Mac Pro: Which one? (Details within)

[jjamesv]

I've been thinking out getting a mac for a long time. I'm a PC guy, and I love building my own systems. For that reason I think the iMac is out because I just can't customize/upgrade the way I would like to.

I expect my pc (personal comp. in the generic sense) to be a relatively high powered gaming machine, but I certainly won't use it "professionally". Which Mac Pro would be right for me?

 

[BG-Mac]

Having just started a thread like this and getting lots of great advice from other forum members. I feel confident in suggesting the Quad Core Mac Pro. Personally, i'd go with the 2.93. If you're going to be gaming the ATI 4870 would be a nice upgrade and you can get 8GB of RAM through OWC for a pretty good price. Ultimately it's up to you, but this is what I would go with. Good luck with your decision.

 

[jjamesv]

Just saw your post. Woops. It looks like the octo has almost zero benefit for single apps, ie games. Probably does just fine multi-tasking so long as there is enough ram in the system. Have you seen any good comparisons of octo 2.26 and quad 2.93?

 

[aaronw1986]

I've been thinking out getting a mac for a long time. I'm a PC guy, and I love building my own systems. For that reason I think the iMac is out because I just can't customize/upgrade the way I would like to.

I expect my pc (personal comp. in the generic sense) to be a relatively high powered gaming machine, but I certainly won't use it "professionally". Which Mac Pro would be right for me?

I would say no mac pro then. Just build a gaming pc.

 

[mchalebk]

As much as I love Macs and don't care for Windows, I cannot recommend a Mac for someone looking for a gaming machine.

 

[jjamesv]

That's valuable feedback. I'm a PC guy historically, although I bought my mom an iMac. I don't have any problem with Vista, and maybe I'm just getting seduced by the Mac mystique, which by the way, is real and honestly earned.

 

[10THzMac]

If you need a Mac but want a PC to game, get the quad with the GT120 and stick a GTX 260/275/280/285 in the other slot for use under Windows with bootcamp. Running an 08 with an 8800+285 right now - your situation will be easier as the GT120 does not need separate PCI power.

 

[wetrix]

You can't really upgrade a Mac Pro like you can a PC. You can add more RAM and a few video cards, but don't think you'll be swapping in faster CPUs and a new motherboard easily or cheaply.

 

[Olivier L.]

I am also thinking of going the Mac Pro way, versus Mac Mini + PC for gaming, The Mac Pro is a bit too much for what i would do in mac os x (altough I would then do more video stuff), the Mac Mini is simply not a sufficient power boost compared to my macbook...

advantages of Mac Pro (vs Mac Mini + PC gaming):
- only one computer (cleaner)
- enjoying the power in os x
- easy and cheaper to add internal drives (pictures and video in mac os x)(cleaner)

desadvantages
- only one computer (no rendering while I am playing )
- big budget in one go (instead of spreading over the next months)