12-07-2010, 11:13 PM

Hey everyone, first post here! I am pretty excited!

So, I am looking to upgrade from my macbook pro to a Mac Pro. Now I have looked around quite a bit, and found a few different used options. One in particular has caught my attention, the specs are as follows.

2.8 ghz Eight-Core Intel Xeon
10 GB of 800 ddr2 RAM
570GB of HD Space (1 320GB and 1 250GB)
Superdrive
Nvidia Geforce 8800 GT 512 MB
Bluetooth
Airport Extreme
Applecare until August 2011.

I don't know THAT much about the memory and the graphics card.

So, my first question is... is there a big difference between ddr2 and ddr3 ram? Also, will this particular system allow me to eventually switch to ddr3 ram? or is it only limited to ddr2?

Second, I have been reading up on different graphics cards... is this one any good? How does it stack up against the Nvidia GT120, or ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT? What other reasonably priced graphics cards are as good as the 8800 or better than it?

Overall, the price is 2500 canadian, do you think that is a good price?

Thanks in advance for your help!

12-08-2010, 12:08 AM

Originally Posted by Anthony_8801

Hey everyone, first post here! I am pretty excited!

So, I am looking to upgrade from my macbook pro to a Mac Pro. Now I have looked around quite a bit, and found a few different used options. One in particular has caught my attention, the specs are as follows.

2.8 ghz Eight-Core Intel Xeon
10 GB of 800 ddr2 RAM
570GB of HD Space (1 320GB and 1 250GB)
Superdrive
Nvidia Geforce 8800 GT 512 MB
Bluetooth
Airport Extreme
Applecare until August 2011.

I don't know THAT much about the memory and the graphics card.

So, my first question is... is there a big difference between ddr2 and ddr3 ram? Also, will this particular system allow me to eventually switch to ddr3 ram? or is it only limited to ddr2?

Second, I have been reading up on different graphics cards... is this one any good? How does it stack up against the Nvidia GT120, or ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT? What other reasonably priced graphics cards are as good as the 8800 or better than it?

Overall, the price is 2500 canadian, do you think that is a good price?

Thanks in advance for your help!

10-15% increase in speed between ddr2 and ddr3 RAM. Depends on the mobo to use DDR3 RAM but I don't think it's possible with that model.

http://www.techarp.com/article/Deskt...idia_4_big.png Here is a comparison of all the Nvidia GPU's.

And the 8800 is still a strong card. Better than the ATI 2600 definitely.

12-08-2010, 10:10 PM

As stated, it is using DDR2 and that is all that it will take.

Regarding value - top dollar but reasonable subject to original install discs, manuals, keyboard, mouse and power cord included. Offer $2200.00 and see what happens. Usual for sellers to allow a little bargaining room in their pricing.

12-08-2010, 11:15 PM

Yes it does come with all original packaging, mouse, keyboard, install discs.

Also, how good is the ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT? I have seen this card in a quite a bit of machines being sold, but from what I have read, it is older and not as good.. is that true?

In one particular machine, they have 2 of the ATI Radeon HD 2600... is having 2 a big benefit? Which card is better, this or the geforce 8800?

12-08-2010, 11:28 PM

Originally Posted by s2odin

http://www.techarp.com/article/Deskt...idia_4_big.png Here is a comparison of all the Nvidia GPU's.

And the 8800 is still a strong card. Better than the ATI 2600 definitely.

Originally Posted by Anthony_8801

In one particular machine, they have 2 of the ATI Radeon HD 2600... is having 2 a big benefit? Which card is better, this or the geforce 8800?

Even with 2 2600's the 8800 is still stronger.

12-09-2010, 12:48 AM

I use the 8800 and have yet to see it fail anything and support previous thread.