Found a 2009 Mac Pro upgraded, little help ASAP

[C(-)ris]

Buy my 8 core 2.26 2009 for $625 instead

http://forums.macresource.com/read.php?3,2035087

I can flash it to a 5,1 and install Sierra.

[Kraniac]

C(-)ris wrote:
Buy my 8 core 2.26 2009 for $625 instead

http://forums.macresource.com/read.php?3,2035087

I can flash it to a 5,1 and install Sierra.

I plan on back pedaling to Snow Leopard for a few devices I need to run

Where is the machine located C c c ris??

[anonymouse1]

Obvious first question: What are you going to use it for?

If you have a need for that machine with those specs, I'd buy it. That's a better price than most comparable machines go for on ebay. Re heat: The word generally is that the 3.46 is no hotter than the 3.33; no real problems. If you want to, you can ramp up the fan speed to cool it down.

But the BIG qualifying question is: Do you need a machine that fast? Slower ones with four cores go for about $350-$400 on ebay.

I've been tracking this stuff pretty closely for about a year now, so I'm pretty confident about my answers.

[Kraniac]

anonymouse1 wrote:
Obvious first question: What are you going to use it for?

If you have a need for that machine with those specs, I'd buy it. That's a better price than most comparable machines go for on ebay. Re heat: The word generally is that the 3.46 is no hotter than the 3.33; no real problems. If you want to, you can ramp up the fan speed to cool it down.

But the BIG qualifying question is: Do you need a machine that fast? Slower ones with four cores go for about $350-$400 on ebay.

I've been tracking this stuff pretty closely for about a year now, so I'm pretty confident about my answers.

It's going to accommodate an Apogee Symphony PCI express card that will run an 8 channel Rosetta converter- recording

Also, the power will be primary for mixing

It'll also be my desktop based printing computer so photoshop and large files
Headed for a 24 inch printer...plus scanning from an Imacon 4x5 transparency scanner

The main thing is the recording and mixing as far as power goes

[M A V I C]

Kraniac wrote:
Anyone have any comments on the 3.46ghz heat issues?

I've got a 3.33, though 12 core. I wouldn't run even my machine without custom adjustments to the fan controls. There are other reports that the 3.46ghz might get too hot.

[GuyGene]

To all the above: :hail: I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy...

[AllGold]

Kraniac wrote:
Anyone have any comments on the 3.46ghz heat issues?

Not from personal experience, but yes, I have heard of heat problems with the 3.46GHz.

I would avoid that speed but otherwise I think the price is fair.

If you need 10.6.8 and don't have any other way to get it, you can buy an installer on a flash drive through ebay for about $10.

[Buzz]

As noted, the 32GB RAM (assuming 4 X 8GB) is a plus, and the proc swap to the 3.46GHz is of little, if any real value over a 3.33GHz which would've saved at least $50 on the upgrade (and maybe gotten you a little better counteroffer). Mediocre GPU, and the HDD is a non-issue. It's in the fair range for what it is, but I'd rather get a 3.33GHz and a better GPU for that money. You're still gonna need/want PCIe access to a SSD, so you'll need to throw another $200, or so, minimum, at a rig that doesn't have it.

If you buy C(-)ris's MP, you'll need to throw about $100 in RAM (or more, depending on desired stick size), but at least it's got 8 slots instead of 4. If you want to do a proc upgrade, it'll cost double, but it will really scream. Still have GPU and SSD issues. If you score one of anony's $400 base machines and trick it out, the results are gonna be the same; you'll end up spending $1100 - $1300 for your butt-kicking rig.

I don't think there are any real secrets here, except *maybe* finding a machine that already has an upgraded GPU, as that will likely be of the most benefit to you; and by already being installed will probably save you the most in upgrade costs... Not sure how much effort you're willing to go to in selling off any old components to subsidize the overall cost, but the path is the path, and many of us here have done it. Good luck.

Also, I'm not sure if there's a way to tell how robust the PSU is, or how much that 3.46GHz proc may have zapped it, depending on its cooling setup (environment, fan settings, etc.), but it's something to be aware of.
==

[tahoedrew]

If you go for it and want a better video card, I'd make a deal with you for your GT120 and some cash for my Radeon 5870: http://forums.macresource.com/read.php?3,2098206

~A

[mikebw]

tahoedrew wrote:
If you go for it and want a better video card, I'd make a deal with you for your GT120 and some cash for my Radeon 5870: http://forums.macresource.com/read.php?3,2098206

~A

The GT120 is a dog, and I find it strange that it would only have the one. He must have removed something better and put this in. It's basically the minimum card you would need to get up and running.