Help: Dual 3.0GHz + 3GB RAM -or- Dual 2.66GHz + 5GB RAM (ordering tonight)

[rob5]

I'm ready to order a system here and am having a hard time choosing between the following combos:

(1)
Dual 2.66GHz
5GB RAM
1 x 150GB 10K RPM (Raptor)
1 x 500GB 7200 RPM (WD5000YS)
1 x 250GB 7200RPM (stock)
1 x ATI X1900 XT 512MB
Bluetooth 2.0+EDR and AirPort Extreme

(2)
Dual 3.0GHz
3GB RAM
1 x 150GB 10K RPM (Raptor)
1 x 500GB 7200 RPM (WD5000YS)
1 x 160GB 7200 RPM (stock)
1 x NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT 256MB
Bluetooth 2.0+EDR and AirPort Extreme

I'd be downgrading the stock 250GB drive and video card for the 3GHz. Is there really a big difference between 2.66GHz and 3.0GHz that would be noticable? Would the extra 2GB RAM make up for it in the dual 2.66GHz? I do a lot of resource intensive work (multiple copies of Parallels running, for example). Which setup would you go with?

[Chone]

Option 1 seems the most logical, I don't know why you need so much RAM but 2GB and a X1900XT is worth a LOT more than .33 GHz.

I do suggest you get 4GB in 4x1GB configuration for quad channel.

[xfiftyfour]

I'd go with option one

[fivetoadsloth]

id definatly go with more ram and better graphics card. go for option one.

[rob5]

Option 1 seems the most logical, I don't know why you need so much RAM but 2GB and a X1900XT is worth a LOT more than .33 GHz.

I do suggest you get 4GB in 4x1GB configuration for quad channel.

It would be 4x1GB along with the stock 2x512MB memory (6 sticks total). How would you set this up to take advantage of quad channel?

[thugpoet22]

Man what a choice. I think more ram would suit you better. I think its better to have 2 more gigs of ram then 400 mhz of processing power. But im also thinking that it might be best to get an even number of ram like 6 gigs or even 4 gigs. I think you would get better performance if the memory is dual channel. But what ever way you configure it, that machine is going to be a sick puppy.

[Transeau]

It would be 4x1GB along with the stock 2x512MB memory (6 sticks total). How would you set this up to take advantage of quad channel?


You can't. You would have to add two more 512's to that.
Quad channel requires an identical configuration on both of the memory Risers.

[rob5]

You can't. You would have to add two more 512's to that.
Quad channel requires an identical configuration on both of the memory Risers.

I think I am going to go with Dual 2.66GHz and 4GB (4x1GB) then for quad channel. If I don't plan on gaming, is there any advantage in getting a X1900 over the 7300GT? I notice Apple's store says selecting the X1900 can delay shipment as well.

[dkoralek]

Option 1 seems the most logical, I don't know why you need so much RAM but 2GB and a X1900XT is worth a LOT more than .33 GHz.

I do suggest you get 4GB in 4x1GB configuration for quad channel.

RAM is certainly better than the extra processing speed (especially at the premium that Apple charges for the processor upgrade, comparing price to performance gain). If you really need the RAM and don't need the extra gfx processing of the x1900xt, why don't you go for 4 x 512 and 4 x 1 gig in the ram? that way you could go 2 x 512 and 2 x 1 gig on each riser and get the most out of the quad channel for the ram?

cheers.

[ironjaw]

It would be 4x1GB along with the stock 2x512MB memory (6 sticks total). How would you set this up to take advantage of quad channel?

check this out http://peloche.smugmug.com/photos/91752872-O.jpg

it gives the best maximum advantage for stocking RAM

[Chone]

Well you have 2 options, ordering your Mac Pro configured with 4x1GB for 1099$ or you can order it with just 1GB, sell the DIMMs that come with your Mac Pro (on ebay or something) and get 4x1GB of 3rd party ram (tons of saving and no quality compromise) which will run you around 700$, you can sell the 2x512mb EASILY for around 200$, so thats means a sweet 599$ saving in memory alone.

