Mac Pro 8-Core (2011) MC561ZP/A Upgrade

I bought my Mac Pro 8 Core MC561ZP/A (2 x 2.4GHZ Quad-Core Intel Xeon "Westmere") in January 2011 in a hurry. Hence memory was kept as 6 x 1GB, and graphics card is the original ATI Radeon HD5770 with 1GB GDDR5. I use it to run the Apple 30" Cinema Display and I am a Photographer. Applications that I use all the time are Capture One 5.0, Photoshop CS5, Bridge CS5, Firefox, iTunes, Parellels 6, Outlook on Parellels 6. And when i am editing, I will be running Final Cut Pro 6 and Compressor as well when all photo related softwares are closed. And that's about it.
I usually use my Canon 5DII Camera and I work with 25mb raw images / 60mg TIFF images most of the time. Sometimes I work with medium format Phase One images but that is not very often. At the beginning things were ok. As the projects get bigger and bigger I find myself retouching big photos will many layers that one file could go up to 1GB or 1.5GB. At some point I only had Capture One and Photoshop opened, and still things got really slow and it started crashing few weeks earlier.
It's about time for an updgrade. Questions that I have now are:
1) Memory. Is 12GB memory enough? Or will I need more? Since I have 6x1GB in the slots, what is the best way or most economically friendly way to upgrade? Things will run smoother and faster I assume?
2) Memory brands. Is there many brands I can choose from?
3) Graphics Card. Will things be significantly better (faster?) if I get one more ATI Radeon HD5770? Or should i switch to the ATI Radeon HD 5870? My 30" apple cinema display is more than 3 years old already. I might consider siwthcing to a 24" Eizo or a 27" inch Eizo fyi.
Even if so will it be enough for my use?
I decided then I should opt for the 8 core. Instead of the quad core, nor the 12-core. I hope I didn't make the wrong decision.
Many thanks in advance.
Cheers,
Tim

Thanks.
Buying 2x8gb ram to fill up the remaining 2 slots sounds like the plan.
For hard disks, currently I have 3 x 2TB and 2 x 4TB, all connected through Firewire800 and each running Raid 1 (Mirror) on their own. I have always wondered about the speed difference when compared to your internal suggestion. Do you have any data / recommendation for a read up? 
Guess I will stick to the ATI Radeon HD5770 then..
Cheers,
Tim

Similar Messages

  • ATI FirePro V9800 work with Mac OS X? Can be installed on a Mac Pro 8 Core 2011?

    ATI FirePro V9800 work with Mac OS X? Can be installed on a Mac Pro 8 Core 2011?

    I hv tried installed FirePRO V5800 on 2012 MAC PRO ,no luck
    * hear boot chime but no display output

  • Mac Pro 12 core 5,1 GPU upgrade

    Hi,
    I do most of my work in AE CS6 and CC, video edit in PP and use C4D. I want to upgrade my GPU and cannot seem to find the right info. Should I use a GTX 680 or a AMD Sapphire HD 7950? I don't use Ray-Tracing in AE. I'm looking for fluid workflow with better preview and hoping for better rendering time. Would I benefit from the CUDA or invest in a AMD? So many info out there... Thanks a lot for your help.
    Mac Pro 5,1 12 core 2.4gHz
    OS X 10.8.5
    32 GB RAM (planning on adding more)
    OS and Apps on OWC Accelsior_E2 PCI Express SSD
    SSD for cache
    Work on a SSD through my PCI Express eSATA 6G

    bifurk wrote:
    Should I use a GTX 680 or a AMD Sapphire HD 7950?
    Head over to the MacRumors forum and look for a user called "MacVidCards".  Or hunt for some of this stuff on EBay.  The reason I say this is: Dave will flash just about any PC-based nVidia card so that it runs properly in a Mac Pro.  So you don't need to buy "old tech" such as the GTX680 (which is 2 generations old at this point).  As long as the GPU can be powered by the available plugs in the Mac Pro, Dave can make it work properly in the OS.
    If you're dead set on commercial cards that are supported on the Mac without going through a 3rd party, I'd recommend the GTX680.  OpenCL (which runs with the AMD cards) is still in "catch-up" phase with nVidia's CUDA.  Both from an Adobe perspective as well as generically.

