Upgrading to used Mac Pro, which one?

[nickmeister]

Hi, I'm currently using a powermac G5 dual 2ghz PowerPC desktop powerMac with 5gb ram running Leopard 10.5.8 and Logic 8 and plenty of plug ins. I'm finding that maybe it's time to upgrade with more processing power. I paid nearly 3 grand for this machine when it can out and won't be paying anywhere near that again.

Most software available now will only run on Intel snow leopard updwards, I've seen dozens of Intel based Mac Pro's available second hand so was wondering what a decent spec machine would be ie processor/ram that would be a decent upgrade and Intel based?

I have looked into the following which would be the better option?;
Which of these would be the better option?

Mac pro 2007/2008 4gb ram, 250gb hdd. intel xeon Quad Core processor.

MAC PRO 2ghz QUAD CORE+ 4GB RAM + 250GB Hard Drive

Mac Pro 1.1 2006 2 x 3GHZ Xeons , 10GB Ram , 120GB SSD


Thanks




Many thanks!

 

[chscag]

My opinion: Buy as late a model Mac Pro that you can afford. However, several of our members are very familiar with the Mac Pro series and probably will offer their advice.

 

[harryb2448]

There is no '2007/2008' model. Both two and three on your list are 32bit EFI and will run no later operating system than Lion OS X.7, now four operating systems behind. Anyone advertising a 2007/2008 is selling in all probability that same model and trying to disguise it as a much newer, faster model. Personally, having been a Mac Pro user for many years, would not touch anything earlier than 2010. A mid 2010 2.4Ghz 64bit EFI dual would fill the bill much, much better than any of the above and run operating systems right up to El Capitan OS X.11.

And even that is over five years old now, but will still kick whatsit with a GeekBench score of 12,626. For instance, a late 2014 3.5GHz iMac returns in the 10,000 bracket.

 

[pigoo3]

Don't buy anything older than a Mac Pro 3,1 (which is a 2008 Model). But as already advised…get the newest model you can afford. I believe a used Mac Pro 4,1 (from 2009) which I've owned…should cost well under $1000. Next is a Mac Pro 5,1 (from 2010). I'm not too familiar with their current prices (check eBay)…still shouldn't be too expensive (not too much more than a Mac Pro 4,1).

Of course there are many different configurations (depending on model). Quad-cores, 6-core, 8-core, 12-core…different amounts of ram…and different video cards. All of which will impact price (mostly the number of CPU cores will effect price).

FYI. There was a VERY large gap in terms of Mac Pro new model releases between 2010 an the newest (round) Mac Pro's (2013). There were more models released after 2010. But they were mostly "tweaks"…and were still considered Mac Pro 5,1's.

The newest Mac Pro's (black round one's) are Mac Pro 6,1's.

Depending on your budget...I would recommend at least an 8-core Mac Pro 4,1 (2009). But get the newest you can afford.

HTH,

- Nick