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2006 Mac Pro vs 2009 Mac Pro

I currently own a 2006 Mac Pro 3.0GHz 8-Core with 13 Gigs of Memory.

I was thinking about getting the 2009 2.26GHz 8-Core with the new processors.

I see my memory is only at 667MHz compared to the 1066MHz but besides that I really can't tell if it will be comparable or surpass my current set up.

Anyone know more about comparing these 2 machines. If it is equal that is enough but if it is better than great.

I would guess it should probably be better and faster despite a smaller speed due to the better architecture. I just don't fully understand how if the speed is still rated slower by the GHz number on the processors.

Thanks in advance

MacPro 3.0 8 Core, Mac OS X (10.5.8), 13 Gigs

Posted on Feb 26, 2010 8:18 PM

Reply
25 replies

Feb 27, 2010 12:05 PM in response to Phastroh

Buy a couple SSDs while you wait and $av$

Why? DDR3 on die, memory bandwidth, larger cache, more efficient technology, 2 threads per core, PCIe 2.x with two 16x slots.

However, your 3GHz 8-core / 13GB - is it holding you back? tapping fingers? taking hours to render?

The same 2009, faster GHz does help. Though will you or your applications noice? and a Quad G5 2.5GHz isn't in the same ball-park as 2.66GHz Xeon 4-core (2009) even though "only" 166MHz per cpu.

And then software, including Snow Leopard Grand Central and Finder aren't even yet seeing the optimization for 8-12-16 threaded cores, and haven't caught up. Some video editing has to a good degree. CS5 should help.

Without saying why; what you use; etc, it is a guessing game as to IF, and if you don't understand processors now, more numbers probably don't really help or tell the story.

The best and ideal RAM configuration for 1,1 system is 4 x nGB, such as 4 x 4GB, or 8 x 4GB if possible; not 6 DIMMs, and there was higher latency with 8 DIMMs (FBDIMMs are hot, do have higher latency, and the 3,1 2008 was somewhat of an improvement in that category). DDR3 is better yet but we'll have to wait for DDR5 probably to reduce memory as one bottleneck.

Another bottleneck: affinity of memory and threads or tasks to a core, or 'bouncing' from core to core and having to drag the memory around on a thread -- core-thrashing. 2009 could/should have improved that, but the operating system has to manage and schedule tasks better.

There are people that upgrade almost yearly, that push their systems to the limit.

As I said, try a couple SSDs on your ODD ports for stripe RAID0 for your system, that should do more and good ROI.

Feb 27, 2010 1:55 PM in response to The hatter

Well no my 3.0 8-Core is superb but it is broken.

It started up and got to the desktop and shut off. Then it had no chime but the HD's and fans came on. I press the botton on the logic board and the 2 red LED's flash that say CPU1 & CPU2 Overtemp.

Next morning it chimes and gets to the gray apple screen and shuts off and then no chime again or the next day.

Took it to the shop and they say it could be the board or the chips but wouldn't the test button flash the CPU1 & CPU2 Fails lights? It just says Overtemp.

So I was asking because rather than pay $2000 for chips and a board I was gonna replace it with the new computer.

I was skeptical about the chips due to the test button. Anyone know? Anyone know someone who knows?

So you say revisions about the new 2009 MAC PRO's but when are they due? I have clients work sitting here with no way to do squat.

Feb 27, 2010 2:15 PM in response to Phastroh

We appear to be what I would say should/could have been the #1st post, not last or later. Makes more sense and also gives any input some needed focus.

Buy when you need to.

The 8 core is less than 3 yrs old, and AppleCare should cover most if not all of those issues.

A UPS can really help protect and keep a system up and running I believe very firmly.

Apple Hardware Test isn't as robust as the Service test that a provider has access to.

Every Mac Pro needs to be running SmcFanControl.

There are threads and people have replaced processors with 53xx series in Mac Pro 1,1 or 2,1 model.

Otherwise the whole thing seemed rather academic as to testing, benchmarks, what makes A faster than B and stuff.

