Is it worth buying a Macpro 4,1 today?

henritroyat · Feb 3, 2014

Hello

I'm looking to buy a desktop in order to be able to work on OSX and play games too. I don't want a laptop for various reasons that I won't list here.

On the second hand market, Macpro 4,1 are pretty cheap. I can buy one for 1,000$. After that, I just have to install a SSD, install more RAM and buy a graphical card... I think I could have a beast for 1500$.

Is it worth it, processor/performance wise?
Thanks a lot for your opinions, guys.

AkuskaUK · Feb 3, 2014

I would really recommend buying a 4,1! I have a 2.26GHz 8-Core and its a brilliant machine, the only woes i have about it is the processors... which should be getting upgraded soon.

My GTX770 arrives tomorrow hopefully (it was supposed to arrive today -_- ) and i have recently put in a Seagate 2TB SSHD Hybrid drive and it runs smooth!

They are excellent machines, which you can also flash the firmware to a 5,1 to prolong its life

echoout · Feb 3, 2014

I hunt for deals on dual CPU 4,1s every day. Such a steal.

Macsonic · Feb 3, 2014

Hi henritroyat. A 4.1 is still worth it today. I've used 4.1 and 5.1 Mac Pros and they're performance is similar. Runs smoothly in my case. Some users would get a 2.66ghz quad for about $800 to $900 and upgrade the processors to a 6 core 3.33ghz.

forcesteeler · Feb 3, 2014

Running on a Mac Pro 1.1 and I do all my Final Cut, and Programming, Bought it in 2007 Installed 32GB of Ram with is running Custom Hacked Tineo Boot hack which enables me to run Mac OSX 10.9.1. I figure I'm good for another 2-3 Years. So a Mac Pro 4.1 is a great investment.

I will upgrade once Apple comes out with the 4K Display, and by the time that comes out the New Mac Pro will be even faster and cheaper.

Angelus · Feb 3, 2014

I've recently made the change to a 4,1 from an IMac 2011.

Mac Pro 4,1 2.66GHZ quad core with stock 6GB RAM, 640GB HDD and a 4870.
I've since flashed to 5,1 and there's a 3.33GHZ Quad core on the way.
I bought a Samsung 250GB EVO and made a DIY 3.25 TB Fusion dive which seems to be working well. Last night I installed an EVGA 760 2GB which seems to be working well.
All that's left now is a screen but that might be a while.

superdx · Feb 3, 2014

if you upgrade the processor, and get a decent GPU upgrade, it should last you another 2 years.

At least I'm hoping mine does

And I did the above upgrades!

Swampus · Feb 3, 2014

I think the 4,1 is a great value today. Good upgrade potential, but still quite capable even before the upgrades.

echoout · Feb 3, 2014

Swampus said:
I think the 4,1 is a great value today. Good upgrade potential, but still quite capable even before the upgrades.

For sure. We have 2 13-seat labs full of 4,1s where I teach motion graphics design and truly amazing work is done on those machines every day.

And nothing wrong with 208 cores crankin' on Cinema 4D Team Renders!

henritroyat · Feb 4, 2014

Thanks for all your answers guys. Really appreciated.

carlosm86 · Feb 4, 2014

forcesteeler said:
Running on a Mac Pro 1.1 and I do all my Final Cut, and Programming, Bought it in 2007 Installed 32GB of Ram with is running Custom Hacked Tineo Boot hack which enables me to run Mac OSX 10.9.1. I figure I'm good for another 2-3 Years. So a Mac Pro 4.1 is a great investment.

I will upgrade once Apple comes out with the 4K Display, and by the time that comes out the New Mac Pro will be even faster and cheaper.

same deal for me. I professionally shoot and edit commercials, docs, films all from a super old 1,1 with the same upgrades as yours (sans Mavericks, which should be getting done tonight)

Easily paid itself off and then some. Ill likely be waiting 2-3 years for the nMP

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Is it worth buying a Macpro 4,1 today?

henritroyat

macrumors newbie

AkuskaUK

macrumors 6502

echoout

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Macsonic

macrumors 68000

forcesteeler

macrumors 6502

Angelus

macrumors 6502

superdx

macrumors regular

Swampus

macrumors 6502

echoout

macrumors 6502a

henritroyat

macrumors newbie

carlosm86

macrumors member

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