Woodcrest VS Nehalem Mac Pro

[bmorris]

I edit HD video with FCP and use After Effects and Cinema 4D.
How big is the difference between the Intel Xeon Nehalem and Woodcrest chips?

I was looking at the Nehalem 2.66 GHz Quad-core, 2.8 GHz 8-core;
and the Woodcrest 2.66 GHz Quad-core, 3.0 GHz Quad-core, 3.0 GHz 8-core

Thanks.

 

[Hellhammer]

It's significant. Woodcrest is 65nm while Nehalem is 45nm and even Nehalem itself is ~30% faster than Woodcrest. Add in Turbo Boost and HT, it's easily much faster.

2.8GHz 8-core is a good deal though, faster clock and twice as much cores plus RAM slots makes it the best buy IMO

 

[bmorris]

It's significant...

So between a 2.8 8-core, 2.66 Quad-core, and a 3.0 8-core Woodcrest, the 2.8 8-core Nehalem is the best?

But would I see a huge difference between the 2.8 and 2.66 for editing and After Effects? If so, in what kind of way?

 

[Hellhammer]

So between a 2.8 8-core, 2.66 Quad-core, and a 3.0 8-core Woodcrest, the 2.8 8-core Nehalem is the best?

But would I see a huge difference between the 2.8 and 2.66 for editing and After Effects? If so, in what kind of way?

2.8 8-core isn't Nehalem (it's based on Yorkfield, code named Harpertown)but it costs the same as 2.66GHz quad Nehalem but you can't beat the fact that it has 8 cores all running at 2.8GHz.

I would definitely get that, it's great bang for your buck!

 

[bmorris]

2.8 8-core isn't Nehalem...!

Ok well here are my options and prices,

Refurbished 2.8 8-core for $2,399 (Harpertown) from Apple Store
Brand New 2.66 Quad-core for $2,299 (Nehalem) from Apple Edu Store
Refurbished 2.66 Quad-core for $2,149 (Not Sure) from Apple Store
Used 3.0 8-core for $2,739 (Woodcrest) from PowerMax.com

It's always nice to get the new ones because the packaging is awesome, and you get the Apple box.
But of the three, which is the best value, and would I notice a big difference between the 2.66 and 2.8 and 3.0 with editing HD video and using After Effects?

I was going to buy the ATI HD 4870 regardless of my pick as well. And also get a 8 GB RAM kit from newegg.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Hellhammer]

Ok well here are my options and prices,

Refurbished 2.8 8-core for $2,399 (Harpertown) from Apple Store
Brand New 2.66 Quad-core for $2,299 (Nehalem) from Apple Edu Store
Refurbished 2.66 Quad-core for $2,149 (Not Sure) from Apple Store
Used 3.0 8-core for $2,739 (Woodcrest) from PowerMax.com

It's always nice to get the new ones because the packaging is awesome, and you get the Apple box.
But of the three, which is the best value, and would I notice a big difference between the 2.66 and 2.8 and 3.0 with editing HD video and using After Effects?

I was going to buy the ATI HD 4870 regardless of my pick as well. And also get a 8 GB RAM kit from newegg.

Thanks for your help.

Refurb are basically new, so I would definitely get one. I'm sure 2.8GHz 8-core is way faster than 2.66GHz quad, see benchmarks! It's 25% faster in AE! Even beats the 2.26GHz 8-core.

 

[bmorris]

Refurb...

Yeah I've bought refurbed stuff from Apple and its great, just not as fun as getting the packaged stuff thats new.

Thanks for the help!

Now I can be confident I'm getting a good model.
It's always hard for me to compare different models b/c I sometimes see benchmarks with different processors, like 3.0 vs 2.66 instead of 2.66 vs 2.66.

And thanks for the always quick replies!

PS
How do you get ur avatar to show in the forums?
I know you have to have so many posts, but I forgot the number.

 

[bozz2006]

Add another vote for the 2.8 GHz 8-core

 

[Hellhammer]

Yeah I've bought refurbed stuff from Apple and its great, just not as fun as getting the packaged stuff thats new.

Thanks for the help!

Now I can be confident I'm getting a good model.
It's always hard for me to compare different models b/c I sometimes see benchmarks with different processors, like 3.0 vs 2.66 instead of 2.66 vs 2.66.

And thanks for the always quick replies!

PS
How do you get ur avatar to show in the forums?
I know you have to have so many posts, but I forgot the number.

No problem, mate You getting that refurb 2.8GHz 8-core?

You must have 500 posts to add an avatar, so keep posting!

Cheers

 

[bmorris]

No problem, mate You getting that refurb 2.8GHz 8-core?

You must have 500 posts to add an avatar, so keep posting!

Cheers

500 topics started or just 500 posts in topics and replies?

Yeah, I'm waiting until June just in case new Mac Pro's are released.
Gives me time to save up for the rest and see if anything new is put out.
I know the 2.8 might last until June on the refurbed page.

 

[Hellhammer]

500 topics started or just 500 posts in topics and replies?

Yeah, I'm waiting until June just in case new Mac Pro's are released.
Gives me time to save up for the rest and see if anything new is put out.
I know the 2.8 might last until June on the refurbed page.

500 posts, no topics needed New topic = one post, too.

Sounds cool. If you can wait, it may pay back with something very nice and refurbs' prices drop down as well

 

[bmorris]

500 posts, no topics needed New topic = one post, too.

Sounds cool. If you can wait, it may pay back with something very nice and refurbs' prices drop down as well

Yeah that's what I was hoping, if it's still there in June.
Price could drop, or newer models come in for same price.