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mactree

macrumors regular
Sep 3, 2006
109
0
hmmm, tempted too. just worried they'd send the actual $2500 mac pro. then I'd have a big hassle on my hands.
 

mactree

macrumors regular
Sep 3, 2006
109
0
I agree $300 less is always better ;)
but that's the single quad core, not the dual 6 core.
 

MacPoulet

macrumors 6502a
Dec 11, 2012
544
371
Canada
That likes like a crazy stupid deal. Does the product code match the 12 core?

If I was in the US and had $2500 to spend...
 

OS6-OSX

macrumors 6502a
Jun 13, 2004
945
753
California
States on website: Store Pickup: Not Available
Shipping: Usually leaves our warehouse in 1 business day

@ $2499.99 thinking may be "it's time to get these things out of here!"
Years ago BestBuy was not very Apple friendly! Like CompUSA there was a small section in the rear in the dark:rolleyes:!

Or is this yet another opening for more 2013 MP talk! "See they must be clearing their warehouse for the arrival of the 2013's! :p

MacPro 2008 3.1 | 14GB Ram | Quadro 4000 | MC6.0 | OS 10.6.8 | MOTU HDX-SDI | ATTO R644| LaCie 324
 
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Tutor

macrumors 65816
What you see is probably what you'd get.

Moreover, if I were inclined to go this route, I'd quickly swap those two 2.4 GHz 6-core Xeons [ E5645 ] for two 3.3 GHz 6-core Xeons [ X5680 ] for <$1800 a pair [ https://www.eoptionsonline.com/p-2049-594880-001.aspx ] for a total outlay at this stage of about $4,300 [$2500 + $1800]. Then I'd slap those two E5645s in a $429 EVGA SR-2 [ http://www.evga.com/Products/Product.aspx?pn=270-WS-W555-A2 ] and raise the BCLK by 1.44x [ from 133 to 180 ] and underclock them by decreasing the CPU clock multiplier from 18 [ factory ] to 13 [ running at 2.34 GHz at idle but turbo boosting to 3.78 GHz], yielding a system at least 1.29x faster than the top of the line 2010 Mac Pro and yielding a Geekbench 2 score of about 31,212.48 vs. 28,500 for a Mac Pro with dual x5690s [ http://browser.primatelabs.com/geekbench2/985164 ] and a Cinebench 11.5 score of about 19.93 vs. about 18.23 for a Mac Pro with dual x5690s.

Here's the paper tape of calculations (rounded to 2 decimal places):

180 MHz / 133 MHz = 1.35

180 MHz / 133 MHz * 2.4 = 3.25 GHz

3.46 GHz / 2.4 GHz = 1.44

24 * 133 = 3192

2400 MHz / 133 MHz = 18.05

13 * 180 MHz = 2340 MHz

18 * 180 MHz = 3240 MHz

2400 + 133 + 133 + 133 [3 steps or bins for turbo] = 2799 MHz

21 * 180 MHz = 3780 MHz

21 * 180 MHz / 3070 MHz = 1.23 MHz

21 * 180 MHz / 3070 MHz * 25,376 = 31212.48

21 * 180 MHz = 3780

3780 MHz / 3070 MHz = 1.23

1.23 * 25,376 = 31,212.48

3.78 GHz/ 2.93 GHz = 1.29

1.29 * 15.45 [http://www.cbscores.com] = 19.93

3.33 GHz / 2.93 GHz = 1.14

3.33 GHz / 2.93 GHz * 15.45 [http://www.cbscores.com] = 17.56

3.46 GHz / 2.93 GHz = 1.18 [speed diff. between CPU swapped dual x5690s v. 2010 Mac Pro]

1.18 * 15.45 [http://www.cbscores.com] = 18.23

Currently a pair of E5645s can be had/sold on E-bay for about $1k [ http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Xeon-...OEM-/160665460243?pt=CPUs&hash=item2568685e13 ].

But because I'm extremely frugal (many call me "cheap"), I more than likely just only go the route building a third EVGA SR-2 system with dual X5680s to get an underclocked system that runs at under 2.5 GHz at idle but at about 5.0 GHz at max turbo and scores over 40,000 in Geekbench 2 and over 24.7 in Cinebench 11.5 for easily under $4K.
 
