Mac Pro 5,1 2009 with Xeon 12-core a good choice?

[mkallis]

My 2008 iMac is constantly giving me CPU overload errors in larger sessions. I'm looking to upgrade but don't have a lot of $. I'm considering the system (specs below) at $1,500. I have the PT subscription plan and would like to keep it current. Should this system do the job and last me a few years? Would the $ be better spent on something newer? Thanks all!

Mac Pro 5,1 2009
Two Intel Xeon 3.46 GHz (X5690) Matched Pair HEX (6) Core CPUs.
128GB (8x16GB) PC3-8500 DDR3 Memory
ATI Radeon 5870 512MB GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 Video
500GB Crucial SSD system hard drive
2x 1.5TB 64mb cache Western Digital SATA hard drives
Mac OSX Mojave

[arche3]

That computer is a beast. Yes. It's a great choice.

[arche3]

But need new graphics card. Get a radeon pulse.

I'm not even sure the current 5870 card is comparable with Mojave?

[tclash]

I have a single hex-core 3.46GHz in my 2009 Mac Pro and it runs big mix sessions without breaking a sweat. The 12-core version should be plenty!

The main limitation with these machines is no Thunderbolt.

I put a flashed 7950 in mine to run Mojave. Can't verify if the 5870 supports it or not.

[Oliver M]

I run a 12-Core 3.46 GHz, it runs great but a 6-Core will do just fine. If you need lots of RAM then get a 12-Core as it contains more RAM slots. Other than that I would save the bucks to get better cards/more RAM, whatever.

[tclash]

Originally Posted by Oliver M

I would save the bucks to get better cards/more RAM, whatever.

I would second that. Plus, if you find a stock single-processor 2009 or 2010 (4,1 or 5,1) it's super easy to put in a hex-core 3.46 for about $120.

[mkallis]

So I just found out that there’s kind of a dealbreaker with this machine unfortunately. I need something with thunderbolt 2 so I can run an Aplollo Twin MKII. Does anybody know if any of the pre-trashcan Mac pros have thunderbolt 2?

[arche3]

For hdx you don't need thunderbolt.

[TrackerLe]

Of course for HDX you dont need thunderbolt...


But consider, if you want use HDX, you need a gpu, which don´t use both PCIe Powerplugs (like the 5870 does)... The new revisions of HDX are shipped with an adapter and you need a Split cable to connect the GPU and the HDX card... You also can use the SATA Port to power the HDX Card. You need an Adapter SATA to 6 PIN. You have to break the adapter on one side to fit the combi Sata Ports of the Mac Pro...

[samtrino]

Actually... it turned out there is a way to add Thunderbolt in a 2009/2010 Mac Pro! Some folks over on macrumors installed a Gigabyte Thunderbolt card in a Mac Pro 5,1 and actually got it working. It needs a dual-boot workaround to get it recognized by macOS, but looks very promising:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads...mp-5-1.2143042

Here's another thread with a guy running a TB UAD Apollo on a Mac Pro 2009:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads...orking.2165590