Time for a new (used or refurb) computer help?

[Tonio]

Since DP is due at any time (we hope) I am considering getting a new (used) system.

Currently on a G4 dual 800/1.25 ram. DP 4.61 PCI 324 minimal VI's, and not PLug happy, up to 16 or so tracks. Nothing too crazy.
Room is treated and satisfied w/ mic & pre's.

I cannot afford a new computer, so used and/or reburb should be the best deal.

Any suggestions for about $1.5K ?

My though is a G5 2.5 with the added cost of some RAM and a PCI 424X. Just the whole fluid cooled issue seems to be a sore spot for me.
I normally do no go for 1st gen machines. and the price of 1st gen MAC pro's look to be close to my budget.

Or I could just stick with it and get better monitors. Not sure I can curve the DP6 lust.

Any suggestions appreciated.

T

[Frodo]

Any suggestions for about $1.5K ?

My though is a G5 2.5 with the added cost of some RAM and a PCI 424X. Just the whole fluid cooled issue seems to be a sore spot for me.
I normally do no go for 1st gen machines. and the price of 1st gen MAC pro's look to be close to my budget.

Keep your eye on the prize-- being DP6. I've got to believe that a DP overhaul such as the one in progress will be better served on the Intel. The MacPro's independent PCIe busses, faster RAM, and brawnier caches alone give it the edge.

I would recommend finding a blowout from a reputable vendor. Used machines from user to user? Avoid auction sites just for the comfort in knowing where the computer has been. At least buy from a friend and make sure that the machine has Apple Care.

Extra caution may necessitate waiting until others have reported in on how DP6 is working on various Intels and PPCs once its been released and put through a few essential paces.

Or I could just stick with it and get better monitors. Not sure I can curve the DP6 lust.

Any suggestions appreciated.

T

Do you need monitors *more* than a computer? Again, keep your eye on the prize. Set a clear goal and forge as straight a path to it as possible.

[emulatorloo]

Personally I would not invest in G5 technology. Unless somebody gives you one, which kinda happened to me.

One of the new intel core 2 duo imacs for the same money are more powerful than dual G5 towers.

You could sell your PCI324 and interface and get a used firewire 828mkii, which you could then take to your next computer when you get one in a few years. This would probably end up costing less than keeping your current interface and upgrading to PCI-424.

This place tracks best prices on macs:

http://www.pcprices.net/

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[Tonio]

Thanks guys,

I forgot to mention I have a UAD-1 doh! How could I forget that?

Anyway, I usually purchase from a reseller w/ warranty, and have not had problems.

Thanks for the pointers Frodo, sometimes things can be fuzzy as to the the prize. Agreed about holding off on DP6, I sually am 1 gen back and let Cornites blast through the new frontier.

Thanks for the link emulatorloo. I'll check it out. Although firewire seems to be the future, I not sure I'm ready to go down that road. UAD-1 ,SATA controller, interface is alot of reconfiguring seems to be alot of scaling down? Though I have been looking at teh iMac alot lately.

T

[Frodo]

One other consideration--

PCIx cards have to be updated to PCIe. UA has a special crossgrade bonus going on now:

http://www.uaudio.com/webzine/2008/april/index9.html

[Tonio]

Thanks for that Frodo, you're a gem.

T

[MIDI Life Crisis]

Personally I would not invest in G5 technology. Unless somebody gives you one, which kinda happened to me.

Funny, me too. I won mine from Macworld by answering a survey! My old G4 is perfectly fine and sitting in storage - just in case. But what comes around, goes around. My iBook sort of dies last week. It will boot up when I old it as a 45 degree angle (or better) but not in the usual position. WEIRD!

[emulatorloo]

A client gave me my dual 2.0ghz G5. It was sort of a payment, but not really. It is a nice machine, and will last me another year or so.

OTOH, my wife's first generation core duo Macbook Pro runs DP better.

MLC, boot that thing up and back it up. (but knowing you, you did that already!)

Tonio - maybe one thing to do is to look for a G5 with PCI-X rather than PCI-e. You will still have to upgrade your PCI-324, but your UAD might be ready to go as is. Check with UAD website to be sure, there were some warnings about certain G5's having a PCI controller that did not play well with their cards. It is in the techsupport area.

(OTOH as the devil's advocate I must say -- with an intel machine you may find that DSP cards like UAD are not that necessary.

You will have more power to run native fx plugs. However on yet the other hand I know many UAD owners are married to the plug-ins.)

Lastly, a Dual G5 Pricetracker:

http://www.lowendmac.com/deals/best-pow ... rices.html

I have bought from Baucom -- they were ok. I have bought from MegaMacs, I have mixed feelings about them. I have not bought from Mac of all Trades, but I hear great things about them and would buy from them. DV warehouse and PowerMax are supposed to be good too.

Frodo - Shine on, you crazy Diamond.

[MIDI Life Crisis]

MLC, boot that thing up and back it up. (but knowing you, you did that already!)

Triple-redundancy on all backups. Lessons learned.

[Tonio]

Actually I've been looking for the PCI-X issue @ the UAD forums.
That is a consideration, since Powermax has quite a few G5's now.
However, Apple has refurbed MAC pro's quad 2.66 Xeon at a good price.
Decisions, decisions.
T


[quote="emulatorloo"][Tonio - maybe one thing to do is to look for a G5 with PCI-X rather than PCI-e. You will still have to upgrade your PCI-324, but your UAD might be ready to go as is. Check with UAD website to be sure, there were some warnings about certain G5's having a PCI controller that did not play well with their cards. It is in the techsupport area.

(OTOH as the devil's advocate I must say -- with an intel machine you may find that DSP cards like UAD are not that necessary.

You will have more power to run native fx plugs. However on yet the other hand I know many UAD owners are married to the plug-ins.)

Lastly, a Dual G5 Pricetracker:

http://www.lowendmac.com/deals/best-pow ... rices.html

I have bought from Baucom -- they were ok. I have bought from MegaMacs, I have mixed feelings about them. I have not bought from Mac of all Trades, but I hear great things about them and would buy from them. DV warehouse and PowerMax are supposed to be good too.