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Macsonic

macrumors 68000
Sep 6, 2009
1,706
97
I suppose they are not going to try to "switch and bait"? Like sending you the quad core instead. I think might be a typo error on their part, too good to be true
 

fastlanephil

macrumors 65816
Nov 17, 2007
1,289
274
Amazon is selling the 3.2 single core for $2199.99 but you'll save the $.99 at B&H Photo.
 
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monkeybagel

macrumors 65816
Jul 24, 2011
1,141
61
United States
What you see is probably what you'd get.

Moreover, if I were inclined to go this route, I'd quickly swap those two 2.4 GHz 6-core Xeons [ E5645 ] for two 3.3 GHz 6-core Xeons [ X5680 ] for <$1800 a pair [ https://www.eoptionsonline.com/p-2049-594880-001.aspx ] for a total outlay at this stage of about $4,300 [$2500 + $1800]. Then I'd slap those two E5645s in a $429 EVGA SR-2 [ http://www.evga.com/Products/Product.aspx?pn=270-WS-W555-A2 ] and raise the BCLK by 1.44x [ from 133 to 180 ] and underclock them by decreasing the CPU clock multiplier from 18 [ factory ] to 13 [ running at 2.34 GHz at idle but turbo boosting to 3.78 GHz], yielding a system at least 1.29x faster than the top of the line 2010 Mac Pro and yielding a Geekbench 2 score of about 31,212.48 vs. 28,500 for a Mac Pro with dual x5690s [ http://browser.primatelabs.com/geekbench2/985164 ] and a Cinebench 11.5 score of about 19.93 vs. about 18.23 for a Mac Pro with dual x5690s.

Here's the paper tape of calculations (rounded to 2 decimal places):

180 MHz / 133 MHz = 1.35

180 MHz / 133 MHz * 2.4 = 3.25 GHz

3.46 GHz / 2.4 GHz = 1.44

24 * 133 = 3192

2400 MHz / 133 MHz = 18.05

13 * 180 MHz = 2340 MHz

18 * 180 MHz = 3240 MHz

2400 + 133 + 133 + 133 [3 steps or bins for turbo] = 2799 MHz

21 * 180 MHz = 3780 MHz

21 * 180 MHz / 3070 MHz = 1.23 MHz

21 * 180 MHz / 3070 MHz * 25,376 = 31212.48

21 * 180 MHz = 3780

3780 MHz / 3070 MHz = 1.23

1.23 * 25,376 = 31,212.48

3.78 GHz/ 2.93 GHz = 1.29

1.29 * 15.45 [http://www.cbscores.com] = 19.93

3.33 GHz / 2.93 GHz = 1.14

3.33 GHz / 2.93 GHz * 15.45 [http://www.cbscores.com] = 17.56

3.46 GHz / 2.93 GHz = 1.18 [speed diff. between CPU swapped dual x5690s v. 2010 Mac Pro]

1.18 * 15.45 [http://www.cbscores.com] = 18.23

Currently a pair of E5645s can be had/sold on E-bay for about $1k [ http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Xeon-...OEM-/160665460243?pt=CPUs&hash=item2568685e13 ].

But because I'm extremely frugal (many call me "cheap"), I more than likely just only go the route building a third EVGA SR-2 system with dual X5680s to get an underclocked system that runs at under 2.5 GHz at idle but at about 5.0 GHz at max turbo and scores over 40,000 in Geekbench 2 and over 24.7 in Cinebench 11.5 for easily under $4K.

You never cease to impress me with your knowledge on this stuff.
 

nigelbb

macrumors 65816
Dec 22, 2012
1,140
264
I think that the price is legit. They are probably just dumping inventory in anticipation of the imminent launch of the new MacPro. OK maybe just dumping inventory:) It's not like it's a crazy price like $999 it's about a 30% reduction on the price that B&H are asking for the exact same model.
 

nREMfan

macrumors member
Feb 10, 2010
57
0
I have a '10 2.4 Quad Core and was going to jump on this. But reading about the Dual Hex for Photoshop, and taking into consideration the clock speed, it doesn't seem like it would be that big of a boost for me as it seems "on paper". I mainly use Adobe CS for print and web. And a lot a big, layered files in PS.

Is my assumption correct? If not, I'll jump on this deal.
 

