TGill

Guys, 

Thanks for a fine article.  One point:  the 680 is not the biggest NVIDIA card you can use in a 5,1.  

My firm runs two maxed-out 12-core 5,1 machines, one with multiple 4K-class monitors, and several lesser machines.  We had to stop using our GTX 980 cards when Mojave came out; we needed Mojave because our key software wanted it.   It turns out that a 780 will work perfectly under Mojave, and provides a bit more kick than a 680.  We miss the 980 cards, and their fine performance on multiple monitors, of course.  The 780 is competent. 

I share the fatigue, disappointment, and frustration expressed by others.   My first Apple purchase was an Apple ][ with — count ‘em — 48k RAM and a special chip that allowed lower case letters.  This $2500 beauty (with Olympus electric typewriter attached) out-competed a $25,000 DEC dedicated word processor in 1982.  I’ve moved along with Apple ever since... through the ///, the Macs, the laptops... we have a museum of old machines.  The struggle between open and closed hardware is as old as the struggle between the ][ and the Mac.  This struggle is unresolved and eternal.  If I may offer a slight variation on the “pro vs. non-pro” argument based on longevity, it would be this.  I don’t think Apple is against “pro” users.  Apple has lost enthusiasm for hardware tinkerers, customizers, optimizers, experimenters, and the guys who keep trying to squeeze another percent out of their gear.  We have grease under our fingernails, scars, spare parts lying around, and a picture of some chrome extravagance hanging on the shop wall, over the carcass of a customized Triumph Bonneville (real carburetors).  Everything is just so clean and glossy now.  The happy young people in the ads live in a hyper-bright colorful world supervised by “thrilled” people with carefully-arranged casually-downdressed outfits.  That’s fine, for them.  But if you miss welding and banging, pull up a gas can, have a seat, and let’s toast Woz together.  

Aloha, and stay warm.