Pro was barely a 20% boost from my previous dual core AMD setup(AMD 6000+). So IMHO, an 8 core gets a yay, but the bottom of the line gets a pass(from me). Have you considered building a Hackintosh? $1500 would build a pretty stout(and NEW) machine Food for thought

Good point! I was considering an 8 core!

As for the hackintosh, at this point, I don't wanna deal with anything hacked or rigged. I just don't have the time to troubleshoot a bunch of factors if something goes wrong.

[YYR123]

If not the hack - then yeah a 2009 would be the base model to shoot for

2011 if u can get a good deal - those are still nice machines - the 2012's will be coveted for a long time to come since they were the last of the real Mac pros - before the round thing that is

[DJ Hellfire]

Ended up getting a 2009 8-Core model with 32GB RAM. Should be here on Thursday! Thanks for the advice guys!

[YYR123]

So how much ??? You know we gotta know - $1200??

[DJ Hellfire]

Originally Posted by YYR123

So how much ??? You know we gotta know - $1200??

$1193 Mint too!

[scrnplyr]

I have a 2010 and it's worked flawlessly with Pro Tools. The only little issue I have is with the dumb wireless mouse sucking the batteries every 6 weeks or so. I bought a battery charger and recharge the batteries, but other than that I love this machine - zero issues hardware or software. How many computers can do that for ya?

btw, those funky new black round Mac's will not be making an appearance on my table.

[DJ Hellfire]

Originally Posted by scrnplyr

I have a 2010 and it's worked flawlessly with Pro Tools. The only little issue I have is with the dumb wireless mouse sucking the batteries every 6 weeks or so. I bought a battery charger and recharge the batteries, but other than that I love this machine - zero issues hardware or software. How many computers can do that for ya?

btw, those funky new black round Mac's will not be making an appearance on my table.

Yeah, I have this same issue with my iMac. Thing eats batteries like crazy. I have a Logitech in the studio and I can't remember the last time I changed the battery.

And yeah not touching the new Mac Pro. I was actually looking for a 2010-2011 but I couldn't find any.