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MP 1,1-5,1 Ideas to prevent scarping '08 Mac Pro?

O

Omega Mac

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Aug 16, 2013
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Thing weighs a ton.

Does anyone have some good ideas that are strong arguments to prevent scrapping the 2008 Mac Pro at this point?

Maybe it's too far gone for Openpatch, and the power consumption to high versus mac-minis, what odyou think?

The monitor is still good and in use, but the box sites they're taking up space. I'm lost for IT applications that make sense, but it's hard to dump hardware sometimes, so before I do maybe folks can offer some good ideas or insights. :)
 
I think the Mac Pro 3.1 makes a good server. At least that's what I use it for these days.
You could have a look at Todd Olthoff's El Capitan Server, where he goes through the steps to set up a server.
That version had proper server functions.
After all, the apple Mac Pros are pretty quiet, compared to using a PC. But that's just my opinion.

 
Regulus67 said:
I think the Mac Pro 3.1 makes a good server. At least that's what I use it for these days.
You could have a look at Todd Olthoff's El Capitan Server, where he goes through the steps to set up a server.
That version had proper server functions.
After all, the apple Mac Pros are pretty quiet, compared to using a PC. But that's just my opinion.

Click to expand...
this is quite an old video, if remember right apple discontinued apple server. Im sure you can get it somewhere.
 
One could buy MacOS Server, and download older versions.
But I just checked, and it was discontinued as of April 21, 2022.

Existing macOS Server users can continue to download and use the app with macOS Monterey, and Apple has support documents for migrating from Profile Manager to other MDM solutions.
flat4, you are correct. I was not aware of this, sorry. I purchased the server app some years ago. So I can still download it from apple, MacOS Server version 5.12.2, is available for Monterey (but that is the cut down version).
 
Regulus67 said:
One could buy MacOS Server, and download older versions.
But I just checked, and it was discontinued as of April 21, 2022.

Existing macOS Server users can continue to download and use the app with macOS Monterey, and Apple has support documents for migrating from Profile Manager to other MDM solutions.
flat4, you are correct. I was not aware of this, sorry. I purchased the server app some years ago. So I can still download it from apple, MacOS Server version 5.12.2, is available for Monterey (but that is the cut down version).
Click to expand...
i stand corrected

I went with proxmox for my 3,1
 
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It's an alright machine, but you're right, in 2023 there are much more efficient and powerful options. The 3,1 kind of lands in an odd spot. New enough to OpenCore patch to newer OS versions (unlike the 1,1 and 2,1) but far more difficult than the later 4,1 and 5,1 models. It isn't nearly as powerful as the later machines even in an 8 core config, and the slow/expensive DDR2 RAM is unfortunate. Realistically, the only major benefit to the old Mac Pro is the internal storage capabilities and optical drives. If you like a machine with lots of OS options, the 3,1 is a great choice for multi booting for software support. Aside from that, it's just too old, too slow, too power hungry, too inefficient to really use in 2023.
 
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It depends. OP already has the hardware. So I suggest using it as a server, and also Time Machine backups. It doesn't have to run all the time. But still useful, at no extra cost.

I found the link again, that I changed before checking that I found a better. In my last attempt.

Mac OS X Server 10.4
archive.org

Mac OS X Server: Install DVD - Version 10.4 - 0Z691-5228-A : Apple Computer, Inc. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

Mac OS X ServerInstall DVDVersion 10.40Z691-5228-AMAC OS X SVR 10.4 UNLIMITED CLIENTXSVR-104-000-R-6DQ-426-FH4-8HX-GFD-28S-7
archive.org

I haven't found version 10.6, but someone might know?
 
Regulus67 said:
I think the Mac Pro 3.1 makes a good server. At least that's what I use it for these days.
You could have a look at Todd Olthoff's El Capitan Server, where he goes through the steps to set up a server.
That version had proper server functions.
After all, the apple Mac Pros are pretty quiet, compared to using a PC. But that's just my opinion.

Click to expand...
Given that he cited power draw as a concern, I'd have a hard time recommending it as a server.
 
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Thanks for all the input.

The power draw is the big draw back literally. I looked up the spec here again https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201796

@155w idle 24/7/365 that's 600 bucks a year to run at current never been higher electricity costs!

So that's a big no on power.

I have a couple of mac mini 2012 servers which win hands down on power and these I could reply with some USB external storage. They're coming in at less than 50 bucks 24/7 at idle, use to be less that 20 bucks to run 24/7 at more normal electricity costs.

It's resting on being kept as a piece of reserve-tech furniture!
 
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It could be the awesome machine for a PowerPC and 32-bit intel games. I highly recommend to find the most powerful graphic card for Snow leopard, and install High Sierra on the second partition.

I use Mac mini 2010 this way, and your Mac will be more powerful for the retro and classic games.
 
I use my MP (not a 3,1 though) as my primary gaming/workhorse. I have a nice library of Blu-rays and HD-DVDs that I keep in storage that I have burned into my iTunes library. So basically a media server for my entire family.
 
FirDerrig33 mentioned movies, which is another excellent example. You can also use Linux, which gives you access to more games and recent applications like web browsers.

That is how I would use this computer for classic/retro games and Movies:

- Mac OS X 10.6 (PowerPC games)
- macOS High Sierra (32-bit Intel games)
- Linux (Linux games, internet)

Of course, you probably need a GeForce GTX 480 to play many of the more modern games.
 
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