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'2010 Mac Pro: Speculation and whisperings, it's gonna be magical'

the editor said:
ok, so...do we get less processor power than 6 cores for the price of an 8-core machine today?
Click to expand...
Looking at the parts produced by Intel, there's only one SP hex part (W3680), and only a few DP hex core parts. The rest of the DP line are Quad core (Octad systems).

Theoretically, Apple could offer every single processor as a hex core, but the pricing would be too high IMO, so there's likely to only be a high-end DP system that's a Dodeca core system (and it's going to be pricey). The rest will be Quads (SP systems) and Octads (DP systems) to keep in the existing price ranges.

The nice thing is, we should see some increases in clock speeds assuming they aren't all using hex core parts. :)

See below (I know there's no pricing on this one, but you can find them if you search). ;)
 

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xgman said:
Not even close.
Click to expand...

I disagree. The price of the quads when they were put in the 09 MP is the same as the hexas that will go into the 2010 MP. And since Apple hasn't lowered the price on the quads even tho the CPU prices have gone down, there is a good chance that they will stay the same.
 
You know, if the update is a slight speed bump, then i may as well order a 09 2.93/4/4870/2x1tb+80gbssd, as the price will most likely jump too, as in the MBP refresh.. My work wont be affected by 2 more cores, so i don't see the point in believing that a new machine will be worth the extra cost. Apple don't really do better value, do they?
 
the editor said:
ok, so...do we get less processor power than 6 cores for the price of an 8-core machine today?
Click to expand...

If Apple keep the line similar to how it is now, but just provide updates in technology, like they did with the 2008 models compared to the 2006, then you could expect the following:

4x 2.80GHz - $2,499
4x 3.20GHz - $2,899
6x 3.33GHz - $3,699

8x 2.40GHz - $3,299
12x2.66GHz - $4,699
12x2.93GHz - $5,899

As the Euro vs. the Dollar is the same as it was back then you could expect prices to be the same in Europe too. So yes you should be able to get a 2 core for the same price as an 8 core, but only the upgraded ones.
 
Umbongo said:
If Apple keep the line similar to how it is now, but just provide updates in technology, like they did with the 2008 models compared to the 2006, then you could expect the following:

4x 2.80GHz - $2,499
4x 3.20GHz - $2,899
6x 3.33GHz - $3,699

8x 2.40GHz - $3,299
12x2.66GHz - $4,699
12x2.93GHz - $5,899

As the Euro vs. the Dollar is the same as it was back then you could expect prices to be the same in Europe too. So yes you should be able to get a 2 core for the same price as an 8 core, but only the upgraded ones.
Click to expand...
I'm hoping this will be the case. It could at least add some value back to the line. ;)
 
nanofrog said:
I'm hoping this will be the case. It could at least add some value back to the line. ;)
Click to expand...

Yea, it's looking good I must say. Everytime you guys start tossing around pricing, the anticipation in these threads seem to increase too. Tuesday couldn't come any sooner! Whatever Tuesday that may be of course.
 
VirtualRain said:
LOL... but then there will be countless threads started like:

"Is the 2010 Mac Pro worth it?"
"2010 Mac Pro overpriced"
"2010 Mac Pro vs. 2009 Refurb"
"Should I get 4, 6, 8, or 12 cores?"
"Is Apple still committed to the Pro Market"
"When is the next Mac Pro refresh"

:D
Click to expand...

VirtuaRain,

I love you man, you're the best!
Thanks for that post for all the "oh great another thread" folk.
 
Umbongo said:
If Apple keep the line similar to how it is now, but just provide updates in technology, like they did with the 2008 models compared to the 2006, then you could expect the following:

4x 2.80GHz - $2,499
4x 3.20GHz - $2,899
6x 3.33GHz - $3,699

8x 2.40GHz - $3,299
12x2.66GHz - $4,699
12x2.93GHz - $5,899

As the Euro vs. the Dollar is the same as it was back then you could expect prices to be the same in Europe too. So yes you should be able to get a 2 core for the same price as an 8 core, but only the upgraded ones.
Click to expand...

If this would be the case, what would actually be the best system to pick out of these two:

6x 3.33GHz - $3,699 or 8x 2.40GHz - $3,299
 
My magical speculations:

Quad core
2.8 - $2299
3.33 - $3499

6 core
2.66 - $2999
2.93 - $3199

8 core
2.53 - $3399
3.06 - $4699

12 core
2.66 - $4499
2.93 - $5299
 
As other's have pointed out, there is only one SP 6-core part and it's clocked at 3.33GHz. I'm guessing it's price will be around $3500 but it could be a few hundred either side of that.

I also see Apple charging a steep premium on the 12 cores - reserving them for the money is no object crowd.

