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Upgrading Gaming PC or Mac Pro? Advice needed

E

Elitist Snob

Junior Member
So I'm left with a choice to make and not quite certain which direction to go. Here's my deal.

I have a three-year-old gaming PC that is currently DOA (dead processor), and a 2006 vintage Mac Pro (powered by Intel's Woodcrest XEON). I use my PC almost entirely for gaming, while the Mac gets used for what it is - a creative workstation. My question is, would it be wiser to invest my money upgrading the dead gaming PC - or purchase Apple's Geforce 8800GT upgrade card ($270) for the Mac Pro instead, using it as my gaming PC?

Were I to go the upgrade route, my budget for the gaming PC would be around $500-600, knowing the CPU and video card will be the two most vital (and costly) components here. Basically what I would need is a new CPU/Motherboard, video card, and RAM. Everything else (the case, hard drive, and power supply) are all top of the line and quite reusable. What specific components should I select for my system, given its primary purpose? CPU, mobo, video card recommendations welcome.

 
Originally posted by: cusideabelincoln
Were you planning to put BootCamp on your Mac for games that don't run under OSX?
Click to expand...
Only as an option. The Mac Pro is currently running an antiquated Geforce 7300GT. I thought buying the upgrade kit from Apple might make the MP a worthy gaming rig. But...then again...it's a Woodcrest system, still a credible performer, but hardly cutting edge.

$270 for an 8800GT is a bit much, when 8800GTs for PCs cost as little as $120. Here's a reasonable upgrade:
Click to expand...

That's why I'm leaning towards upgrading the PC instead. For the cost of Apple's upgrade card, I'm already halfway in the hole, so why not pony up another $300 and just rebuild the bloody gaming rig?

Aside: I'm really disappointed in Apple. I purchased the Mac Pro with the hope that upgrades would be readily available, making it a flexible system for gaming. Instead, upgrade options are few and far between, and terribly costly. 🙁



 
With my suggestion, you'd be spending an extra $250 for a new PC as opposed to upgrading to a Mac 8800GT, and you would be getting a hell of a lot more performance for gaming. I estimate my suggested system would outperform the Mac+8800GT by about 50%.
 
CPU, GPU, mobo and RAM can all be done on a $600 budget, and without skimping. I agree with cuside's suggestion. Even if the upfront cost is greater, you're getting much better value for the money.
 
Remember that the latest Macs run intel processors and dedicated graphics cards, and if you want to upgrade your mac these days all you have to do is throw it out and buy a whole new one.

Wait a second...
 
Originally posted by: cusideabelincoln
With my suggestion, you'd be spending an extra $250 for a new PC as opposed to upgrading to a Mac 8800GT, and you would be getting a hell of a lot more performance for gaming. I estimate my suggested system would outperform the Mac+8800GT by about 50%.
Click to expand...

HAHAHA Are you serious?
8800GT plus intel Xeon Woodcrest 50% slower than your AMD rig.

Sorry but that's just Mac hate, stupidity, or both.

Seriously, get the 8800gt and call it a day.
 
Originally posted by: RedBeard
Originally posted by: cusideabelincoln
With my suggestion, you'd be spending an extra $250 for a new PC as opposed to upgrading to a Mac 8800GT, and you would be getting a hell of a lot more performance for gaming. I estimate my suggested system would outperform the Mac+8800GT by about 50%.
Click to expand...

HAHAHA Are you serious?
8800GT plus intel Xeon Woodcrest 50% slower than your AMD rig.

Sorry but that's just Mac hate, stupidity, or both.

Seriously, get the 8800gt and call it a day.
Click to expand...

learn to read. he said his SUGGESTED system, which, when overclocked, could easily get a 50% performance boost over his mac, not to mention the 4850 and E8400 are both awesome for gaming.
 
Upgrade the PC. Easy, simpler, and you can employ the local teen to do it for you if you want to spend a few bucks and be entertained. Make sure you can watch, so you can have a laugh. Also buy a few beers so you can relax.
 
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