Quad or 8 core Mac Pro?

Nigel Barker · May 7th, 2009, 11:56 AM

Niels, I am glad that you opted for the dual processor as that is what I personally would have done. In fact it is exactly what I did when I ordered myself the previous model Mac Pro.

You can't go wrong ordering RAM from Crucial as they guarantee compatibility. I just checked on their web site & 'Wow!' those 4GB memory sticks are really expensive. 10x the price of the 2GB sticks! Buying 4x2GB sticks from Crucial will still save over 200 Euros so is worth doing.

BTW It's very easy to add disk drives on the Mac Pro. You just screw a S-ATA drive in one of the three empty disk carriers. You can buy 2TB disks now so you will have plenty of scope for expansion.

Andy Wilkinson · May 7th, 2009, 12:15 PM

Yep seconded! Wise decision Niels. I've just landed another big UK wide corporate video job today so I'm hoping to push the button (finally) on buying my Mac Pro tomorrow.

:-)

Niels Neeskens · May 7th, 2009, 12:54 PM

Thanks guys, makes me feel even more comfortable with my decision. Congrats on landing the new job Andy! I am pulling the trigger tomorrow as well, can't we get a big discount if we order at the same time Andy ;)

Jon Braeley · May 12th, 2009, 05:51 AM

When you order the 8-core, have Apple include 8Gb of Ram in 2x4 combination - ie, in four slots. Its an extra $90 - that was my price 2 weeks ago. Then you can easily add more 2Gb in the remaining four slots to go to 16Gb Ram. This is the most economical way to use all the slots right now - without taking a mortgage out to buy 4Gb modules.
Otherwise you will have to toss out the default ram and replace with 6 or 8Gb modules.

Andy Wilkinson · May 12th, 2009, 06:10 AM

There appears to be a bit of a debate going on as to whether or not it's best to fill only THREE slots of the memory bank (not all 4) with RAM with these new triple channel Nehalem Mac Pros - see some of the links I provided earlier on this forum, such as this one.

Pro Apps on Nehalem Mac Pro - Cores? Memory?

Niels Neeskens · May 12th, 2009, 08:47 AM

Hey Jon,

I did all ready :) I ordered the 8-core with 8 GB (4 x 2GB) of memory and will order the other 8 GB with a 3rd party when I have the monster machine.

I'll follow that thread Andy, thanks!

Andy Wilkinson · May 19th, 2009, 10:23 AM

OK, I finally (!) pushed the button on this as I need the extra capability as my corporate video business is getting pretty busy! The exact spec I ordered is below. Hopefully this baby will arrive sometime next week and I'll let you know how I get on!

Apple Mac Pro 2 x 2.66Ghz Nehalem (i.e. 8 Core)
12GB Ram (6 x 2GB)
1TB System Drive and 3 further 1TB drives (i.e. to fill all 4 bays)
ATI Radeon HD 4870 Graphics Card
One Superdrive
Wired Apple Mighty Mouse
Wired Standard UK Keyboard
Airport Extreme WiFi (n)
iWork 09
Mini Display Port to DVI Adapter
3 Year Applecare Protection

Denise Wall · May 19th, 2009, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Wilkinson

OK, I finally (!) pushed the button on this as I need the extra capability as my corporate video business is getting pretty busy! The exact spec I ordered is below. Hopefully this baby will arrive sometime next week and I'll let you know how I get on!

Apple Mac Pro 2 x 2.66Ghz Nehalem (i.e. 8 Core)
12GB Ram (6 x 2GB)
1TB System Drive and 3 further 1TB drives (i.e. to fill all 4 bays)
ATI Radeon HD 4870 Graphics Card
One Superdrive
Wired Apple Mighty Mouse
Wired Standard UK Keyboard
Airport Extreme WiFi (n)
iWork 09
Mini Display Port to DVI Adapter
3 Year Applecare Protection

Do you mind me asking how much all that set you back? I'm in the market for a new Mac Pro but not sure I want to go for the whole enchilada at this point.

Andy Wilkinson · May 19th, 2009, 10:45 AM

Well if you configure this spec on the Apple UK website it will (at 19th May 2009) cost just over 5,128 quid (well, just two pence over....) BUT I bought it from a very well know UK Apple reseller (I won't name them as they are not a DVinfo sponsor) and I paid considerably less than that (but still a heck of a lot!!!!)

Niels Neeskens · May 20th, 2009, 10:02 AM

I am receiving mine monday. I am on a holiday now, but I can't wait till I get home and install the whole thing :)

I paid around 5000 euro's for it, without a discount, but it will pay back very soon as my workflow will be a lot faster.

