Mac Pro Xeon Processors 'Imminent'

MacRumors · 03:42 AM

The Register repotrs on comments from Intel executives about the upcoming "Nehalem" Xeon EP processors due at the end of this quarter. During a briefing with reporters, Intel's vice president and director of operations at Intel's digital enterprise Group said that the new Nehalem EP chips are "currently in production, and we expect to have a system introduction later this quarter. So it is imminent."

The Nehalem Xeon EP processors are widely expected to power the next generation Mac Pro that has not seen updates for over a year. The Xeon EP processors should offer substantial performance boosts over existing models despite comparable clock speeds.

Previous reports have pinpointed a date of March 29th as a possible ship date.

Article Link: Mac Pro Xeon Processors 'Imminent'

Barbie · Feb 11, 2009, 03:16 AM

A lot of us have been waiting to buy a Pro, including me! But I've learned not to trust everything you hear

Barbie.

MarkMS · Feb 11, 2009, 03:19 AM

About time! My PowerMac G4 is going to enjoy being an iTunes server when the new Pros come out.

phakebrill · Feb 11, 2009, 03:25 AM

Will this be the time Apple introduce a new case to go with the new underlying tech? Regardless, this should also bring with it the new display's if there is a new case design. I would assume so anyway...

Stuart in Oz · Feb 11, 2009, 03:30 AM

'system introduction' sounds like he had a specific product in mind to me.

Given Intel's previous good relationship with Apple....

patricksan · Feb 11, 2009, 03:58 AM

I got a Mac Pro 6 months ago. I still have space to put HD and memory.
I don't think that this change will be so big for hardware.

But I expected a very big change in design.

shokunin · Feb 11, 2009, 04:11 AM

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I may wait til westmere arrives... looks like westmere could be here early q1 2010. If the new Mac Pro arrives in June, seems like a short cycle for the processors and maybe bump in early 2010.

SFStateStudent · Feb 11, 2009, 04:21 AM

Gawd, I haven't even put my Mac Pro 3.0 through the ringer yet. A whole bunch of memory and HD left, so I don't even know what else to do with it at this point...

deze · Feb 11, 2009, 04:34 AM

Lets hope all the new MP's are on the production line just waiting for this "Nehalem" Xeon EP component ;-)
Soon i hope...

decsramble · Feb 11, 2009, 04:45 AM

Cool, add this to the delayed 17" MacBook Pro and Apple will have announced products that cover all our needs, shame they probably wont be on anyones desks until long after that. I want my MacBook Pro to arrive now :-(

Thessman · Feb 11, 2009, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkMS

About time! My PowerMac G4 is going to enjoy being an iTunes server when the new Pros come out.

+1. It says it had enough looking at me...

ccuk · Feb 11, 2009, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patricksan

I got a Mac Pro 6 months ago. I still have space to put HD and memory.
I don't think that this change will be so big for hardware.

But I expected a very big change in design.

In terms of hardware change it is a big deal. The Xeon EP chips use an onboard memory controller similar to AMD chips, not to mention the Xeon is roughly 50% faster than the current Yorkfield based Harpertown Xeons in the Mac Pro. Also using DDR3 memory with the new QuickPath technology, we should see improved performance with regards to memory bandwidth which in my opinion cripples the possibilities of the current gen Mac Pro.

Design wise, I am unsure what they will do to change it. In my opinion the Mac Pro really falls into to area of "if it aint broke, don't fix it". It is already built like a tank, and is also easy to access for upgrades. I could maybe see Apple adding some extra HDD bays, adding Mini DisplayPort, but aside from that I am not seeing much change to the design.

fluidedge · Feb 11, 2009, 05:26 AM

My Jan 08 Mac Pro is not too worried about this news. She'll be singing for at least another 15 months yet.

FYI I really don't see a major case change - the only reason would be practical, i.e cooling issues but my MP is currently running at a whopping 26 degrees C so i really don't see why they'd need to redesign to improve on that.

I could see a different colour though, anthracite/anodised aluminium maybe?

Shagrat · Feb 11, 2009, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thessman

+1. It says it had enough looking at me...

+2 for exactly the same reason!

bearcatrp · 06:06 AM

I think the update will bring a single cpu for now, then update later in the year with a dual processor. Will have to wait and see though. My current 2.8 will be fine until 2010. By then, we will see the single cpu being 16 cores total.