How many? Take a look here:
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/mac_pro

2008 *Refurbished Mac Pro 8-core 3.2GHz Intel Xeon $3,299.00*

Two 3.2GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon processors
2GB (2 x 1GB) of 800MHz DDR2 ECC fully buffered DIMM
500GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s 7200-rpm hard drive
Two 16x SuperDrives (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 512MB (two dual-link DVI ports)

*Refurbished Mac Pro 2.26GHz 8-Core Intel Xeon $2,799.00*

Two 2.26GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon "Nehalem" processors
6GB (6x1GB) of 1066MHz DDR3 ECC memory
640GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s 7200 rpm
18x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 with 512MB GDDR3 memory


*Refurbished Mac Pro 2.66GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon $2,149.00*

One 2.66GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon "Nehalem" processor
3GB (3 x 1GB) of 1066MHz DDR3 ECC memory
640GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s 7200 rpm
18x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 with 512MB GDDR3 memory

Ever hear of the "waiting game?" there is always something better around the next corner. Which is why I was saying, something to get you by for the next 6-9-12 months while new products rollout, mature, graphics cards from ATI & Nvidia have time... and the compulsory EFI/SMC firmware updated and chip revisions during the 4 months plus after anything new is released.

I felt I needed a new system last year and went "Dark Side" of Seven and built a co9uple PCs for firsttime that would have otherwise set me back $$ (and when Gulftown comes out I can just drop it right in). So now I have a test and backup system and a primary workstation.

Feb 27, 2010 5:40 PM in response to Samsara

I never bought Applecare and here is why.

When I bought the computer I knew it had a 1 year warranty. The lady tells me Applecare gives you 3 years coverage but if you wait 2 years you will still pay $250 for only 1 year of coverage. Little did I know she was wrong and now I am screwed because I couldn't get the Applecare when I tried to get it last year.

Now it breaks and guess what. I am screwed because the Apple lady gave me the wrong information.

Anyway if there was just somewhere I could just read what those LEDs that say CPU1 & CPU2 Overtemp mean I would fix it myself.

I am leaning towards the CPU fans not working anymore which would explain why it started up and shut off and then only started up again in the morning and never started up again. Like they went bad. The CPU Fail light does not flash and the Amber power light comes on as well.

Anyway this is really not the place to discuss the problems and I have yet yo find a site that explains those LEDs.

Feb 27, 2010 10:30 PM in response to Phastroh

Anyway this is really not the place to discuss the problems and I have yet yo find a site that explains those LEDs.

So I guess that is really what you want to know about, the LED lights? Somehow I think the information you want about those may still not be why you came here. It's like you're writing a book chapter by chapter but never getting to the end.

Well, there are a few articles here that mention those lights and much more.
The base page for Mac Pros is here: http://www.apple.com/support/macpro/

Under Troubleshooting you'll see one link right away you could click on, "My computer doesn't start up". http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1367

Click on "More" and you'll find more articles plus a way to search for specific terms. I put in "LED" for a search term and found these pages, but since I'm not sure what your computer is really doing I'm not sure if you'll find any info directed at your problem in them. You'll have to go through them and see.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2341

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2674

And towards the bottom on this one even if referring to an 09' MP.
http://manuals.info.apple.com/enUS/Mac_Pro_Early2009_Memory_DIMMDIY.pdf
I couldn't find anything for your Mac because I really don't know what year or model it is or if a page exists for it there.
Google can help in searches for this kind of info too, you just have to be precise in your search terms and willing to keep at it.

A idea. have you thought of just bringing it it for an estimate and letting them tell you what is wrong and how much they'll charge to fix it? If it's like 2 grand or something, I would personally put that toward a new machine. Or a used or refurbished one as the Hatter shows you above.

And think about giving Applecare a call. Depending on how long you've been out of warranty, you may get lucky.

Good luck

Edit: My apologies, you say which MP you have in your subject line. It's old and probably far out of warranty then. Well, if can wait, wait, if not buy something newer, an 08 or 09. Both are good machines and should last you for a long time.

