So I'm about to do something silly.

[Ash_Williams]

Call me stupid and throw me in the loony bin!

My gaming has kinda ceased and I've found myself doing more virtualisation and graphics work than I have been doing previously and my current computer just isn't cutting the mustard for the work. My major reason for calling me stupid is the fact that I want to go with a Mac Pro as a replacement.

Is this a wise idea or should I just be investing more into my current one (in my signature box)?

Please god no anti-Apple people in here for once, this is a genuine question of performance, processing ability and build quality over 'raw gaming power' like people assume it will be doing.

I'm tempted to get the server model and just add what I want to it extra, it comes down to weither the dual CPU option would be worth the extra moolah.

[Mr ShaderZz]

If you can build a equivalent hackintosh which is stable etc you will save money. A Mac pro is more about operating system rather then hardware. You will pay more BUT the hardware has been matched and fine tuned to suit the operating system to gets the best out og each other.

If windows 7 suffices and you are competent with building at home I would say upgrade
If you would like os x but would like to save money and once again are still capable og building at home I would say try a hackintosh.
If you want os x want stability and superb build quality ( at a cost ) then go Mac pro.

( the quality of a Mac which you can't see through spec sheets or 3dmark tests is relationship and symbiosis apple engineers build between hardware and os...... A Mac with far inferior hardware CAN out perform a pc with much higher specs )

P.s I may sound like a apple fanboy, I run windows 7 on a custom build.... I don't have the money for a mac.

[Ash_Williams]

My main factor for choosing a Mac Pro is the overall quality of the build compared to a 'custom' PC like I currently have, I will be spending most of the time in OS X with Windows obviously for my occasional gaming time I may want.

I have toyed with a Hackintosh but failed when my hardware wasn't quite compatibile xD

[ashman1991]

Alright first up I'm NOT having a go at you and I'm NOT being an anti-Apple fanboy.

My main factor for choosing a Mac Pro is the overall quality of the build compared to a 'custom' PC

I don't understand this. A Mac is made up of almost exactly the same parts that you can buy individually yourself and stick together on one Sunday afternoon for half the price. Yes, you get the Mac OS and software, but what I've quoted is only dealing with the hardware side of things. Taking a step back even further, does it really matter what the box on your floor looks like?

Also, what virtualisation software do you use at the moment?

As for what you could do - your current system is not horrible by a long shot. It is going to be multiple times cheaper to up your current system a bit than to buy a brand new Mac (actually to buy any type of new computer would be much more expensive). However [based off previous posts] you love Apple and will probably end up going that route. [ <--- Take note: that's not a stab at you, that's my opinion of what I think you'll end up doing]


Jesus...enter an Apple discussion and have to put disclaimers everywhere otherwise you get your **** whooped.

[MaddMoose]

Please god no anti-Apple people in here for once, this is a genuine question of performance, processing ability and build quality over 'raw gaming power' like people assume it will be doing.
.

If you are concerned with the hardware then I'm not sure why you would be considering a Mac. As you can get far more for much less by not going with a Mac.

The only reason I can think of to go with a Mac is for the OS.

As pointed out already, Macs run Intel CPUs and AMD video cards these days.

[Matty]

Work station?

Also if you are getting into 3D work and you are going a Mac, make sure the programs are actually compatible on the mac OS, as IIRC some aren't. (Otherwise then you will have to use boot-camp and then really, what's the point?)

[Ash_Williams]

Everything I use is Mac-compatible so I'm not worried there, the only reason it will need Windows is for any gaming I may decide to do.

[ashman1991]

Why does this seem like another - "I'm looking at a new machine help me decide but don't even bother to suggest a non-Mac solution because I've already made up my mind" thread?

BURN HIM!!!!!!11

[Ash_Williams]

One is a workstation one is for personal home usage.

[ChainsawMcP]

Why does this seem like another - "I'm looking at a new machine help me decide but don't even bother to suggest a non-Mac solution because I've already made up my mind" thread?

BURN HIM!!!!!!11

Burning is for Heretics.... I'm more of an Eclecticist

[DXPetti]

Play nice kiddies and remember not to resort to plain insults to get your point across

As for the topic;

Ash what type of "graphics" work are you talking about. It seems like you are heading down the whole "Photoshop works better on a Mac" **** when the real problem is you are using the wrong tool for the job. Gaming PCs don't make very good workhorses, after all, they are for gaming.

If you are actually focusing on a machine for work tried investigating workstations rather than just consumer level desktops/notebooks like the below

http://shopap.lenovo.com/au/en/products ... ation.html

In terms of build quality, if you stick with known brands (HP, Lenovo, Dell etc...) and don't go the el-cheapo model its not going to be an issue. Compares Apples with apples (ala $1000+ notebooks/desktops with $1000+ notebooks/desktops) before you start criticizing quality.

[ashman1991]

I'm tempted to get the server model and just add what I want to it extra

I went and had a look at the price of one of these, compared to if you just built similar yourself.

Mac -
* One 3.33GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon “Westmere”
* 32GB (8x4GB) (I'm assuming this much because your current 16GB "isn't enough")
* 2 x 1TB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s hard drive
* ATI Radeon HD 5770 1GB (cannot upgrade on Server)
* One 18x SuperDrive
* Keyboard, mouse, operating system
Total: $6,719.00

Build yourself - (prices from Scorptec)
* Intel Xeon W3680 (same as Mac)
* 32GB G.Skill (4x8GB)
* 2 x 1TB Western Digital Black's
* OCZ 1000W Power supply
* ATI 1GB graphics card
* Motherboard (I don't really know much in this area anymore so I chose a mid priced one)
* DVD Drive
* Case
* Keyboard, mouse, operating system
Total: ~ $2500 depending on keyboard, mouse and OS (Hardware only: $2000.00 exactly & you get 2 free movie tickets)

I mean, it's your money and you can do whatever you like, but **** me, a $4200 premium to have an apple on the side of the case and for it to "look purdy"?

You might as well put that $7K towards a Windows system with a Quadro graphics card in it if your after "purdy" stuff.

[Ash_Williams]

I can get it cheaper than what is officially through Apple seeing as I'm friendly with my local reseller but for the:

Two 2.4GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon “Westmere” processors
6GB of RAM (Which I'll bump up anyway)
1TB drive and 5770

$4050 so about $160ish cheaper than Apple but I will be upgrading RAM and the GPU if required.

It's all still 50/50 at this point but I'm leaning to going with a Mac Pro..

[Matty]

What type of graphics programs will you be running? (I don't know much about virtualisation).

If you don't plan on using it for games at all, you might want to look into video cards such as the Quadro or Firepro. MIght be better suited to your needs then a 5770.

[ashman1991]

Two 2.4GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon “Westmere” processors
6GB of RAM (Which I'll bump up anyway)
1TB drive and 5770

$4050 so about $160ish cheaper than Apple but I will be upgrading RAM and the GPU if required.

Well again -

Apple charge ~300 for a single 4GB stick of RAM, so that's at least another $1K to upgrade to your current 16GB.

Or you could go $600 a pop for an 8GB stick...ha