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

[mustard]

Congrats. Can't wait to read your performance report. Mustard makes a good case for my situation. I don't need it, I want it. So I'll hang in there waiting for the other shoe to drop as Rocketman so elequently explaines above.

Trust me it is not just you - I have had the hardest time dealing with not having the best tool for the job at my disposal.

This was made crystal clear by my wife pointing out that a 9 year old corded power drill with a good bit and an extension cord will drill the same hole that the $200 cordless, battery powered Dewalt that I want to buy will; except it will take 30 seconds longer to plug it in.

 

[Multimedia]

I See Your Point. I Could Be Wrong. Only Time Will Tell.

Multimedia,

Don't you think you are over rating the need for SS in the 3 GHz Octo?

The FSB is already the faster 1333 Mhz speed, same as SS. The MCH handles more memory but is still limited to 667mhz memory, same as current controller.

The biggest difference in the improved snoop filter, adds 25% more continuous throughput, but who knows how that will actually translate into overall performance boost.

Also SS supports more pci channels, but is that really going to make all the difference between purchasing now or in 6 months.

I'm waiting for NAB, to see if Leopard is announced and if possible BR DVR options are added. Maybe Apple didn't want to let the cat out of the bag too early. But if there is no mention of Leopard or BR. I'm not sure if I want to hold out til WWDC, just to see if SS might become available in July - August.

What if Apple waits for the 45 nm quad core cpus before debuting SS? There might not be a new Mac Pro til Dec. 2007.

You might be right. I'm gonna have to see some benchmarks to change my mind.

 

[portishead]

cost

Also, the cost per ghz is a lot lower with the 8 core.

2.0 Mac Pro = 8 ghz total = $2200 = $275/ghz
3.0 Mac Pro = 12ghz total = $3300 = $275/ghz
2.66 Mac Pro = 10.64ghz total = $2500 = $235/ghz
3.0 8 core = 24ghz total = $4000 = $167/ghz

I'm not sure that's the aboslute best way to look at it, because I still think the octo is a bit overkill in some areas, but that is exactly what I need.

 

[mustard]

The ULTIMATE buyers guide acording to Mustard

If you want, need, can justify, and afford - BUY

If you want, can justify, and afford BUY

If you need, can justify, and afford - BUY

If you want, need, and can afford - BUY

If you want, need, can justify, and can't afford - RE-EVALUATE / WAIT

If you want, can justify, and can't afford - RE-EVALUATE / WAIT

If you need, can justify, and can't afford - RE-EVALUATE / WAIT

Follow this logic and all will be well

 

[osx-linux]

Thought all day about the octa-core, really I did, almost clicked submit. Think I was hoping for something a little cheaper, probably would have pulled the trigger on an octa-core 2.66.

Instead I just bought the 2.66 Quad, paired it up with an additional 4 gigs of ram from owc. The Quad just seems a better value to me(would have been even sweeter with a price drop), and I cant wait till July for a new machine... so there ya go.

I'll stick with the Quad core, thanks

Perhaps sometime in the future I'll offload the quad-core and buy the next gen octa-core.

 

[digitalbiker]

You might be right. I'm gonna have to see some benchmarks to change my mind.

I'm still on the fence a bit myself. I need a new machine that I can count on to be technologically sound for the next 4 -5 years.

My main need is for virtualization. I need a machine that will run;

1) OS X for my main system of choice, software development, video, and fine art graphics.
2) Red Hat Linux Enterprise WS 4 for specialized scientific software that utilizes a lot of 3D rendered images of huge datasets and is only supported under RH.
3) Windows Vista for generalized software like Office, PeachTree Accounting, and staying compatible with some clients software.

I'm hoping this all comes together with Leopard and Octo system so that I can create various workspaces with each running a different OS under VMWare or Parallels.

The other option is Boot Camp and constant rebooting.

 

[Glenn Wolsey]

I'll keep waiting, not necessarily for an upgraded motherboard on an 8-core, but until Apple offers some more options such as better video cards, HD DVD & Blue-Ray Drive options, and possibly a 2.66Ghz version of the 8-Core system.

My cut off date for purchasing a Mac Pro is pretty flexible, I'm looking at August now.

 

[brooker]

I'm still on the fence a bit myself. I need a new machine that I can count on to be technologically sound for the next 4 -5 years.

My main need is for virtualization. I need a machine that will run;

1) OS X for my main system of choice, software development, video, and fine art graphics.
2) Red Hat Linux Enterprise WS 4 for specialized scientific software that utilizes a lot of 3D rendered images of huge datasets and is only supported under RH.
3) Windows Vista for generalized software like Office, PeachTree Accounting, and staying compatible with some clients software.

I'm hoping this all comes together with Leopard and Octo system so that I can create various workspaces with each running a different OS under VMWare or Parallels.

The other option is Boot Camp and constant rebooting.

