Intel Announces 45-nm Penryn Processors

[MacRumors]

Intel released 16 of their new Penryn Core 2 Extreme and Xeon processors today. The new chips incorporate the new "Hi-k" metal gate formula and also incorporate a smaller 45-nanometer manufacturing process. These changes deliver faster and more energy-efficient processors.

While they did introduce a Core 2 Extreme Qx9750 quad-core processor with SSE4, our attention has focused on Intel's new Xeon processors, which makes up the bulk of Intel's announcements today.

New to the Intel line-up of server processors are 15 server dual-core and quad-core 45nm Hi-k Intel Xeon processors. The 12 new quad-core chips boast clock speeds ranging from 2GHz up to 3.20GHz, with front side bus speeds (FSB) up to 1600MHz, and cache sizes of 12MB. The three new dual-core chips feature clock speeds of up to 3.40GHz, an FSB of up to 1600MHz, and cache sizes of 6MB.

The new 5400 Xeon chips are compatible with existing Xeon platforms and sets a number of benchmark world records, according to Intel. More data is available at Intel's site.

Apple has been rumored to be buying up the high end 3.2GHz Penryn Xeon processors which feature a faster 1600MHz bus and 12MB of L2 cache for an upcoming Mac Pro revision. Apple currently uses the 5100 Xeon Woodcrest (Quad core Macs) or 5300 Xeon Clovertown (8-core Macs) processors.

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[CJD2112]

So would these chipsets fit into the sockets of the current Mac Pro's for upgradeability (although voiding warranty)?

[Wild-Bill]

This week has GOT to be the week for the Mac Pro update to drop.

If it doesn't, then it is a true reflection of how Apple could care less about its professional customers. The Mac Pro update is well past the point of overdue.

I wonder if they are going to price BTO options according to the market, and not into the stratosphere like they usually do.


Stratosphere

[wrldwzrd89]

They very well might, depending on how "compatible with previous Xeons" is defined. However, you would NOT get the benefit of the faster bus speed by just slotting in a new CPU into your Mac Pro.

[happydude]

so will apple's announcement of new/updated mac pro's be tomorrow (tuesday) or MWSF?

[darthraige]

What are you waiting for Apple? LETS GO!!!!!!!!

[Squonk]

Any day now for updated MP's!!! I'm thinking tomorrow (11/12)!

[CANEHDN]

Now we can only hope to see 45nm chips in the new iMacs on the next revision.

[Darkroom]

to all the poor souls who have been waiting in line to get the next Mac Pro and have been waiting for so long, dawn is breaking...

hopefully this means new Mac Pros + Displays in January... and an update to the iMac would be nice then too (that's the long line i'm in currently)

[HLdan]

Originally Posted by Wild-Bill

This week has GOT to be the week for the Mac Pro update to drop.

If it doesn't, then it is a true reflection of how Apple could care less about its professional customers. The Mac Pro update is well past the point of overdue.

I wonder if they are going to price BTO options according to the market, and not into the stratosphere like they usually do.


Stratosphere

You make it sound like the Mac Pro's are currently too underpowered to even run Photoshop. Is there something seriously wrong with the current 8 core config besides it not be Penryn?

[wrldwzrd89]

For those of you wondering why Apple hasn't updated the Mac Pro yet, I firmly believe that they were waiting for an announcement like this one from Intel. They probably knew that the GPUs in the current Mac Pro line were long in the tooth, and I firmly believe that they will do something about it in the next Mac Pro revision - coming sooner than we expect. Probably at 9:00 AM Pacific Time, 11/12/2007.

[longofest]

Originally Posted by happydude

so will apple's announcement of new/updated mac pro's be tomorrow (tuesday) or MWSF?

I very much doubt it would appear at MWSF. You don't typically see pro products at MWSF, unless it's a laptop.

[Digital Skunk]

High-end 8 core Mac Pro with updated graphics and more RAM and HDD space standard here I come!

[Wild-Bill]

Originally Posted by Darkroom

to all the poor souls who have been waiting in line to get the next Mac Pro and have been waiting for so long, dawn is breaking...
hopefully this means new Mac Pros + Displays in January...

Uhh,.... NO. We are expecting this week, NOT January. If they wait until January, that's a year and a half the Mac Pro will go without an update. That is totally unacceptable.

Originally Posted by HLdan

You make it sound like the Mac Pro's are currently too underpowered to even run Photoshop. Is there something seriously wrong with the current 8 core config besides it not be Penryn?

