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2.00Ghz with goodies or 2.66Ghz flat
- Thread starter Glenn Wolsey
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Glenn, the decision is too easy. You said it yourself, you want the system to grow with you. You can upgrade RAM the easiest. Get the faster CPU now, and 3GB of RAM which is already an optimal amount for what you do with the computer now, and once you get to the point where you want to upgrade buy more RAM.
You already have 750gb of HD space which you won't use anytime soon. So you will only have to upgrade the memory the next time you get some free cash to put towards your Mac.
You already have 750gb of HD space which you won't use anytime soon. So you will only have to upgrade the memory the next time you get some free cash to put towards your Mac.
Completely fine if you're not doing any real 3d work (or gaming of course). Again, depends what you're doing.
The 2.0ghz has just as much grow-with-you capability as the 2.66ghz. When you start pumping out work on it thats processor intensive and the time is bothering you...throw two 3.0ghz in there. By the time you need them they will have dropped in price a lot.
Since both machines are ultimately equal on the grow-with-you front, ask yourself this; would you feel that extra .66ghz when the machine arrived? I extremely doubt it given what you're doing at least to start with. You would, however, feel another HD. And the money you save with the proc will go a lot further towards a proc upgrade down the line when they drop in price...if you ever need one.
I've contemplated this exact question myself and ruled out the 2.66ghz. I'm a web dev and also want a machine which will grow with me, so couldn't get an iMac because of this.
No, not at all.
And where is this sarcasm you speak of?!??!
Given his 'I'm a carrot' signature I thought he may be joking. But a) there's people like this and b) I'd hate for anybody to take that seriously.
As you grow and get into bigger things, you can add on RAM and HD space.
I must say, I did wonder what you would use such a large machine for, Glenn. But when you put it that way it makes sense. The machine will last you a while and you will be able to "grow with it". Good choice.
I must say, I did wonder what you would use such a large machine for, Glenn. But when you put it that way it makes sense. The machine will last you a while and you will be able to "grow with it".
Good choice.
Yeah...thats what they all say.
Glenn I think a 2.0Ghz machine would be fine for you. I highly doubt you will see a difference in what you intend to use it for.
I would upgrade the graphic card to the X1900XT as that cant be upgraded I think but the CPUs can. Also as suggested go for the larger HDD not the Raptor X. In photo editing, the graphic card will come in handy i.e if you do complex phot editing, otherwised a smller upgrade would be fine. On the other hand you said you want the machine to grow with you so the X1900 would last you longer.
I would highly recommend buying the slowest upgradeable components right now provided they give you your required performance and save money. If you buy more powerful stuff now, then there will be some 'untapped' performance being wasted. Secondly when you NEED that untapped performance, it will cost a lot less to acquire it later on.
You can sell you Mac Pro later on if you want while its still not 'obsolete' and old and as Mac prices fall down slowly, you should be able to get quite a bit of your money back for a new Mac.
I would highly recommend buying the slowest upgradeable components right now provided they give you your required performance and save money. If you buy more powerful stuff now, then there will be some 'untapped' performance being wasted. Secondly when you NEED that untapped performance, it will cost a lot less to acquire it later on.
You can sell you Mac Pro later on if you want while its still not 'obsolete' and old and as Mac prices fall down slowly, you should be able to get quite a bit of your money back for a new Mac.
The 2.66 does seem to be the best vfm mac pro at the moment , I'm seriously considering buying one soon
I guess you can add a blu ray drive later ?
I guess you can add a blu ray drive later ?
another vote for the 2.66 here. I'm getting my Mac Pro in March 2010, can't wait to see how they look then!
I think I'll end up with the 2.00Ghz, depends what display setup I go with. I think I'd value extra screen resolution more than saving ten seconds here and five seconds there..but it all depends. I should have made my mind up by day out.
IMO the 2.0 is a terrible value. I have said this in other threads. In most cases I don't think the savings are really worth it. It might be a little different in New Zealand though.
Go with your gut. Of course you can upgrade when the warranty is up as well. Of course, you could wait for an update 
Good luck Glenn, I am sure you will love it no matter what you get. I loved mine and I can't wait to get a new one later this year.
Go with your gut. Of course you can upgrade when the warranty is up as well. Of course, you could wait for an update
Good luck Glenn, I am sure you will love it no matter what you get. I loved mine and I can't wait to get a new one later this year.
IMO the 2.0 is a terrible value. I have said this in other threads. In most cases I don't think the savings are really worth it. It might be a little different in New Zealand though.
Go with your gut. Of course you can upgrade when the warranty is up as well. Of course, you could wait for an update
Good luck Glenn, I am sure you will love it no matter what you get. I loved mine and I can't wait to get a new one later this year.
Savings in New Zealand are much larger, $600 is what I save going from 2.66 to 2.00 - that's a lot considering Apple already overcharge New Zealanders for their products.
I just found a deal on a 30" Apple Cinema Display, I'm sure I'd notice the difference more than the processor upgrade. Just waiting a little..
$415 is a nice sum of cash. If you think 2.0 ghz are enough for your needs, then it's a no-brainer to save the cash.
With your savings, you could go buy a really nice dinner for yourself and a friend or two.
As soon as you see that spinning ball, you are going to be very mad dude. Get the 2.66. You said "grow with you". You are going to outgrow 2.0 in a few weeks. There is 2 things you can't be cheap with yourself on, food, and Apple products.
the 2.66 seems like the 'sweet spot' for the mac pro , no wonder they made it the starter point , it''s an AMAZING bit of kit
clever guys those chaps at apple hq
a few years ago we had the dilemma of a 450 or 500 mhz g4 after moto-useless cocked up their cpu fabs - again
we should all rejoice that apple have at last found a really good cpu supplier
why they didn't change years ago is beyond me !!?
clever guys those chaps at apple hq
a few years ago we had the dilemma of a 450 or 500 mhz g4 after moto-useless cocked up their cpu fabs - again
we should all rejoice that apple have at last found a really good cpu supplier
why they didn't change years ago is beyond me !!?
I'm 99% sure when I place my order tomorrow I'll be clicking on the 2.00Ghz button. This is mainly due to the fact that I ordered a 30" Apple Cinema Display today instead of the intended 23" Apple Cinema Display.
In hindsight, I think I made the decision as I'll notice the increased resolution much, much more than the extra oomph in the processor.
I'll keep the thread updated with my decision.
In hindsight, I think I made the decision as I'll notice the increased resolution much, much more than the extra oomph in the processor.
I'll keep the thread updated with my decision.