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Is base Quad Core sufficient for 4 monitors?

linux2mac

linux2mac

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Aug 29, 2009
1,330
0
"City of Lakes", MN
I am going to be purchasing my first Mac soon. I am looking at getting the base level Quad-Core Mac Pro (2.66GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon "Nehalem" processor) with 2 video cards for adding a third or possibly fourth display.

I settled on Quad-Core because I am not doing any video editing/rendering, intensive graphics (3D or animations) or digital photo work. I am converting from an OpenSuse Linux desktop environment and plan on using the Mac Pro as my work station for PHP coding/development and also for maintaining virtual servers via VNC. I do not plan on hosting virtual machines on the Mac Pro. I have a separate server where I keep my virtual machines.

The reason for the 4 displays is because I plan on using one or two displays for VNC administration of virtual machines, another display for a text editor for coding (i.e. Dream Weaver), and another for e-mail and browsing. On the recreation side I would like the ability to watch movies or videos too (but this would be kept to a minimum). Essentially I want to have the ability for some serious multitasking without freeze ups.

Is the 3GB Ram and 2.66Ghz clock speed sufficient to run up to 4 displays? Is there a need to spend the extra $500 for the 2.93Ghz processor?

Thanks.

Mike
 
dont worry about the procesor and do not spend 500 more for that if you dont need it

driving 4 dsiplays is a limitation of the gpu, not really the cpu

with that said, you will need two graphics cards to drive 4 displays as each gpu has 2 outputs
 
Yep, thats true. Quads and Octads have the same PCIe system for graphic cards. So its really only an issue of what cards you fit. Two 120 will do nicely for basic requirements unless you are a gamer.

If you are concerned with RAM you can allways fit more at better price when you really need it.
 
Thanks for both of your replies!! This helps out a lot since there are so many options. It looks like I will go with the base Mac Pro (2.66GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon with 3GB RAM) and 2 video cards (NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 512M).

I have one more question. Is it worth $250 to buy the Apple Protection?

Thanks.

-Mike
 
i dont get applecare. though if i did, id more likey get it with a laptop ves a desktop. besides you have a year to buy it so if you dont want to right now, you can do it anytime during the first year
 
dukebound85 said:
i dont get applecare. though if i did, id more likey get it with a laptop ves a desktop. besides you have a year to buy it so if you dont want to right now, you can do it anytime during the first year
Click to expand...

Just a couple thoughts: I have AppleCare for my Mac Pro - but I got it for like $100 on eBay. Haven't used it yet but of course it's like an insurance policy. For me and my wallet, it's not worth $250.

As someone who uses all 4 monitor ports on 2 GPUs, I really think 3 is the max that's efficient to use in an active desktop environment. I already have to swivel my head to go from the far right to far left. In fairness, my center monitor is a huge 30", but I have the 2x 22" monitors that flank it in portrait (rotated 90 degrees) so all together it's around 4 feet of desktop.

My 4th is a HD projector that I use either-or with the screens - basically for movie time.

Do bear in mind that, unless you like having access to all 3-4 screens at once, OS X has virtual desktops that are very easy to access - called Spaces. I use it on rare occasion when I have 2, non-connected projects that each require a ton of desktop real estate.

Enjoy your Mac Pro! Maybe double-check the refurb prices before you finalize your purchases - seem a lot of people prefer the 8-core refurbs.
 
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