Nehalem EP (Xeon) Processors 'Ridiculously fast'

MacRumors · Nov 20, 2008, 05:13 PM

TechRadar.com reports on some preliminary benchmarks on Intel's upcoming Nehalem EP chips which they say will be sold as the Xeon X5560 CPUs in the 1st quarter of 2009. Apple has traditionally used the Xeon processors for the Mac Pro line.

Based on their early benchmarks of dual-processor configurations, TechRadar found that the new Nehalem Xeon scored favorably in SPECfp benchmark with a score of 160 as compared to a score of 90 for Intel's current Penryn-based Xeons running at 3.4GHz.

Quote:

And remember, Nehalem EP's 160 point score is for a pre-production system running at 2.8GHz. Models humming a 3.2GHz tune will be available when the chip launches early next year

The current Mac Pro uses the Xeon ("Harpertown") 5400 series processors in dual-processor configurations. It has been speculated that Apple will be migrating the Mac Pro to these Nehalem Xeon processors which are due in the first quarter of 2009.

Article Link: Nehalem EP (Xeon) Processors 'Ridiculously fast'

kabunaru · 08:13 PM

Desktop CPUs for the Mac Pro not Workstation CPUs please and a lower price too.

Tallest Skil · Nov 20, 2008, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kabunaru

Desktop CPUs for the Mac Pro not Workstation CPUs please.

Good luck with that one. Workstation seems to be here to stay.

Pugpuppydude · Nov 20, 2008, 05:20 PM

what is the difference between workstation and other.. cpu!?

poundsmack · Nov 20, 2008, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pugpuppydude

what is the difference between workstation and other.. cpu!?

usualy a larger L3 cache, better load balancing, other stuff like vPro, etc...

rpaloalto · Nov 20, 2008, 05:25 PM

I hope they don't go for the desktop line.

With the amount of stress. And the hours I log. And plan to log on my mac pro. It is very comforting to know. That I do have a server class chip in my mac. That I don't have to worry about stressing her.

theheadguy · Nov 20, 2008, 05:27 PM

Hmm... when deciding what to spend my money on... I think I'll go for 'ridiculously fast'... yes, I like the sound of that. (:

illegallydead · Nov 20, 2008, 05:27 PM

haha this sounds wonderfully blazing fast.

Now, if only I could afford one of the beauties... I can dream, though

DoFoT9 · Nov 20, 2008, 05:36 PM

those specifications are incredible.... i sure hope that these CPU's hold up in real world tests, not just the one they have done here.

dopeytree · Nov 20, 2008, 05:37 PM

Sweet I can't wait!

twoodcc · Nov 20, 2008, 05:38 PM

i am glad that they use Xeon processors in the mac pro, and i can't wait to see these new ones in the mac pro!

gregharmon · Nov 20, 2008, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpaloalto

I hope they don't go for the desktop line.

With the amount of stress. And the hours I log. And plan to log on my mac pro. It is very comforting to know. That I do have a server class chip in my mac. That I don't have to worry about stressing her.

Unless you're running a server, you don't really need a server class chip. You don't need to worry about stressing it out or wearing it out either. A server class CPU isn't going to last any longer than a normal CPU, they're not made "tougher" or anything of the sort.

Kwill · Nov 20, 2008, 05:46 PM

That's outstanding! Just think how fast we'll be able to watch our stocks depreciate!

G4DP · Nov 20, 2008, 05:53 PM

Given the clear bias in the article. I would give odds of 2 to 1 that the author is taking it up the chuff from Intel.

All the reports so far including from someone I know works at intel with these chips is a 30% - 40% increase, not an amazing 60% which this article is claiming.

They are clearly faster then penryn but not as fast as claimed in this article. As you guys will note if any of you crunch at Seti. The penryn chips are still faster when it comes to the short tasks that Who?'s 8 Core Nehalem machine.

nick9191 · Nov 20, 2008, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kabunaru

Desktop CPUs for the Mac Pro not Workstation CPUs please.

You can't put dual Core 2's into a system, Intel wont let you.

fleshman03 · Nov 20, 2008, 06:01 PM

Once we get something similar to this in a MBP, then I will get excited.

