Intel Provides early 'Montevina'-Like Technology to iMac

[MacRumors]

Today's iMac updates provided a few surprising upgrades to the existing iMacs. The key changes include:

- Faster Penryn processors (2.4GHz-3.06GHz), up from 2.0-2.8GHz Merom processors.
- 1066MHz Front Side Bus, up from 800MHz.
- NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS 512MB on high end model
- More RAM (2GB) in mid-range models, up from 1GB

Montevina or Not?

First, some background: Intel delivers to its PC manufacturers specific "platforms" which are made up of the processor, chipset and wireless networking interface. These platforms go by specific codenames, such as "Santa Rosa" and "Montevina". While Apple technically does not adopt these platforms in their entirety, for simplicity sake, we still refer to Macs using these specific named platforms.

Up until now, the MacBook, MacBook Pro and iMac have been based on the "Santa Rosa" platform which offers a 800MHz front-side bus. The front-side bus determines how fast the processor communicates with the rest of the computer. The "Santa Rosa" platform was first launched with the "Merom" processor, but recently gave way to the "Penryn" processors. The most recent MacBook and MacBook Pro updates adopted the new "Penryn" processors, but still on the 800Mhz front-side bus Santa Rosa chipset.

The introduction of the 1066MHz front-side bus iMac alongside faster Penryn processors suggested that Apple may have been able to launch the Montevina (1066MHz) chipset earlier than the expected June timeframe. When directly asked, however, Intel simply describes them as being "special" faster versions of the existing Santa Rosa chipset. The main difference, however, appears to be that these new chips consume more power than the upcoming Montevina chipsets.

For iMac buyers, however, it makes little difference. These new machines effectively provide the key benefits of the Montevina platform: faster processors and a faster front-side bus.

Besides the processing advantages, the addition of the NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS 512MB is claimed to offer 2.2x the graphics performance of the ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro.

Buy or Not?

The new iMacs should be in Apple's retail stores now. However, Apple is currently providing substantial ($250-$700) discounts on refurbished previous generation iMac stock, which may better fall in your price range if absolute performance is not your top priority. Unlike with the recent MacBook and Macbook Pros revision, however, modest retailer discounts ($50-$250) on new-in-box previous generation iMacs offer no added value over simply buying today's models. For those who can wait a few more days for delivery, MacMall is already offering $50-100 mail in rebates on the new machines, and Amazon typically follows suit with their own rebates.

Our iMac Buyer's Guide recommendation has been changed to "Buy Now" and the days-since-release counter reset.

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[BigJohno]

I think its a good upgrade. I would buy one if I had the money.

[arn]

Originally Posted by BigJohno

I think its a good upgrade. I would buy one if I had the money.

It's a bigger upgrade than most expected. Seems like a good time to buy. The next really major processor upgrade won't be into 2009. So it could be a year away.

The buyers guide predicts the next update in about 7 months based on average-cycle length, but I don't know if there are any Intel processor upgrades in that timeframe.

arn

[Anaxarxes]

Originally Posted by arn

It's a bigger upgrade than most expected. Seems like a good time to buy. The next really major upgrade won't be into 2009. So it could be a year away.

The buyers guide predicts the next update in about 7 months based on average-cycle length, but I don't know if there are any Intel processor upgrades in that timeframe.

arn

With this special revision of SR, Apple could go all the way until Nehalem comes to light.

[bigandy]

There will still be a lot of people crying over the fact it's not Montevina, but it really isn't a big deal.

I'm very interested, especially with the 24" getting the 8000GS.

[phakebrill]

Originally Posted by bigandy

There will still be a lot of people crying over the fact it's not Montevina, but it really isn't a big deal.

I'm very interested, especially with the 24" getting the 8000GS.

It might be a big deal if the temps go up and make the fans whirr constantly - or even occaisionally - my current 2.8GHz extreme is silent. Noisy computers cheese me right off

[crockett]

Originally Posted by bigandy

There will still be a lot of people crying over the fact it's not Montevina, but it really isn't a big deal.

I'm very interested, especially with the 24" getting the 8000GS.

When I look at prices of the high end iMacs.. I can't help but wonder if the better deal isn't just buying a refurb Mac Pro with dual 3.0's. It's practically the same price.

At this point, I'm kinda torn between the 2.8 refurb or if I were to go over $2k to just get a refurb mac pro.

[Mykbibby]

This is why I love Apple...

But why have they announced their products lately on a Monday? The MB, MBP revision was on a Monday, as was todays. Are Tuesdays out?

[Trip.Tucker]

I wonder what's around the corner *wink wink*

[Sun Baked]

Originally Posted by bigandy

There will still be a lot of people crying over the fact it's not Montevina, but it really isn't a big deal.

I'm very interested, especially with the 24" getting the 8000GS.

Don't worry, there will be a lot of people complaining about having to buy new memory instead.

Should make them happy they can still shed tears and whine like babies.

[Thomas2006]

Originally Posted by Anaxarxes

With this special revision of SR, Apple could go all the way until Nehalem comes to light.

The quad-core mobile Penryn is due this September so there is no reason to think the iMac will not get it, and Montevina, in its next update. This will allow the iMac to jump to the Nehalem processor on the Calpella platform Q2 2009.

