2008 8-core 2.8ghz vs 2010 2.8ghz Quad Core for graphic work?

[Charsiu]

Hey all, greeting!

I have a question regarding the older gen (Harpertown) Mac Pro vs the 2010 Mac Pro (Nehalem) on graphical works, hope you guys can help me out.

I am choosing between these two machine.

2008 8-core 2.8ghz
vs
2010 2.8ghz Quad Core


I can pick up a 2008 2.8 octo core from a friend for about half the price of the refurbished 2010 from Apple store.

I will mainly use this machine for illustrator, dreamweaver and photoshop work.
I am a graphic designer / web designer.

I am pretty sure none of my software can really benefit from all 8 cores.
So will I be better off with a quad core 2010?

Can the 2010 justify twice as much in price difference?


Note: The 2008 has 16gb ram and HD5770, and in really good condition. But the 2010 has apple care and can be easily upgrade to 16gb ram for cheap.


Hopefully you guys can give me some advice
Thank you very much!

 

[gpzjock]

Half price is significant. Both machines have similar performance only the price of RAM is a major factor against the cheaper '08. The main benefit of the 2010 (besides the warranty) is that you could max out the memory for cheap and then use half of it as a scratch disk.
Personally I would buy the '08 and invest the rest of your budget in 2 SSD drives (1 for system and pro apps, the other as a scratch disk) plus a GTX570 to use CUDA enabled software much faster. You would need Mountain Moggy too, not Snowy.
You could then use those good bits in your next upgrade Mac Pro too.

 

[stix666]

You can upgrade the 2010 quad to a 3.33 or 3.46 hex core for a few hundred bucks

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1122551/

I don't think this is possible with the 2008 octocore. For the apps you use, the 3.xx hex cores will give the best boost to performance

 

[ashman70]

Its true in terms of upgradeability, the 2008 is limited and hindered by expensive RAM. I guess it comes down to budget really, if you can afford the 2010, then in terms of future options and upgrades, its your better bet, but for ram performance, its a bit of a toss up which machine is faster.

 

[paulrbeers]

If money is no object, then I would recommend the 2010. Most of the software you will use would be better off with faster cores than more of them and the 2010 is faster (per core) than the 2008. With that said, being twice as expensive is tough. The 2008 is basically maxed out (yeah you could replace the 2.8's with 3.0's or 3.2's, but that really isn't much of a bump) whereas the 2010 can go all the way up to 6-core 3.43's (if I remember correctly). Again it's a money thing though. If you can afford (and feel comfortable doing so), I would recommend the 2010, but if you have any hesitation on the cost then stick to the 2008.

 

[bax2003]

2010 for sure.

 

[GermanyChris]

I have/had a 1900 budget for my "new" Mac Pro. When push came to shove though I couldn't justify a "new" '10 Mac Pro. so I bought a used 1,1 upgraded with a pair of 2.66 quad cores a 4870 3x1tb drives and a 240 Vertex + for 700ish. When/if Apple introduces a new Mac Pro in 13 I'll sell it and take the rest of the money I would have spent and buy a truly new one.

 

[derbothaus]

A "true upgrade" is really relative. If I have a Core 2 duo Macbook right now a 2010 Mac Pro is a tremendous upgrade to me, right? It just isn't super new. Still very capable.Get the 2010 because there is an upgrade path and RAM is cheap.

 

[gpzjock]

I have/had a 1900 budget for my "new" Mac Pro. When push came to shove though I couldn't justify a "new" '10 Mac Pro. so I bought a used 1,1 upgraded with a pair of 2.66 quad cores a 4870 3x1tb drives and a 240 Vertex + for 700ish. When/if Apple introduces a new Mac Pro in 13 I'll sell it and take the rest of the money I would have spent and buy a truly new one.

Smart move seeing how the next model is rumoured to be out in 2013.
Spotted this on eBay, looks like an upgradable bargain: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Apple-Mac-Pro-Desktop-MB871LL-A-March-2009-Quad-Core-2-66GHZ-/251165039421?pt=UK_Computing_Apple_Desktops_CV&hash=item3a7a9a5b3d

 

[jeremy h]

Just replied to the other 2008 Mac Pro thread. I'm a graphic designer running an 08 and am perfectly happy with it - very good machine in my opinion. Four years old now and might consider upgrading when (if? ) Apple decide to pay some attention to their poor neglected pro's in 2013.