Yes! Virtualization! that is where this puppy will shine, even without SS! I'm not gonna wait. If bench marks looks good, i'm in for 8 cores now.

I'm a web dev/server admin, and would love to have a bunch of different test environments and independant servers running. One Ocho would likely do the trick.

VMWare is in beta 2, and is coming right along. i think i trust that to be a little more stable than Parallels, and better able to handle the 8 cores.

I have no need to HD of any kind, and no need of a GPU beyond the base model.

Seriously, what could SS add to running a few virtualized servers where each OS is tied to it's own core?

 

[smirkingboy]

blessed be the early adapters

thou art brave souls. please post performance tests on the frankenmacs as soon as possible !!!

i feel like the sniper on the hill who passed up a quick shot and is waiting for the "enemy at the gates" "fountain courtyard" moment... (anyone?)

 

[Sun Baked]

Apple has put up with a stagnant MESI cache coherency implementation for years in the G4s.

Especially when they were teased with a MERSI-based G4 (original 7400) that handled 4 CPUs on the bus, and quickly had it down rated to dual-CPU MESI.

Having a company that is actually moving forward, improving the sizes of the cache rapidly and also improving its efficiency (especially with regard to cache coherency) must really be odd.

Especially when it'll be done in a single chipset generation.

The quad core works now, it'll work better in the next generation of chipset ... of course the workstation/server chipset after that will be even better.

 

[DrGruv1]

I don't think It's saying it's gotta be Tigerton. Is Tigerton really that close?

But I agree I was far too strident in my screams to wait. My apologies.

no issues with me - i was trying to make a joke - sometimes i'm not that funny

 

[spaz8]

I make a living doing 3d. And dabble with video and dvd authoring. I didn't have the cash handy for the MP's when they launched in August. I also wasn't wild about grabbing the 1st gen intel mac. This is for home use BTW, the studio has its own hardware I use.

I've had the cash now for months and was ready to throw down for the REV2 MP whatever it is, but this is not it. I plan to get about 4 yrs out of my next system just like the one I'm typing from now that was 5K+ back then. So buying a system thats already a year old before its in my hands dosen't seem smart.

The deal breaker for me is that this is 1 year old tech with a new processor working with questionable effecientcy. I need a current Graphics card, and the thought that a S-S board will support SLI or Crossfire is a very nice thought. I probably really want a REV2 Quad with Leopard installed, even though i could max out 8 cores pretty easily right now. Its painful at the moment since my hardware is really showing its age. If the REV2 MP's are all 8 cores, well i'll deal with that

 

[spaz8]

I do really hope that the 8-core offering is really a stop-gap to appease some studios temporarily.

And that the 8-core really is meant for Developers to test and write highly multi-threaded apps for Leopard on.

 

[Rocketman]

I do really hope that the 8-core offering is really a stop-gap to appease some studios temporarily.

And that the 8-core really is meant for Developers to test and write highly multi-threaded apps for Leopard on.

I agree with you and sun baked. MM was too tired to address the questions I carefully crafted, but the logic tree posted says it all.

The practical benefits to SS are more than 16 GB memory and PCIe 2.0. I get the impression MM's legion of (actually smart guy) waiters, despite the mental machinations since 11-06 and culminating in a mega-thread, 8 cores and displays in January, all would have been better off hacking an Octo in 11-06 and reselling it in September 07 for whatever gets released, probably a dieshrink Xeon Quad based 8-way or 16-way with SS chipset and wimax.

Rocketman

 

[Eidorian]

Well the deal is that the SS motherboard isn't shipping yet. So they decided they didn't have anything to lose by shipping FrankenMacs to begin with.

I'm rather disappointed that you perpetuate the "FrakenMac" name when there aren't any Stoakley-Seaburg options available. You can't always get what you want or predicted. What other options are there? I'll agree with the lack of newer graphical options.

 

[Multimedia]

Want, Can't Justify and Can Afford — Re-Evaluate / Wait

If you want, need, can justify, and afford - BUY

If you want, can justify, and afford BUY

If you need, can justify, and afford - BUY

If you want, need, and can afford - BUY

If you want, need, can justify, and can't afford - RE-EVALUATE / WAIT

If you want, can justify, and can't afford - RE-EVALUATE / WAIT

If you need, can justify, and can't afford - RE-EVALUATE / WAIT

Follow this logic and all will be well

You forgot one more permutation:

Want — Almost Need, But Can't Justify although Can Afford — Re-Evaluate / Wait

Although I want and can afford it, I can't justify dumping that much money into what is mostly last years tech. I'm resigned to continue living with my Quad G5 for another 4-6 months. When I pull the trigger, I want to be happy I know I am buying very recently engineered parts inside. There's also the bonus of knowing Leopard will have been bug tested and improved to probably 10.5.2 by then.

