Apple Mac Pro Tower

The Mac Pro “Mid-2010” tower, also known as the Mac Pro 5,1 (or sometimes unofficially as a “cheesegrater” Mac Pro), is a legendary machine in Apple’s history. The 12-core 2.66 GHz configuration was a powerhouse in its day, and due to its remarkable expandability and upgradability, it remains a surprisingly capable and sought-after machine for specific tasks even today.

Key Specifications of the Mac Pro “Mid-2010” (12-Core 2.66 GHz)

• Model Identifier: MacPro5,1
• Processors: The 12-core 2.66 GHz model came with two 2.66 GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon X5650 (Westmere) processors. This gave it a total of 12 physical cores and 24 threads (due to Hyper-Threading). The processors also featured a Turbo Boost capability, allowing them to reach up to 3.06 GHz when a single core was under load.
• Architecture: It was built on a 64-bit architecture with a QuickPath Interconnect (QPI) system, a significant improvement over previous models, enabling faster access to the system’s I/O and subsystems.
• RAM (Memory):
  • 32 Gb DDr-3 Ram Is Incredible for Audio & Video Production
• Storage:
  • 1 Tb SSd Storage for Your All Typs of Files, Documents, Audio Video Data.
  • Graphics:
    • The 1 Gb graphic card  ATI Radeon HD 5770 with 1 GB of GDDR5 memory. This card had two Mini DisplayPorts and one dual-link DVI port.
    • Upgradability: This is another major selling point. The Mac Pro 2010 has four PCI Express 2.0 slots, allowing for the installation of a wide range of modern, “Metal”-compatible graphics cards. Upgrading the GPU is a common practice to keep this machine relevant for modern creative applications and operating systems.
• Connectivity:
  • Ports: It came with five USB 2.0 ports, four FireWire 800 ports, and two Gigabit Ethernet ports.
  • Wireless: Standard features included Wi-Fi (802.11n) and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR.
• Operating System: The Mac Pro 2010 originally shipped with Mac OS X 10.6.4 Snow Leopard. However, with a GPU that supports Metal, it can be upgraded to run macOS High Sierra (10.13) and even newer operating systems with the help of community-developed patchers.

Why is the Mac Pro 2010 Still Relevant?

Despite being over a decade old, the Mac Pro 2010 tower remains a viable option for many professional users for several key reasons:

1. Upgradability: The “cheesegrater” design allows for easy access to almost all internal components. Users can upgrade the processors, graphics card, RAM, and storage, giving it a much longer lifespan than modern, sealed-case computers.
2. Performance per Dollar: A fully upgraded Mac Pro 2010 can offer a significant amount of multi-core processing power and RAM for a fraction of the cost of a new Mac Pro.
3. Legacy Support: For professionals who rely on older software or hardware that is not compatible with modern macOS versions or Apple Silicon Macs, the Mac Pro 2010 is an essential machine.
4. PCIe Expansion: The four PCIe slots are invaluable for professionals who need to use specialized expansion cards, such as high-speed storage controllers, audio interfaces (like a Pro Tools HD card), or video capture cards.