  • Running 10.6.8 on Mac Pro Dual-Core Intel Xeon 2.66GHz processors.  Can I upgrade to Lion 10.7

    I've just upgraded from 10.5 to 10.6.8 on a Mac Pro Dual-Core Intell Xeon, 2.66GHz.   Is it possilbe to upgrade to Lion 10.7 with my Mac Pro Dual Core or have I just hit my ceiling on 10.6.8 update ?

    Mac Pros are not PowerMacs.    In 2006, Apple changed all its cheesegrater enclosure Macs to have the Xeon chip installed, and changed the name to Mac Pro at that that time from PowerMac G5.  That said, all Mac Pros can upgrade to a minimum of 10.7.5.   Only the earliest ones can't upgrade to 10.8 and above.   10.7 and later do not have Rosetta, the ability to run PowerPC (pre-2006) applications natively.  For other pitfalls, read this tip.

  • Mac Pro Quad core Intel Xeon upgrade advice please!

    Hi all, i have a Mac Pro Quad core 2 x 2.8ghz Intel Xeon (2008 model) with 4gb RAM.
    I am planning on giving it some upgrades and a fresh OS install as it is slowly grinding to a halt (particualrly noisey hard drives)
    Can anyone recommend best/fastest/silent! S-ATA hard drive to upgrade to?
    Can anyone recommend a good replacement ATAPI DL DVD-RW Drive as mine is also on its way out.
    Ram upgrade. Lots of space for RAM so what would you all recommend?
    Ultimately i am finding myself working with alot of large PS file and so would welcome any suggestions to improve/soup-up the processor/performance.
    Thanks for any advice in advance...

    24GB RAM gets cost ly when you look at 800MHz FBDIMMs in 2x4GB
    You shoudl have added more as 4GB is vary basic and miinimal
    Any SATA drive device is fine. WD Black 1-2-4TB / WD 10K VRs are fast but not as quiet though I do hear those WD Blacks.
    A single SSD for a system is nice.
    10.6.8 works best  in  that system.
    Your GPU most  probably is in need of an upgrade.
    You should never need to do a reinstall of the OS. Clone. Yes. And start wit h a new OS by not upgrade in place over the old OS but that is when to clean install, clone and use Set up Assis tant.

  • HT1338 I have a Mac Pro Dual Core, 3 Ghz, that I purchased in the Spring of 2007.  What is the latest OS that i can upgrade to?  And is that OS compatible with Logic 10?

    I have a Mac Pro Dual Core, 3 Ghz, that I purchased in the Spring of 2007.  What is the latest OS that i can upgrade to?  And is that OS compatible with Logic 10?

    Logic Pro 10 requires OSX 10.8.4, which is not officially supported on your Mac Pro (must be Early 2008).
    There are, however, unofficial workarounds to install 10.8 on those older models that you can search for on Google.

  • UPGRADING AND MIXING MEMORY ON MY MAC PRO QUAD CORE DUAL 2.8 (Xeon)?

    Hello,
    I have a Mac Pro Quad Core Dual 2.8GHz (Xeons) with 4GB of memory (2 x 1GB Apple modules + 2 x 1GB other brand - Shown as "Manufacturer 0x855D") and now I want to fill the other 4 memory slots by adding an additional 16GB (4 x 4GB modules) for a total of 20GB of RAM.
    My 2 questions are:
    1.- In which order/pattern should I install these new 4 X 4GB modules along with my original Apple 2 x 1GB modules and the "Manufacturer 0x855D" 2 x 1GB modules the best way (for better performance)? - I have heard stories that if I do it improperly, I could slow down my Mac Pro...
    This is how I have them configured right now:
    Raiser A / DIMM 1 = 1GB (Manufaturer "0x830B") - I assume this is the Apple memory, right?
    Raiser A / DIMM 2 = 1GB (Manufaturer "0x830B")
    Raiser A / DIMM 3 = Empty
    Raiser A / DIMM 4 = Empty
    Raiser B / DIMM 1 = 1GB (Manufacturer "0x855D") - How can I find which manufacturer is this?
    Raiser B / DIMM 2 = 1GB (Manufacturer "0x855D")
    Raiser B / DIMM 3 = Empty
    Raiser B / DIMM 4 = Empty
    2.- What brand would be most compatible to work with my Apple 2GB (2 x 1GB) factory memory? Kingston? Crucial? Mushkin? iRam? Corsair? OWC? (Does OWC sell their own brand? or which one do they carry?-its not specified on their web)
    Thank you so much in advance for all your help!

