This system is "BEST" x 2: (2 x HEX 6-Core / 3.46 Ghz)
12 Cores total.
The notes below describe the 6 core Mac Pros. This listing is for a 12 Core Mac Pro that contains TWO of the BEST 6-Core CPUs described below.
A note about our GOOD, BETTER, and BEST Mac Pros:
The 5,1 Mac Pro is a great machine, it performs comparably to current “trash can” Mac Pros at a fraction of the price and with much greater upgradability and flexibility (sans Thunderbolt, of course). It's built with server-grade components, making it an extremely robust and stable platform to work (or play) on. It has withstood the test of time and is still hard to beat with a current-generation computer. It's hard to predict changes in the computer industry, but we expect these Macs to last for years to come, and continue to be quite serviceable for several more upgrade cycles. We offer 3 performance/price levels of 5,1 Mac Pros and upgrades. We call them Good, Better, and Best. Here are the differences:
GOOD
• 3.2 GHz HEX 6-Core CPU (Intel Xeon ® W3670 Westmere)
• Memory runs at 1066 MHz
• Processor Interconnect Speed: 4.8 GT/s
Our GOOD system is a great entry level HEX-core system. You’ll never find it sluggish or wonder what it’s thinking about. This is a totally competent machine, excellent for everyday use, and an excellent value proposition. If you want the RAM to run at 1333 MHz and the faster Processor Interconnect Speed, check out the BETTER (3.33 GHz) or BEST (3.46 GHz) versions of this system.
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BETTER
• 3.33 GHz HEX 6-Core CPU (Intel Xeon ® W3680 Westmere)
• Memory runs at system limit of 1333 MHz
• Processor Interconnect Speed: 6.4 GT/s (This is significant as it makes it easier for internal components to talk to each other)
By graduating from our GOOD to our BETTER system, you get the 3.33 GHz CPU clock speed, but even more important, you get the 6.4 GT/s Processor Interconnect Speed. This offers a significant performance bump from the 4.8 GT/s offered in our GOOD (3.2 GHz) level system. This Mac flies and performs as close to the BEST level system as the clock speed difference would imply (3.33 vs 3.46). This configuration offers the best bang for the buck - it’s almost as good as BEST (3.46 Ghz). The 3.33 HEX Core CPU was the fastest officially offered by Apple, as Apple passed on the ultra-pricy 3.46 Ghz CPU themselves. But if you want the bragging rights of the fastest possible 5,1 HEX core Mac Pro, check out our BEST level systems (3.46 GHz).
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BEST
• 3.46 GHz HEX 6-core CPU (Intel Xeon ® W3690 or X5690 Westmere)
• Memory runs at system limit of 1333 MHz
• Processor Interconnect Speed: 6.4 GT/s (This is significant as it makes it easier for internal components to talk to each other)
This is our BEST Mac Pro Hex core system. It’s based on the Intel Xeon ® w3690 CPU, the absolute fastest offered by Intel with this socket interface. The 6.4 GT/s Processor Interconnect Speed offers a significant performance bump from the 4.8 GT/s offered in our GOOD (3.2 GHz) level system. This Mac screams and really gives Apple’s “Trash Can” Mac Pro a run for its (your) money! This is actually faster than anything Apple sold, as they passed on the 3.46 GHz CPU in favor of the slower and cheaper 3.33 GHz model (our "Better” system) This configuration earns you the bragging rights of the fastest possible 5,1 HEX core Mac Pro. This is the Mac Daddy Mac Pro!
Should I get a 6 or 12 core? Consider this before you decide.
You want the best, right? That's why you're buying this Mac Pro. This generation of Mac Pro offers a unique and compelling value proposition, and in today's workstation market, these offerings are unmatched in the price/performance equation. And ALL of the models in this class have come down in price so much, it's all so affordable now, why not shoot the moon, right? So, obviously, you need the 12-core, the price is right, why not?
The answer is somewhat surprising. To illustrate, we'll use a baking analogy! Let's say you had to bake a cake. You could do it alone, and in your kitchen, it would take you a certain amount of time. Much of the preparation time would be dictated by the actual cooking and cooling time of the cake, but you could cut the prep time by adding some more cooks (more CPU cores). Let's say there are 6 of you now. One guy can get the eggs while another prepares the dry ingredients. You could bake the cake a little faster with six cooks, than with one. OK, now, let's say you have 12 cooks. Can you bake the cake faster than with 6? Or do the cooks start to get in each other's way, and actually waste time trying to coordinate simple tasks? "Hey everyone, I'll grease the pan, ok? Will everyone please acknowledge and agree?" But wait, let's say that half of the 12 cooks are actually across the street, in another kitchen, in another house. Can you make the cake faster with 12 chefs in 2 remotely located kitchens than you could with 6 cooks in your own one kitchen? No, one simpler setup, one kitchen, (ONE CPU) is actually better to bake one cake. Now, if you had a 1000-cupcake catering order... Now its easy to see how another 6 cooks in another kitchen could make the job much more do-able.
I use a 6 core Mac Pro for myself because I don't have a 1000-cupcake catering order. There are actually very few tasks that can benefit from more than 6 cores. Most applications don't use the 2nd CPU at all. If you go back to search for reviews of the 6 and 12 core Mac Pros when they first came out, you'll find the same thing; the reviewers LOVED the 6-core versions, but were much less impressed with the 12-core models. The 12 core offered the most processing power possible, but for most applications, for most users, they simply add the overhead of coordinating tasks on disparate pieces of silicon, and add additional operating cost (such as power consumption). If you get a 6-core and regret your decision, it's very easy to swap out the CPU tray for a 12 core.