I could see pricing like this... (very similar to Umbongo)

$2400 > Entry Quad
$2900 > High-end Quad
$3300 > Entry Octo
$3500 > High-end Hex
$4500 > Mid Octo
$5500 > High-end Octo
$6000 > Dodeca
 
Umbongo said:
Xeon pricing doesn't tend to change during the life of the product. Only the Xeon 5300 series has received a price drop in the last 5 years that I remember. So yes they were $373 when they were announced. Also there would be no reason to use the E5645, when the X5650 is the same price.
Click to expand...
Then I expect Mac Pro pricing to jump quite a bit!
 
hey everyone im new here, and actually still a PC user at the moment but have been saving up to buy my first Mac Pro (at the Academy of Art i worked with mac for 4 years so i'm familiar with MAc). I'm hoping you guys could maybe help me answer my question:

Since i was planning on buying the MP in March, Ive been confronted with the dilemma of waiting for the updated version or just go for the current entry level 8-core configuration. I'm really not that familiar with hardware specs..etc but i understand that the current config is a bit overpriced so It seemed like the smartest thing to do was just wait for the update.

The plan is to use the MP for Graphic purposes (illustrator, photoshop, indesign, and digital painting/drawing) In the future i'm also planning on doing some video editing (purely out of interest, not at a prof. level, and it would be cool if i could edit my music (synthesizers, drumcomputer) with the Mac Pro

Now the question is what would be the best and most bang for my buck, ofcourse its still a bit of guessing on how the setups of the new machines will look like but going from what "VirtualRain" guessed

$2400 > Entry Quad
$2900 > High-end Quad
$3300 > Entry Octo
$3500 > High-end Hex
$4500 > Mid Octo
$5500 > High-end Octo
$6000 > Dodeca

And since i was planning on buying the 8-core anyway...should i just go for the updated 8-core or is the High-end-hex 6 core actually going to be better performance/faster?. could you maybe try and explain as simple as possible why to choose one over the other:eek:

Budget is going to be around 3500$

Sorry for the long question but since its going to be my first Mac and took me ages to save up for this I'd hate to make decisions i might regret later.

thnx anyone for their time
 
harlem said:
hey everyone im new here, and actually still a PC user at the moment but have been saving up to buy my first Mac Pro (at the Academy of Art i worked with mac for 4 years so i'm familiar with MAc). I'm hoping you guys could maybe help me answer my question:

Since i was planning on buying the MP in March, Ive been confronted with the dilemma of waiting for the updated version or just go for the current entry level 8-core configuration. I'm really not that familiar with hardware specs..etc but i understand that the current config is a bit overpriced so It seemed like the smartest thing to do was just wait for the update.

The plan is to use the MP for Graphic purposes (illustrator, photoshop, indesign, and digital painting/drawing) In the future i'm also planning on doing some video editing (purely out of interest, not at a prof. level, and it would be cool if i could edit my music (synthesizers, drumcomputer) with the Mac Pro

Now the question is what would be the best and most bang for my buck, ofcourse its still a bit of guessing on how the setups of the new machines will look like but going from what "VirtualRain" guessed

$2400 > Entry Quad
$2900 > High-end Quad
$3300 > Entry Octo
$3500 > High-end Hex
$4500 > Mid Octo
$5500 > High-end Octo
$6000 > Dodeca

And since i was planning on buying the 8-core anyway...should i just go for the updated 8-core or is the High-end-hex 6 core actually going to be better performance/faster?. could you maybe try and explain as simple as possible why to choose one over the other:eek:

Budget is going to be around 3500$

Sorry for the long question but since its going to be my first Mac and took me ages to save up for this I'd hate to make decisions i might regret later.

thnx anyone for their time
Click to expand...
Given the software usage listed, you'd be better off with either a Quad or Hex (SP) system (with as high a clock that can be had once upgrades have been taken into account).

Use adequate upgrades to address system bottlenecks, such as sufficient RAM, graphics card, and disk throughput. Get these upgrades 3rd party.

So unless that 3500 is system only (upgrade funds not included in your figure), work backwards (figure out the upgrade path, and subtract it from the actual budget figure, then that amount is your system price limit).

Unfortunately, that's not so easy right now, as we don't know what the newer graphics cards will actually cost just yet (nothing publicly released). But you can price out RAM and HDD's.
 
I hope it has a top mount toaster with a side mount Orange soda dispensor. Naked lady mud flaps, racing strips, dual exhaust, A CB radio, A micromave, Mini refridge, A trend mill, a Rotary Telephone am I forgeting anything?
 
Umbongo said:
The 6x 3.33GHz is going to be a better choice for most people if that is the case.
Click to expand...

For a budget of $3,699 in most cases :

$3,299 + $400 of speedy disk > $3,699 with a single disk

where speedy disk is one of :

i. 80GB (or around that size ) SSD for OS/App + another disk for RAID workspace + more RAM for caching.


ii. greater than 3 drive RAID set up + more RAM

iii. 128 GB SSD


Unless not working on larger files , a large fraction of the increased CPU cycles will be spent on no-ops for normal, mainstream workloads unless alievate the I/O bottleneck. Could also back off to midrange QUAD and throw even more money at I/O if really don't think can use additional cores.

If have 'extra' , idle cores you can throw workload (e.g., software RAID , backup, etc ) at the extra ones with minor impact on getting your main work done.


