Apple to Use Newly Released Quad-Core Desktop Processors?

[MacRumors]

On Monday, Intel dropped prices on existing desktop Quad-Core processors and introduced three new power-efficient Quad-Core desktop processors:

Intel also introduced three power-efficient quad-core chips with the "s" moniker. The Core 2 Quad Q9550s processor includes 12MB of L2 cache, runs at 2.83GHz and draws 65 watts of power. The chips are priced at $369. The chip is power-efficient version of the Core 2 Quad Q9550 chip, which draws 95 watts of power.

Intel also introduced the Core 2 Quad Q9400s processor, which runs at 2.66GHz, and the Core 2 Quad Q8200s, which runs at 2.33GHz. This chips are priced at $320 and $245 respectively.

According to a report from November, Apple was said to be specifically waiting for these Quad-Core processors to launch new machines.

While the overdue iMac still seems the most likely target, such a move would break Apple's tradition of using mobile processors in their iMac line. Despite their "power efficient" designation, the new processors still use significantly more power then their mobile counterparts currently found in the iMac.

While there has been some speculation that Apple may have reworked the cooling module in the new iMac, there have been no evidence that this is actually true.



Article Link: Apple to Use Newly Released Quad-Core Deskop Processors?

 

[natebookpro]

Not sure I see it happening. Would be pretty cool if it did though!

 

[MattInOz]

Well the current iMac's do run quiet but hot. So if they can ramp up the cooling system as big enough to these puppies in that would be one fine machine.

 

[mangis]

Weren'we supposed ot have a 3.0 Mhz machine by like june of 2004?

 

[SimonTheSoundMa]

The old iMac G5's were power hungry desktop CPUs. New aluminium iMacs have far better cooling, so it should be fine for desktop processors.

 

[SimonTheSoundMa]

Weren'we supposed ot have a 3.0 Mhz machine by like june of 2004?

That came in the late 1980's / early 1990's.

I know you mean GHz. At the moment the aim is to reduce power consumption and heat through design, if they carried on ramping up the clock speed with te old Pentium 4, within 5 years time the processor would be as hot as the surface of the sun.

 

[talkingfuture]

I'd file this under plausible with the rumour of upgraded cooling in the new iMacs.

 

[SFStateStudent]

New iMacs would be pretty nice with these new quad-core processors...

 

[redAPPLE]

this might not be really on topic, but i just need to ask, because i am expecting to buy a new machine...

i would like to video edit with the iMac. is the last iMac good enough for Final Cut Pro?

maybe you guys could give a short answer to this. thanks.

 

[eXan]

Increased power requirements make iMacs with these Q cores hard to believe ... But if new cooling system won't make iMacs louder, I would seriously consider a new iMac.

 

[zedsdead]

this might not be really on topic, but i just need to ask, because i am expecting to buy a new machine...

i would like to video edit with the iMac. is the last iMac good enough for Final Cut Pro?

maybe you guys could give a short answer to this. thanks.

More than good enough to run Final Cut Pro. If you plan to do heavy transcoding, you are going to want either a Mac Pro, or wait and see if Apple puts a Quad-Core processor in the next release.

 

[arn]

I'd file this under plausible with the rumour of upgraded cooling in the new iMacs.

that's the thing. the "upgraded cooling" system rumor was plucked out of thin air. It shouldn't even be considered a rumor. someone misread the original report.

The original report (from digitimes) never said there was a new cooling system. Just that some company was making the iMac's cooling system. which may have simply been the existing one.

arn

 

[Theophany]

if they carried on ramping up the clock speed with te old Pentium 4, within 5 years time the processor would be as hot as the surface of the sun.

It already was by the time they discontinued those el crappo chips

 

[madrag]

why the iMac? this is definetly a processor for the MacPro, isn't it?
is there another excuse not to launch a new MP?

 

[arn]

why the iMac? this is definetly a processor for the MacPro, isn't it?
is there another excuse not to launch a new MP?

well, the Mac Pros traditionally use server class processors, not desktop-class. It's possible I suppose, but I'm not sure if these processors are much better than what's currently shipping in the Mac Pros.

arn

 

[SirOmega]

I still think this is unlikely. It would be a lot of heat in that small chassis. Apple is far more likely to use the Q9000 - a 45W QC CPU.

 

[talkingfuture]

that's the thing. the "upgraded cooling" system rumor was plucked out of thin air. It shouldn't even be considered a rumor. someone misread the original report.

The original report (from digitimes) never said there was a new cooling system. Just that some company was making the iMac's cooling system. which may have simply been the existing one.

arn

I'd file this under plausible with the rumour of upgraded cooling in the new iMacs.

Ah, I didn't realize that. Probably less plausible then.

 

[JGeorge07]

First, the rumored cooling system would need to be valid. Then if that's valid, this rumor could plausibly come to fruition.

It just seems like speculation built on top of speculation to me.

Why is this necessary anyway? Intel already makes Quad core mobile processors, so isn't it much more likely that some version of that processor will be the one eventually finding itself into the mainstream Apple lineup?

 

[Michael CM1]

Weren'we supposed ot have a 3.0 Mhz machine by like june of 2004?

That 3 GHz number is just a number. It means nothing but clock speed.

A quad-core 2.3 Ghz CPU will run much faster than a 2.3 Ghz dual-core. It won't be twice as fast, especially without the right OS, but you're gaining a lot of speed without having to jack up the clock speed.

 

[madrag]

well, the Mac Pros traditionally use server class processors, not desktop-class. It's possible I suppose, but I'm not sure if these processors are much better than what's currently shipping in the Mac Pros.

arn

ok, sorry for my ignorance

even so, the heat problem led me to think of this as a possible candidate for the MP. Is this possible?

 

[gazonk]

It would be cool if

Apple used these processor for a "Mac midi". Where I work, we've started to exchange Windows PCs for macs, but most users don't want the glossy screens, besides, we have lots of good, large screens that we could reuse if Apple only had a sensible screen-less model. The current mac mini is an underspecified joke of a computer, and the Mac Pro is total overkill for the intended office use.

 

[Tallest Skil]

ok, sorry for my ignorance

even so, the heat problem led me to think of this as a possible candidate for the MP. Is this possible?

NO!

Read this: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/635530/

To know why these worthless things won't be in the Mac Pro.

 

[billystlyes]

but most users don't want the glossy screens

I hate them in the worst way, especially in an office environment. Apple really needs to do something with the Mac mini or come out with an affordable tower…otherwise they are dead to me. To be honest, Windows 7 is looking pretty sweet anyways. Plus...you have tons of hardware options going that route.

 

[alexbates]

why the iMac? this is definetly a processor for the MacPro, isn't it?
is there another excuse not to launch a new MP?

I think this new quad-core processor will only be in the next update of the Mac Pro. Apple needs to stick with the Core 2 Duo for the iMac.

 

[Tallest Skil]

I think this new quad-core processor will only be in the next update of the Mac Pro. Apple needs to stick with the Core 2 Duo for the iMac.

It won't, sorry.

(be in the Mac Pro)