Would you Change 3.1 Dual for 5.1 Single CPU

[Stageshoot]

I got the following system for my daughter to use for photo editing

Mac Pro 3.1
2x 2.8 Quad Xeon
20Gb RAM (4x1Gb 800Mhz and 4x4Ghz 667 Mhz) so running at 667Mhz
2x 500Gb Drive
GT8800 Graphics

I paid £275 for it on Gumtree

I have been offered another system

Mac Pro 5.1 (Genuine 5.1 not an upgraded 4.1)
1x 2.8Ghz Xeon (Quad)
16Gb Ram
1x 1Tb HDD
HD5770 Graphics

Been offered it for £400

I can sell the 3.1 today for £400 so it would be a no cost upgrade to the 5.1

Do you think it would be worthwhile upgrade, its going back to a Single 4 Core CPU (Albiet with Hyperthreading) against the grunt of the Dual CPU 3.1

My Daughter seems happy with the performance of the 3.1 but I just feel getting the newer 5.1 would be better for any future upgrades longevity of the system etc.

Any Thoughts.

 

[666sheep]

For 0-ish cost it's a no brainer.

 

[fuchsdh]

Like Sheep, I'd say it's a no-brainer. You get a decent speed increase out of the box, and far more flexibility and performance for any additional upgrades, if you want to make them. Going from a 3.1 with 24GB of RAM and a 5770 to the machine in my sig was definitely a noticeable step up.

 

[lowendlinux]

If it were me it would already be done

 

[Stageshoot]

Cheers

Well I have just purchased the second machine (Another local Gumtree Ad)

Was just worried the speed of the 5.1 (Geekbenches about 1/3 Slower than the dual CPU 3.1) could be an issue, but I suppose going forward putting a 6 Core Xeon in it would get rid of that issue.

 

[IowaLynn]

Cheers

Well I have just purchased the second machine (Another local Gumtree Ad)

Was just worried the speed of the 5.1 (Geekbenches about 1/3 Slower than the dual CPU 3.1) could be an issue, but I suppose going forward putting a 6 Core Xeon in it would get rid of that issue.

A lot of forum threads it seems comparing performance, ease of updates.

All PCIe 2.x slots helps, support for 1333MHz DDR3, 6 or 12-core and of course more RAM, and probably longer support; and much better GPU support/performance.

Of course depends what your daughter (owner/user?) uses it for now and down the road. But for the price (zero down!) yes, "no brainer" to move up.

 

[nigelbb]

You do realise that if it stays as a quad-core 5,1 that it is actually less powerful for many applications than the octo-core 3,1?

Single stream CPU performance is a whisker faster (CPU Mark 4308 vs. 4182) but double the number of cores is a big advantage for any professional applications that use multiple cores (Geekbench3 8369 vs 10383)

 

[Stageshoot]

You do realise that if it stays as a quad-core 5,1 that it is actually less powerful for many applications than the octo-core 3,1?

Single stream CPU performance is a whisker faster (CPU Mark 4308 vs. 4182) but double the number of cores is a big advantage for any professional applications that use multiple cores (Geekbench3 8369 vs 10383)

Yes as I said I was concerned about the lack of Multi CPU punch, She uses it for batch photo editing in her Studio so I will give her the 5.1 to try, if it lacks the power needed at least its not expensive to throw a single 6 Core 3.33Ghz CPU in it (Not really viable to geta new tray to go dual CPU tho)

 

[nigelbb]

I'd keep both Mac Pros You got each for a bargain price. I keep looking on Gumtree for a cheap 4,1 but never see one locally. There a seem to be more overpriced 1,1 2,1 & 3,1