New (budget) production machine - Mac Pro or iMac?

[MonsieurGold]

Hello all,

 

I was hoping for a little advice on what might be better value for money on upgrading my machine. My current Macbook Pro (late 2011, 15 inch) is feeling a little sluggish these days and it becomes quite unenjoyable trying to make songs with more than 40 tracks or so. (I do make use of freezing etc.). My macbook is also quite loud under load (the fans), although i do clean them regularly, and i also reload the OS from scratch every year or so.

 

Seeing as i've been using this for a few years now, i'm thinking that perhaps i should upgrade to a more dedicated machine (and it doesn't need to be a laptop now). I was thinking that i would buy a 27" iMac when the new ones come out (hopefully with more powerful processors). But recently i've been wondering if it might be a good idea to buy an older Mac Pro from eBay and either use as is, or customize it with a new processor/HDD/memory etc. I used to build my own PCs but haven't done this with a mac - Has anyone got experience on upgrading/building these slightly older Mac Pros (the grey ones)? Will the motherboard be outdated soon? Is it a good/bad idea in general? Is it cost effective? How future proof would this approach be?

 

Assuming my budget is around £1200 maximum, i've been wondering if i might get a better machine if i simply kit out one of these older Mac Pros and buy a cheap but decent screen.

 

Thanks for reading and I hope someone could give me a little advice on this!

 

p.s I also edit videos, nothing huge budget but would be nice to be able to do that better too - so perhaps GFX card is also a consideration?

[triplets]

A lot of people are taking the Mac Pro 2009 chassis and putting CPU trays from 2010 and 2011 in them. But you have to flash the motherboard so that it accepts the new CPU. I don't know how to do that.

[efiebke]

A lot of people are taking the Mac Pro 2009 chassis and putting CPU trays from 2010 and 2011 in them. But you have to flash the motherboard so that it accepts the new CPU. I don't know how to do that.

 

I was one of them. Actually, I had it done for me. There are at least a couple of "eBay stores" that will provide such a service. I now have a refurbished 2010 Mac Pro (2 Xs 6-Core 3.33 Ghz) with 32 GB RAM. It rocks! The CPUs are handling the same 55+ orchestral templet that I created with the Early 2009 Mac Pro (2 Xs 4-Core 2.26 Ghz) without showing any strain. There is no strain to the CPUs whatsoever. It's wonderful. Flashing the motherboard (which I did) was relatively simple.

 

If you or anyone is interested, please feel free to PM me and I will happily provide the name of the eBay Store that I used. This person comes highly recommended. (Just for the record, I have no other connections to him other than being one very happy customer. To be sure, I'm one of many happy customers!)

 

Ted

[angelonyc]

New Mac Pro due to start rolling out at end of sumer thru fall.. Some changes.. Thunderbolt 3, USB-C. While they can get expense, there doesn't seem a DEFINITive answer from anyone what's the best.. perhaps because we have different needs.. I have a 2008 Mac Pro on last legs.. I'm not happy in investing in a lot of new technology, especially who fast Apple seems to be burning thru it now.. They're are back to their old trick to go Mac or PC, not inbetween.. I certainly have no intention on a top of the line mac pro, although some my buddies, have already bought into for fear of obsolesence.. Sone of these super high desnity 10 terrabyte drives, will not reliably work on old technology definetly not 2008.. Although USB 3 seems OK.. I''ve been holding off for the 2015 or 2016 Mac pro to desice..

 

I don't think anything older than a 2009 would be wise, but then again.. for what you're paying.. newer technology is right aroun the door. Hopped up 2009 processors, may have unfroreseen with newer hardware, faster bus speeds.. it' a difficult proccess to fathom.. If course if you're doing tons of sessions, you most likely have to make a move now, and be damned whats 10 months down the road.. As a young man, I was always on the 'bleeding edge of technogy, and always had friends with knowledge, or even give me discounts to get something to work.. but I am more or less on the road now.. and a lot of info on the internet, is biase, by the user, the manuactor.. It's no ones fault if board A doesn't work with Card C.. and especially smaller companies, are losing their patience, with constantly updating to stary ahead of Apples tech surprises.. I've talked to one or two companies, (one man), and say they can't afford to waste days every 3 months or so, to get something to Apples new spec.. They are thinking of dropping Apple.. Other parties of course will only stick with Apple.. But Apple is definetly leaning toward all their 'I - Me products, and not their high end mega statuations they used to build.. I'm not even sure about the DarthVader Head, with cables coming out, to all different EXPENSIVE boxes. 384 Terrabyte memory usb size SSDs are due in 2 or 3 years. Do I want to pay the money to jump on a train, to get to that. Been with Logic for over 23 years.. but now feeling so loyal to it anymore. I hate to change cause I know it so well.. But I've switch computer platforms a lot since the 70's.. My priority is doing music, not wrestly with technolodgy. Maybe Apple will once again prove me wrong.. They've been surprising brilliant over the years.. I just think all their gadgets which are so cheaper to build an sell, is their main focus now..

