Mac Pro that is better than 3.1GHz i5 iMac for Snow Leopard

Fozziebear40 · Feb 21, 2015

Hi

I need a Snow Leopard System (old PowerPC software to run). I have it running on a mid 2011 iMac, runs perfect (I got SL system disks from Apple, last machine to run it). I am pre-empting and want a backup or new system equally as fast or better.

I have Yosemite on this iMac as well with Parallels running SL server and it works, but slowly with 16GB ram.

I have a choice then between a new Mac Pro with SL Server running in Parallels, will it be any quicker in Parallels than my current native iMac? Or do I get an old 2,1 Mac Pro?

I have researched geekbench scores etc and think an 8 core 2,1 Mac Pro is my maximum, but would like opinions and help please.

Snow Leopard on an old Mac Pro or virtualisation SL Server on new Mac Pro?

Thanks.

mikeboss · Feb 21, 2015

why a MacPro2,1? the MacPro5,1 will run Snow Leopard just fine. put in the highest clocked CPU you can find (four or six core Xeon running at 3.46 GHz) and you're good to go.

Fozziebear40 · Feb 21, 2015

Thanks Mike, didn't realise 5,1 could, brilliant. Obviously the new bin shape Mac Pro's wont because of drivers I presume?

mikeboss · Feb 21, 2015

correct. the late 2013 Mac Pro only runs 10.9 and later. there's a small catch though: you may need to install Snow Leopard using an older machine. the MacPro5,1 needs at leats 10.6.4 but in retail there never was anything newer than a 10.6.3 DVD. or you need to find a 2010 install DVD ->

http://www.welovemacs.com/2z6916698a.html

Tucom · Feb 21, 2015

mikeboss said:
correct. the late 2013 Mac Pro only runs 10.9 and later. there's a small catch though: you may need to install Snow Leopard using an older machine. the MacPro5,1 needs at leats 10.6.4 but in retail there never was anything newer than a 10.6.3 DVD. or you need to find a 2010 install DVD ->

http://www.welovemacs.com/2z6916698a.html

Yeah don't buy from this place though, their prices are outrageous. $800 for a $50 6800 GPU?

mikeboss · Feb 21, 2015

sorry, the link I provided was just meant for reference (part # etc.). this was just the first link that popped up after entering the part number of my install 10.6.4 DVD into Google...

DougTheImpaler · Feb 21, 2015

Here's an eBay listing for $16: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mac-Pro-OS-...ations-Install-DVD-Snow-Leopard-/141572500437

phairphan · Feb 21, 2015

Just throwing this out there: The 4,1 will also take the same processor upgrades mikeboss mentioned and you can use the Snow Leopard install dvd with 10.6.3 as the 4,1 originally shipped with Leopard.

Macsonic · Feb 21, 2015

Fozziebear40 said:
Thanks Mike, didn't realise 5,1 could, brilliant. Obviously the new bin shape Mac Pro's wont because of drivers I presume?

Good choices would be either the 4,1 Early 2009 or 5,1 Mid 2010 Mac Pros to run the Snow Leopard 10.6.3 installer. I have a 4,1 2009 and can be installed with a retail install DVD of Snow Leopard 10.6.3 or the Snow Leopard 10.6 ( Good for 3 Macs ) Just note that machine specific install DVDs may not run on your Mac Pro as they may only work on the machine they were bundled with. I tried this before and did not work.

Fozziebear40 · Feb 22, 2015

Thank you all for your help. Yes Macsonic, I'll wait until I get the Mac, I might get an install from what I have or I will buy ebay as Doug found. I am really glad I don't have to go the very old route now. I have a Mac Mini as backup now and even an old MacBook Pro but they are slow, had a Dual G5 that died as well

For good measure I even had a 1985 Macintosh 128k!

Macsonic · Feb 22, 2015

Fozziebear40 said:
Thank you all for your help. Yes Macsonic, I'll wait until I get the Mac, I might get an install from what I have or I will buy ebay as Doug found. I am really glad I don't have to go the very old route now. I have a Mac Mini as backup now and even an old MacBook Pro but they are slow, had a Dual G5 that died as well For good measure I even had a 1985 Macintosh 128k!

Welcome Fozzlebear40. About the eBay link given by DougtheImpaler, before buying, clarify with seller if the Snow Leopard installer came from a previous Mac and that you are allowed to return the discs in case it does not work with your machine. I saw the photos and they seem similar to the gray colored discs that are machine specific.

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