Denise Wall · May 20th, 2009, 10:13 AM

Thanks Andy and Niels. I don't know why I didn't notice where you were from before I asked. I don't know how that converts into US dollars right now.

Andy Wilkinson · May 20th, 2009, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denise Wall

Thanks Andy and Niels. I don't know why I didn't notice where you were from before I asked. I don't know how that converts into US dollars right now.

Yesterday, the pound jumped more than one and a half cents to hit $1.5476 (US), its highest level since mid-December. It rose against the euro to 1.1410 euros. Any way you look at it...it's a lot of money! But I'm with Niels on this - with the work piling in, it will pay me back very soon - hopefully! :-)

(disclaimer - nothing in life is certain!)

Andy Wilkinson · May 27th, 2009, 09:28 AM

Well it arrived at lunchtime....so, with my luck, you can expect Apple to update the Mac Pro specs with a significant bump any day now (!) ;-)

Apart from the well documented "fan burst" on switch-on it's whisper quiet. Beautifully built too - this one's assembled in Ireland. Spent the afternoon updating to the latest OSX version 10.5.7 etc. etc. and all that went perfectly.

The 20 Quid Apple mini-Display Port to DVI conversion connector works perfectly with the ATI 4870 HD Graphics card and one of my Dell 2408WFP monitors (but I'm awaiting a longer DVI cable to be able to get my second Dell 2408WFP connected). As luck would have it, the spare DVI cable I have won't reach the position I currently have the Mac Pro in! I've now got a 5M one on rush order from Amazon, you'll be unsurprised to hear!

I've a meeting with a client in the pub in an hour or so to review an edit (a nice way to do business!) but after that I'll start loading FCS2 on it....it's going to be a very long night I think. I've a big new edit to get going so then I can start to put this beauty through it's paces and see what she's really made of!

Niels Neeskens · May 28th, 2009, 02:40 AM

I have mine for a few days now, and could use it within a few hours like I have been working on it my entire life. It's a dream machine, very quiet (the ''fan burst'' first scared me a bit, but after that it's very quiet) and beautiful from the outside and inside (where have I heard that before).

Mine was build in Ireland as well, so I drunk a nice big pint when I got it.

I was very surprised, after I connected it with the firewire cable and transferred the old files from the Macbook Pro on it, that all the programs came with it too. I did some research and thought that I had to install FCS2 manually, like you were talking about Andy. But The Mac Pro was, after 1,5 hour or so, an exact copy of my old work station. With some programs you have to fill in the serial number, but to me it was a pleasant surprise. It all runs smoothly and fast!

I am a very happy man

Erick Munari · June 19th, 2009, 09:23 AM

Saludos,
I am in the marlet for MacPro as well. Is there anyting you recommend I should do, anything you wish you had done instead or your system is ideal?

May 7th, 2009, 12:15 PM	#17
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	Yep seconded! Wise decision Niels. I've just landed another big UK wide corporate video job today so I'm hoping to push the button (finally) on buying my Mac Pro tomorrow. :-) __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production Last edited by Andy Wilkinson; May 7th, 2009 at 12:57 PM.

May 12th, 2009, 06:10 AM	#20
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	There appears to be a bit of a debate going on as to whether or not it's best to fill only THREE slots of the memory bank (not all 4) with RAM with these new triple channel Nehalem Mac Pros - see some of the links I provided earlier on this forum, such as this one. Pro Apps on Nehalem Mac Pro - Cores? Memory? __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production

May 19th, 2009, 10:23 AM	#22
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	OK, I finally (!) pushed the button on this as I need the extra capability as my corporate video business is getting pretty busy! The exact spec I ordered is below. Hopefully this baby will arrive sometime next week and I'll let you know how I get on! Apple Mac Pro 2 x 2.66Ghz Nehalem (i.e. 8 Core) 12GB Ram (6 x 2GB) 1TB System Drive and 3 further 1TB drives (i.e. to fill all 4 bays) ATI Radeon HD 4870 Graphics Card One Superdrive Wired Apple Mighty Mouse Wired Standard UK Keyboard Airport Extreme WiFi (n) iWork 09 Mini Display Port to DVI Adapter 3 Year Applecare Protection __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production

May 19th, 2009, 10:45 AM	#24
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	Well if you configure this spec on the Apple UK website it will (at 19th May 2009) cost just over 5,128 quid (well, just two pence over....) BUT I bought it from a very well know UK Apple reseller (I won't name them as they are not a DVinfo sponsor) and I paid considerably less than that (but still a heck of a lot!!!!) __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production

