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edu_guell

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 11, 2016
24
0
Barcelona - Spain
Good Morning!
I write because I have long been reading your forum but I'm very very lost with the updates I want to make my MAC PRO 5.1.
- I bought a Intel Xeon w3690 3,46ghz and I'm waiting for it to arrive. So I update my old Quad-Core 2.8.
- I need your help to decide which GPU to install. I need to change my old 5770 because it does not work well.
I do not want to have problems with the original power supply (not want to have an external power supply) or with the drivers with any operating system. I had been thinking about the Nvidia Geforce GTX 680, do you think?
I do not want to waste money.

Now I use OSX 10.9.5 but i would like to upgrade SO.
Use the mac to work, full package Adobe CC and web design.

- I have 16gb 1066mhz DDR3 ram.

- I want to also install hard disk solid as main unit to gain a lot of speed but I do not know how to clone the old hard drive. I can't lose any information (SO, Folders, Pictures, Music...)
- I also want to change the display by a Dell p2715q.

Please help, because when I read old posts I get lost and do not understand anything ;-(
Thank you very much!
 
Last edited:

Macdctr

macrumors 65816
Nov 25, 2009
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Since you purchased the Intel Xeon W3690 I would first start out by upgrading your RAM to 1333mhz so your "upgraded" 5,1 can take full advantage of the processor speed bump. Here's a link to a 32GB 1333mhz kit for $63.56 on eBay...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Hynix-32GB-4X8GB-DDR3-2RX4-PC3L-10600R-240-Pin-1333MHz-ECC-REG-Registered/181833598730?_trksid=p2047675.c100012.m1985&_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIC.MBE&ao=1&asc=36331&meid=766db41c147540caab872ba390235bb1&pid=100012&rk=8&rkt=10&sd=301855290810

For GPU I went with the GTX980 because it only draws 30 watts less than the GTX680 at 165 watts. Yes the GTX980 costs much more than the GTX680, about $400 more on eBay but you get so much more performance out of it :) Here is a link to a GTX680 on eBay...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/EVGA-NVIDIA...234033?hash=item33942bda71:g:k20AAOSwDNdVw4ca

this is the link on eBay for a GTX980...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nvidia-GTX-...584902?hash=item210d17cf06:g:TP4AAOSwA4dWGZ45

With the 5,1 you can install El Capitan (OS 10.11) natively and for the GTX980 you need Yosemite (OS 10.10) at a minimum. If you go that route I would suggest installing the Nvidia web drivers from macvidcard's web site. I found his site very useful when I installed my GTX980 over the weekend.

Hope these links will help... good luck on your upgrades! :apple:
 

edu_guell

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 11, 2016
24
0
Barcelona - Spain
Thank you very much for your answer!
What do you think of the ASUS Strix GeForce GTX 960? Better than the Nvidia GeForce GTX 680 ?
On the web Nvidia i can not see updated drivers for the GTX980 and OS X and ASUS Strix GeForce GTX 960... ;-(
I wanted to upgrade my Mac Pro but uncomplicated and web MacVidCard lose myself do not understand anything ...
Help me please!

You think to change the current hard drive to a solid drive is a good change?

Thanks!
Edu
 

nigelbb

macrumors 65816
Dec 22, 2012
1,142
267
For GPU I went with the GTX980 because it only draws 30 watts less than the GTX680 at 165 watts. Yes the GTX980 costs much more than the GTX680, about $400 more on eBay but you get so much more performance out of it :)
In fact the performance of the GTX980 isn't that much more than the GTX680 http://gpuboss.com/gpus/GeForce-GTX-980-vs-GeForce-GTX-680 The big advantage of the 680 is that t's much cheaper (though only available used) that you can flash it yourself so you have the Apple boot screen & it's supported natively in OS X
 

Macdctr

macrumors 65816
Nov 25, 2009
1,012
732
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I would recommend going to solid state drives for your OS to boot from. You will see a noticeable change in speed. There are several solutions but I would recommend getting a pci-e SSD solution. This way you will see the full advantage of the speed SSDs offer.

I think for what edu_guell wants to do with his Mac, the GTX680 will be more than good enough but I will defer to others here in this forum to chime in on this. I may be incorrect in my assumptions.


For the GTX980 there are Nvidia web drivers for Yosemite and El Capitan but for El Capitan, you have web drivers only up to 10.11.4. There are no web drivers in 10.11.5 (15F18b) for the GTX980 yet.
 

edu_guell

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 11, 2016
24
0
Barcelona - Spain
I have seen GFX680 for sale , used, and are more expensive than the GFX960 , why?
You would you do in my situation ?
Only use the computer to work , never play .
Using Adobe CC (Photoshop , Illustrator , Indesign , Premier, After Effects and LightRoom ) .
Thank you!
[doublepost=1460375460][/doublepost]For the Solid hard drive I've seen this - > http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ssd/owc/mac-pro/2009-2012
E2 Accelsior Pro
 

Macdctr

macrumors 65816
Nov 25, 2009
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from macvidcards web site referring to the GTX960: "These cards use less power then other cards, but OpenGl scores are lower then GTX680."

I would go with he GTX680.
 

edu_guell

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 11, 2016
24
0
Barcelona - Spain
Ok, perfect, one thing I have clear, I buy a GTX680.

what do you think about the SSD I have linked?

change the 1066 ram memory I have to 1333mhz, it is better? I feel the difference?
 

Macdctr

macrumors 65816
Nov 25, 2009
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732
Ocean State
change the 1066 ram memory I have to 1333mhz, it is better? I feel the difference?

