MacPro 2008 8-core vs. 2012 12-core

[Gravity Jim]

My 3,1 early 2008 8-core MacPro works fine.

But I am thinking of upgrading to a June 2012 12-core. I use a Tascam interface/console setup that wants FireWire, I have PCI cards I want to use, and so I'm not all that excited about the upcoming MacPros... I don't need Thunderbolt.

But there's no point in spending the money if there's not a real performance boost to be gained. I'm not looking for speed, as a Photoshop or animation user might: I'm just curious if the upgrade might give me greater CPU bandwidth, allowing more VIs and processing at lower buffers.

I've seen some benchmark numbers that indicate the current 12-core might perform 3 times better than my current machine. But bench tests aren't real work....

Does anyone here have any experience making this kind of upgrade?

[HCMarkus]

Jim, if you don't have an immediate need, you may want to wait until Q3 of the year to see what the new Mac Pro looks like. If it's cool, you can buy one. If not, you will be able to pick up a used or refurb current gen Mac for less, as there will undoubtedly be a large number of Mac owners who must have the latest and greatest, and will sell their old machines.

I have been extremely pleased with the performance of my hex-core 5,1 3.33, which I built from a 2009 4,1 four-core Mac Pro, but I have no point of reference to your 3,1 machine.

[kgdrum]

+1

The market for 2009-2012 used MacPros will be luring me big time,I think this will be a great time to get a newer used MPro,I'd hold off until then if there's no urgent need now.

[MIDI Life Crisis]

I'm VERY happy with my (Used) 2008 (3,1) 8 core.

[frankf]

+1


Frank Ferrucci

[Gravity Jim]

Well, I have to agree, that makes good sense. Like I say, my 3,1 8-core does run great. The business is having a really excellent first quarter and I'm doing some planning for the year. Maybe a new Mac won't be the hot-setup, even in the future...my digital expert son Aiden says the same thing you guys are saying, so I guess I can't argue.

Oh, well. I'll spend some money on something more fun! I've got an itch to try fretless bass....

[Frodo]

The 3,1 8-core is a great machine, so much so that it was among the most ideal MacPros during what was (is?) a very awkward transition. Those who got the 3,1s should consider themselves blessed with good fortune.

I got caught in a MacPro nightmare that I would not wish on anyone. The timing was just awful. I was sitting on a G5 that couldn't run anything later than 10.5, so I got a MacPro-- a 1,1. What was thought to be an investment in "the future" turned out to be another quick dead end since the new machine would not boot the Snow Leopard 64-bit kernel AND was quietly slated not to run anything later than Snow Leopard (just one OS later than 10.5).

Part of that problem was that I couldn't wait another 2-3 years for a 2008 MacPro and had to do *something* right away. It turned out to be an unavoidable sand trap. I've never had a Mac that didn't last through more than one OS. It still works great, but software updates were just out of the question.

So Jim, I totally agree with all that has been said here. I don't want anyone to go through what I've been through.

[HCMarkus]

Here's to better luck on the upgrade trail with the 12-core Frodo, if you ever need to upgrade that is!

The technology we are using today has matured tremendously from the G5 and early Mac Pro days and, given a modicum of self-control and rationality, we may be able to use our current Macs as appliances, stable for at least several years; like erosion-resistant rocks in the ever shifting OS sands.

I am very happy with Snow Leopard and DP7.24 at present. I will almost certainly move to DP8/64 bit and Mountain Lion at some point but am thinking that, when I do, ML is where my machine may well stay until its final days.

[wylie1]

This is OT but here's a link for replacement optical drives for the older
MacPro I just thought I'd post this because it took me a couple of hours to find after finding out EDI drives using ATAPI protocol are becoming very rare.
You may need this in the future both my drives have failed on me.
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/LG/GH24NS90ATA/

[Frodo]

Warning! Warning, Will Robinson. Danger! Danger! The 2012 MacPros will not boot OSX 10.9!!

JUST KIDDING-- but that's been the pattern of my nightmare for the past 9 years. Thank goodness that nightmare is over (afaik).

I don't want to brag about the new machine too much-- not yet, anyway-- but it is putting out in amazing numbers so far. In retrospect, it has just become clearer how important it was for Mac users to have made that 2008 Mac cut having already endured the PPC cut. Ouch. Not all users were so lucky.

I think Jim, MLC and others did very well in MacPro world. To you Mr. Markus, who were once holding steady with a late model G5, that machine was central to surviving the PCIx/PCIe transition since it had both types of slots. For other users, it meant getting a whole new computer before PCIe could even be considered. Ka-ching! You did very well on that front, imho, and weathered the transition storm just as handsomely.

For those interested in a MacPro newer than 2012, I would say keep tabs on Thunderbolt development for all its early pros and cons. The pros will be more easily discoverable than the cons.

Congrats to all who avoided the pre-2008 'bismol'!

[emulatorloo]

Also still loving my used '08 Mac Pro 8 core. Am toying with the idea of adding an ssd for a boot drive. But honestly that is probably more about gear acquisition syndrome than need.


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[daveyboy]

Also still loving my used '08 Mac Pro 8 core. Am toying with the idea of adding an ssd for a boot drive. But honestly that is probably more about gear acquisition syndrome than need.


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I'm an 08' 8 core user and upgraded to a 512 gb crucial SSD (under $400 at amazon) last year. It was like getting a new computer. Well worth it seeing how I'll probably squeeze a few more years from this machine. I'm using it for my boot drive.


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[emulatorloo]

Thanks for the encouragement - Between your post and some of HC's post in another thread, I am sold. Going to start looking for sales.

[MIDI Life Crisis]

Thanks for the encouragement - Between your post and some of HC's post in another thread, I am sold. Going to start looking for sales.

Just make sure it is a 3,1 or better or you won't be able to boot in 64 bit.

[stephentayler]

My 3.1 8 core has just become awesome with the graphics upgrade to the ATI Radeon HD5770, cannot believe what a difference it has made to just about everything.

Cheers

SWT