Hopefully 2/3Q 09. I can wish, can't I?

duncyboy · Nov 20, 2008, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kabunaru

Desktop CPUs for the Mac Pro not Workstation CPUs please.

May I ask why?

Axemantitan · Nov 20, 2008, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kabunaru

Desktop CPUs for the Mac Pro not Workstation CPUs please.

Apple better get them out soon. Alienware is already offering Core i7 in its towers.

Tallest Skil · Nov 20, 2008, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axemantitan

Apple better get them out soon. Alienware is already offering Core i7 in its towers.

Again... DESKTOP PROCESSORS. NOT WORKSTATION PROCESSORS.

Alienware's aren't Xeons.

Axemantitan · Nov 20, 2008, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poundsmack

usualy a larger L3 cache, better load balancing, other stuff like vPro, etc...

This vPro? No thanks, I'll do without.

seashellz · Nov 20, 2008, 06:13 PM

if its that speedy-maybe you could rent out some of the surplus you dont need

Digital Skunk · Nov 20, 2008, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tallest Skil

Again... DESKTOP PROCESSORS. NOT WORKSTATION PROCESSORS.

Alienware's aren't Xeons.

Agreed, it just won't happen anytime soon if at all.

As for the speed increase, this is what an upgrade in processor speed should be. I will have no problem waiting for these chips to be in a Mac Pro so I can step down my trusty, extremely reliable dual 2 Ghz G5. This will truly be an upgrade.

p.s. I'd love desktop chips, but Apple won't do it. So instead of whining about it like I have done for years now, I will just suck it up and pay an extra $1000. This is the Apple world we live in.

tenks · Nov 20, 2008, 06:24 PM

Xeon's architecture are identical to the Core (desktop parts). The differences are very minor. Last generation, Core2, the difference being the socket because they used FB-DIMM. Sure special versions, typically lower power or MP versions will have larger or smaller cache, depending on what the chip is made for, but again these chips are identical. Intel release's desktop chips for UNI processor systems, then rebrands/rebins those same chips, and calls them Xeons. There are a few cases where you can run 2 desktop chips on a special board (more so last generation than this) but thats the main distinction. Desktop = single socket
Xeon = Dual+

The main architectural difference this generation is that the Xeons have pins/die space for TWO QPI connects which allows it to be placed in system with 2 or more. The Desktop chips only have one active QPI link (the other is disabled) which only allows to be used by itself.

Sooooo in conclusion. YOU CANT HAVE THE "DESKTOP" chips that are out now in your precious Mac towers. And the chips that will be coming out for your mac towers in less then two months WILL BE IDENTICAL performance wise.

Smile everyone

milo · Nov 20, 2008, 06:26 PM

It's about time, I've been ready to buy a new machine for a while but they haven't updated in ages.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kabunaru

Desktop CPUs for the Mac Pro not Workstation CPUs please.

Why? That doesn't seem to make any sense.

What apple should do is use the workstation CPUs in the big tower but ALSO have a "budget" model with desktop cpus.

Wie Gehts · Nov 20, 2008, 06:50 PM

And Jobs can design a thin little black box to stick it in. Drop firewire, usb, A/V, superdrive, keyboard and display altogether. Screw you Apple.

Nov 20, 2008, 05:14 PM	#2
kabunaru Guest Join Date: Jan 2008	Desktop CPUs for the Mac Pro not Workstation CPUs please and a lower price too. Last edited by kabunaru : Nov 20, 2008 at 08:13 PM.

Nov 20, 2008, 05:20 PM	#4
Pugpuppydude macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Utah	i am noob what is the difference between workstation and other.. cpu!?