[diamond.g]

Originally Posted by Thomas2006

The quad-core mobile Penryn is due this September so there is no reason to think the iMac will not get it, and Montevina, in its next update. This will allow the iMac to jump to the Nehalem processor on the Calpella platform Q2 2009.

How would using Cantiga allow Apple to move to Capella?

[Hooka]

I hate people who say that they buy something the first day it comes out, but...... I just ordered this sucker!!!

iMac, 24-inch, 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB 800MHz DDR2 SDRAM - 2x 2GB
3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS w/512MB GDDR3
750GB Serial ATA Drive

Question?: Is the 24 inch iMac with the 8800 card considered "HD?"

[Anaxarxes]

Originally Posted by Hooka

I hate people who say that they buy something the first day it comes out, but...... I just ordered this sucker!!!

iMac, 24-inch, 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB 800MHz DDR2 SDRAM - 2x 2GB
3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS w/512MB GDDR3
750GB Serial ATA Drive

Question?: Is the 24 inch iMac with the 8800 card considered "HD?"

You bought RAM from ? I will say no more...

And:

24" anything with the Resolution of 1920x1080 is considered HD. Nothing to do if it's an iMac or just a monitor, or if it's connected to 8800 or Intel GMA950...

[omni-impotent]

Can't wait to see the benchmarks on these new machines. I hear that having a higher FSB frequency (1066MHz for the new iMacs) than the RAM frequency (800MHz) is actually slower for the machine as the processor is out-of-sync with the RAM and must wait on average half a cycle before it can read/write...

[Anaxarxes]

Originally Posted by omni-impotent

Can't wait to see the benchmarks on these new machines. I hear that having a higher FSB frequency (1066MHz for the new iMacs) than the RAM frequency (800MHz) is actually slower for the machine as the processor is out-of-sync with the RAM and must wait on average half a cycle before it can read/write...

It was a big problem in early Pentium 4 days that the RAM is asyncronous to FSB caused very low performance. That is not the case in modern hardware.

Yes it will be slower but not such a big problem like the old days.

[Hooka]

Originally Posted by Anaxarxes

You bought RAM from ? I will say no more...

And:

24" anything with the Resolution of 1920x1080 is considered HD. Nothing to do if it's an iMac or just a monitor, or if it's connected to 8800 or Intel GMA950...

Ram cost anywhere form $124-$227 US plus shipping. Driving or looking is not worth my time. Installing ram is easy, yes but once again not my idea of a fun half of hour. Plus what do I do with the old dims? Sell them? No time for that. Now Think of the raw energy used to make 2x 1gb of ram? Now think... if I just let instal my ram, and save the other 2 x1gb sticks, save me time,gas, effort, all that stuff. Is it really that silly? I don't think so. The world is a wonderful place, let instal your ram, lol.

[clin86]

isnt the 2.8 ones still montevina, someone said its the t9600 processor

[wesleyh]

Originally Posted by Hooka

Ram cost anywhere form $124-$227 US plus shipping. Driving or looking is not worth my time. Installing ram is easy, yes but once again not my idea of a fun half of hour. Plus what do I do with the old dims? Sell them? No time for that. Now Think of the raw energy used to make 2x 1gb of ram? Now think... if I just let instal my ram, and save the other 2 x1gb sticks, save me time,gas, effort, all that stuff. Is it really that silly? I don't think so. The world is a wonderful place, let instal your ram, lol.

Oh my god you lazy bum.

[skellener]

Originally Posted by Hooka

Ram cost anywhere form $124-$227 US plus shipping. Driving or looking is not worth my time. Installing ram is easy, yes but once again not my idea of a fun half of hour. Plus what do I do with the old dims? Sell them? No time for that. Now Think of the raw energy used to make 2x 1gb of ram? Now think... if I just let instal my ram, and save the other 2 x1gb sticks, save me time,gas, effort, all that stuff. Is it really that silly? I don't think so. The world is a wonderful place, let instal your ram, lol.

I agree. Right now at least, the 200 bones for 4GB is an easy choice. It's set from the get go.

[kockgunner]

Originally Posted by Hooka

Ram cost anywhere form $124-$227 US plus shipping. Driving or looking is not worth my time. Installing ram is easy, yes but once again not my idea of a fun half of hour. Plus what do I do with the old dims? Sell them? No time for that. Now Think of the raw energy used to make 2x 1gb of ram? Now think... if I just let instal my ram, and save the other 2 x1gb sticks, save me time,gas, effort, all that stuff. Is it really that silly? I don't think so. The world is a wonderful place, let instal your ram, lol.

i actually thought BTOing 4gb ram for this imac was pretty reasonable considering you don't have to go out and get it yourself. i tried looking for 800 mhz laptop memory and i couldnt find any either so...

[techlover828]

nice background, helps me, being someone who doesn't know much about processors, out a lot.

[godspeed]

Well done Apple, finally an Imac that has a worthy video card. This addition will cover a market that was much lacking in the past and prove to be a carrot for pc users that felt the Imac (old hd2600 in bootcamp) just didn't cut it.

[GimmeSlack12]

I like that MacRumors is telling the updated info on the "Buyer's Guide" on the front page. Good insight behind the recommendations they provide as well as make those unaware of the Buyer's Guide, aware.

[twoodcc]

very interesting. looks like Apple gets special attention from Intel again. glad to see that.

i would advise people to "buy now" as well