Message was edited by: Samsara

Feb 28, 2010 4:37 AM in response to Phastroh

Apple Care has to be bought before the end of the first year.
Should be spelled out in writing with the materials and booklet that came with it.
The amount of misinformation given out - clueless about technical items, Boot Camp and Windows on Mac, upgrades, you name it, is astounding.

http://www.apple.com/support/products/
http://www.apple.com/support/applecare/overview/

I'd invest in a backup replacement, and look at higher level of AppleCare in future.

This wasn't really about 2007 vs 2009 at all in the end.

Feb 28, 2010 7:35 AM in response to The hatter

Yes it was 2007 vs 2009 but I ended up telling you why I was asking and that was because the 2007 I had is broken and I didn't know whether to fix it or that buying a 2009 was a better idea.

SO you see it really was about a 2007 vs 2009 but I thought telling you why I wanted to know was a good idea.

I did say I posted that in the wrong spot to clarify that it really was about 2007 vs 2009.

Hope that clears this up.

Feb 28, 2010 9:01 AM in response to Phastroh

It would be less than 3 yrs old. That matters. The 8-core 3GHz only first came out in March 2007. It isnt' "old" by a long shot I hope.

Had you started out stating the whole broken background I think that would have been clearer, more acccurate, and more important, it is not about performance difference really at all in the end.

So often threads don't bring out the gist until back-and-forth and playing "20 Questions" sometimes. Just the nature of how communication happens I suppose.

Ideally there would have been THREE sub-forums, 2006-7 in its own category, with 2008 in its (and bridging the gap). This isn't wrong place to post, and I think a 2009 makes sense... EVEN if you manage to get this one working.

Only Apple has the full list of error codes from sensors and from Apple Hardware Test, and more robust set of tools. Some people have posted and asked so there are some hits from Google.

And some places charge $75 for a full benchtest (not Apple Service) and may wave the fee if no work is done, it varies.

People on MacRumors forums have talked about swapping processors (finding 5365 and above isn't always easy) and of course you want to insure where the source of the problem is (short in logicboard would be a killer), or if a sensor went.

Feb 28, 2010 10:56 AM in response to The hatter

2006 Mac Pro vs 2009 Mac Pro

I just took that at face value, I don't really check anymore whether the machines people have are really what they say they are or not. Believing it was an 06, at the end, well, that I thought that was getting up there in age, by the old way of looking at things anyway. That is a new computer every three years. I mean, 06 or 07, the thing still isn't all that much more powerful than a Quad G5, according to Primate Labs at least. I waited for the 09 to make the switch from one (though the 08's were pretty good too).
Well, all's well that ends well, so they say, but where this ended up I don't have a clue.

And I'm sorry to the OP, but had your post from the beginning been "What do these lights mean, my MP is down?", instead of "2006 Mac Pro vs 2009 Mac Pro", the whole thing could have been corralled more quickly I believe.

Feb 28, 2010 4:52 PM in response to Samsara

Well I came here to ask how they compared because of the fact mine was broken.

I wasn't here to find out what the LED's mean.

I actually just purchased a MP 2.26 8-Core maybe like 2 hours ago. This time I got the Applecare with it along with a printer. With the $100 rebate it was easy.

I actually own a few Laser printers for professional work but figured what the heck it does CMYK and I have a bunch of forms I need to print anyway so why not. Cheaper than getting ink for my Color Laser at this point.

I told the shp who didn't know yet what was wrong to just have it ready for pick up on Tuesday and when I bring it home first thing I am doing is taking out the CPU fans and testing them.

If you start a computer and it starts up and cuts off and then won't start till the next day only to cut off again and the board says overtemp, one would think to check the fans first. If they work it may just be a short in the logic board whcih I think I can handle changing myself.

A 3GHz 8-core will make a fine backup. If I ever start doing my Maya animation it will just speed up the rendering. I can always let an employee use it.

I look at it this way. When I started in graphics I started on the very computer I am using right now. A G4 400MHz Power PC and it was still able to do the job decently as far as putting together books and advertising.

Then I moved up to a G4 Silverback or whatever it is called then to a G5 and finally bought my own Mac Pro 3GHz.

Point it the 3GHz will in 5 years still be able to get the job done with ease. This new one will as well. I was just looking for as much info as I could before I spent a small fortune today.

