2007 Harpertown Stoakley-Seaburg Motherboard With New Graphics Cards 8-Core Mac Pro

[spaz8]

I'm waiting till WWDC and thats it... I now have my tax return, and salary bonus beyond my savings.. I've been trying to hold out for a GPU (ati2900?) update.. which i hope the os 10.4.10 is an indication of.. If nothing happens at WWDC i'll buy because even the 17 month old 1900xt and and system components are light years faster than what I'm using currently. Most of the apps I use are now UB and threaded to recognize 16, even 256 processors. Plus I get an apple discount thru work and live in the lowest taxed province for now... so I should pull the trigger before I change jobs and timezones again. This is a machine for personal use, so i've been able to wait, but also I basically buy machines with the intention of getting 4-5 yrs of use out of them.

P.S. all this waiting was also aided by thinking i would be getting 10.5, new ilife etc with the new machine at WWDC.

 

[Multimedia]

HD Expo Chicago Experts Think SS Is Not 'Til After Leopard & Not Much Help

New Barefeats FCS 2 Benchmarks indicate 8 core is rocking already without SS. Yesterday at the current HD Expo in Chicago I'm attending, Michael Cioni, Director of Operations at PlasterCity Digital Post in LA says that for video editing and not compositing a 4GB 8 Core Mac Pro is all you need. He already bought 9 of them and says they render video faster than real time and that the FCP2 Pro Res Codec is radically better than anything else. Says he doesn't think SS motherboards will be introduced until Leopard ships and that they won't make any difference for video editing without compositing. For video compositing work he does think they will be way better. Will learn more today. SS isn't looking as attractive to wait for right now for me. But I'm still confused.

First post in quite a few weeks. Got burnt out from all the posting. Hi all from lovely Chicago HD Expo.

 

[FF_productions]

Hey there Multi!

You disappeared for a little while.

So it would be safe to get a Quad 2.66 Mac Pro now? I use it for Final Cut Studio.

 

[suneohair]

Hey there Multi!

You disappeared for a little while.

So it would be safe to get a Quad 2.66 Mac Pro now? I use it for Final Cut Studio.

Even though SS might not be here on Monday, CPU changes and GPU changes seem likely.

 

[Eidorian]

Great to hear from you Multimedia. Good to hear about the current 8-core Mac Pro. I saw those benches on BareFeats and I hoped you'd see them.

Surprisingly enough I might be in the market for a Mac Pro now, refurbished or new. I need something to last me after I get out of college for a few years.

 

[TheFuzz]

we just got an octo at work and upgraded to fcs2. aside from a bunk superdrive, it's what you'd expect from an 8-core mac pro. i guess ss will be an improvement, but not enough of one that we'd think of waiting 5-6 months or longer. by then we'll be ready to add a new machine anyway.

 

[suneohair]

we just got an octo at work and upgraded to fcs2. aside from a bunk superdrive, it's what you'd expect from an 8-core mac pro. i guess ss will be an improvement, but not enough of one that we'd think of waiting 5-6 months or longer. by then we'll be ready to add a new machine anyway.

Exactly, and if it is using DDR3, RAM will be just like it was when the Mac Pro was introduced, EXPENSIVE!

Hopefully FB-DIMMS have some more life in them and production keeps up so the cost will stay down. However, it could turn out ot be a bad thing if FB-DIMMs fizzle out and the only way to upgrade is to shell out big bucks...

Thinking too much!

 

[Trekkie]

Exactly, and if it is using DDR3, RAM will be just like it was when the Mac Pro was introduced, EXPENSIVE!

Hopefully FB-DIMMS have some more life in them and production keeps up so the cost will stay down. However, it could turn out ot be a bad thing if FB-DIMMs fizzle out and the only way to upgrade is to shell out big bucks...

Thinking too much!

FB-DIMMs can't get less expensive. They're essential a DDR-2 chip with more stuff put on them.

FB-DIMMs are for all purposes dead by early 2008. Intel has publicly said they have no intention of using FB-DIMM on the next chipsets and will go DDR3. The only thing left using FB-DIMMs will be the MP Quad core systems.

 

[Eidorian]

FB-DIMM doesn't have that much life yet but you should be able to have enough time to get enough for your use.

http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=40168

 

[suneohair]

FB-DIMMs can't get less expensive. They're essential a DDR-2 chip with more stuff put on them.

FB-DIMMs are for all purposes dead by early 2008. Intel has publicly said they have no intention of using FB-DIMM on the next chipsets and will go DDR3. The only thing left using FB-DIMMs will be the MP Quad core systems.

I am talking about keeping the current price where it is. If manufactuers start dumping production that spells trouble for all those with current Mac Pros.

They can be dead in 2008, this is 2007. By then DDR3 might be at acceptable levels. Even so, who is to say there won't be a DDR3 ECC module that still costs more.

Anyhow, that is fine if FB-DIMMs are dead, however it makes no sense to take on DDR3 right now. Heck, if you have paid any attention the P35 chipsets have DDR2 counterparts right now because people aren't goign to jump on the DDR3 bandwagon and they realize that.

