Looking to buy a new Mac Pro (2001 DA with a CPU upgrade is getting a bit long in the tooth):
Intended use:
Photoshop CS3 (large files for print), InDesign CS3 (as previous), some illustrator, mail / web always on the background, some file transfers, DVD archival burning and. Pure 100% work machine. No games, no 3D rendering, no video applications, no hc number crunching, no folding or other shared clients, no overclocking.
Need: best actually usable power (within above apps) for buck spent. As silent as possible. As little electricity use as possible. Need to be usable for another 5-7 years (like two previous machines that served well).
Considering:
- Mac Pro 1 * 2.8GHz CPU new 2008 model
Rationale: Photoshop can't in most cases use more than 4 cores effectively. Simultaneous load on CPUs from other apps will be low. Extra speed benefit from another 4 cores will be minimal and probably remain so for some time. 2nd CPU would also mean extra cash spent (460 euros in EU), extra heat, extra electricity draw and extra noise.
- Memory: stock 2*1GB memory from Apple Store. After market certified upgrade to 4 or 8 GB. Don't know which. Aiming to get modules installed in identical 4 module units for maximum performance. That is, either 4*1GB or 8*1GB/4*2GB
Question: How much extra benefit for above work will one get from going from 4GB to 8GB (considering Photoshop limitations)? Will 8GB be worth the extra 600 euros (EU, locally!) that it costs over the 4GB option?
Graphics card Radeon HD 2600 XT 256MB
Rationale: less power draw, more than enough for non-3d, non-gpu-accelerated Photoshop/2D work. Less noise compared to nvidia 8800gt?
Question2: Any difference in reliability of current ATI or nVidia drivers? Any reason to buy nVidia with more VRAM considering the above usage scenario? Has Apple announced a more ambitious move towards gpu-rendering based apps or parts inside OS X?
In fact, after having read several photoshop benchmarks, I think I would have settled for iMac 24" w/ 4GB ram and 2.8GB cpu, due to price/lack of noise, but the glossy screen just kills it for me for any serious work (even as a secondary monitor).
Any recommendations, do's or dont's from other graphic pros?
Intended use:
Photoshop CS3 (large files for print), InDesign CS3 (as previous), some illustrator, mail / web always on the background, some file transfers, DVD archival burning and. Pure 100% work machine. No games, no 3D rendering, no video applications, no hc number crunching, no folding or other shared clients, no overclocking.
Need: best actually usable power (within above apps) for buck spent. As silent as possible. As little electricity use as possible. Need to be usable for another 5-7 years (like two previous machines that served well).
Considering:
- Mac Pro 1 * 2.8GHz CPU new 2008 model
Rationale: Photoshop can't in most cases use more than 4 cores effectively. Simultaneous load on CPUs from other apps will be low. Extra speed benefit from another 4 cores will be minimal and probably remain so for some time. 2nd CPU would also mean extra cash spent (460 euros in EU), extra heat, extra electricity draw and extra noise.
- Memory: stock 2*1GB memory from Apple Store. After market certified upgrade to 4 or 8 GB. Don't know which. Aiming to get modules installed in identical 4 module units for maximum performance. That is, either 4*1GB or 8*1GB/4*2GB
Question: How much extra benefit for above work will one get from going from 4GB to 8GB (considering Photoshop limitations)? Will 8GB be worth the extra 600 euros (EU, locally!) that it costs over the 4GB option?
Graphics card Radeon HD 2600 XT 256MB
Rationale: less power draw, more than enough for non-3d, non-gpu-accelerated Photoshop/2D work. Less noise compared to nvidia 8800gt?
Question2: Any difference in reliability of current ATI or nVidia drivers? Any reason to buy nVidia with more VRAM considering the above usage scenario? Has Apple announced a more ambitious move towards gpu-rendering based apps or parts inside OS X?
In fact, after having read several photoshop benchmarks, I think I would have settled for iMac 24" w/ 4GB ram and 2.8GB cpu, due to price/lack of noise, but the glossy screen just kills it for me for any serious work (even as a secondary monitor).
Any recommendations, do's or dont's from other graphic pros?
