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pat500000

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Jun 3, 2015
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Screen Shot 2015-11-30 at 6.48.43 PM.png
I have quad 2009 mac pro. I was wondering if this is better to get..or wait for 7,1?
 

h9826790

macrumors P6
Apr 3, 2014
16,656
8,587
Hong Kong
Since you already have a 4,1, I doubt how much you can benefit from a 5,1.

The main difference is your machine is the single CPU model, and that 5,1 is dual CPU. However, only 2.66MHz, the single core performance is quite poor actually. I don't know what's the CPU in your 4,1 now, but if it's the W3520, all you need is just do the 5,1 firmware upgrade, and then upgrade to the W3690, this will cost you less than $200, and give you 30% boost in single core performance, and almost 100% boost in multi core performance.

If you go for that 5,1, there will be zero improvement in single core performance, but 200% improvement in multi core performance.

So, if your workflow is able to benefit from more than 8 cores. Then get that 5,1 is better than upgrade to the W3690. Otherwise, you can benefit more from the W3690.

Of course, if you go for the 5,1 and then upgrade to dual X5690, that will be another story. Only the 12 core 6,1 can match it's raw power, and no Mac is more powerful than that so far (only consider the raw multi core performance, but not any real world usage).

Apart from that, all other upgrade applicable to 5,1 is also applicable to your 4,1. So, in terms of hardware, no need to consider anything apart from the CPU. However, you may still benefit from it's warranty.
 

robgendreau

macrumors 68040
Jul 13, 2008
3,471
338
Maybe if you told us what you use it for, what software, what storage needs, etc? Maybe the right tool for the right job, but hard to tell now.
 

pat500000

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Jun 3, 2015
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Since you already have a 4,1, I doubt how much you can benefit from a 5,1.

The main difference is your machine is the single CPU model, and that 5,1 is dual CPU. However, only 2.66MHz, the single core performance is quite poor actually. I don't know what's the CPU in your 4,1 now, but if it's the W3520, all you need is just do the 5,1 firmware upgrade, and then upgrade to the W3690, this will cost you less than $200, and give you 30% boost in single core performance, and almost 100% boost in multi core performance.

If you go for that 5,1, there will be zero improvement in single core performance, but 200% improvement in multi core performance.

So, if your workflow is able to benefit from more than 8 cores. Then get that 5,1 is better than upgrade to the W3690. Otherwise, you can benefit more from the W3690.

Of course, if you go for the 5,1 and then upgrade to dual X5690, that will be another story. Only the 12 core 6,1 can match it's raw power, and no Mac is more powerful than that so far (only consider the raw multi core performance, but not any real world usage).

Apart from that, all other upgrade applicable to 5,1 is also applicable to your 4,1. So, in terms of hardware, no need to consider anything apart from the CPU. However, you may still benefit from it's warranty.
Here are my concerns:
updated bluetooth...(for i'm not tech savvy with upgrading processors)
Editing
Music
Just overall getting supported by apple because 4,1 is no longer supported.
 

h9826790

macrumors P6
Apr 3, 2014
16,656
8,587
Hong Kong
For BT, you can simply buy a BT4.0 USB dongle. Of course, install the Wifi ac and BT 4.0 card is the better way to do it. Otherwise, AFAIK, the stock BT is exactly the same on both the 4,1 and 5,1.

The CPU upgrade is easy. I never do any other modern CPU upgrade / installation. But can finish this upgrade in 20min. All you need is just read few post and the correct tool.

I know very little about music production. But from memory, the professional software can utilise multi cores.

After the firmware hack, the 4,1 will have exactly the same software support as the 5,1.

In terms of hardware, I understand your concern. Even though both 4,1 and 5,1 are almost identical, if the 4,1 is not on the list anymore, Apple may not replace the parts even though you are willing to pay for it. In this sense, yes, it's better move to the 5,1 (especially the 2012 model).