May 27th, 2009, 09:28 AM	#28
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	Mac Pro 8 Core 2.66Ghz Nehalem - First Impressions Well it arrived at lunchtime....so, with my luck, you can expect Apple to update the Mac Pro specs with a significant bump any day now (!) ;-) Apart from the well documented "fan burst" on switch-on it's whisper quiet. Beautifully built too - this one's assembled in Ireland. Spent the afternoon updating to the latest OSX version 10.5.7 etc. etc. and all that went perfectly. The 20 Quid Apple mini-Display Port to DVI conversion connector works perfectly with the ATI 4870 HD Graphics card and one of my Dell 2408WFP monitors (but I'm awaiting a longer DVI cable to be able to get my second Dell 2408WFP connected). As luck would have it, the spare DVI cable I have won't reach the position I currently have the Mac Pro in! I've now got a 5M one on rush order from Amazon, you'll be unsurprised to hear! I've a meeting with a client in the pub in an hour or so to review an edit (a nice way to do business!) but after that I'll start loading FCS2 on it....it's going to be a very long night I think. I've a big new edit to get going so then I can start to put this beauty through it's paces and see what she's really made of! __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production

May 7th, 2009, 11:56 AM	#16
Nigel Barker Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK Posts: 3,531	Niels, I am glad that you opted for the dual processor as that is what I personally would have done. In fact it is exactly what I did when I ordered myself the previous model Mac Pro. You can't go wrong ordering RAM from Crucial as they guarantee compatibility. I just checked on their web site & 'Wow!' those 4GB memory sticks are really expensive. 10x the price of the 2GB sticks! Buying 4x2GB sticks from Crucial will still save over 200 Euros so is worth doing. BTW It's very easy to add disk drives on the Mac Pro. You just screw a S-ATA drive in one of the three empty disk carriers. You can buy 2TB disks now so you will have plenty of scope for expansion.

May 7th, 2009, 12:54 PM	#18
Niels Neeskens Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Almelo Posts: 177	Thanks guys, makes me feel even more comfortable with my decision. Congrats on landing the new job Andy! I am pulling the trigger tomorrow as well, can't we get a big discount if we order at the same time Andy ;)

May 12th, 2009, 05:51 AM	#19
Jon Braeley Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 528	When you order the 8-core, have Apple include 8Gb of Ram in 2x4 combination - ie, in four slots. Its an extra $90 - that was my price 2 weeks ago. Then you can easily add more 2Gb in the remaining four slots to go to 16Gb Ram. This is the most economical way to use all the slots right now - without taking a mortgage out to buy 4Gb modules. Otherwise you will have to toss out the default ram and replace with 6 or 8Gb modules.

May 12th, 2009, 08:47 AM	#21
Niels Neeskens Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Almelo Posts: 177	Hey Jon, I did all ready :) I ordered the 8-core with 8 GB (4 x 2GB) of memory and will order the other 8 GB with a 3rd party when I have the monster machine. I'll follow that thread Andy, thanks!

May 20th, 2009, 10:02 AM	#25
Niels Neeskens Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Almelo Posts: 177	I am receiving mine monday. I am on a holiday now, but I can't wait till I get home and install the whole thing :) I paid around 5000 euro's for it, without a discount, but it will pay back very soon as my workflow will be a lot faster.

May 20th, 2009, 10:13 AM	#26
Denise Wall Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Advance, NC Posts: 153	Thanks Andy and Niels. I don't know why I didn't notice where you were from before I asked. I don't know how that converts into US dollars right now.

May 28th, 2009, 02:40 AM	#29
Niels Neeskens Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Almelo Posts: 177	I have mine for a few days now, and could use it within a few hours like I have been working on it my entire life. It's a dream machine, very quiet (the ''fan burst'' first scared me a bit, but after that it's very quiet) and beautiful from the outside and inside (where have I heard that before). Mine was build in Ireland as well, so I drunk a nice big pint when I got it. I was very surprised, after I connected it with the firewire cable and transferred the old files from the Macbook Pro on it, that all the programs came with it too. I did some research and thought that I had to install FCS2 manually, like you were talking about Andy. But The Mac Pro was, after 1,5 hour or so, an exact copy of my old work station. With some programs you have to fill in the serial number, but to me it was a pleasant surprise. It all runs smoothly and fast! I am a very happy man

June 19th, 2009, 09:23 AM	#30
Erick Munari Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New York Posts: 161	Saludos, I am in the marlet for MacPro as well. Is there anyting you recommend I should do, anything you wish you had done instead or your system is ideal?