2013 MacPro CPU and GPU

[alksion]

Just out of pure curiosity, will the new MacPros use SandyBridge E processors or will there be something else? Also, if Apple has chosen to stick with Nvidia, is it possible well see 7 series GPU's in there? If so, I might hold off the iMac and see what's in store for this lineup.

Edit: I know they'll either use Sandy Bridge E / Ivy Bridge E, but I was wondering if most of you thought it would be higher probability that SB-E will be used over IB-E.

As for the GPU's, I know they'll use some form of GPU form AMD/Nvidia, but I know the MacPro has lacked power in the GPU area for some time. I would be greatly disappointed if the MacPros used AMD 7 series cards when the 8 series are about to be released. That is all.

[JesterJJZ]

Yes.

[chilly willy]

Originally Posted by alksion

Just out of pure curiosity, will the new MacPros use SandyBridge E processors or will there be something else? Also, if Apple has chosen to stick with Nvidia, is it possible well see 7 series GPU's in there? If so, I might hold off the iMac and see what's in store for this lineup.

I'm thinking of doing the same given price points for new 27" iMacs.

[alksion]

Originally Posted by JesterJJZ

Yes.

Is this confirmed or a highly educated guess? Because when the MacPro comes out, won't we be seeing Ivy Bridge E's coming out at the same time?

[GermanyChris]

Ivy-E last I looked was 3rd quarter 13..

So it'll depend entirely on when Apple decides to launch the computer but I also suspect sandy when/if there is a new MP.

[alksion]

Originally Posted by GermanyChris

Ivy-E last I looked was 3rd quarter 13..

So it'll depend entirely on when Apple decides to launch the computer but I also suspect sandy when/if there is a new MP.

So the new MacPro will already have one year old hardware (CPU) when it comes out or am I looking at this wrong?

[GermanyChris]

Old but is that relevant? Ivy is 5%-10% faster than Sandy.

[Umbongo]

Originally Posted by alksion

So the new MacPro will already have one year old hardware (CPU) when it comes out or am I looking at this wrong?

The only thing we know for certain is Apple previously used the latest processors for workstations and consumer graphics cards available when releasing a new Mac Pro.

Tim Cook said something will come in 2013.

That could be a new Mac Pro with Sandy-Bridge EP, it could have Ivy Bridge-EP. Depends on when that something comes and when Intel are actually shipping IB-EP. May not even be a Mac Pro.

For graphics cards go look at NVIDIA or AMD timelines.

[alksion]

Interesting. All that I really want is a new and powerful GPU to play games on. I've been tempted to build a custom PC again, but ultimately, I would prefer to stay on a Mac / OS X

[GermanyChris]

If you want to play games buy/build a PC that keeps the options open..

If you want/need OSX then it's time to take a peek a tonymac or keep your current mac.

I bounce between MP's and Hack's I have some strange emotional attachment to MP's but my hacks are just faster..

I need to sell one of the two right now to fund project TJ and still can't decide which I want to keep.

[phoenixsan]

is Tim Cook saying/comenting "any for the Pros" in the 2013

Not less, not more. And then, we dont know for sure, if that product see the light, that will be called Mac Pro

I have heard/read many discussions about Kepler/Fermi cards natively supported in the next Pro

And for processors, Ivy-E sounds possible. Only thing I dont like these chips are slated for Q3 2013.....(maybe 9 months more of waiting game)

[alksion]

I could see them waiting for Ivy E's. One, it allows them to put the latest Xeons inside the machine and two, it gives them another excuse to prolong the machine if they're having production issues.

[GermanyChris]

I can't that puts them in iPhone iPad i.e. the important updates. I personally thing we'll see the "new" mac pro in late winter, spring that'll roll them into WWDC in June with the new iOS updates and the other important update Mac portables.

[AppleInMyBlood]

Originally Posted by alksion

So the new MacPro will already have one year old hardware (CPU) when it comes out or am I looking at this wrong?

It would have current hardware that was released a while ago, if there are no Ivy Es available yet.

[nox-uk]

Originally Posted by alksion

Just out of pure curiosity, will the new MacPros use SandyBridge E processors or will there be something else? Also, if Apple has chosen to stick with Nvidia, is it possible well see 7 series GPU's in there? If so, I might hold off the iMac and see what's in store for this lineup.

Originally Posted by JesterJJZ

Yes.

Originally Posted by alksion

Is this confirmed or a highly educated guess? Because when the MacPro comes out, won't we be seeing Ivy Bridge E's coming out at the same time?