    About RAM installation in the Mac Pro
    Mac Pro memory arrangement photos
    Mac Pro Memory Configuration
    Memory Tests- "2008" Mac Pro
    Ram should be installed minimally in matched pairs and optimally in matched quads. This means the memory modules are the same size and specifications. They should also be equipped with the Apple-certified style of heat sink.
    Brand really doesn't mean much as long as they work.

  • Mac pro 8 core crashes every few days?

    I have a Mac Pro 8 core as an audio computer that creashes every few days. I'm new to Mac. Here's the error report...
    nterval Since Last Panic Report:  194586 sec
    Panics Since Last Report:          1
    Anonymous UUID:                    0E0488BF-6748-42BA-8371-D640E11F1B82
    Tue Apr  1 13:13:41 2014
    panic(cpu 3 caller 0x2aab59): Kernel trap at 0x0141d968, type 14=page fault, registers:
    CR0: 0x8001003b, CR2: 0x0000000c, CR3: 0x00100000, CR4: 0x00000660
    EAX: 0x00000000, EBX: 0x20bfca00, ECX: 0x092f0000, EDX: 0x00000000
    CR2: 0x0000000c, EBP: 0x90453898, ESI: 0x00000000, EDI: 0x83720910
    EFL: 0x00010286, EIP: 0x0141d968, CS:  0x00000008, DS:  0x90450010
    Error code: 0x00000000
    Backtrace (CPU 3), Frame : Return Address (4 potential args on stack)
    0x90453678 : 0x21b510 (0x5d9514 0x904536ac 0x223978 0x0)
    0x904536c8 : 0x2aab59 (0x59aeec 0x141d968 0xe 0x59b0b6)
    0x904537a8 : 0x2a09b8 (0x904537c0 0x0 0x90453898 0x141d968)
    0x904537b8 : 0x141d968 (0xe 0x83720048 0x90450010 0x490010)
    0x90453898 : 0x141af53 (0x20bfca00 0x145f868 0x4 0x0)
    0x90453968 : 0x140a60e (0x20bfca00 0x904539e2 0x5 0x90453c08)
    0x90453c48 : 0x2fbef3 (0x90453c68 0x3 0x90453c98 0x587079)
    0x90453c98 : 0x2d982a (0x1f80a000 0x90453e24 0x90453f38 0x203f75d4)
    0x90453d28 : 0x2da65c (0x90453e0c 0x100 0x90453e2c 0x0)
    0x90453de8 : 0x2ca702 (0x90453e0c 0x104252b8 0x34000 0x1)
    0x90453f78 : 0x4f6075 (0x118f0d20 0x203f1328 0x203f7514 0x1)
    0x90453fc8 : 0x2a144d (0x203f1324 0x0 0x10 0x14127ac4)
          Kernel Extensions in backtrace (with dependencies):
             com.apple.filesystems.ntfs(3.4)@0x1400000->0x145ffff
    BSD process name corresponding to current thread: ManagedClient
    Mac OS version:
    10J869
    Kernel version:
    Darwin Kernel Version 10.7.0: Sat Jan 29 15:17:16 PST 2011; root:xnu-1504.9.37~1/RELEASE_I386
    System model name: MacPro3,1 (Mac-F42C88C8)
    System uptime in nanoseconds: 145839658408725
    unloaded kexts:
    com.apple.driver.AirPortBrcm43xx 423.91.27 (addr 0xd48000, size 0x1900544) - last unloaded 117635799287
    loaded kexts:
    com.paceap.kext.pacesupport.snowleopard 5.9.1
    com.digidesign.iokit.DigiDal 8.1.1d2
    com.apple.filesystems.ntfs 3.4
    com.apple.filesystems.autofs 2.1.0
    com.apple.driver.AppleHWSensor 1.9.3d0
    com.apple.driver.AppleUpstreamUserClient 3.5.4
    com.apple.driver.AppleMCCSControl 1.0.17
    com.apple.driver.AppleHDA 1.9.9f12
    com.apple.kext.ATIFramebuffer 6.2.6
    com.apple.driver.AudioAUUC 1.54
    com.apple.ATIRadeonX2000 6.2.6
    com.apple.Dont_Steal_Mac_OS_X 7.0.0
    com.apple.driver.AudioIPCDriver 1.1.6
    com.apple.driver.AppleMCEDriver 1.1.9
    com.apple.driver.AppleIntelPenrynProfile 17
    com.apple.driver.ACPI_SMC_PlatformPlugin 4.5.0d5
    com.apple.driver.AppleLPC 1.4.12
    com.apple.iokit.SCSITaskUserClient 2.6.5
    com.apple.BootCache 31
    com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeZlib 1.0.0d1
    com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIBlockStorage 1.6.3
    com.apple.driver.AppleIntel8254XEthernet 2.1.1b7
    com.apple.driver.AppleFWOHCI 4.7.1
