Which Mac Pro did YOU get and why? POST HERE!

[Woodgrove@macla]

Many are still not sure which Mac Pro model they're gonna get. Let's make a list here. Post which one you bought and motivate why in a few words. Would be interesting to see which setup is most popular :rolleyes:

[sboerup]

Hexacore + 5870 + 16gb . . . it's more than I need (LR & PS usage mainly), but I always like having the best and wanted to futureproof myself . . . somewhat :)

[GroundLoop]

I got a 2008 8-core 2.8GHz Mac Pro because it was and still is the best bang for the buck. Mac Pro prices have gotten crazy with the 2009+ models. My 2008 still gets a 13000 geek bench score and is more than enough machine for now. Maybe in a few more years there will be enough new technology in the MP to consider an upgrade.

GL

[SeanDL]

I think you'll find, no contest, that the hexacore is the most popular option. Plenty of other threads supporting why it is a great buy.

I went with the dual-quads at 2.4, 8 GB of RAM and the 5870. It was already a little outside my budget, but with RAM upgrades the hexacore would have been so far outside my budget there was no hope of getting it. I work primarily in After Effects, Final Cut and Avid.

I think the dual quad is going to be the least popular model this time around, and I dont' think you'll see many people advocating it as a purchase, unless you're incredibly RAM hungry and on a budget.

[milbournosphere]

Went with the quad core. Wanted the 6 core, but budget limitations took hold :). I dunno, 8 threads is good enough for me, and since the single processor boxes can take 32GB of RAM, this machine is plenty expandable.

[CountlovE]

I got a 3.3 6core because I have a very small penis and need to make up for it in raw CPU power.

[alphaod]

I have the 2009 8-core 2.66GHz because I wanted the performance encoding videos. I also run multiple VMs and it's nice to be able to allocate two cores to each VM. Didn't go for the 2.93GHz because I didn't need the extra performance, so I put my money elsewhere.

[J the Ninja]

I got the 2.8 quad, since I'm still a student and couldn't justify spending the money on anything bigger. I added 8GB of RAM and a second HDD myself, so this should serve me well as a workstation and practice box for a few years. Eventually I can upgrade the RAM to 16GB and add an SSD for some extra speed, when the time comes. In the meantime, the extra power is great, as is not having to choose between the PC tower and the MBP.

[eponym]

I'm one of the rare few who got the 2010 8-core. I'm an advocate for the 6-core in general, but the 8-core was my choice because:

- My workflow is lots of concurrent processes, not fewer complex ones
- Lots of virtualization (more physical cores the better)
- Cheaper/Easier to expand RAM (and the stock 6GB is actually useful)
- Company purchase, so being cheaper makes the budget people happy
- Can be upgraded later to a 12-core (this is more of a bonus)
- Since it wasn't my $$, I was willing to go on a hunch that the 8-core would suit my needs as well as the 6 (it's not like I was gonna end up with a piece of junk either way ;))

[Chaosg5]

Base model Quad 2.8 with the 5870 and then adding 4x2GB ram.

Ordered 2x4GB dimms but them I bought from messed up and sent 8x2GB and as they didn't have any 4GB either I'm keeping the four spare ones as compensation :D

Seriously tho, may still send them back altho not sure if I can be bothered, if they deserve it, know what they're doing or even care about it and I for that matter don't need more than 8GB anyhow.

Anyway it'll be used for gaming mostly, I do some web dev/design stuff also but not like it'll use much of it's potential for that. But as I now (hopefully tomorrow/friday) will have lots of power for it I may do some video editing and such just for fun :)

[Garamond]

12-core 2.93GHz
Radeon 5870
32GB RAM (4 x 8GB)
480GB OWC Mercury Extreme Pro SSD
3 x 2TB S-ATA drives

Because I need the power and the space.

[alphaod]

12-core 2.93GHz
Radeon 5870
32GB RAM (4 x 8GB)
480GB OWC Mercury Extreme Pro SSD
3 x 2TB S-ATA drives

Because I need the power and the space.

Why do you need the power and space?

Also why did you go for 4x 8GB sticks?

[MacAddict2000]

I had to get an Early 2009 because it was taking Apple so dang long to update the lineup. I have the base Quad-Core model with the ATI 4870. Will be upgrading to 12GB of RAM eventually.

[chaosbunny]

I ordered a 2,8 ghz quad with the 5870 gpu and - not via Apple - 2x4gb ram & another 1tb hd for win7. The machine will be used for Adobe CS5 Design Standard, some Cinema 4D & Final Cut Express stuff and gaming. It's not really for business use though, so I thought the 2,8 is plenty and the 3,2 or 3,3 are not worth it for me.

[mattmower]

I opted for the 6-core 3.33GHz, 3GB, & the 5770. I'll add 2x4GB from Crucial and an SSD from somewhere.

I do software development & audio production. The hex seemed a great mix of fast CPU and multi-tasking and was just about in my budget.

I'm using a 2007, 2.4GHz MBP with 4GB at the moment so I can't wait for it to arrive!

[wally21]

12-core, 2.93GHz
6GB RAM (soon to be upgraded with 8GB sticks)
ati 5870 video card
1TB drive (have storage server and will be investing in an SSD soon)


use for 3D modeling and rendering (Rhino, V-Ray, etc)

I've gotten up over 32GB of RAM usage using Processing (java based programming tool if you don't know). isosurfacing can be very resource intensive.

[milo]

I opted for the 6-core 3.33GHz, 3GB, & the 5770. I'll add 2x4GB from Crucial and an SSD from somewhere.