I believe I can help here, JesterJJZ's answer is spot on, and I can second this. The new MacPros will definately definately definately "have SandyBridge E processors or something else."

Nox

[All Taken]

Originally Posted by nox-uk

"have SandyBridge E processors or something else."

My grandma also said this and I believe she will be 100% correct either way.

[Loa]

Originally Posted by nox-uk

The new MacPros will definately definately definately "have SandyBridge E processors or something else."

The new Mac Pros will definitely arrive in 2013 or some other year.

;-)

Loa

[mslide]

Originally Posted by alksion

Interesting. All that I really want is a new and powerful GPU to play games on. I've been tempted to build a custom PC again, but ultimately, I would prefer to stay on a Mac / OS X

You'd consider buying a new MP just for gaming? That's an expensive toy I'd build a PC.

[Loa]

Hello,

Gaming Mac Pro = Windows partition on another drive + good Nvidia card as detailed in this thread.

A lot more expensive than a gaming PC, but it's the best compromise.

Loa

[damir00]

Originally Posted by alksion

Just out of pure curiosity, will the new MacPros use SandyBridge E processors...

Only if Intel releases something newer before then.

[alksion]

No, not just for gaming. I have a 27' iMac right now and was considering a new 2012 iMac. I was also going to build a custom PC when Haswell came out.

If the new Mac Pros come out sometime by summer, I may hold out to see the new Mac Pro and sell my iMac and use the money I have for a custom PC and purchase a Mac Pro instead.

I could still have a beautiful machine / OS X, while still having strong desktop graphics to game when I want.

Best of both worlds.

[thekev]

Originally Posted by phoenixsan

And for processors, Ivy-E sounds possible. Only thing I dont like these chips are slated for Q3 2013.....(maybe 9 months more of waiting game)

The problem is you're interpreting Intel's release dates too literally. Look at the launch dates on Sandy Bridge E, yet nothing was shipping from the larger workstation oems for several months. There's also no sign of what will be available from Ivy. It could have mixed in Sandy options just like we saw with Nehalem and Westmere. It's too early to call.

[JesterJJZ]

Originally Posted by alksion

Is this confirmed or a highly educated guess? Because when the MacPro comes out, won't we be seeing Ivy Bridge E's coming out at the same time?

No.

[Yebubbleman]

Originally Posted by alksion

Just out of pure curiosity, will the new MacPros use SandyBridge E processors or will there be something else? Also, if Apple has chosen to stick with Nvidia, is it possible well see 7 series GPU's in there? If so, I might hold off the iMac and see what's in store for this lineup.

I was under the impression that Apple opted to not go with Sandy Bridge E because some higher-end variant that existed with Westmere and will again exist in Ivy Bridge E didn't in Sandy Bridge E. Now why they didn't at least upgrade the video cards in the Mid 2012 update, or, dare I say it, provide some form of Thunderbolt support, I have no friggen clue. But my guess is that no, you won't be seeing Sandy Bridge E Mac Pros and you will likely see Ivy Bridge E Mac Pros. As for video cards, there was rumor of AMD Radeon HD 7xxx series drivers being included in the latest beta for OS X 10.8.3, so likelihood is that's the card we'll be seeing. The Mid 2010 (and Mid 2012) Mac Pros have exclusively stuck with ATI/AMD, so it's likely that, given these tidbits, we'll see AMD Radeon HD cards in the next Mac Pros.

[alksion]

Originally Posted by Yebubbleman

I was under the impression that Apple opted to not go with Sandy Bridge E because some higher-end variant that existed with Westmere and will again exist in Ivy Bridge E didn't in Sandy Bridge E. Now why they didn't at least upgrade the video cards in the Mid 2012 update, or, dare I say it, provide some form of Thunderbolt support, I have no friggen clue. But my guess is that no, you won't be seeing Sandy Bridge E Mac Pros and you will likely see Ivy Bridge E Mac Pros. As for video cards, there was rumor of AMD Radeon HD 7xxx series drivers being included in the latest beta for OS X 10.8.3, so likelihood is that's the card we'll be seeing. The Mid 2010 (and Mid 2012) Mac Pros have exclusively stuck with ATI/AMD, so it's likely that, given these tidbits, we'll see AMD Radeon HD cards in the next Mac Pros.

So? The iMacs and MacBook Pros were both using AMD for a few generations before they switched back to nVidia. The same could go for Mac Pros as well.