Which refurbed Mac would be a smarter buy...

[lexw]

Which would be a smarter buy (both refurbs):

• 2010 Mac Pro Two 2.4GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon "Westmere" processor

...or...

• 2012 Mac Pro One 3.2GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon

Thanks!
Lex

[MIDI Life Crisis]

Given the same amount of RAM and other extras, such as HDs or optical drives, etc., I'd probably go with the 2012. Also, there are benchmark sites to help you decide on speed (which I haven't checked) but I'd go with whichever one has a better benchmark.

[HCMarkus]

I think that would depend on the price...

Another option: My "2010" six core 3.33 cost me $1800:
$1,200 Used 2009 4,1;
Free EFI update to 5,1,
$600 Xeon Westmere installed myself.

[MIDI Life Crisis]

Well since we're confessin' I paid $2000 for my 8-core 3,1 which came with three HDs, 8GB RAM (I think) and an extra DVD burner. Works like a charm.

I don't know, but it would seem that the more cores the better. Not always the case, i know, so check the benckmark. The 2010 multicore might be slower then the newer 2012 machine. I just don't know, but I do know that used Mac Pros in great shape are all around. Worked for me.

[kgdrum]

agreed price would be a big part of the equation,if going used.
IMO going
2010 ---->2012 is not a that much different if the processor speed were more similar.
3.2 should be better than 2.4 but if I go for another used MacPro anytime soon I'd be looking at a 6 core or 8 core.
My Quad has served me well and I got it for $1200 or $1300 with 24gigs of Ram but a little more grunt power would be cool.
I'm hoping DP8 going 64bit gives me a bit more processing power so I can take advantage of my Ram more.

[MIDI Life Crisis]

I can tell ya that the grunt power is sure helpful in processing quicktimes for clients, photoshop filters and such, as well as DP processing. When the 64 bit DP arrives I hope it's a game changer.

[lexw]

Thanks everyone.

The prices are
2010 2.8 (2 processors) = $2,139
2012 3.2 (1 processors) = $1,819
Both with 6 GB RAM.

I guess my biggest question is if to having 2 processors, is better than having the newer 3.2.

Thanks!
Lex

[MIDI Life Crisis]

Which is exactly what I'm saying. Find a benchmark site and compare. I;d also seriously consider who I'm buying from if it is not from a reputable reseller.

[lexw]

Okay. I"ll look for a benchmark.
These are from Apple refurb.
Thanks again!

[kgdrum]

Thanks everyone.

The prices are
2010 2.8 (2 processors) = $2,139
2012 3.2 (1 processors) = $1,819
Both with 6 GB RAM.

I guess my biggest question is if to having 2 processors, is better than having the newer 3.2.

Thanks!
Lex

My vote would be for the 2010,yeah I'd rather get a dual quad(= 8core) than a single Quad even if the processor is a bit faster.

[MIDI Life Crisis]

I just don't understand enough about the core threading and stuff like that. I just figured that more cores would mean more speed and that an 8 core would be sufficient as long as it boots in 64 bit (which mine does). I've heard tell that a newer machine with less cores can be as fast as an older machine with more cores but for all intents and purposes, it eventually becomes academic once you reach the power to do all that you need to.

12 core would be overkill for me, but if i could afford it, I'd go there, but NOT on Lion or Mountain Lion. I would HAVE TO be able to stay in SL to retain compatibility with all my software. That part is simple enough for me.

[kgdrum]

any MacPro 2009 or later will do hyper-threading from my understanding.
I doubt either MPro the OP is looking at would be SL,I think Apple updates to a later OS when they refurb.
Unfortunately the days are numbered for all of us that have stayed parked in Snow Leopard,sooner or later(I think sooner).
Some vital software we use will require updating to a newer OS,time will tell.....

[MIDI Life Crisis]

Indeed, but "this day, we fight!"

[mikehalloran]

The 2012 will not be able to boot in SL.

The 2010 will, even if it doesn't ship with it. Refurbs often ship with the original OS but that is not a given. In face, Apple has a disclaimer to the effect that they don't guarantee which OS will ship.

Apple Support recently shipped me an OS 10.6.4 restore DVD for my 2010 iMac and let me know if I needed one for my wife's 2011, it would be the same one.

[MIDI Life Crisis]

Good points. I don't know if you can buy SL anymore. Probably not from Apple.