I do software development & audio production. The hex seemed a great mix of fast CPU and multi-tasking and was just about in my budget.

I'm using a 2007, 2.4GHz MBP with 4GB at the moment so I can't wait for it to arrive!

What audio app?

[bzollinger]

I ordered the 3.2GHz quad, stock 3GB RAM (adding 8GB more 3rd party), and stock everything else. Should get here on friday!!:D

I had been looking at the 2.93GHz '09 quad for a while because the '09, 3.33GHz was way out of the park. So when the 2010s came out the 3.2 fit nicely.

I REALLY WANTED the hexcore, but after lots of research and internal debates I just didn't NEED it. The extra $700 wouldn't be that useful for my mostly photography based work flow. A better monitor, an SSD and more RAM is a better use of that money.

When the software I use catches up to a hex or doda-core machine, then I'll go there....

[reel2reel]

I got a 3.3 6core because I have a very small penis and need to make up for it in raw CPU power.

Maybe you should've just bought yourself one of those bluetooth ear thingies instead. Cheaper.

Next comes the SUV/pickup truck, I guess.

[mattmower]

What audio app?

I mainly use a mixture of Logic, Live (and Max for Live), Kontakt, Omnisphere, Reaktor, and some of my own stuff written in Objective-C/Cocoa.

Matt.

[Icaras]

I mainly use a mixture of Logic, Live (and Max for Live), Kontakt, Omnisphere, Reaktor, and some of my own stuff written in Objective-C/Cocoa.

Matt.

Very nice. I use the same exact software and plug-ins. I don't have omnisphere but I hear it's amazing.

I did however pre-order Komplete 7 so I'm very eager to hear Reaktor 5.5.

[Garamond]

Why do you need the power and space?

Also why did you go for 4x 8GB sticks?
I need it because I work in graphic industry, and I went for 4 x 8GB sticks for the possibility of going all the way to 64GB later on without the need to remove any.

[rk25123]

12-core 2.93GHz
Radeon 5870
32GB RAM (4 x 8GB)
480GB OWC Mercury Extreme Pro SSD
3 x 2TB S-ATA drives

Because I need the power and the space.

WOW. Using CountlovE's logic you must have a micropenis! :)

[alphaod]

I need it because I work in graphic industry, and I went for 4 x 8GB sticks for the possibility of going all the way to 64GB later on without the need to remove any.

I see; can you see if you can put all 4 in one side to see if it works? I'm planning on getting 12GB in 3 sticks and getting 24GB later on…

[mattmower]

Very nice. I use the same exact software and plug-ins. I don't have omnisphere but I hear it's amazing.

I did however pre-order Komplete 7 so I'm very eager to hear Reaktor 5.5.

Not to go too far off topic but Omnisphere is a fabulous synth, so inspiring. And, in over a year, I am hardly scratching the surface of it.

Remember after you receive your K7 bundle you will still have to go sign up for the public beta (http://www.native-instruments.com/index.php?id=publicbeta) on the NI site to get 5.5 as it hasn't been officially launched yet.

Matt

[Vylen]

Check my sig..

Got it for XCode (C++), NetBeans (Java), Blender, Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, Lightroom... and Steam Gaming ;)

I'm watching my page usage to figure out how much RAM I should get... currently got XCode and Blender open and other stuff and using 8GB Page.. so 12GB of RAM would "just be enough" but if I have any other additional apps open (e.g. Photoshop or Netbeans since I'm awesome at multitasking :p) page size will definitely increase... so maybe 16GB... hmmmm

Also... looking forward to how this machine will handle Portal 2 when it's released next year ;)

[Garamond]

I see; can you see if you can put all 4 in one side to see if it works? I'm planning on getting 12GB in 3 sticks and getting 24GB later on…
When using one or more 8GB sticks they all need to be the same, according to OWC. Can't add a 4GB stick later.

The rig haven't shipped yet, so it'll probably be another two weeks until it arrives here.

[alphaod]

When using one or more 8GB sticks they all need to be the same, according to OWC. Can't add a 4GB stick later.

The rig haven't shipped yet, so it'll probably be another two weeks until it arrives here.

Of course I don't mind waiting either for an answer to that! Thanks!

[Chupa Chupa]

Stock 2.8Ghz + added 8MB of Kingston RAM. Why did I get this model? It's all I needed. (Not nec. all I wanted, but money doesn't grow on any of my trees). I might trade it in if the 2011 Sandy Bridge models are especially impressive, but very happy w/ it for now. It's not the fasted kid on the block but it's a heck of a lot faster than my old kid.

[tengo84]

I bought a quad because I don't want to pay extra for cores I don't need. Nor do I believe in paying a hefty price hike for future-proofing of vaporware. I'm not convinced that most software will utilize more than 1-4 cores anytime soon.

Also, I believe that "1066 vs 1333", and "dual vs. triple channel", is pretty much insignificant for 95% of users. I'm buying 2 x 4GB sticks for now, and will add another stick or two in the future.

I need the tower for more internal storage, choice of SSD (OWC 120), eSATA card, and non-glossy screen. iMac wouldn't work for me.

Keeping all that in mind, I opted for the higher 3.2 clock speed than base 2.8. I steered away from hackintosh because I don't have the time to research and build it, nor would I want to, not to mention added worries that any given update will break it.

I use my Mac for all the everyday stuff plus I'm a photoshop and video hobbyist. My G4 Quicksilver is crumbling before my eyes, it's been running 24/7 for 10 years now. I was overdue for an upgrade! :D