2 Dual core intel xeon vs quad core. Whats the difference??

[johnnycruze]

I came across someone who's selling his mac pro 1.1 (aprox 2-3 years old machine) which hosts 2 dual core intel xeon processors 2.66 Ghz (4 total cores) with an L2 cache of 4 MB per processor and 3 gb of RAM. He is asking for 1200.00
I wonder:
1. is there a significant difference between the machine described above and the new 2.66GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon 3500 series processor machines Apple offers?
2. Is 1200 a good deal considering its a 2-3 year old machine? how much would it cost me brand new?
3. I am planning to purchase the machine to use Logic Pro 8 (considering to upgrade to 9) which I currently run on my mac book intel core duo 1.8 GHZ. Which of the two machines will be optimal for it?

Thanks in advance for your time!

 

[MartyMart]

Hi, that's a pretty decent machine and I had one until a couple of months ago.
The new series quad 2.66 would be a fair amount faster due to having new
processors and memory that runs over twice as fast.
Those new ones here in the UK are about £1,900 so the price asked is about
right ( I got £1,100 for mine in Jan 2010 )
Remember that it will be either "out of warranty" or if he had applecare there
won't be much left of the 3 year warranty.

Up to you, if you want new and decent warranty then go for "new" but that
model will do a good job with Logic 8/9

Marty.

 

[johnnycruze]

Those new ones here in the UK are about £1,900 so the price asked is about
right ( I got £1,100 for mine in Jan 2010 )

By saying new ones do you mean the new quad or the older 2xduo core I am considering buying used?

Thanks

 

[MartyMart]

Yes I mean the new Quads are £1,900

MM.