GAMING: 2013 Mac Pro 6-Core
versus 2010 Mac Pro 6-Core

Posted Friday, May 9th, 2014 by rob-ART morgan, mad scientist

Serious gamers may not opt for the fastest CPU, but they don't want the slowest either. I've always considered the 6-Core Mac Pro with a fast GPU to be a worthy gaming platform. So I set up this shootout between the old and new 6-Core Mac Pro. And I have the old Mac Pro a crutch or two or three or four -- aka fast GPUs.

GRAPH LEGEND
nMP 6c D500s = 'late 2013' Mac Pro 3.5GHz Quad-Core Xeon, 32GB 1866MHz DDR3 memory, 256GB PCIe flash storage, dual FirePro D500 GPUs (3G VRAM each)
MPt 6c 280X = 'mid 2010' Mac Pro 3.3GHz Hex_Core Xeon, 24G 1333MHz DDR3 memory, 512G PCIe flash storage, single Radeon R9 280X GPU (3G VRAM) MacVidCards
MPt 6c 7950 = 'mid 2010' Mac Pro 3.3GHz Hex_Core Xeon, 24G 1333MHz DDR3 memory, 512G PCIe flash storage, single Radeon HD 7950 GPU (3G VRAM) "Mac Edition"
MPt 6c G780 Ti = 'mid 2010' Mac Pro 3.3GHz Hex_Core Xeon, 24G 1333MHz DDR3 memory, 512G PCIe flash storage, single GeForce GTX 780 Ti GPU (3G VRAM) MacVidCards
MPt 6c G680 = 'mid 2010' Mac Pro 3.3GHz Hex_Core Xeon, 24G 1333MHz DDR3 memory, 512G PCIe flash storage, single GeForce GTX 680 GPU (2G VRAM) "Mac Edition"

Tomb Raider
Using the HIGH preset at 2560x1440, we ran the built-in benchmark. (RED graph bar means FASTEST in FRAMES per SECOND.)

Diablo III
Using the best settings with no vsync at 2560x1440, we entered the game at the same location and observed FPS. (RED graph bar means FASTEST in FRAMES per SECOND.)

World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria
Using the ULTRA preset with no vsync and 1x msaa at 2560x1440, we performed our Narache Village run collecting average FPS with Titan Performance addon. (RED graph bar means FASTEST in FRAMES per SECOND.)

Dirt 2
Using the best settings at 2560x1440, we ran the built-in benchmark. The graph shows average FPS. (RED graph bar means FASTEST in FRAMES per SECOND.)

F1 2013
Using the default settings with no anti-aliasing at 2560x1440, we ran the built-in benchmark. The graph shows average FPS. (RED graph bar means FASTEST in FRAMES per SECOND.)

INSIGHTS

The 2013 6-Core Mac Pro with dual FirePro D500 GPUs was fastest running Dirt 2 and F1 2013. That's good news if those are the only games you play.

But it is NOT good news if you play Tomb Raider, Diablo, and/or WoW. The 2010 Mac Pro 6-Core with the Geforce GTX 780 Ti was fastest running those games with the Radeon R9 280X coming in second (best two out of three versus GTX 680).

If you are an avid gamer who already owns a 2010 Mac Pro 6-Core (or any 2008-2012 Mac Pro tower), it's a lot cheaper to buy a better graphics card than to replace it with a new 2013 Mac Pro 6-Core (or 4-Core for that matter). However, if you also use your Mac Pro to get 'real work' done, then you should pay attention to our upcoming article comparing the two 6-Core Mac Pros running pro apps.

Comments? Suggestions? Volunteer to test? Email , mad scientist.
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WHERE TO BUY A MAC or other APPLE products:
USA readers can help us earn a commission by using this Apple Store USA link or by clicking on any Apple display ad.

OTHER SOURCES FOR new MACS

• Amazon has the 2013 Mac Pro 4-Core and 2013 Mac Pro 6-Core in stock.
• PowerMax will sell you a new Mac plus give you a trade-in offer on your old Mac.

WHERE TO BUY FACTORY REFURBISHED MACS
Apple Store USA has refurbished Macs with 12 month warranty that can be extended to 36 months with AppleCare. Pay attention to the GPU it comes with.

PowerMax not only sells new and used Macs, but will give you a generous trade-in offer on your old Mac.

Other World Computing has a Used Mac Store.

WHERE TO BUY MEMORY for the Mac Pro:

Trans International
Other World Computing
MaxUpgrades

 WHERE TO BUY FAST NVIDIA GPUs for your MAC PRO tower

• The OS X compatible GeForce GTX Titan can be purchased from MacVidCards. They also offer a flashing and mod service for your existing GTX Titan. MacVidCards recommends a supplemental power supply. We were able to run it in our 2010 Mac Pro without the aid of an auxiliary PS.
• The OS X compatible GeForce GTX 780 or 780 Ti is available from MacVidCards. They offer a flashing and mod service your existing GTX 780.
• The OS X compatible GeForce GTX 770 (2G and 4G) is available from MacVidCards.
• The EVGA GeForce GTX 680 Mac Edition can be ordered from EVGA direct or from Other World Computing (MacSales.com), Trans International (TransIntl.com), NewEgg, and Amazon.

WHERE TO BUY FAST AMD GPUS for your MAC PRO tower

The Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 Mac Edition is available from OWC , TransIntl, and Amazon

A flashed Radeon HD 7970 or R9 280X is available from MacVidCards.

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copyright 2014 Rob Art Morgan
"BARE facts on Macintosh speed FEATS"
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