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Quad Core, how far back should I go?

L

~Lukasdp

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 15, 2007
22
0
Hi all, Im a retouching artist looking to invest (finally) in a Mac Pro. I don't see a need to look past the Quad cores as PS cant use more then that anyway. So im curious if its a good idea to grab a 2006 model with at least 10GB of RAM or spend more and get a slightly newer one with a faster Processor? Im looking to spend no more then 2500 so I am limited but I expect I can get a machine that will run CS5 like a dream.
here are two options I'm considering:

http://store.apple.com/ca/product/FB871LL/A?mco=MTEzMzA3MDk


http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...96083&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_2498wt_1141


the one from Apple has a newer processor and thus much faster RAM, the one on ebay has a whole lot more RAM and a price I expect that wont top 1500. I can always add RAM I know, and the warranty and the risk from ebay, etc. Im curious if one will run PS noticeably faster then the other? Can the older one run 64bit software?

whats your opinion / suggestion?
thanks!
~Lukas,

http://www.lukasdp.com
http://www.lukaspeters.com
 
johnnymg

johnnymg

macrumors 65816
Nov 16, 2008
1,318
7
NEITHER are good deals.

Just watch for the current (2010) 2.8 GHz Quad for the same price as the old gen refurb unit. Someone at Apple must be on crack to list the 4.1 at that price.

cheers
JohnG
 
P

PhoenixMac

macrumors 65816
Mar 7, 2010
1,009
1
If you need it asap get refurb if you can wait get the 2010 next time it hits refurb store
 
RebootD

RebootD

macrumors 6502a
Jan 27, 2009
737
0
NW Indiana
Wow yeah I'd agree on waiting for the 2010 refurbs. They will be faster, come with a much better video card and be the same price as the 2009 you posted.
 
Hrududu

Hrududu

macrumors 68020
Jul 25, 2008
2,299
627
Central US
I've seen pretty much base 2.66 quad 06 Mac Pros sell on eBay for less than $1000 a few times. Therefore, I would assume you can get a much newer one for the $2500 you can spend.
 
T

toxic

macrumors 68000
Nov 9, 2008
1,664
1
don't get a 2006 model. stick with 2009 or 2010. if you're buying refurbished, Apple is listing refurb '10 2.8 quads at the same price as '09 2.66 quads for some strange reason ($2119), so just get the 2.8...

B&H might still have new '09 2.66 MPs for $2099. on eBay they usually go for around $1700 (used) with no add-ons.
 
johnnymg

johnnymg

macrumors 65816
Nov 16, 2008
1,318
7
~Lukasdp said:
thanks for the replies! glad I asked.
just to clarify is this the version you think I should wait for?
http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC560LL/A?mco=MTkyMTM2MDM
Click to expand...

YES, that's the one you want. You can sign up for instant email notification on the refurbme web sit. Click on the 2.8 GHz image and you should be able to input your email info and they will instant mail you when one of these shows up in the Apple refurb store: http://www.refurb.me/

Good luck and just say no to last gen "deals". :p

JohnG
 
T

toxic

macrumors 68000
Nov 9, 2008
1,664
1
RebootD said:
Not unless they want to stick with the GT120 gfx card. Add on the cost of a 5770 and it's right back up to the refurb price of a 2010.
Click to expand...

minus the cost of taxes, and you have two video cards or get $80 or so back from selling the GT120.
 
S

scottsjack

macrumors 68000
Aug 25, 2010
1,906
311
Arizona
By the time you upgrade from the 640GB HD, buy and install a good graphics card and install Airport the price for any of the Early 2009 MPs is not worth it for most people. Even the $1900 B&H one doesn't cut it.

With a 2009 you still end up with a MP that doesn't have the latest boards and firmware in it. If you sell it in a few years it will always seem older than it is and will sell for less than a 2010.

I think the best, cheapest MP deal out there is the basic 2010 from B&H. They're a terrific store and tax free for those of us lucky enough to not live in New York makes a difference at MP prices.
 
RebootD

RebootD

macrumors 6502a
Jan 27, 2009
737
0
NW Indiana
toxic said:
minus the cost of taxes, and you have two video cards or get $80 or so back from selling the GT120.
Click to expand...

Whoa some sucker... I mean person would actually pay $80 for a used GT120?!? Tell me where and I'll let the know I'll have one for sale asap. :D
 
L

~Lukasdp

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 15, 2007
22
0
thanks everyone, vote seems rather unanimous and my mind is set on the 2010 model. glad I asked.
I live in Canada, am i limited to only the Canadian mac store or will the US store ship to me?
 
ActionableMango

ActionableMango

macrumors G3
Sep 21, 2010
9,612
6,907
Martyimac

Martyimac

macrumors 68020
Aug 19, 2009
2,444
1,678
S. AZ.
I also succumbed

I've been lurking around this thread and you folks have cost me some bucks. ;)
I just ordered a 2.8GHz quad core from B&H photo. If you add up the shipping and sales tax savings, and the slightly lesser price B&H charges, I probably saved around $400, if not a tad more.
This is something I have been pondering for a while and thank you to all the folks that posted. I decided on the 2010 over the 2009 model just because it will have the newest firmware. Maybe at some point down the road I can put a faster processor in.
Now it's off to the OWC website for RAM and MAYBE an SSD drive.
 
philipma1957

philipma1957

macrumors 603
Apr 13, 2010
6,365
251
Howell, New Jersey
Martyimac said:
I've been lurking around this thread and you folks have cost me some bucks. ;)
I just ordered a 2.8GHz quad core from B&H photo. If you add up the shipping and sales tax savings, and the slightly lesser price B&H charges, I probably saved around $400, if not a tad more.
This is something I have been pondering for a while and thank you to all the folks that posted. I decided on the 2010 over the 2009 model just because it will have the newest firmware. Maybe at some point down the road I can put a faster processor in.
Now it's off to the OWC website for RAM and MAYBE an SSD drive.
Click to expand...

are you looking for 3 sticks of 4gb ram? owc is the best ssd deal.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Martyimac

Martyimac

macrumors 68020
Aug 19, 2009
2,444
1,678
S. AZ.
philipma1957 said:
are you looking for 3 sticks of 4gb ram? I grabbed these so far they are good.
Click to expand...
I'm going to pass but thank you. If I go OWC I can get a little back when I return the OEM RAM. Maybe someone else will jump on these.
Thanks again for the offer.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
philipma1957

philipma1957

macrumors 603
Apr 13, 2010
6,365
251
Howell, New Jersey
It was not an offer .

I guess I was not clear they are a regular business.

Just like owc, tigerdirect or newegg.

I am not selling for them.

They just have good ram deals. I am not knocking owc but superbiiz is better for ram and owc is better for ssd's. I also like owc for enclosures. Typing on the net can lead to me or you or anyone to not understanding what the other one means.
 
Martyimac

Martyimac

macrumors 68020
Aug 19, 2009
2,444
1,678
S. AZ.
philipma1957 said:
It was not an offer .

I guess I was not clear they are a regular business.

Just like owc, tigerdirect or newegg.

I am not selling for them.

They just have good ram deals. I am not knocking owc but superbiiz is better for ram and owc is better for ssd's. I also like owc for enclosures. Typing on the net can lead to me or you or anyone to not understanding what the other one means.
Click to expand...

Ahh, sorry for the misunderstanding.
 
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