However, even though Apple won't fix it for you, you can still always take the machine to there and ask for a diagnosis. As long as they can point out the problem. Get the parts from 3rd party is not that hard. So, the 4,1 will still be fixable. But of course, you have to do the repair by yourself, or pay for someone to do it. Most likely it will be more expensive than done by Apple, and without that extra 3 months warranty.
 

pat500000

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Original poster
Jun 3, 2015
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For BT, you can simply buy a BT4.0 USB dongle. Of course, install the Wifi ac and BT 4.0 card is the better way to do it. Otherwise, AFAIK, the stock BT is exactly the same on both the 4,1 and 5,1.

The CPU upgrade is easy. I never do any other modern CPU upgrade / installation. But can finish this upgrade in 20min. All you need is just read few post and the correct tool.

I know very little about music production. But from memory, the professional software can utilise multi cores.

After the firmware hack, the 4,1 will have exactly the same software support as the 5,1.

In terms of hardware, I understand your concern. Even though both 4,1 and 5,1 are almost identical, if the 4,1 is not on the list anymore, Apple may not replace the parts even though you are willing to pay for it. In this sense, yes, it's better move to the 5,1 (especially the 2012 model).

However, even though Apple won't fix it for you, you can still always take the machine to there and ask for a diagnosis. As long as they can point out the problem. Get the parts from 3rd party is not that hard. So, the 4,1 will still be fixable. But of course, you have to do the repair by yourself, or pay for someone to do it. Most likely it will be more expensive than done by Apple, and without that extra 3 months warranty.
So yeah. If cpu is is upgraded...would it be worth it to stay with 4,1 then?
 

h9826790

macrumors P6
Apr 3, 2014
16,656
8,587
Hong Kong
I did a quick search in a China web site (taobao.com), a X5690 only cost $185. So, 10% of the cost, and have extra 100% performance (30% extra single core). Or 10x the cost, but 200% improvement (zero single core improvement). For me, $185 is a more reasonable choice.

Even on eBay, the W3680 is just about $150. That gives you almost the same real world performance of the X5690.

Of course, if you are a professional, and able to make more money on that extra 100% performance, than it's another story.
 

pat500000

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Jun 3, 2015
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I did a quick search in a China web site (taobao.com), a X5690 only cost $185. So, 10% of the cost, and have extra 100% performance (30% extra single core). Or 10x the cost, but 200% improvement (zero single core improvement). For me, $185 is a more reasonable choice.

Even on eBay, the W3680 is just about $150. That gives you almost the same real world performance of the X5690.

Of course, if you are a professional, and able to make more money on that extra 100% performance, than it's another story.
I'm confused about that bolded line. Another story...meaning it's better to get update computer? From what you're telling...it's very much a big saving.
 

h9826790

macrumors P6
Apr 3, 2014
16,656
8,587
Hong Kong
That extra 100% improvement technically can increase your productivity by another 50% (compare to a single X5690 upgrade).

E.g. If your current 4,1 is 100% utilised (24/7) can help you to earn $100 per day. Then a X5690 can make you earn $200, and that 5,1 can make you earn $300. So, after around 18 days, the 5,1 can pay itself back because of the extra performance.

However, this is base on you can fully utilise it 24/7, and have unlimited job demand. If you can shutdown your 4,1 every night, that means a more powerful machine may make you finish your job quicker, but may not help to make more money.

So, for me, in general, the CPU upgrade has much better cost to performance improvement ratio. But if you can make more money by getting more performance. Then it's another story. You have to calculate if it's worth the extra money.
 
Last edited:

pat500000

Suspended
Original poster
Jun 3, 2015
8,523
7,515
That extra 100% improvement technically can increase your productivity by another 50% (compare to a single X5690 upgrade).

E.g. If your current 4,1 is 100% utilised (24/7) can help you to earn $100 per day. Then a X5690 can make you earn $200, and that 5,1 can make you earn $300. So, after around 18 days, the 5,1 can pay itself back because of the extra performance.

However, this is base on you can fully utilise it 24/7, and have unlimited job demand. If you can shutdown your 4,1 every night, that means a more powerful machine may make you finish your job quicker, but may not help to make more money.

So, for me, in general, the CPU upgrade has much better cost to performance improvement ratio. But if you can make more money by getting more performance. Then it's another story. You have to calculate if it's worth the extra money.
Thank you very much. You have guided me to smarter path of buying.
 
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