.a · Feb 11, 2009, 06:19 AM

i just think it's unbelievable, that there's a pro apple product which is not updated for over a year. i mean, even in times of g4 and g5 it didn't happened ...
can't wait to see new modo 401 to run on the new machine www.luxology.com/modo/401.introduction

Tallest Skil · Feb 11, 2009, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by .a

i just think it's unbelievable, that there's a pro apple product which is not updated for over a year. i mean, even in times of g4 and g5 it didn't happened ...
can't wait to see new modo 401 to run on the new machine www.luxology.com/modo/401.introduction

Talk to Intel. Tell them to release chips more often.

The last one had a 518 day wait to be updated. Whose fault is that? Intel.

alexbates · Feb 11, 2009, 06:35 AM

Yes, it's about time for a new Mac Pro.

koobcamuk · Feb 11, 2009, 06:37 AM

Looking for a Mac pro for uni - fantastic machines.

Tallest Skil · Feb 11, 2009, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patricksan

I got a Mac Pro 6 months ago. I still have space to put HD and memory.
I don't think that this change will be so big for hardware.

But I expected a very big change in design.

You couldn't possibly have that more backwards.

Tell me what they would change the design to, anyway.

SactoGuy18 · Feb 11, 2009, 07:06 AM

Are we talking about the "Gainestown" series Xeon CPU's?

Tallest Skil · Feb 11, 2009, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SactoGuy18

Are we talking about the "Gainestown" series Xeon CPU's?

Yep.

barkmonster · Feb 11, 2009, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tallest Skil

You couldn't possibly have that more backwards.

Tell me what they would change the design to, anyway.

I totally agree with you.

It's implied using the new Xeons and Chipsets will absolutely destroy the current Mac Pro and the fact updates have being expected for a long time now, buying 6 months ago then kidding yourself it's only going to be a case re-design sounds like denial to me

Years ago, when I bought a 300Mhz Beige G3 and the 400Mhz B & W model I got at work a few months later wiped the floor with it I was really annoyed I hadn't being more patient and sort of justified it to myself by thinking, "At least it's got a floppy drive and SCSI"

The difference between the current Mac Pro and the one to come is going to be staggering from the look of things.

numbersyx · Feb 11, 2009, 07:26 AM

Ahhhh, we're almost there....

Drinahn · Feb 11, 2009, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barkmonster

The difference between the current Mac Pro and the one to come is going to be staggering from the look of things.

I've been eyeing the Mac Pro for ages now, as my MBP is just a bit slow with Aperture, and my giant photo libraries are on external drives. Seriously looking forward to getting a new Mac Pro, which by kicking the current Mac Pro into the ground, must totally stomp over my MBP.

Feb 11, 2009, 03:12 AM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	Mac Pro Xeon Processors 'Imminent' The Register repotrs on comments from Intel executives about the upcoming "Nehalem" Xeon EP processors due at the end of this quarter. During a briefing with reporters, Intel's vice president and director of operations at Intel's digital enterprise Group said that the new Nehalem EP chips are "currently in production, and we expect to have a system introduction later this quarter. So it is imminent." The Nehalem Xeon EP processors are widely expected to power the next generation Mac Pro that has not seen updates for over a year. The Xeon EP processors should offer substantial performance boosts over existing models despite comparable clock speeds. Previous reports have pinpointed a date of March 29th as a possible ship date. Article Link: Mac Pro Xeon Processors 'Imminent' Last edited by arn : Feb 11, 2009 at 03:42 AM.

Feb 11, 2009, 03:25 AM	#4
phakebrill macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: The Digital Sprawl	Will this be the time Apple introduce a new case to go with the new underlying tech? Regardless, this should also bring with it the new display's if there is a new case design. I would assume so anyway... __________________ brill 0110000101101110011000010111001001100011011010000111 1001001000000111001001110101011011000110010101111010

Feb 11, 2009, 03:30 AM	#5
Stuart in Oz macrumors regular Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia	'system introduction' sounds like he had a specific product in mind to me. Given Intel's previous good relationship with Apple.... __________________ My private website (if anyone cares)...