 

[Multimedia]

I'll Stop Calling Them Al Franken's Macs

I'm rather disappointed that you perpetuate the "FrakenMac" name when there aren't any Stoakley-Seaburg options available. You can't always get what you want or predicted. What other options are there? I'll agree with the lack of newer graphical options.

Sorry. I won't use that term any more.

 

[digitalbiker]

I'm resigned to continue living with my Quad G5 for another 4-6 months.

I'll believe it when I see it!

Apple will roll out the new improved set of FCS, Shake, CS3, performance demos under Leopard with Octo.

These performance tests demoed by SJ at NAB will be through the roof.

Apple will debut new SuperDuper drive with BR DVR and new media center software.

Finally they will add GPU upgrade options, BR options, etc to Mac Pro BTO.

BANG, That itchy trigger finger clicks the mouse for Add to Cart and complete transaction.

It's too late! You've fallen victum to SJ's reality distortion field and bought a new Mac Pro octo, even though it doen't contain SS.

But you have a big grin on your face as you open that new Mac Pro box for the first time.

 

[Peace]

I really,really,REALLY believe we will see Leopard at NAB.

What does this have to do with SS?

New Cinema Displays and the X600 Super Video Card.The one that is huge.I think it's around 11 in. long and has copper tubing on it for cooling.

Why the new Cinema Displays and Video card?

Leopard and FCS/FC Extreme

Leopard is going to include as a "secret feature" OS X multi-touch technology,Blue-Ray and new High Definition codecs.FCS/FC Extreme will utilize this High Definition Technology better under Leopard although it's not required.It will just run better.

What better way to show this off than on a new Mac Pro w/SS attached via the cross-fire video card to the new HDCinema Displays with multi-touch.

Where better to show this cool stuff than at a professional audio/video convention in Vegas.

 

[Multimedia]

CS3 Master Collection Doesn't Ship Until July

I'll believe it when I see it!

Apple will roll out the new improved set of FCS, Shake, CS3, performance demos under Leopard with Octo.

These performance tests demoed by SJ at NAB will be through the roof.

Apple will debut new SuperDuper drive with BR DVR and new media center software.

Finally they will add GPU upgrade options, BR options, etc to Mac Pro BTO.

BANG, That itchy trigger finger clicks the mouse for Add to Cart and complete transaction.

It's too late! You've fallen victum to SJ's reality distortion field and bought a new Mac Pro octo, even though it doen't contain SS.

But you have a big grin on your face as you open that new Mac Pro box for the first time.

I know what you mean. But considereing that the Adobe CS3 Master Collection doesn't even ship until July, that's 4 months right there. Add two for good measure and I might be able to restrain myself just long enough to stick to my guns. I don't know. I'm confused and confounded.

So you think Stoakley-Seaburg won't matter that much? I gotta be convinced that's true before I quit waiting. Not sure that'll happen. Am I just a coward? Somehow I just don't think this config is plunge worthy for me.

 

[AidenShaw]

MM - you'll probably be disappointed by SS

Multi-threaded applications should see more benefit from SS than multi-threaded workflows.

Cache snooping is more important for shared writable memory pages (like you get with a single multi-threaded app running across sockets) than for running multiple apps that aren't write-sharing pages.

How much faster will an SS have to be to make up for slogging along with your G5 for the months and months waiting for it?

Buy now.

 

[statikcat]

I think there will be pretty decent changes made to 8 and 4 core macs within the next few months. I am in the same boat MM waiting for a modern config/update but on the 4 cores instead.

 

[Multimedia]

What Is Multi-Touch?

I really,really,REALLY believe we will see Leopard at NAB.

What does this have to do with SS?

New Cinema Displays and the X600 Super Video Card.The one that is huge.I think it's around 11 in. long and has copper tubing on it for cooling.

Why the new Cinema Displays and Video card?

Leopard and FCS/FC Extreme

Leopard is going to include as a "secret feature" OS X multi-touch technology,Blue-Ray and new High Definition codecs.FCS/FC Extreme will utilize this High Definition Technology better under Leopard although it's not required.It will just run better.

What better way to show this off than on a new Mac Pro w/SS attached via the cross-fire video card to the new HDCinema Displays with multi-touch.

Where better to show this cool stuff than at a professional audio/video convention in Vegas.

So less than two weeks later we see SS already? Now I'm really confused. I'm not familiar with multi-touch. Links to explanation(s) please?

 

[osx-linux]

Multi-threaded applications should see more benefit from SS than multi-threaded workflows.

I gotta agree with AidenShaw on this one, hit the nail on the head.

 

[Peace]

So less than two weeks later we see SS already? Now I'm really confused. I'm not familiar with multi-touch. Links to explanation(s) please?

Multi-Touch

Correction here : I meant the R600 Graphics Card


I'm "speculating" Multimedia..

As far as less than 2 weeks we "see" SS..That's just it..We SEE it..
Leopard and the "other" MacPro wont ship till June.Even though Apple shows us the cool stuff April 15th.

We WILL see Leopard at NAB.