Any high end solution will be DDR3 only like the X38 (Bearlake, 975X replacement). It isn't cost effective for anyone to take on the DDR3 while 1: DDR3 DIMMs are not widely available 2: They are super expensive and decent prices aren't expected for some time.

 

[Multimedia]

Other HD Expo Opinions Think August SS MacPro • ProMax Free FCS 2 Upgrade w/AJA Box

So it would be safe to get a Quad 2.66 Mac Pro now? I use it for Final Cut Studio.

Not Really.

Even though SS might not be here on Monday, CPU changes and GPU changes seem likely.

I agree. A VAR at HD Expo said he thought it would be as soon as August for the SS logic board because now is all about the iPhone and after August is all about Leopard and August is a full year since any MacPro upgrade and Apple doesn't like to go more than a year between revisions — especially in light of the new MacBook Pro revisions this week. So now is fine if you want to save money buying a refurb for only $2199 because the 8-core is a $5k+ proposition no matter what.

What I've learned at HD Expo is that the 8 core with the AJA Apple Pro Res 422 silicon transcoder will be the way to do FCS 2 right — even if your footage is all legacy SD, even moreso to some extent.

If you haven't done the upgrade to FCS 2 yet, ProMax is offering both the $499 & $699 FCS 2 upgrades FREE with the AJA Apple ProRes 422 Silicon Transcoder for its $3495 list. So you save $499 or $699 depending on your situation. If you are looking at any kind of serious HD production going forward and you can afford it, the AJA io HD real time silicon Apple ProRes 422 transcoder is almost a MUST HAVE product.

 

[c23roo]

Waiting for WWDC...

So my PowerMac G5 quad is apparently toast. Got word today that the logic board and processor need to be replaced, and the advice from the shop is that it's not worth it (they said probably USD$1500 for parts alone ?). So I set out to shop for a replacement, and gathered that there may be updates ahead at WWDC.

As I can (barely) afford to wait until monday, I will do so - but does anyone have some advice regarding the graphics cards available for this machine? I guess I wasn't expecting such a selection... How much different are they - and are they worth the bang for the buck? I don't do heavy gaming, but we do a lot of photo stuff / slideshows / iDVD / iMovie and the like. Wife is beginning to work with Final Cut.

What's your thoughts?

-c

 

[Umbongo]

So my PowerMac G5 quad is apparently toast. Got word today that the logic board and processor need to be replaced, and the advice from the shop is that it's not worth it (they said probably USD$1500 for parts alone ?). So I set out to shop for a replacement, and gathered that there may be updates ahead at WWDC.

As I can (barely) afford to wait until monday, I will do so - but does anyone have some advice regarding the graphics cards available for this machine? I guess I wasn't expecting such a selection... How much different are they - and are they worth the bang for the buck? I don't do heavy gaming, but we do a lot of photo stuff / slideshows / iDVD / iMovie and the like. Wife is beginning to work with Final Cut.

What's your thoughts?

-c

The stock graphics card will be fine. It's always something you can upgrade later if you find the 7300GT (or it's possible replacement) lacking.

 

[spaz8]

Since the mac pro came out I would always go with the 1900xt.. GPU.. I do 3d for a living though and frankly haven't bought up to this point in hopes we will see a GPU refresh in the next week.

Considering the MacBook Pro's now come with more base ram that the mac pro, and a G80 graphics card I'm hoping that means the at least we will see a better BTO gpu option in the MP. If i had to buy today I would get the 1900xt.. it will be good for Motion 3 in FCP2.

 

[TheFuzz]

If i had to buy today I would get the 1900xt.

i wouldn't. i'd stick with the 7300 and upgrade when the new gpu's are offered, which can't be too much longer. the 7300 works fine for me in Final Cut, which would be the most demanding of the apps you listed, c23roo.

 

[Multimedia]

If You Must Buy Next Tuesday, Stick With A $2199 Four Core 2.66GHz Refurb

So my PowerMac G5 quad is apparently toast. Got word today that the logic board and processor need to be replaced, and the advice from the shop is that it's not worth it (they said probably USD$1500 for parts alone ?). So I set out to shop for a replacement, and gathered that there may be updates ahead at WWDC.

As I can (barely) afford to wait until monday, I will do so - but does anyone have some advice regarding the graphics cards available for this machine? I guess I wasn't expecting such a selection... How much different are they - and are they worth the bang for the buck? I don't do heavy gaming, but we do a lot of photo stuff / slideshows / iDVD / iMovie and the like. Wife is beginning to work with Final Cut.

Since the mac pro came out I would always go with the 1900xt.. GPU.. I do 3d for a living though and frankly haven't bought up to this point in hopes we will see a GPU refresh in the next week.

Considering the MacBook Pro's now come with more base ram that the mac pro, and a G80 graphics card I'm hoping that means the at least we will see a better BTO gpu option in the MP. If i had to buy today I would get the 1900xt.. it will be good for Motion 3 in FCP2.

Tru Dat.

i wouldn't. i'd stick with the 7300 and upgrade when the new gpu's are offered, which can't be too much longer. the 7300 works fine for me in Final Cut, which would be the most demanding of the apps you listed, c23roo.

