MP 3GHZ / 2GB vs. MP 2.66GHZ / 4GB

[astorian]

Quick question. I will be purchasing a MacPro in the next couple weeks. Based on my budget, I am considering one of two configurations:

Quad (Dual 3GHZ) with 2GB of RAM = $3597

Quad (Dual 2.66GHZ) with 4GB of RAM = $3598

Would I better served by the 4GBof RAM or the 3GHZ processor?

I will be running Logic Pro / PT LE using Symphony / MBox. I don't plan on purchasing any DSP Plugin cards.

Thoughts are appreciated.

John

[mastermind59]

u should probably try getting something with more than 4 megabytes of ram, preferably gigabytes. goto amazon.com the mac pro 2.66 has a 200 rebate currently, then goto crucial or that other site and get the mac certified ram there cheap. i just bought a mac pro 2.66 from amazon (switching to logic from cubase) and i love it, never go back to pc again.

[astorian]

oops ... GBs not MBs. I edited the post, but just so you understand mastermind's catch ... just had 3 wisdom teeth pulled, and I'm not 100%

[woomanmoomin]

4GB

[Jens]

Originally Posted by astorian

Quick question. I will be purchasing a MacPro in the next couple weeks. Based on my budget, I am considering one of two configurations:

Quad (Dual 3GHZ) with 2GB of RAM = $3597

Quad (Dual 2.66GHZ) with 4GB of RAM = $3598

Would I better served by the 4GBof RAM or the 3GHZ processor?

I will be running Logic Pro / PT LE using Symphony / MBox. I don't plan on purchasing any DSP Plugin cards.

Thoughts are appreciated.

John

If it's not that urgent, hold on for a couple of more weeks...All the rumor sites says
there's a quad x 2 = octa core machine around the corner... Which I also believe is going to happen since Intel released those kind of chips in Nov'06.

My 0.02 drunken cents
/J

[clonewar]

Are you planning on using large ram-hungry sample libraries? If so then go for the ram. Otherwise, I'd go for the 3ghz. You can always upgrade your ram later on. Upgrading your CPU's is going to be very expensive (not to mention warranty-voiding).

I agree with what Jens said though.. if you can you should wait at least until the end of Feb, new machines should be on the way. You might be able to throw an octa-core into the mix.. and if the octa-cores are introduced they might drive the price of the current quad-cores down.

[astorian]

Thanks for the help folks. I think I'll wait a couple weeks .... of course, what do I do if I wait till the end of Feb and there are no new machines? I guess it is always a waiting game. I'm itching to make music!

[astorian]

Thanks for the help folks. I think I'll wait a couple weeks .... of course, what do I do if I wait till the end of Feb and there are no new machines? I guess it is always a waiting game

[n8tron]

First, my guess is they will release new MPs by the very latest when they release 10.5, so at the very latest by March I would say. MPs would probably come before that though.

anyway, I would definitely go with the 2.66 and 4gb ram. Much more effective all around. I have a 2.66 with just 1 gig, gonna upgrade soon. But the cpu on my largest projects never gets about 50%. The ram gets eaten up first. If you record tons of audio and use tons of plugs, maybe the 3ghz would be better, but if you use any samples at all, spend more money on ram!

[astorian]

Any thought on the prices of the new octo MPs? I'd imagine they'd be pretty friggin expensive. You're talking to someone who begs and borrows studio time, and uses his G4 laptop (800MHZ / 640 MB RaM) and an MBox to record while on the road. I think I'll opt for the newly discounted MP Quads ... crossing my fingers for march.

[jdjustice]

if you always waited for the next best thing to come out you would never have a system to make music with.
i vote for the 2.66/4GB configuration.
IMO you will need 4GB RAM.


cheers!
~j.d.

[clonewar]

Originally Posted by jdjustice

if you always waited for the next best thing to come out you would never have a system to make music with.

That's true, but there are times when a new model is just about to be released and it makes sense to wait a few weeks (if possible).

[Lefrançais]

In november, I talked to my source at Apple, he said : No macpro prior April-May.
I haven't talked to him since. Maybe the release will be sooner.