    com.apple.driver.AppleUSBHub 4.1.7
    com.apple.driver.AppleAHCIPort 2.1.5
    com.apple.driver.AppleIntelPIIXATA 2.5.1
    com.apple.driver.AirPortBrcm43224 427.36.9
    com.apple.driver.AppleEFINVRAM 1.4.0
    com.apple.driver.AppleUSBEHCI 4.1.8
    com.apple.driver.AppleACPIButtons 1.3.5
    com.apple.driver.AppleUSBUHCI 4.1.5
    com.apple.driver.AppleRTC 1.3.1
    com.apple.driver.AppleHPET 1.5
    com.apple.driver.AppleSMBIOS 1.6
    com.apple.driver.AppleACPIEC 1.3.5
    com.apple.driver.AppleAPIC 1.4
    com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagementClient 105.13.0
    com.apple.security.sandbox 1
    com.apple.security.quarantine 0
    com.apple.nke.applicationfirewall 2.1.11
    com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement 105.13.0
    com.apple.driver.AppleHIDKeyboard 141 - last loaded 29092085388
    com.apple.driver.IOBluetoothHIDDriver 2.4.0f1
    com.apple.driver.AppleProfileReadCounterAction 17
    com.apple.driver.DspFuncLib 1.9.9f12
    com.apple.driver.AppleProfileTimestampAction 10
    com.apple.driver.AppleProfileThreadInfoAction 14
    com.apple.driver.AppleProfileRegisterStateAction 10
    com.apple.driver.AppleProfileKEventAction 10
    com.apple.driver.AppleProfileCallstackAction 20
    com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport 2.2
    com.apple.kext.ATI2600Controller 6.2.6
    com.apple.kext.ATISupport 6.2.6
    com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireIP 2.0.3
    com.apple.iokit.IOSurface 74.2
    com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothSerialManager 2.4.0f1
    com.apple.iokit.IOSerialFamily 10.0.3
    com.apple.iokit.IOAudioFamily 1.8.0fc1
    com.apple.kext.OSvKernDSPLib 1.3
    com.apple.iokit.IOUSBHIDDriver 4.1.5
    com.apple.driver.AppleHDAController 1.9.9f12
    com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily 2.2
    com.apple.iokit.IOHDAFamily 1.9.9f12
    com.apple.iokit.AppleProfileFamily 41
    com.apple.driver.AppleSMC 3.1.0d3
    com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginFamily 4.5.0d5
    com.apple.driver.CSRUSBBluetoothHCIController 2.4.0f1
    com.apple.driver.AppleUSBBluetoothHCIController 2.4.0f1
    com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothFamily 2.4.0f1
    com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIBlockCommandsDevice 2.6.5
    com.apple.driver.AppleUSBMergeNub 4.1.8
    com.apple.iokit.IOUSBMassStorageClass 2.6.5
    com.apple.driver.AppleUSBComposite 3.9.0
    com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIMultimediaCommandsDevice 2.6.5
    com.apple.iokit.IOBDStorageFamily 1.6
    com.apple.iokit.IODVDStorageFamily 1.6
    com.apple.iokit.IOCDStorageFamily 1.6
    com.apple.driver.XsanFilter 402.1
    com.apple.iokit.IOATAPIProtocolTransport 2.5.1
    com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIArchitectureModelFamily 2.6.5
    com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireFamily 4.2.6
    com.apple.iokit.IOUSBUserClient 4.1.5
    com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIFamily 2.0.4
    com.apple.iokit.IOATAFamily 2.5.1
    com.apple.iokit.IO80211Family 314.1.1
    com.apple.iokit.IONetworkingFamily 1.10
    com.apple.iokit.IOHIDFamily 1.6.5
    com.apple.iokit.IOUSBFamily 4.1.8
    com.apple.driver.AppleEFIRuntime 1.4.0
    com.apple.iokit.IOSMBusFamily 1.1
    com.apple.kext.AppleMatch 1.0.0d1
    com.apple.security.TMSafetyNet 6
    com.apple.driver.DiskImages 289
    com.apple.iokit.IOStorageFamily 1.6.2
    com.apple.driver.AppleACPIPlatform 1.3.5
    com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily 2.6
    com.apple.iokit.IOACPIFamily 1.3.0