Buying more than just megahertz. For one, the $3,299 system will likely come with twice as much memory (and twice the max memory bandwidth and if workload balanced right twice as much L3 cache ) as the $3,699 one. That is typically a difference maker when doing real work as oppose to microbenchmarks. Need to evaluate the whole system get for the money paid, not just the microprocessor by itself.
 
harlem said:
hey everyone im new here, and actually still a PC user at the moment but have been saving up to buy my first Mac Pro (at the Academy of Art i worked with mac for 4 years so i'm familiar with MAc). I'm hoping you guys could maybe help me answer my question:

Since i was planning on buying the MP in March, Ive been confronted with the dilemma of waiting for the updated version or just go for the current entry level 8-core configuration. I'm really not that familiar with hardware specs..etc but i understand that the current config is a bit overpriced so It seemed like the smartest thing to do was just wait for the update.

The plan is to use the MP for Graphic purposes (illustrator, photoshop, indesign, and digital painting/drawing) In the future i'm also planning on doing some video editing (purely out of interest, not at a prof. level, and it would be cool if i could edit my music (synthesizers, drumcomputer) with the Mac Pro

Now the question is what would be the best and most bang for my buck, ofcourse its still a bit of guessing on how the setups of the new machines will look like but going from what "VirtualRain" guessed

$2400 > Entry Quad
$2900 > High-end Quad
$3300 > Entry Octo
$3500 > High-end Hex
$4500 > Mid Octo
$5500 > High-end Octo
$6000 > Dodeca

And since i was planning on buying the 8-core anyway...should i just go for the updated 8-core or is the High-end-hex 6 core actually going to be better performance/faster?. could you maybe try and explain as simple as possible why to choose one over the other:eek:

Budget is going to be around 3500$

Sorry for the long question but since its going to be my first Mac and took me ages to save up for this I'd hate to make decisions i might regret later.

thnx anyone for their time
Click to expand...

I completely disagree with his prices. The price for the quad core CPU when it was first put in the MP is the same price as the current hexa cores. My guess is that there will be a good chance of them swapping out a quad for a hexa and dual quads for dual hexas at the same or close to the same price. No matter what you should wait til the next update. If you don't like what you see then buy refurb.
 
Talking about pricing is boring. Get we get back to arguing about the inclusion of USB 3.0, Lightpeak and Blu Ray? :D
 
My most burning question is 'when?'.

I know this is finger in the air stuff but are there any measures at all that we can use to predict when new Mac Pro will be out. Dwindling stock at retail maybe?

I've seen an unusually large number of deals on Mac Pro's recently just do a search on Twitter to see what I mean.
 
Blu-Ray

JesterJJZ said:
Talking about pricing is boring. Get we get back to arguing about the inclusion of USB 3.0, Lightpeak and Blu Ray? :D
Click to expand...

Sadly Mr. Jobs does not seem to understand Blu-Ray. The format has been relatively stable for over 12 months now. The cheapest HP's and Acer's have Blu-Ray. From my POV, the ability to write huge amounts of data (108 MB TIFF's) onto a readily postable disc, would make life much easier. I really don't want yet another external device hanging off my machine. I have been waiting to replace our wonderfully reliable Dual G5 PowerMac server until a MacPro with built in Blu-Ray comes out.

Wilson
 
wilsonlaidlaw said:
Sadly Mr. Jobs does not seem to understand Blu-Ray. The format has been relatively stable for over 12 months now. The cheapest HP's and Acer's have Blu-Ray. From my POV, the ability to write huge amounts of data (108 MB TIFF's) onto a readily postable disc, would make life much easier. I really don't want yet another external device hanging off my machine. I have been waiting to replace our wonderfully reliable Dual G5 PowerMac server until a MacPro with built in Blu-Ray comes out.

Wilson
Click to expand...

OWC sells Blu-Ray kits for the Mac Pro. Won't Toast burn to Blu-Ray? And won't VLC play Blu-Ray discs? They might have to be 'unprotected' non-DRM Blu-Ray ones though. One could use Windows in boot camp or a VM to get the content off the Blu-Ray disk.

It would be great to see Apple support Blu-Ray but the odds of that happening seem pretty low.
 
ValSalva said:
OWC sells Blu-Ray kits for the Mac Pro. Won't Toast burn to Blu-Ray? And won't VLC play Blu-Ray discs? They might have to be 'unprotected' non-DRM Blu-Ray ones though. One could use Windows in boot camp or a VM to get the content off the Blu-Ray disk.

It would be great to see Apple support Blu-Ray but the odds of that happening seem pretty low.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the thought but sticking non-mac bits in our PowerMac, has in the past not met with a lot of success in some cases e.g SCSI card, bluetooth card. Burning discs is a funny business, sometimes it seems so straightforward and the next time you have a total nightmare. My iMac burns DVD's a treat and of course, that is all Apple components. I would therefore just rather wait until Mr. Jobs wakes up and smells the coffee.

Our PowerMac server marches on, having now been running 24/7/365 for 5 years, pretty much non-stop apart, from me replacing the hard discs every 2 years as a precaution. By far the most reliable computer I have had in 50 years - I started at university, making beer money, punching Fortran input cards for English Electric 2000 and IBM 709 tube computers, the size of a small house.

Wilson
 
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