Looking at my System, Library and Apps folders, I’d need at least 160GB… so basically a 256GB sized drive. A lot of SSDs tend to be around $200… though I see some are cheaper. Are there any real dog-brands to avoid?
I will also then need a 2.5" to 3.5" bracket, yes?
No need for the bracket. I’d say just stick it in the second optical bay. 
I only use Samsung SSD drives. 850 Evo units are great.
Edit: $129. Boom. https://www.centrecom.com.au/samsung-850-evo-250gb-solid-state-drive
+1 for the evo.
Hi Cosmic,
I know money is tight but as a wish list for next year I thought I’d list a few potential upgrades.
1/ Swap to a hex core CPU. X5680 is best bang for buck. It is 3.33GHz. There is an X5690 (3.46GHz) but it costs 2-3x the X5680 for minimal speed improvements.
2/ SSD. I have Samsung Evo Pro, Transcend, Sandisk SATAIII drives. On the SATAIIbus of the Mac Pro there really isn’t any difference between them. My OWC SSD recently died after 7 years of daily use, so I’d go with whatever you can afford at the time. They’re all good.
3/ Graphics Card wise I would aim towards an Nvidia GTX 680. One with dual 6 pin connectors. These can be flashed with a Mac ROM (there was an official Mac card released). There are faster cards out there now, but being able to flash with a Mac ROM is a big bonus to me. It means you have boot screens etc, have no problems when an OS update comes out which generally breaks aftermarket Graphics drivers.
4/ USB3 Card. I have an Inateck KT4004. Purchase via Amazon USA. Irebebh bought a second one and it was DOA. Original card I’ve had for 3-4 years and it has been flawless.
5/ RAM. I recently purchased 64GB of 1333MHz from eBay. When you need it, just get whatever you want from eBay as ex service pulls.
Good luck and enjoy your machine.
I’ve been running Mavericks for donkeys years now, I don’t like the changes in Sierra with Siri and all that nonsense. I may install High Sierra to see what its about but I don’t expect to run it on a daily basis.
Well, to my original question… When I picked up the iMac, I cloned its hard drive, which was set up with Mavericks and a load of software, so I think I’ll pop that in first and see how it feels. Then I’ll download High Sierra and pop it on another drive and see how they compare, given it will “only” be using platter based drives. If HS seems slow being on a non-SSD, I’ll keep on with Mavericks for now.
As for leon’s upgrade pathways…
1/ X5680 - About $100 per processor on eBay (actual sales) - Not too bad…
2/ SSD - This I think will be my first port of call. The Evo 256GB seems to go for at least $130… with non-brands being as low as $75. Will see when the time comes what I can afford.
3/ Graphics - $100 - $200 for the Nvidia GTX 680… This wont be high on my list, because I’m sure the stock card that it’s coming with will still amaze me compared to the iMac’s card, but is good to note for future upgrades.
4/ USB3 - I think a few of my external drives are USB3 - but at this point I think I’ll only really be using my firewire box… so this will be on an as-need basis - ie if I get some new tech that needs it.
5/ RAM - Ahh well, I’m hoping the 8GB will happily cover the system and Final Cut Pro without using too much virtual stuff. I’ve seen a lot of RAM bundles on eBay, at all kinds of prices. Again, time will dictate, but hopefully I’ll be able to avoid this purchase for a bit. Final Cut X is kind of calling me, so that may change things if it’s a memory hog…
Is your machine a single or dual CPU model? I have a spare W3670 if you’re interested, which is a 3.2Ghz 6-core single CPU spec Xeon that suits the 5,1. I recently upgraded my 4-core Mac Pro 4,1 at home with one (after the 5,1 firmware upgrade of course), but ordered two as I thought I would upgrade a client’s machine but turns out his is a dual CPU model. Paid about $60 for it, so you’re welcome to it if you want it. It’s a fairly easy install, you just need a long 3mm hex driver (I got a set at Bunnings for $15 or so I think).
Certainly interested, @jaysee - It is a single processor 2.8Ghz to my knowledge, but should arrive tomorrow hopefully so I’ll confirm then.