[angelonyc]

New Mac Pros due to start rolling out at end of sumer thru fall.. Some changes.. Thunderbolt 3, USB-C. While they can get expense, there doesn't seem a DEFINITive answer from anyone what's the best for music productin. An Imac frightens me. Not enought expansion.. perhaps because we have different needs.. I have a 2008 Mac Pro on last legs.. I'm not happy in investing in a lot of new technology, especially with how fast Apple seems to be burning thru it now.. Will Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C outdate all previously technolody.. I am not in the mood to replace my 15 or so ESATA drives, an Raids. Apple is back to their old trick to go Mac or PC, not inbetween.. I certainly have no intention on a top of the line mac pro, although some my buddies, have already bought into for fear of obsolesence.. Sone of these super high densnity 10 terrabyte drives, HGST will not reliably work on old technology definetly not 2008.. Although USB 3 seems OK.. But how quickly will Apple kill of USB 3.. You know, they purposely try to force a new computer on us every three years.. I followed that game for 20 years. but no more.. I'm still using my 2008 Mac, wihich has a 10 cent broken paper clip which holds a head sync on the Mother board.. Only solution $1500 for new mother board.. I sooner you wrap barbed wire, and attackt me from behind.. Apple is not going to screw me like that. I''ve been holding off for the 2015 or 2016 Mac pro to deside..

 

I don't think anything older than a 2009 would be wise, but then again.. for what you're paying.. newer technology is right around the door. Hopped up 2009 processors, may have unfroreseen with newer hardware, faster bus speeds.. it' a difficult proccess to fathom.. If course if you're doing tons of sessions, you most likely have to make a move now, and be damned whats 10 months down the road.. As a young man, I was always on the 'bleeding edge of technogy, and always had friends with knowledge, or even give me discounts to get something to work.. but I am more or less on the road now.. and a lot of info on the internet, is biase, by the user, the manuactor.. It's no ones fault if board A doesn't work with Card C.. and especially smaller companies, are losing their patience, with constantly updating to stary ahead of Apples tech surprises.. I've talked to one or two companies, (one man), and say they can't afford to waste days every 3 months or so, to get something to Apples new spec.. They are thinking of dropping Apple.. Other parties of course will only stick with Apple.. But Apple is definetly leaning toward all their 'I - Me products, and not their high end mega statuations they used to build.. I'm not even sure about the DarthVader Head, with cables coming out, to all different EXPENSIVE boxes. 384 Terrabyte memory usb size SSDs are due in 2 or 3 years. Do I want to pay the money to jump on a train, to get to that. Been with Logic for over 23 years.. but now feeling so loyal to it anymore. I hate to change cause I know it so well.. But I've switch computer platforms a lot since the 70's.. My priority is doing music, not wrestly with technolodgy. Maybe Apple will once again prove me wrong.. They've been surprising brilliant over the years.. I just think all their gadgets which are so cheaper to build an sell, is their main focus now..

[manninofp]

I bought an IMac before I left on vacation, and it is working very well for me. It allows me to be super productive every time I walk into my studio, and after my work day is over, I just can't wait to get home and just fire up my IMac. I went with the Imac because I knew I wouldn't need something portable. I had a PC laptop and it had not left its position in the studio since I built the studio. I think things to keep in mind is portability, and how much you are willing to spend. I heard that the parts that come with the IMac are faster then that of the Pro, but it all depends on what you need. I am very happy with my IMac and would recommend it to anybody who would like to use it for music purposes!

[MonsieurGold]

A lot of people are taking the Mac Pro 2009 chassis and putting CPU trays from 2010 and 2011 in them. But you have to flash the motherboard so that it accepts the new CPU. I don't know how to do that.

 

I was one of them. Actually, I had it done for me. There are at least a couple of "eBay stores" that will provide such a service. I now have a refurbished 2010 Mac Pro (2 Xs 6-Core 3.33 Ghz) with 32 GB RAM. It rocks! The CPUs are handling the same 55+ orchestral templet that I created with the Early 2009 Mac Pro (2 Xs 4-Core 2.26 Ghz) without showing any strain. There is no strain to the CPUs whatsoever. It's wonderful. Flashing the motherboard (which I did) was relatively simple.

 

If you or anyone is interested, please feel free to PM me and I will happily provide the name of the eBay Store that I used. This person comes highly recommended. (Just for the record, I have no other connections to him other than being one very happy customer. To be sure, I'm one of many happy customers!)

 

Ted

 

This sounds interesting. Portability isn't an issue, but rather fan noise, power and price. As my current machine is a late 2011 MBP it has 4 cores, so i can't help but feel like buying a current imac wouldn't be a huge upgrade, as its also 4 core (although a better clock speed, 2.2ghz -> 3.2). I know its not all clock speed and cores, but i feel like if i'm going to spend another grand or so, i should be getting a really decent speed improvement from my current machine.

 

I put more RAM and an SSD into my MBP, so i'm assuming that my problems in logic sessions are the processor (as also indicted by logic itself).

 

How much does it set you back upgrading a 2010 Mac Pro to 12 cores? I'm wondering if maybe that's overkill (or rather, over budget).

 

Another possibility of course is to wait until they refresh the iMacs and hope the newer ones have better processors...

[triplets]

To get an 8-core 2.26 Ghz 2009 Mac Pro is between 800 and 1200 bucks on ebay and craigslist depending on the config.

2010 8-cores are 1400 and up.

I think to get 12 cores you need the chassis of an 8-core.

These CPU trays go from 500 up to 1400, depending on the speed.

 

So you're spending between 1500 and 2000 bucks approximately.

A brand new 27 non 5k iMac is 1800

 

If you can find just a used 8-core from 2009 for a grand or so it will already beat your Macbook Pro.

And it will also beat the iMac from 2013 in all multi-core benchmarks.

[MonsieurGold]

Very informative thanks! I'll look into that! The only worry is Apple making it deprecated on purpose (i.e releasing a new OS that doesn't support the 2009 Mac Pro). I suppose that's the risk really!