Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

You are here: MacNN Forums > Hardware - Troubleshooting and Discussion > Mac Desktops > MacPro product cycle / known probs?

MacPro product cycle / known probs?
Thread Tools
EnVoy
Mac Enthusiast
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Newport Beach, CA
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
May 16, 2012, 09:32 AM
 
So I'm in the market for a new desktop, who's main function would be professional graphics, and am thinking on this model:

MacPro 8 core
Two 2.4GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon “Westmere” (8 cores)
8GB (4X2GB)
1TB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s hard drive
1TB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s hard drive
ATI Radeon HD 5770 1GB

Does anyone know the product cycle situation of the Mac Desktops? If new models are coming out soon I will hold off for those.

Also, is there any known problems with the above equipment?
Any known probs/conflicts with Adobe CS5.5?
How about with Netgear Routers or a Synology DS411j RAID?

Thanks
     
angelmb
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Automatic
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
May 16, 2012, 11:43 AM
 
Mac Pro updates are long overdue, I would wait until Apple's WWDC to be held on June 11th-15th.
     
SierraDragon
Mac Elite
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Truckee, CA
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
May 16, 2012, 12:05 PM
 
Agreed, wait until WWDC at least.

However the box you describe is a good one and stronger GPUs can be added to suit your needs if necessary. Geekbench scores from Primate Labs at Geekbench Browser.

When you do add RAM I suggest 8-GB sized DIMMs, minimum 4-GB sized DIMMs.

-Allen
     
mduell
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Houston, TX
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
May 16, 2012, 01:30 PM
 
Well overdue, and what do you mean by professional graphics? Apple doesn't offer pro graphics cards.
     
Spheric Harlot
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: 888500128, C3, 2nd soft.
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
May 16, 2012, 02:04 PM
 
If "Professional graphics" implies Photoshop:

The quad-core Mac mini is more than enough to handle that.
     
EnVoy  (op)
Mac Enthusiast
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Newport Beach, CA
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
May 16, 2012, 02:26 PM
 
Professional Graphics means mainly PShop, Illustrator, Indesign, After Effects, Final Cut Pro X, Lightroom. To A lesser degree Maya.
     
Spheric Harlot
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: 888500128, C3, 2nd soft.
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
May 16, 2012, 03:03 PM
 
In that case, yep, you're looking at the Mac Pro.
     
OreoCookie
Moderator
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Hilbert space
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
May 16, 2012, 03:15 PM
 
I second the suggestion to wait until after WWDC. Also, you should tweak your configuration in two areas:
(1) Add an SSD. (You can buy an aftermarket SSD, e. g. Intel's new 330 series is great).
(2) Add more RAM, 16 should be the minimum for such a powerful machine. (Again, don't get your RAM from Apple, buy it from, say Newegg.)
I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it.
     
olePigeon
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Dec 1999
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
May 16, 2012, 03:35 PM
 
Might as well go hog wild on the RAM. It's so damn cheap right now. My brother just got a 16Gb 2300 kit (2x8) on sale for $34.
"…I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than
you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods,
you will understand why I dismiss yours." - Stephen F. Roberts
     
EnVoy  (op)
Mac Enthusiast
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Newport Beach, CA
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
May 16, 2012, 04:09 PM
 
Yes I definitely planned on adding aftermarket ram. SSDs are a possibility also, but not sure if I'll have the cash for it. I will also be getting a monitor, the Apple 27" which is another grand almost.

Hmm, going to be hard to wait a month, but I will try!
( Last edited by EnVoy; May 16, 2012 at 06:00 PM. )
     
mduell
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Houston, TX
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
May 17, 2012, 01:39 AM
 
Originally Posted by OreoCookie View Post
(2) Add more RAM, 16 should be the minimum for such a powerful machine. (Again, don't get your RAM from Apple, buy it from, say Newegg.)
Even that seems light for a dual socket machine. RAM is so cheap.
     
angelmb
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Automatic
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
May 17, 2012, 02:44 AM
 
Originally Posted by mduell View Post
RAM is so cheap.
I pity those with a 2006-08 Mac Pro, myself included.
     
EnVoy  (op)
Mac Enthusiast
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Newport Beach, CA
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
May 17, 2012, 08:48 AM
 
At the prices olPigeon's brother paid I will max out the RAM on the machine for sure..
     