Worth considering but I do suggest that you get 4 DIMMs, no more no less in any configuration you desire to take advantage of quad channel.

[kellen]

Wish I had to make those kind of choices.

In my cheap view, try getting the refurb. if those mhz really matter to you For 3299 you get:

Refurbished Mac Pro Quad 3.0GHz Intel Xeon
Two 3.0GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon processors
2GB (4 x 512MB) memory (667MHz DDR2 fully-buffered DIMM ECC)
250GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s 7200-rpm hard drive
16x SuperDrive (double-layer)
ATI Radeon X1900 XT graphics with 512MB memory

and they are in stock, shipping in 3-5 business days.

You could buy memory like said above to save money and I know people have said that buying harddrives retail is cheaper than apple.

My two cents (and your 5,000 dollars). Either way, good luck!

[ironjaw]

Well you have 2 options, ordering your Mac Pro configured with 4x1GB for 1099$ or you can order it with just 1GB, sell the DIMMs that come with your Mac Pro (on ebay or something) and get 4x1GB of 3rd party ram (tons of saving and no quality compromise) which will run you around 700$, you can sell the 2x512mb EASILY for around 200$, so thats means a sweet 599$ saving in memory alone.

Worth considering but I do suggest that you get 4 DIMMs, no more no less in any configuration you desire to take advantage of quad channel.

This is what i will do I would buy the 4x1gb dimms third party and use the 2x512 as well as shown on 5B in the jpeg I posted to have a total of 5GB RAM. That's the optimal setting. By the way I doubt he will get much for the 2x512 on ebay as loads of people are selling them, better to keep them for that rainy day (Apple Care)

You are getting Apple Care, right?

[PowerMike G5]

Hey Rob5,

I sent you a PM regarding this.

Thanks,

Mike

[SMM]

check this out http://peloche.smugmug.com/photos/91752872-O.jpg

it gives the best maximum advantage for stocking RAM

I am glad Transeau and you just posted that. I was about to screw-up. I knew the banks had to be even, but I was going to put (2) 1GB and (1) 512 MB in each bank (riser). Drat, but thanks!

[ironjaw]

I am glad Transeau and you just posted that. I was about to screw-up. I knew the banks had to be even, but I was going to put (2) 1GB and (1) 512 MB in each bank (riser). Drat, but thanks!

well really you should thank the people over at Apple Discussions especially "peloche". I remember back when the discussions began - there were so many problems with the mac pro - software of course well there is still the problem with the BT keyboard and mouse and Airport I guess.:(

[Neonguy]

I'm ready to order a system here and am having a hard time choosing between the following combos:

(1)
Dual 2.66GHz
5GB RAM
1 x 150GB 10K RPM (Raptor)
1 x 500GB 7200 RPM (WD5000YS)
1 x 250GB 7200RPM (stock)
1 x ATI X1900 XT 512MB
Bluetooth 2.0+EDR and AirPort Extreme

(2)
Dual 3.0GHz
3GB RAM
1 x 150GB 10K RPM (Raptor)
1 x 500GB 7200 RPM (WD5000YS)
1 x 160GB 7200 RPM (stock)
1 x NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT 256MB
Bluetooth 2.0+EDR and AirPort Extreme

I'd be downgrading the stock 250GB drive and video card for the 3GHz. Is there really a big difference between 2.66GHz and 3.0GHz that would be noticable? Would the extra 2GB RAM make up for it in the dual 2.66GHz? I do a lot of resource intensive work (multiple copies of Parallels running, for example). Which setup would you go with?

Eithor option, you are one RICH DUDE! It already look like 5 - 6K Machine to me already. However having the Dual 3.0Ghz with the ATI Graphic card is like a dream machine. It will last you a lot longer and better resale value in the future. I heard people returning and selling the 2.6Ghz one because they want the absolute best. If I have this kind of money I would consider getting the 3.0Ghz, that way you know you have a max out machine and you can alway go back and get more Ram or the ATI Card later on.