    You have an ordinary install of Mac OS X 10.6.7 -- except that no one should be running that today. You should upgrade to 10.6.8 right away to get better protection from malware.
    You have modified the Mac OS X kernel by installing these extensions:
    com.paceap.kext.pacesupport.snowleopard 5.9.1
    com.digidesign.iokit.DigiDal 8.1.1d2
    Pace.app is a known troublemaker. It is used to ensure that you don't steal some expensive software package, but it thinks it is an Anti-Virus program as well. It's not helpful.
    The panic occurred in Managed Client. It is very unusual to be running that unless you have  a Server or have enabled Parental Controls. The NTFS driver was in the backtrace as well.
    Your Mac Pro 3,1 has Error Correcting Code Memory. Memory problems are detected in Hardware. This report is not a memory problem report.

  • Windows – but Which? (What to install on Mac Pro Quad Core?)

    First, apologies in advance if this seems like repetition of a recent topic, but I read through the recent "Vista vs XP" thread and it didn't quite answer my questions.
    Basically, I'm planning on buying a Mac Pro "Quad Core" 2.8 and installing Boot Camp and a Windows OS startup. This puts me into the notoriously tricky area of picking the right version of Windows for my needs, something I haven't really had to deal with in regards to OS X.
    Basically, I'm not looking for something with too many bells and whistles or to much bloatware built into the OS. Also, I'll probably be using some older software/shareware, so backwards compatibility is an issue. On the other hand, I'd like something that works with the Quad Core architecture at its greatest efficiency.
    This means I'm wondering about a couple of features that I may or may not need, and it would be of great help if you folks could point me in the right direction regarding these:
    x64 – Since the Xeon processors in the Mac Pro are 64-bit processors, am I better off with "x64"-compatible versions of Windows (either Windows Vista or x64 versions of XP)? Will this cause problems starting up older programs that may not have been written for x64?
    *Dual Processor Support* – the Quad Core, of course, is a dual processor – will I get better performance from a version of Windows that list "Dual Processor Support" among its features (basically, the "pro", "business", or "ultimate" versions of XP and Vista)?
    If I need those features, I'm probably looking at getting either the x64 version of Windows XP Pro or the Business or Ultimate versions of Vista. However, I'm leaning against Vista based on backwards-compatibility and bloatware issues. That leaves XP Pro x64, but I might go for a more basic version of XP if I find out the x64 or DPS features aren't actually something I need. (The other "extras" in XP Pro don't sound like anything I need.)
    Also, I'm likely to install Parallel Desktop at some point and don't want a version of Windows that would have compatibility problems there, either.
    Anyway, any answers you folks can provide for me in this regard would be very helpful.
    Thanks in advance,
    Peter