Eug
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Caught in a web of deceit.
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
May 17, 2012, 01:17 PM
 
If you can afford Mac Pro, you can afford a decent quality 3rd party 256 GB SSD.

The biggest bottleneck in the Mac Pro for a lot of usage is the hard drive.

PS. Are you using the NAS as just backup? Cuz that 411j is pretty slow too. (I have the 211j in RAID 1.)
     
SierraDragon
Mac Elite
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Truckee, CA
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
May 17, 2012, 04:08 PM
 
Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot View Post
If "Professional graphics" implies Photoshop:

The quad-core Mac mini is more than enough to handle that.
Yes and no. Sandy Bridge Macs are very strong, enough so that even a Mini will "run" most apps, including PS (which is at base level one of the less demanding graphics/images apps). However at $999 for a Mini with 4-GB RAM the quad Mini is not really cheap, and the Mini config is hardly built for a pro workflow, certainly not any app that needs real graphics support. So no to Minis.

Even Photoshop has been able to utilize up to at least 32 GB of RAM for about a decade. With RAM dirt cheap anyone buying a new box for graphics should plan on graphics apps taking advantage of lots of RAM in their next versions. 2011-2012 I easily page out of 8 GB RAM running just PS and Aperture in a 2011 17" MBP with SSD.

"Professional graphics" implies handling vector graphics, images, layers and maybe 3D (which is quickly becoming more mainstream). Buyers should plan for lots of RAM and for upgradable GPUs.

Note too that the excellent performance of iMacs on single-threaded tasks in no way implies ideal performance in a pro graphics workflow, even if one ignores power supply and heat, and tolerates the glossy display. The demanding apps are more and more able to multi-thread as well as take advantage of evolving graphics cards.

Mac Pro.

-Allen
( Last edited by SierraDragon; May 17, 2012 at 04:16 PM. )
     
SierraDragon
Mac Elite
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Truckee, CA
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
May 17, 2012, 04:25 PM
 
Originally Posted by EnVoy View Post
Yes I definitely planned on adding aftermarket ram. SSDs are a possibility also, but not sure if I'll have the cash for it. I will also be getting a monitor, the Apple 27" which is another grand almost.
• The performance improvement from SSD is huge, just do it. A 128 GB SSD for boot and apps is not that expensive, well worth it (IMO a necessity). 256 GB SSD better still. Note that new MPs may have a bargain on SSD (e.g. SSD in my MBP cost just +$100).

• The Apple 27 looks good but is a glossy display and is expensive. The gloss is offensive to many pro graphics folks (including me) but I am told that proper workspace lighting can help. In any event there is a wide range of third party displays from the likes of NEC, Eizo, Viewsonic, etc. that provide better value. Apple's is the prettiest sitting on a desk though.

-Allen
     
EnVoy  (op)
Mac Enthusiast
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Newport Beach, CA
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
May 18, 2012, 12:34 AM
 
Ill look into the SSDs..

I've been working with the glossy Apple monitors lately, so far hasn't bothered me.

I've heard real good things about the Eizos, just haven't been able to see one in person. I'll have to see if I can find a retailer near me..
     
angelmb
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Automatic
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
May 18, 2012, 02:42 AM
 
The demanding apps are more and more able to multi-thread (…)
Does Illustrator CS6 boast better multi-core support.? CS5 was released on 2010, Intel have been flooding the market with multi-core CPUs way long ago, yet Illustrator CS5 chokes on my Mac Pro due to the lack of a proper multi-core support.
     
EnVoy  (op)
Mac Enthusiast
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Newport Beach, CA
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
May 18, 2012, 08:37 AM
 
Originally Posted by Eug View Post
PS. Are you using the NAS as just backup? Cuz that 411j is pretty slow too. (I have the 211j in RAID 1.)
Yes, it's a 411j using Synology Hybrid RAID, gives me over 6TB. I'm sure it could be faster, by it seems to be ok speed wise for my purposes. Serves files just fine, and as a media server it handles serving HI-Def movies and music all over the house no problem.

Anyone had any experience with the Eizo FlexScan SX2762W?
     
OreoCookie
Moderator
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Hilbert space
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
May 18, 2012, 09:21 AM
 
I also have an Eizo, an S2231W. The screen is absolutely top notch: the image quality is great, the built quality is in a class of its own. It has a very useful mount with which I can swivel the screen by 270 degrees, I can tilt it by 90 degrees and adjust the height. Plus, I could get it in black.

