Mac Pro - need some fedback on configuring a Mac Pro before purchase

Brice0501 · Brice0501 #1 (**permalink**)

10-18-2006, 04:10 AM

I am going to make the jump from my 17" powerbook to a Mac Pro. However, the configuration possibilities seem endless and I am not sure where to start/finish. This machine will be used for the typical stuff. Alot of graphics work as well as film editing and music production. I guess my main question is, more processor or more RAM? I have priced out like three machines and they all are hovering around the same price point but the configurations concern me. My mentality is that I can always add RAM to it later on so I should get the fastest processor and the 2GB of RAM initially, but maybe that is the wrong desicion? Here are my options.....but please, if you think of a better configuration for what i'll be using this machine for let me know. Also I will be using a 23" cinema display with it so do I need to upgrade my grpahics card from the standard issue? If so what are the benefits?

opt.1
Two 3.0GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon
2GB (4 x 512MB)
500GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s

vs.

opt.2
Two 2.66GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon
4GB (4 x 1GB)
500GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s

sorry for the naive questions, just want to make sure I get the right machine

thanks

surfwax95 · surfwax95 #2 (**permalink**)

10-18-2006, 09:49 AM

Faster processor, add RAM later from a 3rd party vendor.

rman · rman #3 (**permalink**)

10-18-2006, 11:43 AM

I would get 1GB stick in place of the 2 512MB sticks. That would leave you open to install more memory if needed. Also it would not hurt to bump the graphic card to 512MB.

baggss · baggss #4 (**permalink**)

10-18-2006, 12:43 PM

Option 1.

Mr Bobbins · Mr Bobbins #5 (**permalink**)

10-18-2006, 02:02 PM

Extra processor power beats more ram any day. Option 1. You can always add extra ram later and it also usually cheeper in price as time goes on. A good graphics card is also always a bonus.

mr g5 · mr g5 #6 (**permalink**)

10-18-2006, 07:51 PM

I would go with option 1. Ram is useless unless what your doing can use it. faster processor helps in everything.

mdavis71 · mdavis71 #7 (**permalink**)

10-18-2006, 11:05 PM

save your money and buy the ram yourself.. you can get it for at least 50% off up to 70% less.

DcDesmo · DcDesmo #8 (**permalink**)

10-20-2006, 08:26 AM

Option 2, but hold off of the RAM, get more video card and add the RAM yourself at a later time (if you can stand running with 2G for the moment). The cost/benefit of the 3.0 processors is very, very unfavorable right now. Or wait a few months and see what happens with the Mac Pro - you might get those 3.0's as a mid level setup.

Mr Bobbins · Mr Bobbins #9 (**permalink**)

10-20-2006, 02:05 PM

Well thats thown a spanner in the works, now he will never be able to decide. He he :cool:

Brice0501 · Brice0501 #10 (**permalink**)

10-21-2006, 01:06 AM

thanks for the advice guys.

my biggest concern is running non native apps such as all my Adobe apps. I am about to finish my last qtr at graphic design school so I need a stable quick machine. The apple saleman assured me that even running through Rosetta my Adobe apps would still run faster than my 17" powerbook with 1gb of RAM, is he just blowin smoke?

as of now here is my configuration

Both Bluetooth 2.0+EDR and AirPort Extreme
One 16x SuperDrive
Final Cut Express HD preinstalled
Accessory kit
Two 3.0GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon
Mac OS X - U.S. English
500GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s
2GB (4 x 512MB)
ATI Radeon X1900 XT 512MB (2 x dual-link DVI)

Last question, is there a place to find final cut express HD cheaper than $149?