ABCDEF-Hex

macrumors 6502
Feb 15, 2013
372
76
NC
I took a chance too!

This would be my first MP. If it doesn't ship I will go back to waiting - not desperate. I agree it could be the first rumble of cleaning out inventory - but since there are no other price drops at this time - who knows.
 

Tutor

macrumors 65816
I have a '10 2.4 Quad Core and was going to jump on this. But reading about the Dual Hex for Photoshop, and taking into consideration the clock speed, it doesn't seem like it would be that big of a boost for me as it seems "on paper". I mainly use Adobe CS for print and web. And a lot a big, layered files in PS.

Is my assumption correct? If not, I'll jump on this deal.

If you don't use Adobe AE that much, you should probably consider sticking with fewer faster clocked cores for now. This is what I'd recommend if you have a need for greater speed with Adobe PS:[ http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Xeon/Intel-Xeon W3680 - AT80613003543AF (BX80613W3680).html ]. But you should keep in mind this:
...
Model number ? W3680
...
Frequency ? 3333 MHz
Turbo frequency 3600 MHz
Bus speed ? 6.4 GT/s QPI (3200 MHz)
...
End-of-Life [EOL] date Last order date is September 27, 2013
Last shipment date for tray processors is September 5, 2014

Price at introduction $999

The current price is much less, but may tend to increase as time goes on, i.e., as we approach Intel's EOL of that processor line.

----------

I think that the price is legit. They are probably just dumping inventory in anticipation of the imminent launch of the new MacPro. OK maybe just dumping inventory:) It's not like it's a crazy price like $999 it's about a 30% reduction on the price that B&H are asking for the exact same model.

The current dumping of inventory, and that appears to be definitely the case with the retailers, may have more to do with Apple's missteps in Europe [ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1553610/ ] and elsewhere than there being a new MacPro on the horizon. Apple appears to have placed itself in a corner when it comes to Apples big boxes, and time is clicking down fast for them to get off the pot or sh--. This is not a situation where a methodical big box producer would want to find itself, unless it was in search of an additional, somewhat credible excuse to justify a secretive decision made in the past to EOL the line over time. So we, as consumers of those big boxes, are also put in a pinch - either update/upgrade now our previous purchases, buy new old Apple big box technology, wait for an unspecified "new Mac Pro," move on to another big box provider [or DIY], or be caught flat footed by our doing nothing when all of a sudden Apple announces what some knew it had planned all along - Apple's strictly an iToy company.

Apple's forcing us to confront this question: Are we sheep or are we shepherds? The fate of sheep is that sheep get sheared to clothe the shepherd, then sheep get killed to feed the shepherd. I'd rather be clothe and feed, than be sheared and eaten. The world of computer technology is changing faster than I'm typing this. The masses for whom the iToys are the panacea, is legion and satisfying that demand is now what drives Apple. Thus, I wouldn't expect Apple to come to my rescue with anything but an iToy-type solution that the masses also demanded. I expect Apple to act as Adam Smith would have expected Apple to act - in it's own perceived economic self-interest. Where our self-interests and those of Apple clash, we must shepherd our own futures or we'll be sheared and eaten.
 
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fastlanephil

macrumors 65816
Nov 17, 2007
1,289
274
I see B&H Photo has in stock the 3.33 six core Mac Pro. I thought that's always been a BTO model that was only available directly from Apple and Power Max/The MacStore?
 

Tutor

macrumors 65816
You never cease to impress me with your knowledge on this stuff.

Thanks for the compliment; but also don't forget to thank Apple and others for their part in my 59+ years of being driving toward self-sufficiency. Even every storm has positives which we'll see if we keep our eyes wide open and our brains in gear. Unfortunately, those much younger than me will not have the luxury of taking the scenic view. Like the need to heal our climate, we have probably passed the tipping point where adopting a cardinal rule for your life - like my mantra [Learning and Doing: If knowledge is power, doing with knowledge is most powerful. When I stop learning and using what I've learned, please pronounce my shell dead] - is done leisurely. As time marches on faster and faster, you'll be forced to adopt yours much more quickly than I could ever have imagined. As you travel this journey, delve more and more into the lives of great thinker and doers like Leonardo Da Vinci as a guide. Da Vinci's view, borne out his accomplishments, must surely have been: For the truly liberated and creative mind - the world, and nothing therein, is divided neatly into discrete subject areas, for all areas of learning and creation are connected and whether we discover those connections and what we do with those connections is at the very heart of liberation and creativity. Once ignorance was bliss, but not any longer. Like the winner of a pie eating contest whose reward is being given the remaining pies, the reward for gaining knowledge is the requirement to keep gaining more and more knowledge. The same applies to doing.
 
