is a 5.1 mac pro a wise purchase now

I am currently getting my editing done on a 3.1 mac pro. I have recently been scouting the obvious places for good deals on a 5.1. Assuming I can find a 5.1 for a price I'm willing to pay, is buying a 5.1 a smart purchase?

Why would it not be? Unless you're only editing standard def, 30 second TV spots.

I guess there is a possibility that they could get updated in the next few months, but who knows?
If you need the power now then go for it.

PS why the assault rifle?

BenB wrote: Why would it not be? Unless you're only editing standard def, 30 second TV spots.

Really? We have pushed through 90min project in HD through 3.1 Mac Pro's with no issues. :whistle:

I work with 4K. I've done the tests. I get faster performance with the "tube". Why would you NOT upgrade to a faster machine?

rdsli64 is talking about buying a "5.1" 2012 legacy MP, not the new MP 6.1 cylinder.
Question what doesn't your 3.1 do that you need to upgrade. What is your hardware set-up and what is your budget for a new system?
The older units can be upgraded with better GPU(s), ssds or PCIe drives and show pretty good benchmarks.
As to buying a 5.1, I'm just not seeing substantial price drops that the nMP isn't enticing for the $$.
That said, I think that if you can put off purchase for another year, the next version of the nMP will most likely be a better buy with some big improvements, better processors, GPUs, better bus speeds; just guessing of course.

Hope this helps, Greg

Seanus wrote:
PS why the assault rifle?

First, It isn't an assault rifle, but that's another subject for another forum. The reason I own one is we hunt Coyotes in the high Desert, having fast follow up shots is an added safety margin if a large female mountain lion protecting her young is in the area.

VidGreg wrote: rdsli64 is talking about buying a "5.1" 2012 legacy MP, not the new MP 6.1 cylinder.
Question what doesn't your 3.1 do that you need to upgrade. What is your hardware set-up and what is your budget for a new system?
The older units can be upgraded with better GPU(s), ssds or PCIe drives and show pretty good benchmarks.
As to buying a 5.1, I'm just not seeing substantial price drops that the nMP isn't enticing for the $$.
That said, I think that if you can put off purchase for another year, the next version of the nMP will most likely be a better buy with some big improvements, better processors, GPUs, better bus speeds; just guessing of course.

Hope this helps, Greg

This makes sense. I think I'll save for a while longer

As BenB mentioned, you can upgrade the GPU on that.

That will probably do the most good for your system right now. There is a featured article on this site that gives the detailed instructions and gives suggestions.

The best part is, by the time you are ready to get a more permanent purchase, you can eBay that card.

The best/cheapest upgrade? This USB 3.0 card uses the same chipset as the nMP and is $30 on amazon. I have suggested this to several clients who are all really happy with it. Works natively, you won't have thunderbolt, but that's the closest thing.

www.amazon.com/Optimized-Ports-Inateck-E...usb+3.0+card+mac+pro

BenB wrote: I work with 4K. I've done the tests. I get faster performance with the "tube". Why would you NOT upgrade to a faster machine?

I mention HD and you mention 4K??? But I have good news it is also possible to work on a 4K project with the correct workflow.

I agree with Greg, updating some components and configuring them can give you a noticable boost.
Keep a eye out for some good deals, it is not impossible finding a Mac Pro with good configuration. But again depends when you need it, right?

having fast follow up shots is an added safety margin if a large female mountain lion protecting her young is in the area.

Just don't mess with mother nature.

VidGreg wrote: The older units can be upgraded with better GPU(s), ssds or PCIe drives and show pretty good benchmarks.

Rats! Sorry Greg, I got the names switched.

I second what Scrubelicious said. I just plunked down three months of LA rent for my 10-core nMP, so I know what a major purchase this is.

If I were to get an older MP, I'd get a 2009. It is pretty much the same computer as the 2010-12 models. Hyperthreading, DDR3 RAM, and you could if you want upgrade the CPUs. The best part is I have seen them on ebay for as low as $700 for a fully functional tower. You'd still want to upgrade the GPU though.

Hi Darren,
Since rd already has a 3.1, personally I would save the $$ and just upgrade that unit instead of buying a 4.1/5.1. Not that much to be gained in upgrading even if he sold the 3.1, better to invest in GPU and solid state drives.
Pop in a 780GPU, add a ssd or PCIe flash drive or two for OS and media and hang on. You can also upgrade the CPU with more cores if wanted.
If rd was just buying a Mac, then nothing wrong with the 4.1 vs the 5.1 idea.
Your idea of adding a USB3 card is also good if connecting external drives.
I had the unfortunate experience with adding a Orico USB3 card that was defective and it shorted out a component in my MP1.1 power circuit (I think, haven't traced it yet) and fried my tower. I had modded it to run Mavericks, with a ssd boot, 6870GPU and it was still usable after 8 years. USB3 was the last missing piece as I now have several external USB3 drives/docks. Early grave from a $20.00 card. Now working off my rMBP while saving money for a newMP and extras. When things slow down I'll try to repair the ol' gal if I can find and replace the component, most likely a capacitor. Otherwise, anyone need spare parts?
Anyway just my 2cents worth, Greg

VidGreg wrote: Hi Darren,
Since rd already has a 3.1, personally I would save the $$ and just upgrade that unit instead of buying a 4.1/5.1. Not that much to be gained in upgrading even if he sold the 3.1, better to invest in GPU and solid state drives.

Hey Greg!

I totally agree these are the first things you should get if it's an either or, I was finally answering his initial question. As my wife tells me, I tend to overload people with information.

The good thing about your recommendations are that they can all be transferred to a new tower should he ever get one. For around $2400 (Used tower and dual GPUs) you could get comparable performance to certain configs of the nMP. It's a great time to buy used.

That's a bummer about the USB card. I have had a tower fry a card, never the other way around, that's very David and Goliath! (It could just be that the PSU died, that's what killed two of my older MPs.)

The USB 3 card I posted I have installed in three MPs, and several other clients have ordered them and no problems so far. The glut of PC cards is such a crapshoot even running windows. At least there is that one inexpensive USB 3 option for the 'old' mac pros.