[scottlinux]

^ No kidding. I wish I had this 'dilemma.'

[adamfilip]

I had a similar problem
trying to choose between a 2.6 wit 4gb or a 3.0 with 2gb
I went with the 2.6 with 4gb
each machine would have the ati x 1900

Im a heavy multitasker and i would rather my machine keep moving cause it has more memory, then grind to a halt faster cause it has a faster CPU

[Eraserhead]

I had a similar problem
trying to choose between a 2.6 wit 4gb or a 3.0 with 2gb
I went with the 2.6 with 4gb
each machine would have the ati x 1900

Im a heavy multitasker and i would rather my machine keep moving cause it has more memory, then grind to a halt faster cause it has a faster CPU

I think for what you want to do this guy is correct. Though if you aren't a gamer the X1900 is probably a waste, the RAM is certainly worthwhile over the Processor as Parallels eats RAM.

[MacRumorUser]

2.66 mac pro has a noticeable benchmarking increase over the 2ghz model.

The 3ghz mac pro has a less noticeable advantage benchmark wise oer the 2.66ghz model.

Best bang for buck /cpu only is defiently the 2.66 model

Add extra ram and X1900 and you have a killer mac.

I would however suggest you get maybe just 3gb ram initially and work with it for a while and keep an eye on your activity monitor and see if your paging is kept in check like 45001/0 If so then you have no need for the extra 2gb and it wont be an advantage to you. Should you find paging increasing then go ahead and get the memory.

[Silentwave]

I think for what you want to do this guy is correct. Though if you aren't a gamer the X1900 is probably a waste, the RAM is certainly worthwhile over the Processor as Parallels eats RAM.

I think the X1900 is the best idea for most people- as we've seen Leopard and future releases will be depending more and more on the GPU, and many professional programs are becoming GPU dependent (e.g. Aperture)

[PowerMike G5]

I would however suggest you get maybe just 3gb ram initially and work with it for a while and keep an eye on your activity monitor and see if your paging is kept in check like 45001/0 If so then you have no need for the extra 2gb and it wont be an advantage to you. Should you find paging increasing then go ahead and get the memory.

Hey ... can you explain what paging basically means? What is a good number range for it ...

[Jiddick ExRex]

Hey ... can you explain what paging basically means? What is a good number range for it ...

Paging is when the OS inserts memory from the RAM to the HD aka. virtual memory. It pages the memory that is not likely used in there to free up more RAM for more urgent tasks. When you have high page outs (reading from HD) it's because you're lacking RAM, thus making the system taking advantage of the slower virtual memory.

My iBook g4 with 512 has for instance 13000/10000 pageins/outs which is not very good... I basically always have 2/3 of pageouts, so I need more memory.

[Transeau]

here is an example of having enough memory..

[MacRumorUser]

Hey ... can you explain what paging basically means? What is a good number range for it ...


Bascially if you look if you look in the system memory section of activity monitor there is a section that says

page ins/outs this will be a number like 28921/0

avoiding all technical stuff it's the last number after the / you are looking at.

(the first number changes depending on how much work your computer is doing / has done)...

In this case /0 which means at no point did the system run out of memory and have to use virtual memory (hardrive space) which would slow down peformance.

If it stays at /0 you have more than sufficient memory to meet your needs and adding more memory is NOT going to boost your peformance.

However should that /0 change to somthing like 28921/13243
then it means for half of thr activity your computer has been doing you are using a good chunk of virtual memory and therefore could do with more ram in order to boost peformance.

[livingfortoday]

To the OP - Go with the first option, that's definitely more bang for your buck right there.

To MRUser above me here - thanks for explaining that! If I get page outs about 10% compared to the page ins, is that average? Does anyone really get 0? I mean, I have 1.5GB in this Mini, ain't gettin' much higher.