If FCPX is what you want, then check out Barefeats.com for benchmarks. It loves AMD/ATI cards. I recall that running dual 5770 cards that originally shipped with the machine was pretty good bang for buck.
I’ve seen 7950 and the new RX580 as performing pretty well with FCPX as well.
Still waiting on the computer…
@leon - I have to admit that I’d never even considered the idea of adding extra graphics card/s to improve rendering performance (only if you needed to add extra monitors)… Seems I have a lot to learn. And I see the ATI 5770 (which my machine reportedly has 1 of) goes for $26 - $290 on eBay… What’s the bet Mac flashed ones are at the high end of the spectrum…
(As for flashing myself - for that I’d need a PC…)
I figure I should try FCP X… That or Avid… But in reality, getting a job as an editor with my now 10 year old qualifications and 0 experience is very unlikely… so maybe I’ll stick with what I’m comfortable with… It’s really just my YouTube fanvids and occasional family vid that I play with now.
I have a spare 5770 here I’m not using that you’re welcome to. You can have it for free if you cover postage - you’ll just need to source a Mac Pro GPU power cable from ebay.
My new toy finally made it to me on Monday.
Came with a 1TB Black Caviar WD drive - I’m guessing the stock drive as it has a 2010 model number on it. Case is in fairly good condition apart from a few mm shaved off the rear top “handle”… Certainly better than the wonky G5 I picked up from Cashies years ago!
To date all I’ve managed to do is take a peep inside (dusty!) and finally now get a drive ready to boot it. I’d planned to use the 360GB Barracuda which has a clean copy of 10.8 on it, but then realised - it’s a PATA drive, not SATA… D’oh. Then found SuperDuper wouldn’t clone my iMac’s drive due to permission issues… before settling on CarbonCopy to get the job done. Going to boot it shortly… then tidy my desk to make room
@jaysee - I’ll PM you soon!
Please please please tell me you’ll get an SSD as soon as you can 
Do you have access to an air compressor? If so, get all that dust out of it.
It’s amazing how much that dust increases fan speeds and temps in the 4,1 and 5,1.
When I first obtained my 5,1 it came from a house with cats. Was full of dust and fur. I was shocked how much dust came out of it. I saw temp drops of 10-15degC after clearing it all out.
FWIW I grabbed a Sapphire RX 580 Pulse 8GB from Amazon UK for $182 delivered to Australia.
Not as good as the deal of a free 5770 listed above though
G’day,
One year on; nothing achieved.
Finally start of action. The SuperDrive sounds like it’s auditioning for a part in “Will it blend” - not just “noisy”, it seems to have trouble reading data (haven’t tried burning yet), sometimes sounding like it’s really crunching gears to get things done.
So - took it out, opened it up, sprayed some air, used some alcohol, put it all back together, and now sounding much better and reading discs without issue. Yay. Have to try a burn next.
Am now using Migration Assistant to import my old Mavericks data onto the 7200rpm disk that came with the machine, which has High Sierra installed. I’m a bit surprised though as it’s only showing speeds of around 44 MB/s? That’s between 2 internal drives. 500GB going to take about 4 hours…
Does that sound right?? The source disk is only 5400, whilst the High Sierra drive is 7200rpm…
It’s gone as high as 92 MB/s… currently only 16…
Bugger - Final Cut Pro 7 not compatible with High Sierra 
Is that just a nudge by Apple (to buy FCPX) or is there actual change in the OS that no longer allows FCP7 to run?
Interesting - same goes for iPhoto, as well as iMovie 9, and Aperture… yet plenty of other media apps have no issue running on the “new” OS.
Cheers.
cosmic
Have you been following MacRumors Mac Pro section of late?
You can upgrade the firmware of the 5,1’s to 140.0.0.0
The newer firmware does a number of things.
I’m really wanting to grab a dual CPU 4,1 or 5,1 and stuff a poir of X5690’s in it, flash and max the mem. really looks like the best thing going.
I have to admit to a little buyer’s remorse - which I’d gone for dual CPU… At least most upgrades I am looking at will be transferable if/when the time comes.