Buying a used MacPro--advice needed at DVinfo.net

Mike Donovan · January 18th, 2008, 03:01 PM

Would it be worth it to get something like described below for like $1900 and try to upgrade the RAM and add some 500GB HDs? I'm not sure how expensive those 2 things would be to add on--if that is going to take me up to what it would be to buy one of the new MacPros, for like 3K. (this one has apple care too):
2x 64-bit Intel Xeon Dual Core 2.66GHz (2 Processors, 2.66GHz Intel Xeon Dual Core. 4 Cores Total)

1GB 667MHz DDR2 ECC Ram Error Correction Code Ram (2x 512MB)

250 GB Hard Drive Space (Bay 1: 250GB Bay 2: Empty Bay 3: Empty Bay 4: Empty)

NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT Video Card (256MB, Can power up to 2 montiors, including 2x 30" Monitors)

Mathieu Ghekiere · January 18th, 2008, 03:22 PM

I think 1900 dollars is a bit on the expensive side... considering the 300 dollar difference for a NEW machine, that's a bit faster (I'm talking about the single quadcore option), has more RAM, a bigger hard drive, and a newer video card, and better front bus speed...

Don't buy RAM from Apple, they overcharge.

Mike Donovan · January 18th, 2008, 03:44 PM

the new macpro with a single quad core and 2gb ram is still like $2800 (with applecare)...

is it a big deal to put some 500GB HDs inside the MacPro?

Mathieu Ghekiere · January 18th, 2008, 04:01 PM

The new Mac Pro with a single core is 2300 dollars, I looked at the Apple website... Of course with Apple care, it's more, but you can't compare that, that's an unfair comparison, then you should account for the price of Apple care in the second hand Mac Pro too (where you would need it more too).

You have this site Mac2sell.net
They quote the price for a 2.66 ghz Mac Pro, and the specifications you said, at 1500-1600 dollars... Don't know if they are cheap, but I think 1900 dollars is a bit steep too...
I would definately go for 1700 dollars at the most...

Your choice of course.

Mike Donovan · January 18th, 2008, 04:06 PM

Thanks for the feedback, I'll check out that site! One other quick question:

Best place to buy RAM for Macs?

Ivan Snoeckx · January 18th, 2008, 04:20 PM

Buy a Mac Pro with the standard RAM and then get the extra RAM memory from Kingston. The new 800 MHz RAM is already available. Here is the link.

Mac Pro 2008 Kingston RAM

January 18th, 2008, 03:01 PM	#1
Mike Donovan Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 52	Buying a used MacPro--advice needed Would it be worth it to get something like described below for like $1900 and try to upgrade the RAM and add some 500GB HDs? I'm not sure how expensive those 2 things would be to add on--if that is going to take me up to what it would be to buy one of the new MacPros, for like 3K. (this one has apple care too): 2x 64-bit Intel Xeon Dual Core 2.66GHz (2 Processors, 2.66GHz Intel Xeon Dual Core. 4 Cores Total) 1GB 667MHz DDR2 ECC Ram Error Correction Code Ram (2x 512MB) 250 GB Hard Drive Space (Bay 1: 250GB Bay 2: Empty Bay 3: Empty Bay 4: Empty) NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT Video Card (256MB, Can power up to 2 montiors, including 2x 30" Monitors)

January 18th, 2008, 03:22 PM	#2
Mathieu Ghekiere Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Belgium Posts: 2,195	I think 1900 dollars is a bit on the expensive side... considering the 300 dollar difference for a NEW machine, that's a bit faster (I'm talking about the single quadcore option), has more RAM, a bigger hard drive, and a newer video card, and better front bus speed... Don't buy RAM from Apple, they overcharge. __________________ http://productionsofthe3rdkind.com http://pr3k.com

January 18th, 2008, 04:01 PM	#4
Mathieu Ghekiere Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Belgium Posts: 2,195	The new Mac Pro with a single core is 2300 dollars, I looked at the Apple website... Of course with Apple care, it's more, but you can't compare that, that's an unfair comparison, then you should account for the price of Apple care in the second hand Mac Pro too (where you would need it more too). You have this site Mac2sell.net They quote the price for a 2.66 ghz Mac Pro, and the specifications you said, at 1500-1600 dollars... Don't know if they are cheap, but I think 1900 dollars is a bit steep too... I would definately go for 1700 dollars at the most... Your choice of course. __________________ http://productionsofthe3rdkind.com http://pr3k.com

January 18th, 2008, 03:44 PM	#3
Mike Donovan Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 52	the new macpro with a single quad core and 2gb ram is still like $2800 (with applecare)... is it a big deal to put some 500GB HDs inside the MacPro?

January 18th, 2008, 04:06 PM	#5
Mike Donovan Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 52	Thanks for the feedback, I'll check out that site! One other quick question: Best place to buy RAM for Macs?

January 18th, 2008, 04:20 PM	#6
Ivan Snoeckx Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Belgium \| Europe Posts: 441	Buy a Mac Pro with the standard RAM and then get the extra RAM memory from Kingston. The new 800 MHz RAM is already available. Here is the link. Mac Pro 2008 Kingston RAM