I go between my MacPro 4,1 which has the 1066mhz memory and my MacPro 5,1 which has the 1333mhz memory. Yes there is a difference. Apps run much faster in the faster memory. Overall performance of the 5,1 is better but in all fairness I also have two 3.06GHz hex-core processors in that machine so I'm most likely seeing speed improvements of the faster processor with faster memory... a double bonus.

The 4,1 MacPro has a quad-core 2.66GHz processor, so that with the slower memory only brings out the slower performance this machine already has...this machine has the 1333mhz RAM installed so the processor in this case is limiting memory performance down to the 1066mhz speed. Once I update the processor the RAM will automatically go up in speed...

For the money the faster memory costs these days, it's well worth upgrading the memory to the fastest speed along with your faster processor. You will like the noticeable speed bump.

The E2 Accelsior Pro is a good card and I think you will be happy with the performance of this card. I have been looking at that card as well as this one from newegg: HyperX Predator Half-Height, Half-Length (HH-HL) 480GB PCI-Express 2.0 x4 Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) SHPM2280P2H/480G (with HHHL Adapter). I'm planning to get this card for my MacPro...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104545
 
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edu_guell

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 11, 2016
24
0
Barcelona - Spain
this card your you link is much faster than owc, right?
the difference is that it no has the external eSata ports to expand capacity.
It is a good option too!
 

h9826790

macrumors P6
Apr 3, 2014
16,628
8,558
Hong Kong
For SSD, go for SM951 + PCIe adaptor if you looking for performance.

I doubt the RAM upgrade can really make any difference, the CPU upgrade of course can make the difference. However, RAM is another matter. RAM performance mainly base on the bandwidth, and size, rather than the clock speed. Also 1066 RAM has less latency (CL7), and 1333 RAM has more latency (CL9), the overall performance difference is just around 2%. I don't think anyone can really feel the difference in real world without benchmark software.

Of course, if you want more RAM, and can't achieve by keeping the current sticks but add few more sticks. Buying the 1333 stick make much more sense. IMO, purely upgrade from 1066 to 1333 is quite meaningless.
 

edu_guell

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 11, 2016
24
0
Barcelona - Spain
woow, this option is much faster, but is three times expensive ...
really coming out this system so expensive? because there is so much difference in price with which I linked before?
Thank you!
 

h9826790

macrumors P6
Apr 3, 2014
16,628
8,558
Hong Kong
woow, this option is much faster, but is three times expensive ...
really coming out this system so expensive? because there is so much difference in price with which I linked before?
Thank you!

The price in that post is not accurate, just read the details about different SSD setup. And do some study on eBay, then decide which setup you are willing to pay for. The PCIe SSD's price drop a lot in the last 12 months. It's still expensive, but not that extreme now. Of course, the SATA SSD is even cheaper. But TBH, SATA SSD and PCIe SSD are 2 different product. Pick the one that suitable for you, the fastest one may be overkill and didn't mean anything in your workflow.
 

edu_guell

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 11, 2016
24
0
Barcelona - Spain
I need an SSD to install OS and programs, files that are always at the desk with their respective folders, with 480GB enough.
I want to get a lot of overall speed on the Mac Pro, lighting system, open applications, and more...
Which SSD you buy if are for your mac?
Thanks!
 

h9826790

macrumors P6
Apr 3, 2014
16,628
8,558
Hong Kong
For OS, programs, small files on the desktop etc. Any good cheap SATA SSD. All I need is the high IOPS, not the high sequential speed. The PCIe SSD of course better, but too expensive for that little extra speed (it will still faster than the SATA SSD in any operation, but won't be significant in OS ops).

In fact, some one just share this link on another thread.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...2d-47cf-afaf-a77290723514&pf_rd_i=13431004011

Just $99, and this SSD can do the job with reasonable performance.
 

edu_guell

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 11, 2016
24
0
Barcelona - Spain
this link you put , I see that the disc has a read speed of 540MB / s and write 490mb / s .
I think slow , I want more speed even if it costs a little more.
on a Mac pro 5.1 I have possibility to put Sata or PCIe SSD? What is best for my computer?
Thank you!
 

h9826790

macrumors P6
Apr 3, 2014
16,628
8,558
Hong Kong
Don't expect that BX200 can write at 490MB/s. Plenty of review state that speed only only last for seconds, then the write speed will drop to about 70-80MB/s. However, for OS operation, loading programs etc. It can do a reasonable good job.

If you want speed, same suggestion. SM951. If money is not an issue, go for this setup.

http://barefeats.com/hard210.html
 

Macdctr

macrumors 65816
Nov 25, 2009
1,012
732
Ocean State
Don't expect that BX200 can write at 490MB/s. Plenty of review state that speed only only last for seconds, then the write speed will drop to about 70-80MB/s. However, for OS operation, loading programs etc. It can do a reasonable good job.

If you want speed, same suggestion. SM951. If money is not an issue, go for this setup.

http://barefeats.com/hard210.html


I like this setup. Thanks for pointing this out! :)
 

edu_guell

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 11, 2016
24
0
Barcelona - Spain
Hello!
after a few days I have received all the material.
Intel Xeon 3690 .
Crucial MX200 m.2 500gb .
SSD PCIe adapter .

I tried to install the SSD and have problems, my mac pro 5.1 does not recognize the SSD.
I turn on the mac and does not indicate anything, I 'm going to system information and does not appear the SSD.
What's going on?
you can help me ?

I copy the material links .
http://www.pccomponentes.com/crucial_mx200_500gb_m_2_type_2280.html
http://www.pccomponentes.com/adaptador_ssd_pcie_3_0_x4_a_m_2__ngff_.html

thank you very much!
 
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