    Truth is, I am disappointed in VMware Fusions slow walk toward full support for 64-bit and SP1 but 2.0 beta is getting there. Never used Parallels but best to check their own support forums. They also updated the 1.x version recently.
    http://communities.vmware.com/community/beta/fusion
    http://forums.parallels.com/
    You don't need anything first, except I would start with a new hard drive for Vista, don't even do anything with it and pull OS X drive, boot Vista DVD and go from there, just as you would normally. Much easier. After it is installed is when you need Apple BootCamp from your Leopard OEM DVD, install, and then Apple Software Update will take care of 2.1. And install your graphic drivers yourself.
    The problem(s) come with trying to use BootCamp Assist and setting up partitioning, and it only makes it harder - not easier - on Mac Pro (you aren't and don't want to use your OS X boot drive).
    Windows on Mac forum @ MacRumors
    http://forums.macrumors.com/forumdisplay.php?f=86
    And their Mac Pro area http://forums.macrumors.com which has a lot of Vista talk from Mac Pro owners.
    The only real issues are which graphics card to get today or in next weeks, what drives you are going with and other upgrades like memory (8 x 1GB is actually a good base ideal figure so all DIMM slots are taken up).
    Barefeats has a number of benchmark articles:
    Radeon 3870: http://www.hardmac.com/news/2008-06-16/#8451
    Vista graphics: http://www.barefeats.com/harper11.html
    Memory: http://www.barefeats.com/harper12.html
    Drives: http://www.barefeats.com/harper9.html
    WD 300GB Raptor: http://www.barefeats.com/hard103.html
    - this is the drive to die for, but not natively supported
    I buy most of the upgrades I need over the last ten years from OWC http://www.MacSales.com that specializes in Mac.
    http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Mac-Pro-Memory
    http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Western%20Digital/WD6400AAKS/
    - until the WD "Black" series (I guess Blackbird name or SR71 are already taken) along with 3rd generation of their RE series drives. WD has been popular, reliable, with Mac Pro for last two years. Can't say the same of every vendor. Samsung F1 is also a real winner.
    If you buy only one book to understand and get the most out of OS X: "Mac OS X: The Missing Manual" (Pogue has a Missing Manual Series on most everything, and this is the most popular recommended for Mac OS).
    http://books.slashdot.org/books/08/02/27/1551206.shtml
    I needed 3-4 for Vista before I found "Administrator's Pocket Consultant" and O'Reilly's "Vista Annoyances" are both excellent along with MS Press's "Inside Out."

  • The AVI Radeon X1900 XT video card in my Mac Pro Dual-Core went bad and I need to replace it. I found one that is $250 but I don't think that I need the gaming-type processor.  I am using a 23" Apple Display. Are there lower cost options? -C

    The Radeon X1900 XT video card went bad in my Mac Pro Dual-Core Intel Xeon. (I tried it with a good one at the office). I found one online that was $250. I don't need the gaming capacity of this card and was wondering if there were less expensive video cards that I could use in this machine. I run Adobe Creative Suites for graphics design and have a 23" Apply display. Thank you for any help that you can provide. -PretzelMcK

    Then pick up the ATI 5770 AND upgrade to 10.6.8.
    Same price for a good card that will work and helps to have 1GB VRAM.
    There aren't any other real choices let alone less expensive.
    Even the ebay links I had and not a lot of choices.

  • Mac Pro 12-core won't boot Mac OS X 10.6 "Server" Install DVD

    I have just received my new Mac Pro 12-core today.
    I tried to boot from my Mac OS X Server (10.6) Install DVD with no success.
    I WAS able to "upgrade" from the preinstalled Mac OS X 10.6.4, but I need a clean installation.
    I first thought there was a problem with the internal DVD drive, but I could boot the provided Mac OS X Install DVD. I also tried to boot the "Server" DVD from a firewire external DVD drive, with no success. I even tried "target" mode, using the DVD drive from a Mac Book Pro, with no success.
    The server install DVD is not corrupted, as I used it recently on my 2007 Mac Pro 8-core.
    Please help.

    New hardware = newer minimum OS build
    Mid 2010 Specs: http://support.apple.com/kb/SP589
    http://www.apple.com/support/macpro/
    Mac Pro (Mid 2010) Aug 2010 10.6.4 - 10F2251
    Mac Pro with Mac OS X Server (Mid 2010) Aug 2010 10.6.4 - 10F2252 (Server)
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1159
    In Xserve and some Mac Pro configurations where the Mac OS X Server operating system is installed on an SSD drive and data for services is housed on internal drives, an internal RAID, or an external RAID, some services may not start up properly or may not be able to find the associated data during the startup process.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3286
    *Mac OS X Server 10.6.4 Update for Mac Pro (Mid 2010)*
    The 10.6.4 update is recommended for all servers currently running Snow Leopard Server version 10 .6.3. It includes Wiki Server Update 1.0, Safari 5 and general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility and security of your server, as well as specific fixes for:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1082
    Mac Pro (Mid 2010) - Technical Specifications
    Logic Express Mac OS X Server v10.6 (Unlimited-client license) Apple Remote Desktop
    http://support.apple.com/kb/SP589
    Mac Pro Mid 2010 Server Update:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1082
    http://support.apple.com/downloads/
    Mac Pro (Mid 2010) - User Guide
    http://manuals.info.apple.com/enUS/Mac_Pro_Mid2010_UG5686.pdf
    Congrats!

