Mac Pro Xeon vs PC Pentium

Amigalander · Jan 14, 2008, 01:27 AM

With the news of the recent updates, I'm strongly considering replacing my aging home PC with a Mac Pro. One of the questions I have is about Xeon compatibility for Windows games. I haven't heard anything about a lack of compatibility, so I assume there is no issue, but I wanted to be sure nonetheless.

I'm planning on using Bootcamp to run some PC games and older software. What are the practical differences between a Xeon and a Pentium? Will the Mac Pro run anything a Pentium PC would run without exception?

Thanks.

ReanimationLP · Jan 14, 2008, 01:32 AM

A Xeon is just a workstation/server class of the Pentium/Core/Core2 series of processors.

Anything that runs on your P4 box, will run on the Mac Pro under Windows XP.

Eidorian · Jan 14, 2008, 01:35 AM

They're all x86 anyways. Xeon is just Intel's moniker for it's server class processors but they're the same technology as the Pentium chips were and Core 2 is now.

I'm looking for a Xeon X3220 but it's effectively a Core 2 Quad Q6600 in the end.

macuserx86 · Jan 16, 2008, 10:27 PM

It is a huge difference. Pentium was Intel's old architecture, while as new Xeons are based on the Core architecture. That said, there are no compatibility issues, so replace that PC ASAP!

Hope that helped!

newtech · Jan 16, 2008, 11:08 PM

Xeon and Core 2 devote a great deal of chip real estate to remain 100% compatible with legacy software/hardware ( 8080 code runs unmodified ).

Jan 14, 2008, 01:27 AM	#1
Amigalander macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2008	Mac Pro Xeon vs PC Pentium With the news of the recent updates, I'm strongly considering replacing my aging home PC with a Mac Pro. One of the questions I have is about Xeon compatibility for Windows games. I haven't heard anything about a lack of compatibility, so I assume there is no issue, but I wanted to be sure nonetheless. I'm planning on using Bootcamp to run some PC games and older software. What are the practical differences between a Xeon and a Pentium? Will the Mac Pro run anything a Pentium PC would run without exception? Thanks.
	0

Jan 14, 2008, 01:32 AM	#2
ReanimationLP macrumors 68030 Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: On the moon.	A Xeon is just a workstation/server class of the Pentium/Core/Core2 series of processors. Anything that runs on your P4 box, will run on the Mac Pro under Windows XP. __________________ "For what am I living?" I want to shout it out loud. Can you hear me? Stuff for Sale :3
	0

Jan 14, 2008, 01:35 AM	#3
Eidorian macrumors Penryn Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Indiana	They're all x86 anyways. Xeon is just Intel's moniker for it's server class processors but they're the same technology as the Pentium chips were and Core 2 is now. I'm looking for a Xeon X3220 but it's effectively a Core 2 Quad Q6600 in the end. __________________ Core i5 750 / 16 GB RAM / SSD / HD 7950 / Windows 8 MRoogle it!
	0

Jan 16, 2008, 10:27 PM	#4
macuserx86 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2006	It is a huge difference. Pentium was Intel's old architecture, while as new Xeons are based on the Core architecture. That said, there are no compatibility issues, so replace that PC ASAP! Hope that helped! __________________ Octo 2.8GHz Mac Pro 10GB RAM HD5870 120GB OCZ Vertex 2 "Xeon Romper" \| 13" MBP 2.3GHz i5 8GB RAM 60GB OCZ Vertex 2 \| iPad 3 16GB Wi-Fi \| iPhone 5 32GB
	0

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Jan 16, 2008, 11:08 PM	#5
newtech macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2007	Xeon and Core 2 devote a great deal of chip real estate to remain 100% compatible with legacy software/hardware ( 8080 code runs unmodified ).
	0

Similar Threads
thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Mac pro 2008 8-Core vs 2011 MBP 4-Core	klazer	MacBook Pro	2	Apr 3, 2012 10:00 AM
Mac Pro Overclocking	-BigMac-	Mac Pro	2	May 10, 2011 06:58 AM
Is Mac Pro STRICT to Mac Xeon Processors or Just Xeons in General?	QuakeProd	Mac Pro	7	Apr 19, 2011 08:06 PM
Mac Pro 1,1 vs. 13" MacBook Pro: Performance pros and cons	carreragt7	Mac Pro	12	Dec 29, 2010 11:46 PM
1st Gen Mac Pro Xeon vs Nephalem,Advice,Opinons,Votes	jcrew2	Buying Tips and Advice	2	Jun 27, 2009 03:10 PM