Where in my post did I say the word "underpowered" ?? And as far as something being seriously wrong, I'd prefer not to buy a machine that features three year old graphics cards.

[suneohair]

Originally Posted by HLdan

You make it sound like the Mac Pro's are currently too underpowered to even run Photoshop. Is there something seriously wrong with the current 8 core config besides it not be Penryn?

Yes it doesn't offer value for the money. Especially as of today. They can run photoshop, but the new ones will run it better. 45nm, SSE4, faster per clock than the Woodcrests, faster bus, cooler running.

Plus the current 8-core config is power hungry and too expensive considering what hit today. You would have to be a fool to buy the current 8-core after today. Hell, you would have to be a fool to buy a Mac Pro now.

[plumbingandtech]

Originally Posted by Wild-Bill

Uhh,.... NO. We are expecting this week, NOT January. If they wait until January, that's a year and a half the Mac Pro will go without an update. That is totally unacceptable.

Well with respect. It is going to have to acceptable since one can not buy an updated mac pro since they do not exist. So WE will have to wait.


on topic:

LOVE that boost in FSB. Should be very noticable.

and the specs for Virutalizatlion look great.

Plus the current 8-core config is power hungry and too expensive considering what hit today. You would have to be a fool to buy the current 8-core after today. Hell, you would have to be a fool to buy a Mac Pro now.

Professionals. Which these machines are target at would have no prob. buying now as the return on investement for people that use these machines to their fullest extent (video , AE, Shake, 3D) will have their money paid back to them in short order in time savings.

[Digital Skunk]

Originally Posted by HLdan

You make it sound like the Mac Pro's are currently too underpowered to even run Photoshop. Is there something seriously wrong with the current 8 core config besides it not be Penryn?

The only thing I see as being a problem with the Mac Pro lineup is the price that you pay for the GFX, standard RAM, standard HDD and superdrive options. I don't know too much about GFX cards but the options Apple has haven't changed for a solid year.

If I needed a high end machine tomorrow, then I would probably get one today, but since I don't need one for at least another 4 months then I will wait, and I might not need a Mac Pro, an iMac may serve me better. As for the BTO options, they aren't that bad. First off you never get it configured by Apple unless you have the money to spend, that's how it works with all computer makers -- including Dell -- so Apple isn't doing anything different. Second you can always do thing cheaper yourself by ordering the parts you need and installing them after market.

[soosy]

Mini-tower please! I finally transitioned from my PowerMac G5 to the new AlumiMac but I'd love to return to Mac Pro land....

[darthraige]

Originally Posted by Wild-Bill

Uhh,.... NO. We are expecting this week, NOT January. If they wait until January, that's a year and a half the Mac Pro will go without an update. That is totally unacceptable.

Annnnnndddddddd these so called, "Penryn" chips (lol) will be 2 1/2 months OLDER by then.

[CJD2112]

I find it interesting that people seem to overlook that the cinema displays haven't been seriously revamped since 2004. THOSE babies are in need of some serious redesigning.

[spydr]

I think apple will announce in its own style at Macworld - "shipping today!"

Lenovo and others who have made 'announcements' aren't gonna get it out any sooner anyway. So I don't buy the argument that Apple has to show that it cares for its pro customers by making a similar 'announcement'.

Wait and it will happen – perhaps ahead of some of these 'announcers'

[Digital Skunk]

Originally Posted by soosy

Mini-tower please! I finally transitioned from my PowerMac G5 to the new AlumiMac but I'd love to return to Mac Pro land....

Then buy a Mac Pro.

[Digital Skunk]

Originally Posted by spydr

I think apple will announce in its own style at Macworld - "shipping today!"

Lenovo and others who have made 'announcements' aren't gonna get it out any sooner anyway. So I don't buy the argument that Apple has to show that it cares for its pro customers by making a similar 'announcement'.

Wait and it will happen – perhaps ahead of some of these 'announcers'

I agree, plus, most Pros don't care about when Apple announces anything. And it doesn't show that Apple doesn't care about its pro market. That was just a stupid statement to tell you the truth. Professionals will be waiting just like everyone else, complaining about it and claiming that Apple doesn't care is more a matter of personality and opinion, not professional status.

[OdduWon]

Are these chips just desktop/server class? Or will we see a iMac Quad soon? Are their Mobile Quads yet? Lol A Mini Quad would be sick!

[RichP]

Compatible with existing systems sounds very interesting. Beside a reduction in FSB, I wonder if any other "featuresets" are lost if these are compatible with existing machines.