again, thanks for the help

B

surfwax95 #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 27, 2005 Location: Fayetteville, AR Posts: 2,410 Mac Specs: 15" Powerbook G4 • 24" iMac • iPhone 3Gs	10-18-2006, 09:49 AM Faster processor, add RAM later from a 3rd party vendor. I try to Command+Shift+/ when I can. They're - Their - There \| Two - Too - To \| You're - Your \| MAC - Mac I was on the M-F honor roll for October, 2006.
	QUOTE Thanks

mr g5 #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 15, 2006 Posts: 534 Mac Specs: Mac Pro 2.66GHz Quad, 1GB RAM	10-18-2006, 07:51 PM I would go with option 1. Ram is useless unless what your doing can use it. faster processor helps in everything. Join the Mac-forums folding team By Clicking Here
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Brice0501 #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 18, 2006 Posts: 12	10-18-2006, 04:10 AM I am going to make the jump from my 17" powerbook to a Mac Pro. However, the configuration possibilities seem endless and I am not sure where to start/finish. This machine will be used for the typical stuff. Alot of graphics work as well as film editing and music production. I guess my main question is, more processor or more RAM? I have priced out like three machines and they all are hovering around the same price point but the configurations concern me. My mentality is that I can always add RAM to it later on so I should get the fastest processor and the 2GB of RAM initially, but maybe that is the wrong desicion? Here are my options.....but please, if you think of a better configuration for what i'll be using this machine for let me know. Also I will be using a 23" cinema display with it so do I need to upgrade my grpahics card from the standard issue? If so what are the benefits? opt.1 Two 3.0GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 2GB (4 x 512MB) 500GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s vs. opt.2 Two 2.66GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 4GB (4 x 1GB) 500GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s sorry for the naive questions, just want to make sure I get the right machine thanks
	QUOTE Thanks

baggss #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 10, 2004 Location: Margaritaville Posts: 10,306 Mac Specs: 27" 3.4 Ghz i7 iMac-13" C2D Macbook-OSX 18.8.2-64Gb iPad 2-32 Gb iPhone 5-ATV 2-14Tb of Storage	10-18-2006, 12:43 PM Option 1.
	QUOTE Thanks

Mr Bobbins #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 29, 2005 Location: Legoland Posts: 790	10-18-2006, 02:02 PM Extra processor power beats more ram any day. Option 1. You can always add extra ram later and it also usually cheeper in price as time goes on. A good graphics card is also always a bonus.
	QUOTE Thanks

mdavis71 #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 01, 2004 Posts: 243 Mac Specs: 13" MacBook	10-18-2006, 11:05 PM save your money and buy the ram yourself.. you can get it for at least 50% off up to 70% less.
	QUOTE Thanks

DcDesmo #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 18, 2006 Location: NOVA Posts: 4 Mac Specs: Mac Pro 2.66	10-20-2006, 08:26 AM Option 2, but hold off of the RAM, get more video card and add the RAM yourself at a later time (if you can stand running with 2G for the moment). The cost/benefit of the 3.0 processors is very, very unfavorable right now. Or wait a few months and see what happens with the Mac Pro - you might get those 3.0's as a mid level setup.
	QUOTE Thanks

Mr Bobbins #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 29, 2005 Location: Legoland Posts: 790	10-20-2006, 02:05 PM Well thats thown a spanner in the works, now he will never be able to decide. He he :cool:
	QUOTE Thanks

Brice0501 #10 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 18, 2006 Posts: 12	10-21-2006, 01:06 AM thanks for the advice guys. my biggest concern is running non native apps such as all my Adobe apps. I am about to finish my last qtr at graphic design school so I need a stable quick machine. The apple saleman assured me that even running through Rosetta my Adobe apps would still run faster than my 17" powerbook with 1gb of RAM, is he just blowin smoke? as of now here is my configuration Both Bluetooth 2.0+EDR and AirPort Extreme One 16x SuperDrive Final Cut Express HD preinstalled Accessory kit Two 3.0GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon Mac OS X - U.S. English 500GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s 2GB (4 x 512MB) ATI Radeon X1900 XT 512MB (2 x dual-link DVI) Last question, is there a place to find final cut express HD cheaper than $149? again, thanks for the help B
	QUOTE Thanks

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