Feb 11, 2009, 03:58 AM	#6
patricksan macrumors member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Londerzeel, Belgium	I got a Mac Pro 6 months ago. I still have space to put HD and memory. I don't think that this change will be so big for hardware. But I expected a very big change in design. __________________ Patrick - Mac Pro 2x2.8 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon 4Gb - Mac OS X 10.5.6 :: MobileMe - 16Gb iPod Touch - iPhone 3G 8Gb - Timecapsule 500 Gb

Feb 11, 2009, 04:21 AM	#8
SFStateStudent macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: San Francisco California, USA	Gawd, I haven't even put my Mac Pro 3.0 through the ringer yet. A whole bunch of memory and HD left, so I don't even know what else to do with it at this point... __________________ MBP 2.5GHz 250GB Mac Pro 3G S⃣ iPhone 32GB Black

Feb 11, 2009, 03:16 AM	#2
Barbie macrumors regular Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: ocean	A lot of us have been waiting to buy a Pro, including me! But I've learned not to trust everything you hear Barbie.

Feb 11, 2009, 03:19 AM	#3
MarkMS macrumors 6502a Join Date: Aug 2006	About time! My PowerMac G4 is going to enjoy being an iTunes server when the new Pros come out.

Feb 11, 2009, 04:11 AM	#7
shokunin macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2005	I can't believe I'm saying this, but I may wait til westmere arrives... looks like westmere could be here early q1 2010. If the new Mac Pro arrives in June, seems like a short cycle for the processors and maybe bump in early 2010.

Feb 11, 2009, 04:34 AM	#9
deze macrumors member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: UK	Lets hope all the new MP's are on the production line just waiting for this "Nehalem" Xeon EP component ;-) Soon i hope... __________________ ' ' ' 2.5ghz Quad G5 powermac, 30" cinema display, Wacom Cintiq 21ux, 2.4 Unibody macbook, iPhone 3G.

Feb 11, 2009, 04:45 AM	#10
decsramble macrumors newbie Join Date: Feb 2009	Cool, add this to the delayed 17" MacBook Pro and Apple will have announced products that cover all our needs, shame they probably wont be on anyones desks until long after that. I want my MacBook Pro to arrive now :-(

Feb 11, 2009, 05:26 AM	#13
fluidedge macrumors 65816 Join Date: Nov 2007	My Jan 08 Mac Pro is not too worried about this news. She'll be singing for at least another 15 months yet. FYI I really don't see a major case change - the only reason would be practical, i.e cooling issues but my MP is currently running at a whopping 26 degrees C so i really don't see why they'd need to redesign to improve on that. I could see a different colour though, anthracite/anodised aluminium maybe?

Feb 11, 2009, 06:04 AM	#15
bearcatrp macrumors 6502 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Boon Docks USA	I think the update will bring a single cpu for now, then update later in the year with a dual processor. Will have to wait and see though. My current 2.8 will be fine until 2010. By then, we will see the single cpu being 16 cores total. __________________ 2008 2.8Ghz Octo MacPro w/24gb ram, Back to Leopard,/ 2.16 iMac (24 inch) Tiger, 2Ghz MacBook 2008, Apple TV, 16GB iPod Touch 1st Gen, 32GB iPod touch 3rd Gen. Last edited by bearcatrp : Feb 11, 2009 at 06:06 AM. Reason: added a line

Feb 11, 2009, 06:19 AM	#16
.a macrumors regular Join Date: Dec 2001	i just think it's unbelievable, that there's a pro apple product which is not updated for over a year. i mean, even in times of g4 and g5 it didn't happened ... can't wait to see new modo 401 to run on the new machine www.luxology.com/modo/401.introduction __________________ mac pro quad 3ghz 9gb 30" :: macbook pro '09 :: and some older mac-stuff

Feb 11, 2009, 06:35 AM	#18
alexbates macrumors 6502a Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Georgia, USA	Yes, it's about time for a new Mac Pro. __________________ 13" 2.53GHz Unibody MacBook Pro: 250GB HD, 4GB RAM 10" MSi WIND Hackintosh: 1.6GHz Atom, 160GB HD, 2GB RAM, Leopard 10.5.7 15" 2.16GHz MacBook Pro: 320GB HD, 3GB RAM Twitter

Feb 11, 2009, 06:37 AM	#19
koobcamuk macrumors 68020 Join Date: Oct 2006	Looking for a Mac pro for uni - fantastic machines. __________________ \|\| Get Dropbox! \|\| Photos \|\| My Ph.D \|\|

Feb 11, 2009, 07:06 AM	#21
SactoGuy18 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sacramento, CA USA	Are we talking about the "Gainestown" series Xeon CPU's?

Feb 11, 2009, 07:26 AM	#24
numbersyx macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2006	Ahhhh, we're almost there....

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