Most people can't even believe one would pay so much for a computer but for what I do I would rather wait for a new MP before I even turned on either 2 of my kick arse PC's. Sounds silly to most but hey what can I say.

I will still try to search for the LED's on the Logic Board but I personally am having no luck.

Feb 28, 2010 10:00 PM in response to Phastroh

If that's the one I think it it, then it's the one right below the 2.93. Is that right? If so that is a really good machine, scarcely less powerful than the 2.93 and a whole lot less expensive. Of course, some people feel they have to go crazy... 😉

Well, my sincerest congratulations to you then on getting such a fine Mac Pro. You may kick yourself a little bit if and when the new models come out, but thats life. And personally I don't think the new models will be blowing the socks off ours all that much anyway, not for some time. It's a bit relative anyway, going from where one is to where one wants to be. I only upgraded from my G5 when the latest MPs were were 4-5 times faster. Now that was a sweet difference. I would think that you too will feel a noticeable difference. What's even cooler is that as the Hatter pointed out above, many of the features of the 09's haven't even been capitalized on yet. When they are, our Macs will only perform better. The first win-win like that I can remember in buying computers.
And having a new machine,.. sure, that's the time to work on fixing your old one at your leisure, though I think there are many other reasons for the old one not to work besides the fans not working. Could be a lot of things. As long as the place that is looking at your old MP now doesn't charge you an excessive fee, I'd let them continue on to see what they find. I mean it could, like I think the Hatter said, be something as simple as a damaged sensor. I'm not sure you'd want to tear it apart to fix that. Only Apple or an Apple certified repairman would really have the best chance of fixing something like that. And if your theory is correct then it's too late to mess with the fans, isn't it? You said letting it cool off overnight only allowed you one more start up but since then nothing. Perchance the fans caused it, maybe, but now it sounds as if something is just plain broken.

So you work in the Graphic Arts, I did too, you're going to love your new Mac. Good luck. 🙂

Edit: Nope, you got the MP just under the one I was thinking of. Still a good machine though. Should serve you well.

Edit#2: Since when do Americans use "arse"?

Message was edited by: Samsara

Feb 28, 2010 11:18 PM in response to Samsara

I have to say I know plenty of peple who use arse. I think it all started when you would get your post erased for using the real word. I use a lot of words as substitutes now that my daughter is beginning to talk. It is ok my co-worker says ***** all the time. I like arse!

About the fans, no I don't think it is too late because the computer still only flashes CPU Overtemp and not CPU Fail so I think it may just be that. It actually could be that simple but it seems the first thing places want to do is change the logic board.

It won't be a big deal to remove them and test them first. If they work then I will know where to go from there. If they don't I spend less money to fix it. That is if the computer works after that.

I am thinking that the Logic Board may sense the fan is broken and not allow it to post. I wuld imagine this machine would have that check built in and if not that is sad.

As far as the new machine it is an 8-core 2.26 so it should be pretty good. I would doubt it is any less than the 3GHz 2007 I have that is broke.

If the new ones are that much better I will get one in 2011 when the new new ones come out.

I use a lot of Photoshop, Illustrator and Dreamweaver with a dash of Flash so I am good. I was even able to run Maya on my 3GHz with ease. of course I didn't really render much and my scenes were not complicated but it was as snappy as ever even with a very complicated train I built.

So in the end yes it is nice to have a new machine on its way for Wednesday but I hated paying for it.

I now can at least use some of these monitors if I fix the 3GHz. I have a 32", a 22", 3 20" and a really big 17" that looks like a 20". I don't know why but it does.

I also have 2 pretty fast PC's that I never use except for color output during printing.

It is late, gotta snooze it up.

Feb 28, 2010 11:40 PM in response to Phastroh

I use a lot of words as substitutes now that my daughter is beginning to talk.

Lol. 🙂

Well done, my friend, well done. Best of good fortune to you and yours.

Edit: When or if your cash supplies ever replenish (mine never have or will) think SSD for a boot drive. That will give your Mac an additional noticeable snap. In fact, if you would, post back and tell us how your new Mac is in comparison to the old.

Message was edited by: Samsara

2006 Mac Pro vs 2009 Mac Pro

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