1st Gen. Mac Pro VS New Mac Pro

[rumrunner]

Hello all,

I am considering upgrading from a 1st Gen. Mac Pro 2.66 to a new Mac Pro, but I am really torn between the models and whether or not this upgrade is going to be worth it. Depending on the day, I do video / web / graphics work, with both Adobe and Apple software products and I enjoy gaming (WOW, FPS, RGPs, etc.) when time allows.

Current Setup
2 X 2.66 GHz Dual-Core
6GB RAM
1.5TBs of HDD
ATI 3870
1 X 16x Superdrive
1 X 20x LG "superdrive"
AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi Card with 802.11n

Option 1 $3702 CAN (ED Price)
One 2.93GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon
6GB (3x2GB) (I know it is cheaper at OWC but not for Canadians [when you consider currency conversion, shipping and duties).
640GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s
ATI Radeon HD 4870 512MB
One 18x SuperDrive
AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi Card with 802.11n

Option 2 $3667 CAN (ED price)
# Two 2.26GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon
# 6GB (6x1GB)
640GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s
ATI Radeon HD 4870 512MB
One 18x SuperDrive
AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi Card with 802.11n

I think I can sell my current Mac Pro for ~$2000 CAN, which would make the current upgrade ~$1700. So, what do you think...is it worth the upgrade and if so, which model (I usually hang on to a machine for 2-3 years). I look forward to hearing your thoughts...

 

[Umbongo]

Option 1 would be my choice and it will give you a significant performance increase.

 

[waiwai]

Option 1 would be my choice and it will give you a significant performance increase.

I second that.

The i7 is a beast... and that 4870 will ROAST the 3870 u have now... definately worth the upgrade if ur into gaming.

 

[rumrunner]

Thanks for the input! So you don't think that 8 cores trumps 4 cores even at the fewer Ghz?

 

[iSaygoodbye]

if i were you id take out some of the ram on the old mac pro and put it in the new one.