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mactree

macrumors regular
Sep 3, 2006
109
0
wow, that was impressive. Am I reading this right that you're basically saying, you would swamp the processors for two 3.3 GHz 6-core processors, and use the remaining two, to build another computer? or just sell them? I'm interested in your plan.


What you see is probably what you'd get.
Moreover, if I were inclined to go this route, I'd quickly swap those two 2.4 GHz 6-core Xeons [ E5645 ] for two 3.3 GHz 6-core Xeons [ X5680 ] for <$1800 a pair [ https://www.eoptionsonline.com/p-2049-594880-001.aspx ] for a total outlay at this stage of about $4,300 [$2500 + $1800]. Then I'd slap those two E5645s in a $429 EVGA SR-2 [ http://www.evga.com/Products/Product.aspx?pn=270-WS-W555-A2 ] and raise the BCLK by 1.44x [ from 133 to 180 ] and underclock them by decreasing the CPU clock multiplier from 18 [ factory ] to 13 [ running at 2.34 GHz at idle but turbo boosting to 3.78 GHz], yielding a system at least 1.29x faster than the top of the line 2010 Mac Pro and yielding a Geekbench 2 score of about 31,212.48 vs. 28,500 for a Mac Pro with dual x5690s [ http://browser.primatelabs.com/geekbench2/985164 ] and a Cinebench 11.5 score of about 19.93 vs. about 18.23 for a Mac Pro with dual x5690s.

----------

I actually made this purchase, so Tutors idea, intrigues me.
 

scott.n

macrumors 6502
Dec 17, 2010
339
78
B&H Photo Video has long carried or been able to order top of the line Apple computers for photographers, musicians and videographers.

It's not just B&H. Apple Stores and authorized resellers usually have a few "standard" upgraded models that they sell off the shelf.

I have an early 2011 MacBook Pro 15" with the 2.3 GHz i7 upgrade, hi-res antiglare display, and AMD Radeon HD 6750M that I bought at Micro Center (Amazon sold it too: http://www.amazon.com/Apple-MacBook-Antiglare-Widescreen-MD035LL/dp/B004XW88E6). The packaging lists those specs with model number MD035LL/A. Online, those upgrades were only available as BTO options for the high-end 2.2GHz MC723LL/A.
 
Aug 26, 2008
1,339
1
I don't see why it's not legit. The 4 core is listed right next to it for 2199. Seems to me like they just want to clear the things out.

I would only recommend it if you could really use the 12 cores, like video processing, rendering or audio production. That's a slow clock speed on an old architecture. The current Ivy Bridge stuff would be faster at "normal" tasks, and Haswell is due out in like three months, which will be even better.
 

Tutor

macrumors 65816
wow, that was impressive. Am I reading this right that you're basically saying, you would swamp the processors for two 3.3 GHz 6-core processors, and use the remaining two, to build another computer? or just sell them? I'm interested in your plan.

Sounds like you've got some shepherd in you. Correct - I'm saying that you can swap the two processors for two much faster 3.3 GHz 6-core processors, and use the remaining two processors to (1) build another computer or two or (2) just sell them on E-bay or elsewhere to lower your total cost of ownership or to help fund further upgrades to the new system. If you need any help with the process, just let me know. For information regarding upgrading the Mac Pro, see post #1 [I. Modifying an Intel Mac Pro : 5) Mac Pro 5,1] here: [ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1333421/ ]. Just note that you should also read subsection 4) Mac Pro 4,1, but that some of those requirements will not apply because it's much more easier to upgrade the processors in a Mac Pro 5,1. For information regarding building your own system(s), see post #1 [II. Building your own system] here: [ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1333421/ ]. Actually you could use one the processors to build a single processor system, or both processors to build two single processor systems or use both to build a dual processor system. The choice is yours. How a shepherd grows his/her flock depends on the shepherd's needs.
 
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