Eizo really makes great screens.
I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it.
     
SierraDragon
Mac Elite
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Truckee, CA
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
May 18, 2012, 10:25 AM
 
Eizo are the best, I just wish I could afford one.
     
Spheric Harlot
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: 888500128, C3, 2nd soft.
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
May 18, 2012, 12:35 PM
 
Eizo also has a cheap series, not all Eizo are the same quality.
     
mduell
Posting Junkie
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Houston, TX
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
May 18, 2012, 01:24 PM
 
Originally Posted by angelmb View Post
I pity those with a 2006-08 Mac Pro, myself included.
Parts for antique equipment is generally quite expensive!
     
angelmb
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Automatic
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
May 18, 2012, 03:38 PM
 
Anyone had any experience with the Eizo FlexScan SX2762W?
It comes with two small fans which are there to try and keep it cool.
     
EnVoy  (op)
Mac Enthusiast
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Newport Beach, CA
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
May 18, 2012, 04:13 PM
 
Originally Posted by angelmb View Post
It comes with two small fans which are there to try and keep it cool.
Meaning it runs hot so it has fans inside to cool it down?
     
angelmb
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Automatic
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
May 19, 2012, 02:14 AM
 
It has an integrated power supply. The point being if you are fond of ultra-quiet set ups (Mac mini) you need to consider this. These are Nidec UltraFlo fans, so the noise is hardly discernible at the display's usage distance.

Needless to say, the lack of fans on Apple's displays is partly made possible by the fact that the power supply is kept outside of the monitor enclosure.
     
Spheric Harlot
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: 888500128, C3, 2nd soft.
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
May 19, 2012, 04:29 AM
 
I'm pretty sure that the Thunderbolt display has a built-in 250W power supply, not an external one.

It also has a fan, though it's inaudible.

http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Apple.../#.T7dacIlhic0
     
angelmb
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Automatic
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
May 19, 2012, 05:38 AM
 
Umm, that's correct. I should have done some research on it, I had my Aluminum displays in mind.
     
EnVoy  (op)
Mac Enthusiast
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Newport Beach, CA
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 29, 2012, 06:03 PM
 
Well the WWDC came and went and not much in the way of updating the Mac Pro.

Anyone have any updated intell regarding time frame for an update to the Mac Pro line?

If its far enough off in the future I'm thinking about getting an iMac or Macbook Pro to hold me over till then.
     
Mac Write
Mac Elite
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Vancouver B.C.
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jul 2, 2012, 06:41 PM
 
No new Mac Pro until late 2013 at best.
Get busy living or get busy dying
--Stephen King
     
Doc HM
Professional Poster
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: UKland
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jul 3, 2012, 02:37 AM
 
If you're going to be looking at a glossy Apple display then when on earth get a Mac Pro. 27in iMac with thunderbolt will do all you need. RAM it up (3rd party), throw the monitor savings into a thunderbolt RAID for video work. Job done.
This space for Hire! Reasonable rates. Reach an audience of literally dozens!
     
OreoCookie
Moderator
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Hilbert space
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jul 3, 2012, 04:50 AM
 
Tim Cook answered to an e-mail of a concerned Mac Pro customer with »wait until 2013, we'll have some great products in the pipeline«.
I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it.
     
EnVoy  (op)
Mac Enthusiast
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Newport Beach, CA
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jul 26, 2012, 03:14 PM
 
Well, in case anyone is interested, update:

Since the Pro's won't be updated till next year I decided to get a i7 iMac 27in to hold me over for a while. I figure 2 years then I'll upgrade to the latest Pro at that time. I will crank up the ram in the iMac, add a palate monitor and should be good to go for a spell.

Thanks for all the answers in the thread...
     
infoleather
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2012
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Aug 13, 2012, 02:26 AM
 
My sister has just sold on the 30 yuan, 16GB2300 kit. It is so damn cheap right.
     
   
Thread Tools
 
Forum Links
Forum Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Top
Privacy Policy
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:29 AM.
All contents of these forums © 1995-2017 MacNN. All rights reserved.
Branding + Design: www.gesamtbild.com
vBulletin v.3.8.8 © 2000-2017, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.,