If not - I'm certain I can squeeze at least a couple more years out of it. By then who knows - perhaps I'll have to consider something else entirely.

If the price is right it could be a good buy in my opinion - particularly if you're not doing lots of video work. Keep the money you save (and save some more in the interim) and see what Apple are up to next year / year after.

 

[Phildo]

Get the 2010.

I've been through all of them - 2006, 2008, 2009 and now my current 2010. I'm a Mac Pro slut.

For general use, the 2010 is definitely the sharpest.

Benefits:
- cheaper RAM
- SATA connection for a second DVD burner (ie cheaper than ATA)
- easy to upgrade the processor to the 3.33GHz W3680
- faster graphics card

Each of these is useful, but add them up together and the 2010 is by far the right choice.

 

[Macsonic]

If you can go for the 2010 2.8ghz Quad MP. Uses DDR3 higher frequency ram than the DDR2 of the 2008 MP. Not saying the 2008 MP is not reliable but given the opportunity to choose, 2010 MP would be better. If the graphic designer bought his 2008 2.8 MP when it was released back in Jan 08 then it's fine to maintain this model for a few more years. But if you are buying for the first time, I'd say go for the 2010 MP.

 

[GermanyChris]

Smart move seeing how the next model is rumoured to be out in 2013.
Spotted this on eBay, looks like an upgradable bargain: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Apple-Mac-Pro-Desktop-MB871LL-A-March-2009-Quad-Core-2-66GHZ-/251165039421?pt=UK_Computing_Apple_Desktops_CV&hash=item3a7a9a5b3d

That somewhere near what they're going for here 1100 to 1200 euro..

The MP arrived today..got snow installed updated the firmware got the Blu Ray installed 10467 GB and 5.35 processor in Cinebench. 23.39 frames on the 4870..it'll work just fine

 

[jaxsn]

Yep! I know this is an Old Post BUT...

Yep! I know this is an Old Post BUT.....
I upgraded to a 2008 2.8, 8 core, from my G5 2.0 (which I still have, and Love).
The 2.8 is way more powerful and usable, with the media changes and software
changes on the internet Flash on Facebook, etc.
(that is the FIRST, MOST IMPORTANT REASON TO GO WITH an INTEL MAC (2008 2.8, 8 core).
communication with clients & Friends online.

But You wanna know Why I am laughing right now?????
Because the 2008 2.8, 8 core, is so powerful that you won't see "MUCH" of a difference,
in a 2008 2.8, 8 core vs even a 12 core 2012, with most work you do unless you UPGRADE $$$$
other things on a more expensive older MacPro, to keep up to date with this crazy fast technology.

NOW!!!, Saying that.... I say this!!
I was blessed in my choice, because I had no Idea Apple was coming out with this
Sick Looking-Space-Age Fuel-Cell Looking Mac Pro.

BUT THAT, 2014 MAC PRO IS A "REAL" UPGRADE
from what we all know as the Mac Pro of the past 8-10 years.

So now, the money I save, (and did not need to upgrade nothing but 16 gigs of affordable ram $200
which I really did not NEED to upgrade),
I can start saving for a REAL UPGRADED MAC PRO with every current and futuristic upgrade Apple is offering.

Sometimes it's best NOT To UPGRADE
until you see the BODY CHANGE,
because it's an almost clear indication, the Same body is working off the same
old design platform.
unless you REALLY Need to upgrade, with the same body design, go used
with bare minimum Needs and have patience. Unless you are upgrading
within the first 1-3 years of the introduction of a new redesigned model
Just my 2 cents.

Now Speaking of a new redesigned model, I unofficially present to you:
The New 2014 Mac: http://www.apple.com/mac-pro/


Jaxsn Music Recording Studio
Hartford, Connecticut

 

[sureshraja1]

Just got a 2008 MP with 2x 2.8ghz Quad Core and running PT 11. Works fine in Feb 2014!