Hey everyone, sorry for the delay! So I'm seeing a lot of RAM/RAID suggestions here. Which is great, however.. There is possibly a new dilemma, and I've been thinking about this at length. Of ALL the thing I could spend money on , or improve in this MP09, what about just getting a top end 2010? I don't know much about the new processors, or the overall performance.
But would it just be better and less of a hassle overall to just upgrade to the 2010 model? I'm assuming faster RAM, more GPU capability, better support, cooler temps.
Most of the issues are likely to follow from the '09 into the 2010 models. You'd still lack access to the firmware, and need adapters to use the HDD bays with a 3rd party internal RAID card.
Unless there's a new ICH, the existing ICH10R will also follow (throughput limit of ~660MB/s), as does the chipset family. The existing bottlenecks in drive throughputs will follow, even if it has SATA III (6.0Gb/s), as there's no mechanical drives that can use it. SSD's will be another story, but with the issues with the ICH10R, it won't mean much.
Temps will likely be about the same, but you will get an additional pair of cores, so it is technically more efficient.
I'd also expect the DIMM count to remain low, and I'm not sure on the RAM frequency.
Maybe 1333MHz, and more doubtful if 1600MHz would be allowed, even if available in the IMC. I'm more on the idea they'll use the slowest clock all the parts they choose to use have in common. Assuming Apple follows their most recent history.
Prices aren't likely to be that pretty either from what information has released on the Gulftowns, and likely have lower clocks than the existing models (base, mid, high end) to meet cost constraints (along with Apple's notorious high margins).
Ultimately, it's a bit early yet, as there's little information on the Intel parts, let alone the MP's as they'll actually ship. But from what is available, it's not looking good IMO.
What do you guys think? Would my computer as is be worth much in this market for re-sale?
Yes, but don't expect to get every cent up put into it back (and things like RAID cards and drives will be transferable to a new system if you do). When the '09's shipped, the '08's were suddenly in high demand, given the lack of stellar performance increases and costs. Again, I'm thinking history is going to repeat itself very closely to last time. Even if similarly priced, the clocks may be the hinderance for users with far less multi-threaded software needs in terms of performance (clocks have an impact in single threaded performance, not core quantities).
On a side note. How do you feel about a 2tb Striped soft-raid for OS/Apps, i know i'd be wasting some space. but is their any benefit to doing this? I know soft raid's are scary but I have a pretty efficient backup system going.
It's possible to do, and you'd definitely want to run a good backup system.
That said, you have to determine what level of redundancy you might want (thing in terms of can you afford the down time needed to repair if there's a problem). If the answer is Yes, go for it. If not, you'd need to go another route (either a different array type, or perhaps an SSD).
Oh and another thing, I remember thinking their was a way to "daisy-chain" 4870's together using a certain pin configuration, and that it was possible to double the speed by making 1 card 2 cards. Am I just completely losing it, or did I see that as an option??
Cross Fire, but it's not supported in OS X. Nor is SLI for the nVidia cards.
**Let me know what you think about the 2010 MP's ,i know it's early.. but should I start saving cash for ram/SSD for a 2010? or beef my 09' and be happy until 2011.
Personally, boost the existing model, as the new system will still have bottlenecks that plague all new systems if they're not addressed. Options such as RAID cards, and larger memory capacities for example.
I doubt that the next gen GPU's for the Pro would not be backwards compatible with the 09 model. Faster RAM is likely (or at least I would think so) as they've crippled it now @ 1066Mhz when the CPU's on die memory controller can go up to 1333Mhz. Not sure what you mean by better support. Cooler temps and lower energy bills would be a by-product of the 32nm fabrication coming in 2010 from Intel.
They are, but the boards will need a firmware update (CPU microcode), which Apple won't provide. They'll do this to sell the new machines, as they've done since the Intel switch that I'm aware of (maybe longer as I didn't follow the PPC models much, but you get the idea).
I guess my main question is what are you resource bound by now? Where are your bottlenecks? Are you maxing out the CPU usage that you have now? Is the fact that Apple hates us when it comes to GPU choices whats causing you grief? Finding your current bottlenecks will go a long way in getting valuable answers on which course is better.
Precisely.