  • IMac 27" or Mac Pro Quad-Core?

    Hello all,
    I understand that this topic has been covered before although I am still unsure and I am looking for some help please!
    I am currently looking into purchasing a new computer to complete my architectural post-graduate degree. I currently use a PC, which I have done so for many years and initially I was thinking about buying a customisable Dell XPS sticking to using PC’s. Having recently been sent an email from Apple regarding student discounts offered on the Mac range I thought I'd look into getting an Apple having heard nothing but praise and also that it can also run Windows XP (via ‘Bootcamp’). This would mean I would effectively get 2 “computers” for the price of one, however, after hours of research, scrolling through web pages I am torn between the Mac Pro Quad-Core and the iMac 27” (Intel i7) !
    I mainly use Microstation V8/AutoCAD, Maxwell Render, Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator/InDesign, SketchUp, etc, and require a computer which can run programs quickly and efficiently, including some rendering. I will be switching between both operating systems, but will heavily use Windows to run most of my software.
    I was first hooked onto the iMac due to its sheer simplicity, elegance and also the specification (Intel i7) which was on par with the Dell I was considering. Although reading deeper on various forums, articles, I found that the Mac Pro Quad-Core might be a better alternative for future proofing (IE. Upgradable hardware) but it costs a little bit more than the iMac plus no monitor included. I feel that the iMac will suffice for what I need but I am not sure how about its longevity. I will be using the computer intensely for the next year, however, after I graduate I will see the computer being used casually.
    Another question is, if I were to use Bootcamp how would I share drivers (printers and scanners) between both Windows & Mac OSX? Also, when running Windows OS, would I need to install anti-virus software just like a PC?
    I am wondering if anybody could shed some light, assistance, experience and guidance to help me with my purchase please.
    Many thanks in advance!

    I would say a lot of it depends on just how extensively you expect to be using it after you graduate. Either system should carry you through a single year easily, but the Mac Pro obviously has the expandability advantage that will help extend the tail of its useful life.
    IMO, a reasonable expectation for an iMac is 2-3 years, while a Mac Pro is 3-4 for the quad core, 4-5 for the 2x4-core, and if you're buying one of those 12-core systems, odds are you're doing some serious number crunching and you'll be replacing the thing pretty quickly.
    So, if you think there's a better than 50% chance of needing to keep this computer for a longer than 2-3 years, go for the Mac Pro, otherwise you can get the iMac now and see where life has taken you in 2-3 years.
    As for bootcamp... Think of it like dual booting on a PC. Bootcamp does NOT allow you to run both operating systems at the same time, it's one or the other. Think of it like a time share. Programs like VMWare and Parallels let you run Windows in a virtual machine, but odds are you won't want the performance hit the emulation brings with it. So, there's no need to share drivers, because you'll need to install drivers for all hardware on both operating systems. You'll just need to make sure that any hardware you buy will work with both Mac OS X and Windows. When you're running Windows, it's no different from as if you had bought the Dell you were contemplating. Everything you would have done on the Dell as far as security software, you should do on the Mac with bootcamp. Mac OS X doesn't necessarily need AV software (yet), but Windows absolutely does.

  • Mac Pro 8 core - great, but not great... Any ideas please?

    Hi Guys,
    Firstly, let me say I'm Apple Certified in FCP so I'm not a newbie, however I am having a hard time coming to terms with my current situation.
    My G5 Quad appeared to be struggling on some basic (3 layers of text) real time stuff in PAL DV, and I was lucky enough to be able to upgrade to a Mac Pro 8 core 3.0GHz last week. "That will sort my stuttering problems" I thought...
    No it doesn't. Any new basic text (Boris) or any dissolve makes the playback jump, possibly worse than the G5 did. Aaaaargh! Anyone got any ideas why this shouldn't play back a dream?
    Also, does anyone know why the Blackmagic never appears as an option in the Effect Handling section of System Settings?
    Hope you can all help soon.
    p.s. I have not got any media on my startup disk, and the second disk is almost empty...