Nov 20, 2008, 05:25 PM	#6
rpaloalto macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Palo Alto CA.	I hope they don't go for the desktop line. With the amount of stress. And the hours I log. And plan to log on my mac pro. It is very comforting to know. That I do have a server class chip in my mac. That I don't have to worry about stressing her. __________________ 2008 Mac Pro, 23" ACD, 20" Aluminum iMac, Dell Mini Hackintosh, iBook g3, eMac + several iPods

Nov 20, 2008, 05:27 PM	#8
illegallydead macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Colorado!!!	haha this sounds wonderfully blazing fast. Now, if only I could afford one of the beauties... I can dream, though __________________ "Lord, what fools these mortals be." - Shakespeare (A Midsummer Night's Dream) Stupidica.com

Nov 20, 2008, 05:36 PM	#9
DoFoT9 macrumors 601 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NSW, Australia	those specifications are incredible.... i sure hope that these CPU's hold up in real world tests, not just the one they have done here. __________________ MBP CD2.16ghz, 500gb, 2GB Ram, X1600 OC'd, 19" iMac24" 2.8ghz 750gb 4gbram Hackintosh E4600 3GHz 10.5.4 8500GT MozyMac

Nov 20, 2008, 05:27 PM	#7
theheadguy macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2005	Hmm... when deciding what to spend my money on... I think I'll go for 'ridiculously fast'... yes, I like the sound of that. (:

Nov 20, 2008, 05:37 PM	#10
dopeytree macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2007	Sweet I can't wait! __________________ Ed Stone Photography - Creative Professional Photography - Specialising in Music Promos & Gig Photography - http://www.edstonephotography.com

Nov 20, 2008, 05:38 PM	#11
twoodcc macrumors 603 Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Right side of wrong	i am glad that they use Xeon processors in the mac pro, and i can't wait to see these new ones in the mac pro! __________________ tville pump Smarter than the average bear

Nov 20, 2008, 05:46 PM	#13
Kwill macrumors 6502a Join Date: Mar 2003	That's outstanding! Just think how fast we'll be able to watch our stocks depreciate! __________________ Reactive Imaging Environment-Friendly Printing & Graphics

Nov 20, 2008, 05:53 PM	#14
G4DP macrumors 6502 Join Date: Mar 2007	Given the clear bias in the article. I would give odds of 2 to 1 that the author is taking it up the chuff from Intel. All the reports so far including from someone I know works at intel with these chips is a 30% - 40% increase, not an amazing 60% which this article is claiming. They are clearly faster then penryn but not as fast as claimed in this article. As you guys will note if any of you crunch at Seti. The penryn chips are still faster when it comes to the short tasks that Who?'s 8 Core Nehalem machine. __________________ I don't need to brag about my mac, my wife is more than satisfied.

Nov 20, 2008, 06:01 PM	#16
fleshman03 macrumors 68000 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Tampa, FL	Once we get something similar to this in a MBP, then I will get excited. Hopefully 2/3Q 09. I can wish, can't I? __________________ Penguin: Early 2008 MacBook Pro C2D @ 2.5GhZ, 2GB, 250GB / iPhone 3GS 32GB Monkey: Early 2006 MacBook Black CD @ 2GhZ, 2GB, 80GB / iPhone 3G 16GB

Nov 20, 2008, 06:13 PM	#21
seashellz macrumors 6502 Join Date: Nov 2004	if its that speedy-maybe you could rent out some of the surplus you dont need

Nov 20, 2008, 06:24 PM	#23
tenks macrumors member Join Date: Feb 2008	Xeon's architecture are identical to the Core (desktop parts). The differences are very minor. Last generation, Core2, the difference being the socket because they used FB-DIMM. Sure special versions, typically lower power or MP versions will have larger or smaller cache, depending on what the chip is made for, but again these chips are identical. Intel release's desktop chips for UNI processor systems, then rebrands/rebins those same chips, and calls them Xeons. There are a few cases where you can run 2 desktop chips on a special board (more so last generation than this) but thats the main distinction. Desktop = single socket Xeon = Dual+ The main architectural difference this generation is that the Xeons have pins/die space for TWO QPI connects which allows it to be placed in system with 2 or more. The Desktop chips only have one active QPI link (the other is disabled) which only allows to be used by itself. Sooooo in conclusion. YOU CANT HAVE THE "DESKTOP" chips that are out now in your precious Mac towers. And the chips that will be coming out for your mac towers in less then two months WILL BE IDENTICAL performance wise. Smile everyone

Nov 20, 2008, 06:50 PM	#25
Wie Gehts macrumors 6502 Join Date: Mar 2007	And Jobs can design a thin little black box to stick it in. Drop firewire, usb, A/V, superdrive, keyboard and display altogether. Screw you Apple.

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