8-Core Mac Pro with Clovertown... in November?

sbaik said:

Again another prove that 8 is not as u think.....
http://anandtech.com/IT/showdoc.aspx?i=2897&p=9

Click to expand...

Perhaps if the morons running these tests for Anandtech actually understood the software (3DS MAX in this case) we would get an accurate depiction of what is happening. The core render module in MAX isn't capable of using 8 cores simultaneously. However, that is not how it should be set up within the primary application. MAX should be set up using render node services with two CPUs applied to each node... Then it's not like running a single 8-core workstation, but rather 4 dual-core render nodes that happen to exist in the same box.

Most other 3D rendering applications work in this manner. And most, if not all, 3D applications are only single-threaded (in some cases optimized for two CPUs) within the main application.

As a 3D artist, I can't wait for 8-core and even 16-core systems.

Dell Octo pricing

Here's Dell's base pricing for a dual socket Xeon:

Dell Precision Workstation 490 Desktop - 32bit

$1,911

Dual Core Intel® Xeon® Processor 5060 3.20GHz, 2 X 2MB L2,1066 [add $130]
Dual Core Intel® Xeon® Processor 5160 3.00GHz, 4MB L2,1333 [add $930]
Dual Core Intel® Xeon® Processor 5150 2.66GHz, 4MB L2,1333 [add $520]
Dual Core Intel® Xeon® Processor 5140 2.33GHz, 4MB L2,1333 [add $260]
Dual Core Intel® Xeon® Processor 5130 2.00GHz, 4MB L2,1333 [add $130]
Dual Core Intel® Xeon® Processor 5120 1.86GHz, 4MB L2,1066 [add $60]
Dual Core Intel® Xeon® Processor 5110 1.60GHz, 4MB L2,1066 [Included in Price]
Quad Core Intel® Xeon® Processor E5320 1.86GHz, 2 X 4MB L2,1066 [add $620]
Quad Core Intel® Xeon® Processor X5355 2.66GHz, 2 X 4MB L2,1333 [add $1,290]
Quad Core Intel® Xeon® Processor E5345 2.33GHz, 2 X 4MB L2,1333 [add $1,030]


2nd Processor

None
Dual Core Intel® Xeon® Processor 5060 3.20GHz, 2 X 2MB L2,1066 [add $479]
Dual Core Intel® Xeon® Processor 5050 3.00GHz, 2 X 2MB L2, 667 [add $349]
Dual Core Intel® Xeon® Processor 5160 3.00GHz, 4MB L2,1333 [add $1,279]
Dual Core Intel® Xeon® Processor 5150 2.66GHz, 4MB L2,1333 [add $869]
Dual Core Intel® Xeon® Processor 5140 2.33GHz, 4MB L2,1333 [add $609]
Dual Core Intel® Xeon® Processor 5130 2.00GHz, 4MB L2,1333 [add $479]
Dual Core Intel® Xeon® Processor 5120 1.86GHz, 4MB L2,1066 [add $409]
Dual Core Intel® Xeon® Processor 5110 1.60GHz, 4MB L2,1066 [add $349]
Quad Core Intel® Xeon® Processor E5320 1.86GHz, 2 X 4MB L2,1066 [add $969]
Quad Core Intel® Xeon® Processor X5355 2.66GHz, 2 X 4MB L2,1333 [add $1,959]
Quad Core Intel® Xeon® Processor E5345 2.66GHz, 2 X 4MB L2,1333 [add $1,959]


Some other configs:

quad 2.0 GHz - $2520
quad 2.66 GHz - $3310
octo 2.66 GHz - $5160

(Not meaning to start any discussion of Dell vs Apple prices - just wanted to add a reference point.)

ps: There's a bug in the menu - the 2.33GHz second quad-core processor shows the specs and price of the 2.66 quad.