[MacRumorUser]

To MRUser above me here - thanks for explaining that! If I get page outs about 10% compared to the page ins, is that average? Does anyone really get 0? I mean, I have 1.5GB in this Mini, ain't gettin' much higher.

your welcome.

yeah I'd say 10% is about right generally.

Well on my macbook with 1.5gb I rarely get above 0 simply because all I use it for is surfing the net / checking my emails and occasional letter writing...

So it depends on the workload obviously..

[dkoralek]

I am glad Transeau and you just posted that. I was about to screw-up. I knew the banks had to be even, but I was going to put (2) 1GB and (1) 512 MB in each bank (riser). Drat, but thanks!

That is simply because the DIMs must be installed in pairs. There is nothing that says that you would have to install one pair on each riser vs. both pairs on the same riser. Just that you gain performance because you can take advantage of quad channel access by doing so.

Cheers.

[livingfortoday]

your welcome.

yeah I'd say 10% is about right generally.

Well on my macbook with 1.5gb I rarely get above 0 simply because all I use it for is surfing the net / checking my emails and occasional letter writing...

So it depends on the workload obviously..

Ok, cool, good to know. I guess that means I need to get more than 512MB in my Powerbook, which is currently at around 59%. Wow. But it still launches and runs Office faster than the Mini! *sigh* Damn Rosetta.

[Transeau]

If I get page outs about 10% compared to the page ins, is that average? Does anyone really get 0? I mean, I have 1.5GB in this Mini, ain't gettin' much higher.

I get 0. look at my previous post (last one on the first page)
With enough memory, you shouldn't be getting any Page Outs. a 10/1 In/Out ratio just means that 10% of the time, you are swapping to disk.

[livingfortoday]

I get 0. look at my previous post (last one on the first page)
With enough memory, you shouldn't be getting any Page Outs. a 10/1 In/Out ratio just means that 10% of the time, you are swapping to disk.

Ah, but my Mini can't take 6GB of RAM, nor can my wallet right now! But I'll probably up this sucker up to 2GB in the future, which should take care of that extra 10%, no?

[Karpfish]

i have 2Gb ram, and i get 0 outs mosly

[wallock]

It isn't even really a debate - get the extra ram and better vcard. You will be much happier and will notice the improvement.

[iGary]

I can't believe all this advice without asking the OP what types of work he plans on doing...

[PowerMike G5]

Bascially if you look if you look in the system memory section of activity monitor there is a section that says

page ins/outs this will be a number like 28921/0

avoiding all technical stuff it's the last number after the / you are looking at.

(the first number changes depending on how much work your computer is doing / has done)...

In this case /0 which means at no point did the system run out of memory and have to use virtual memory (hardrive space) which would slow down peformance.

If it stays at /0 you have more than sufficient memory to meet your needs and adding more memory is NOT going to boost your peformance.

However should that /0 change to somthing like 28921/13243
then it means for half of thr activity your computer has been doing you are using a good chunk of virtual memory and therefore could do with more ram in order to boost peformance.

Thanks so much for the quick explanation!!!!

:)

[rob5]

Thanks guys. For now I decided to just go with:

Dual 2.66GHz
4GB (4x1GB) RAM
1x150GB 10,000RPM WD Raptor
2x500GB 7,200 RPM WD RE2 WD5000YS
1x250GB 7,200 RPM stock drive (not sure on model?)
NVIDIA GeForce 7300GT
Bluetooth+EDR

I decided to stick with the stock 7300GT as I don't think the X1900 is needed for me yet - I don't play games at all or require anything that uses the GPU heavily. I'll upgrade in the future if needed. Same with Airport Extreme.

Luckily I already have a Dell 2405FPW for a monitor to save costs.

I did overnight shipping.. est ship by Nov 8-13, delivered by Nov 9-14. I hope it's on the shorter end of that estimate.. :)

[PowerMike G5]

Congrats on the purchase ... a mighty fine machine it will be ...

[Sawtoothdude]

that is a nice machine. Enjoy (^.^) :)