Thank you for that Geekbench list!
Ok. Lets start over. So here is a list of what I need my next Mac Pro to do:
I am a print designer but would like to move into the motion graphics industry. The intended use for this machine are:
1) To sharpen my After Effects skills
2) Learn Cinema 4D so can create a portfolio reel to get real work. Goal is to hopefully show something by Jan 2012.
3) Do real work with this machine in case I need to work from home.
4) Use a handful amount of plug-ins for both apps
5) I know there is no way to future proof a computer but ideally would like it to last me around 5 years. I understand that by that time what ever i am getting now will be a dinosaur and slow compare to the latest then. But I still want to be able to use it for motion graphic work despite its age.
6) Run cs5 photoshop, illustrator, indesign, flash, dreamweaver
7) I plan to do some complex scenes that involves lots of layers and lighting with the motion graphics apps mentioned (AE and C4D)
I don't need the fastest machine but i need one that won't be sluggish when i use core/ram intensive apps like After Effects, Premiere Pro, and Cinema 4 D. One that is fast enough so I don't have to watch the beach ball spin every time I make a move with AE or C4D or wait for a 4 hr render for a 5 sec video clip. If it weren't for these programs i would still continue to work on my old 2007 mbp with 3GB of Ram.
Since AE, PP, & C4d eats up as many memory and cores as the machine throws at it. Of course the higher # of cores/ram and clock speed is better. But my budget is 4-5K max.
Any upgrade I need to do will be through OWC. That is ram or even SSD upgrade.
With that said which of these is more suitable to my needs:
A) 2x2.4 GHZ 8-Core 2TB HD w/ 24 or 48 GB of ram
pros—least expensive, 8-core
cons—slowest clockspeed
willing to add OWC 256 SSD if it helps to get that machine to where i want it to be.
B) One 3.33GHz 6-Core 2TB HD w/ 24 or 32 GB of ram
pros—higher clockspeed
cons—ram maxed out at 32GB, single thread, 6 core, $300 more than then 8 core but i am willing to pay this.
maybe willing to add OWC 256 SSD if it helps
C) 2x2.66 12-core 1 TB HD w/ 24 GB of ram
best machine but means $1300-$1500 more.
cons—the 12-core=more overhead=more ram=more $
i rather not go down this road.
Given my past experiences with having the inside of my computer touched I want to try to avoid having to upgrade something every 1-2 years. The least the computer has to be open the better; less chance of accidents.
Will be getting Apple Care being that I am in no way tech savvy.
I have a chance to get a discount but this discount will expire in 5 days. So i gotta pull the trigger by next Tuesday at the latest.
Really appreciate your advise! Thanks.