08' Mac Pro 2.8 or new 09' 2.26: Buy from a friend or buy from apple

[Rafalski24]

Hey so I just got off the phone with a friend who has a 08' Mac Pro:
2 x 2.8GHz quad
6 gigs of ram (4 slots open)
2 x 1TB hard drives
a 500 and 320 hard drives
8800 graphics card
all for $2100 plus shipping

or with my developers discount I get
2 x 2.26 quad
8gb ram (4 slots open)
640 gb hard drive
and a 4870 ati
all for about $2900
but i would need to get a couple of 1TB drives

My friends mac pro is out of warranty and since it is I can't go and get a longer one. Not sure that I would but its nice to have the option. I am going to be doing HD editing (1080p60 sometimes) and photoshop work. At some point in the future I hope to start doing more After Effects and Motion work. Anyway Should I save the money and go for the 2.8? Thoughts
Thanks!

 

[yanquis]

are you planning on upgrading the proc of the nehalem (at any point)?

if not, your friends computer is simply faster (or at least as fast) + way cheaper. the only downside is its pretty much maxed out while you could potentially add a massive speed boost to the nehalem in the future (if gulftown is compatible, like 2-3x as fast! otherwise youll be topped out @ 3.33 ghz). if its enough processing power as is though, just go cheaper & spend the extra G on something nice.

 

[handheldgames]

The 2.8x8 without question...

Hey so I just got off the phone with a friend who has a 08' Mac Pro:
2 x 2.8GHz quad
6 gigs of ram (4 slots open)
2 x 1TB hard drives
a 500 and 320 hard drives
8800 graphics card
all for $2100 plus shipping

or with my developers discount I get
2 x 2.26 quad
8gb ram (4 slots open)
640 gb hard drive
and a 4870 ati
all for about $2900
but i would need to get a couple of 1TB drives

My friends mac pro is out of warranty and since it is I can't go and get a longer one. Not sure that I would but its nice to have the option. I am going to be doing HD editing (1080p60 sometimes) and photoshop work. At some point in the future I hope to start doing more After Effects and Motion work. Anyway Should I save the money and go for the 2.8? Thoughts
Thanks!

 

[Genghis Khan]

^ They're both correct.

The 2.8 Octo with all of those upgrades is ready for you to go.

However, if you intend to upgrade the processor of the Nehalem in the future, that's the way to go.