Dell Tends To Overprice Their High End Workstations A Lot More Than Apple

AidenShaw said:

Here's Dell's base pricing for a dual socket Xeon:

Dell Precision Workstation 490 Desktop - 32bit $1,911

Quad Core Intel® Xeon® Processor E5320 1.86GHz, 2 X 4MB L2,1066 [add $620]
Quad Core Intel® Xeon® Processor X5355 2.66GHz, 2 X 4MB L2,1333 [add $1,290]
Quad Core Intel® Xeon® Processor E5345 2.33GHz, 2 X 4MB L2,1333 [add $1,030]


2nd Processor

Quad Core Intel® Xeon® Processor E5320 1.86GHz, 2 X 4MB L2,1066 [add $969]
Quad Core Intel® Xeon® Processor X5355 2.66GHz, 2 X 4MB L2,1333 [add $1,959]
Quad Core Intel® Xeon® Processor E5345 2.66GHz, 2 X 4MB L2,1333 [add $1,959]


Some other configs:

quad 2.0 GHz - $2520
quad 2.66 GHz - $3310
octo 2.66 GHz - $5160

(Not meaning to start any discussion of Dell vs Apple prices - just wanted to add a reference point.)

ps: There's a bug in the menu - the 2.33GHz second quad-core processor shows the specs and price of the 2.66 quad.

Click to expand...

Although I will pay what Apple asks, I doubt the 2.66GHz 8 Core Mac Pro will cost as much as the Dell. But of course I have no idea. Historically, Dell has been charging a lot more for their Dual Woodies than Apple has - $500 to $800 more at least. I imagine the same will be true for Dual Clovertowns. I'm still of a mind to believe they will come in under $4k base. More RAM and Video may push them over $4k but that's ok. We'll definitely be getting what we pay for.

AppliedVisual said:

...And the technology is available. It just hasn't reached a point for manufacturers to switch over. Newer FLASH chips have cells that can be re-written nearly a million times over, so just about good enough for mass storage use, getting very close. Capacities are already high enough that solid state drives could be made that are physically smaller than platter drives with equal or better capacity - even redundancy built-in too. I think it's only a matter of a few more years as FLASH progresses a bit more to increase re-write abilities. From there, market demand and new mass storage products will push prices way down. 2TB notebook "drives" that are silent, cool-running, several times faster and consume 1/20th of the power used by today's notebook drives are probably only 3 to 5 years away. Of course, I've been in this industry far too long, so I know that my prediction is complete BS.

Click to expand...

I think this is related enough to warrant posting...it's the funniest thing I've seen in a while! http://www.hitachigst.com/hdd/research/recording_head/pr/PerpendicularAnimation.html

New January 8 Core Mac Pro Thread

Hopefully this time won't be a false alarm. Want to follow me over there?

They're also predicting a 50" HDMI Display. I'd buy one.

sachamun said:

I think this is related enough to warrant posting...it's the funniest thing I've seen in a while! http://www.hitachigst.com/hdd/research/recording_head/pr/PerpendicularAnimation.html

Click to expand...

ROFLMAO!

Multimedia said:

They're also predicting a 50" HDMI Display. I'd buy one.

Click to expand...

...And that would be one of rumored Apple plasma displays with integrated iTV.

It won't be a higher resolution LCD display unless the HDMI connector is just a secondary input as a conveniency feature. HDMI (even with the latest v1.3) is still a defined set of standards based on the DVI 1.1 video spec and is still limited to single-link. HDTFT displays are due to start showing up later this year - like the 8K panels from Samsung. But they will require 2x dual-link DVI to drive them or the upcoming UDI display connector.

sachamun said:

I think this is related enough to warrant posting...it's the funniest thing I've seen in a while! http://www.hitachigst.com/hdd/research/recording_head/pr/PerpendicularAnimation.html

Click to expand...

WOW that was hilarious!!! "Get perpendicular!"

I got my 2.66 MacPro just over a month ago and love it. This is my first Mac. I thought I would keep my old P4 for documents and non-audio recording tasks. Instead, I'm now doing everything on my Mac except fax (can't justify buying the USB modem). The P4 feels like an old clunker, even though it still runs peppy as I've kept it very clean. Windoze just feels like cartoonland compared to OS X. And, where is the fan noise? I love working in a fan noise-free environment.
I use the Mac to do home studio recording, using mostly virtual synthesizers. The highest I've had the activity monitor was 30% (x's 4). I run 3 hard drives (one is perpendicular-thanks, sachamun, for the laugh ) and expect to get 3-5 years usage from this machine.
I agree that the RAM use is high. I'm at 18 GB of virtual memory with 2 GB of RAM installed. But overall, no complaints.
Thanks to Multimedia, et al, for all your info and insights. I hope Stoakley-Seaburg happens sooner rather than later.

aquadjcity said:

I got my 2.66 MacPro just over a month ago and love it. This is my first Mac. I thought I would keep my old P4 for documents and non-audio recording tasks. Instead, I'm now doing everything on my Mac except fax (can't justify buying the USB modem). The P4 feels like an old clunker, even though it still runs peppy as I've kept it very clean. Windoze just feels like cartoonland compared to OS X. And, where is the fan noise? I love working in a fan noise-free environment.
I use the Mac to do home studio recording, using mostly virtual synthesizers. The highest I've had the activity monitor was 30% (x's 4). I run 3 hard drives (one is perpendicular-thanks, sachamun, for the laugh ) and expect to get 3-5 years usage from this machine.
I agree that the RAM use is high. I'm at 18 GB of virtual memory with 2 GB of RAM installed. But overall, no complaints.
Thanks to Multimedia, et al, for all your info and insights. I hope Stoakley-Seaburg happens sooner rather than later.

Click to expand...

aquadjcity,

Which graphic card are you using?

"Teraflops chip" from Intel?

...more reasons 'big Steve' ain't worried about cell processors:

http://www.itjungle.com/two/two100406-story03.html

..anyone attempt a "cell system" yet?

Mercury's stuff won't work with IBM's stuff:

http://www.mc.com http://www.alphaworks.ibm.com/topics/cell

..but you "might" interface a Playstation to your G5:

http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/power/library/pa-linuxps3-1/?ca=dnw-801


ww

Roy said:

aquadjcity,

Which graphic card are you using?

Click to expand...

The stock NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT, running a new DVI 19" widescreen and my old 17" VGA.

So...

No Octo Mac Pro in Novemeber then????

Guess that means G5 Powerbook next Tuesday!

what about final cut hd?

Does this new wondermachine help my video rendering? Thats what I want to know. Need a new machine, but so hard to decide when to buy it. A friend told me to wait as long as possible.... But it is so hard! Any advice?

https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/3301152/



https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/3301190/

https://www.macrumors.com/2007/01/29/apple-product-update-tomorrow/


ThinkSecret believes that display price drops, or perhaps the rumored display update may be the focus of the update, with Clovertown-based (8-core) Mac Pros perhaps in tow.

Practical upgrades

http://www.hardmac.com/news/2007-01-29/#6367

"- The Mac Pros also have interchangeable processors. It uses a socket 771. It will accept all the Xeon 51xx series with a 1333 MHz bus (there are Xeons with a 1066 bus which would slow down the machine). The 4 core Xeons are also compatible.
Here is the list of compatible 1333 Mhz bus processors:
* Xeon 5130. 2 cores at 2 GHz and 4 MB of cache
* Xeon 5140. 2 cores at 2.33 GHz and 4 MB of cache
* Xeon 5150. 2 cores at 2.66 GHz and 4 MB of cache
* Xeon 5160. 2 cores at 3 GHz and 4 MB of cache
* Xeon E5345. 4 cores at 2.33 GHz and 8 MB of cache
* Xeon E5355. 4 cores at 2.66 GHz and 8 MB of cache
Again, the 4 core processors will make the fans spin faster. They use 120W versus 80 for a 3 GHz and 60W for the others.

In any case, you will most likely void your warranty by changing the CPU.
"

Rocketman

Rocketman said:

http://www.hardmac.com/news/2007-01-29/#6367

"- The Mac Pros also have interchangeable processors. It uses a socket 771. It will accept all the Xeon 51xx series with a 1333 MHz bus (there are Xeons with a 1066 bus which would slow down the machine). The 4 core Xeons are also compatible.
Here is the list of compatible 1333 Mhz bus processors:
* Xeon 5130. 2 cores at 2 GHz and 4 MB of cache
* Xeon 5140. 2 cores at 2.33 GHz and 4 MB of cache
* Xeon 5150. 2 cores at 2.66 GHz and 4 MB of cache
* Xeon 5160. 2 cores at 3 GHz and 4 MB of cache
* Xeon E5345. 4 cores at 2.33 GHz and 8 MB of cache
* Xeon E5355. 4 cores at 2.66 GHz and 8 MB of cache
Again, the 4 core processors will make the fans spin faster. They use 120W versus 80 for a 3 GHz and 60W for the others.

In any case, you will most likely void your warranty by changing the CPU.
"

Rocketman

Click to expand...

The standard warranty only lasts for a year.