No point in investing in more than $2199 for a 4 core 2.66GHz refurb at this point. I may do that myself to replace and sell my old October '05 2GHz DC G5 while I still can get something at or above $1k for it. It's almost useless for multitasking and slow as molasses for compression work even on single tasks.

You can always buy the 1900xt GPU later if you feel the 7300 isn't enough for you in the first place. Your ATI options may be much better soon. You may want an ATI card for FCS 2 because Apple's "new" Color application is written specifically to take advantage of 32 bit color only with ATI cards. But this may not be a factor for 99% of us. And Spaz8 is right about it being helpful with Motion 3. I would want a 1900xt or better card so I can drive 4 screens.

 

[Glenn Wolsey]

I've almost given up waiting, I'll be ordering my screens later this week (or early next week), and the Mac Pro not soon after. As it is the stock Mac Pro is an amazing machine capable of so much, I don't think I'd be disappointed with it at all.

I really hope Apple make a move in the next few weeks, I really want to wait for this, though I'm starting to get impatient with how long I've already waited for..nothing as of yet.

 

[Wild-Bill]

I've almost given up waiting, I'll be ordering my screens later this week (or early next week), and the Mac Pro not soon after. As it is the stock Mac Pro is an amazing machine capable of so much, I don't think I'd be disappointed with it at all.

I really hope Apple make a move in the next few weeks, I really want to wait for this, though I'm starting to get impatient with how long I've already waited for..nothing as of yet.

Tired of waiting myself. I still have two Apple Store gift cards I got for Christmas, in anticipation of an updated Mac Pro. I'm on the edge, but I just cannot justify such a major purchase on last year's tech. I don't want an x1900xt.

 

[Lord Nerdos]

Is Steve Jobs following this thread?

You know, I sometimes wonder if Steve Jobs posts on these forums, or at least reads what is put up. It wouldn't surprise me if he is intentionally delaying the release of the new mac pro until Multimedia has bought a current mac pro. What do you think MM? How about you post saying how great your new 8-core mac pro is to trick Mr Jobs into thinking it's safe to release a new model?
Predicting new hardware releases is getting harder and harder these days. I was convinced that new mac pros would be coming at NAB I'm glad I didn't wait any longer

 

[Umbongo]

Predicting new hardware releases is getting harder and harder these days. I was convinced that new mac pros would be coming at NAB I'm glad I didn't wait any longer

I think the problem is people get overly enthusiastic about what is possible, not necessarily realistic, while not looking at all the information that is available on future component timelines. Then others pick up on it, get vocal about it on communities such as this and the rumours turn in to expectations, not helped when this then gets back to tech sites who almost authenticate the rumours in what can be a vicious cycle.

 

[ob81]

I am literally forced to wait until at least early October to get my Mac Pro, so hopefully something comes out before then. I really thought we would get some news at a minimum at the WWDC, but I guess not. I will probably do some RAW photo editing with it, and I may get Final Cut to do some serious video editing (both tasks are hobbies), so I am not too concerned about an update as the current specs suite me just fine.

 

[Glenn Wolsey]

I am literally forced to wait until at least early October to get my Mac Pro, so hopefully something comes out before then. I really thought we would get some news at a minimum at the WWDC, but I guess not. I will probably do some RAW photo editing with it, and I may get Final Cut to do some serious video editing (both tasks are hobbies), so I am not too concerned about an update as the current specs suite me just fine.

How are you literally forced to wait until at least early October? Is buying right away not a viable option?

 

[ob81]

How are you literally forced to wait until at least early October? Is buying right away not a viable option?

I am in the middle east until October 3rd.
But hopefully the newest Mac Pro arrives around the time I get back!!

 

[Umbongo]

So I've been looking at some articles that emerged over the past few weeks in relation to Stoakley and Seaburg, and still there seems to be bits and pieces in various articles that go against each other. My take on reading them though is that the following are likely:

Harpertown is the codename for Penryn based Quad core Xeon processors.
no mention of dual core, perhaps they are no more at the high end, which adds weight to ideas that Apple would begin only offering 8 core systems as it may be the only choice several months from now.

Companies are producing DDR2 800MHz FB-DIMMs, Seaburg will feature dual 1600Mhz FSB
Don't read this as a guaranteed replacement for current FB-DIMMs

PCI-E v2.0 will be present
Intel have been using unreleased Nvidia and ATI GPUs while showing off Stoakley

SLI may be present
The platform features dual PCI-E 2 sockets, however Nvidia have apparently not licensed this technology to Intel (yet), however Nvidia have licensed from Intel what seem to be enough things to make their own High end dual socket, dual 1600MHz FSB boards. Though there are some hints that they may go for the gamer market, and not use FB-DIMMS, I can't see Apple using such a thing, or probably caring much about having SLI on Mac Pros

Tyan will have a Seaburg motherboard for sale in November
For all the talk of Q3, Q4, late 2007, early 2008, later in the year, that has been around for so long now, this is the first definative month for an available product I've seen.

 

[Eidorian]

The current Xeon price drop has been pushed back to July 29th.

Let's see if I can make it until October as well.