    Assuming your Scratch Disk is on the 2nd drive inside the Mac Pro, then let's see if that drive might be under-performing. Download Kona system Test v3 from http://www.aja.com/html/supportkona3swd.html and install it.
    Run the test on both drives, using the largest file size. Please report back on the read & write numbers you get on each drive.
    BTW, journaling should make no discernible difference on a SATA 3Gbps hard drive, and you most definitely SHOULD enable journaling on your boot volume. It doesn't matter either way for the media drive, but if you do not enable journaling for the boot volume, it will bite you in the butt someday. Trust me on that.
    Besides, journaling takes zero action on a disk read, which is what you are having problems with. It takes a tiny bit of time for the write heads to write the data to the journal, but not enough to make any real difference for your extremely speedy Mac Pro. The location of the journal file is on the outermost tracks on the platters, the fastest ones.

  • FCS 2 -- Mac Pro 4-core or 8-core?

    Been reading both the FCP forum and the MacPro forum and still not unsure which way to go.
    I'm an avid Avid user (sorry about that) for many years and now making the switch to FCS2. My confusion lies in which configuration to get to best maximize FCS2-- Mac Pro 4-core with maximum RAM or Mac Pro 8-core with 6 or 8 GB RAM? The machine will be used 90% for FCS 2 so that's the main decision-making factor here.
    Been reading articles about bottlenecks that make having 8-cores benign, but I find them hard to believe. Either way, the cost is about the same (the $$ saved buying the 4-core would be spent on more RAM).
    Thanks for your time and advice.

    With FCS the trick to maximising your performance is balance. Getting the balance right between processor performance, GPU performance, RAM and drive performance can often be a tricky thing. Unless you consider your system as a whole, any improvement in one area will often have little value.
    At the price of the 8-core upgrade (more than 50% of a whole new one!) I would think you'd get far better value by going with a 3GHz 4-core system and maxing out everything else.

  • Opinions, Mac pro 12 core or 6 core for video editing?

    Hello everyone,
    I know that this a most likely a rhetorical question but i currently have a mac pro 12 core 2.4ghz 12 gigs of ram (plan on upgrading to 32 gigs) and a 6 core 3.33ghz 12 gigs of ram. I do a lot of video editing (starting to use Final cut pro X) and i do a lot of visual effects work in Adobe after effects and 3D animaton work in cinema 4d. I am only keeping one of the computers.. what are your guys thoughts? Should i keep the 12 core even tough it has a lower clock speed, or should i keep the 6 core since it has a higher clock speed? I dont mean to ask such a dumb question but i want to hear what your guys thoughts are.
    Thanks in advance!

    After Effects: http://www.barefeats.com/aecs6.html
    If you rely on cpu alone, it may look like it is working, or lagging, or wating, but with the combined power of GPGPU can make all the difference.
    Communicating over Quick-Path is okay but Intel knows that they need to up the GT and L3 cache to improve it more. ie, there are times when two 6-core Mac Pros are faster than one 12-core, given the same GHz.
    the real reason people bought dual with lower clock was hoping it would do more work, but when you have 3.33GHz a lot of work that cann't be dispatched and is not multi-thread or multicore all benefit.
    W3680s are relatively cheap @ $600, you will not find X5600 sets unless you can make your system pay for whatever you throw at it and do so in a year to write it off and pay for doing more projects and more income.
    This guy goes kind of crazy with custom setup 12-core 3.33s, 960GB SSD PCIe and 96GB RAM.
    More RAM helps some areas but not rendering. So find the bottlenecks or throw everything at the problem and hope.
    $1660 a piece X5680 - $1470 on Amazon
    http://ark.intel.com/products/47916/Intel-Xeon-Processor-X5680-(12M-Cache-3_33-G Hz-6_40-GTs-Intel-QPI)
    http://www.amazon.com/Intel-X5680-Processor-Socket-LGA1366/dp/B003ELYSJQ/
    Only if you shop ebay for used parts, and by then whatever Intel and Apple agree on next go round new is a better system solution most of the time than to throw $3000 into an older system. $3k would be another 6-core 3.33 if that helps.

Maybe you are looking for