Sorry for my last post - I tried to insert a picture and the linking bombed...it would show how both data paths get to the CPU in different ways... one directly linked to the CPU and the other running through the ICH10 interface.
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Audio Decoding KILLS MacPro (2009) green factor
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Bill,
Can you tell me more about this sound card? Are there any advantages other than the temp issue (better sound?)? Also how did you connect your speakers? Do they have a stereo out jack or only rca?
Thanks..
It's really a low-end professional sound card that takes up to 4 inputs via two large old-school jacks (thick RCA type? - the manual calls them "Stereo Analog Inputs"). It also has two output jacks of the same type. Then there is a MIDI interface and extension cord. My family is asleep, so I can't crank the sound and see if I notice a difference in quality.
So I found an adapter for the regular output jack and then plugged in my Bose 2.1 speakers. It took 5 minutes to put the card in, install the drivers, and reboot. The only remaining task is picking the output device in preferences. Pretty simple.
I will have to wait on the quality check though -
-bill
Here's ESI's Maya 44e page for tecnical information. Hopefully it will tell you what you want to know about ports,... at least.
Here's ESI's Maya 44e page for tecnical information. Hopefully it will tell you what you want to know about ports,... at least.
Sorry for my ignorance, but I still can't figure out what the analog output for this card is? It talks about S/PDIF digital outputs, but I'm still confused how I would connect my analog (stereo connector) speakers to this thing..
If you currently use a mini-RCA type, you would just need an adapter to convert to the larger size connector.
Here is a link to a picture: http://www.cabletrain.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/3/_/3.5mm_jack_to_1_4_in_plug.jpg
The 4x round ports are 1/4" Stereo TSR jacks, the square is the optical port (S/PDIF), and the flush round is for the breakout cable they've a picture of (lower right corner on ESI's page).
EDIT:
Goofed on the 1/4" connector.
Ahhh... Ok. Thanks for clearing that up...
My understanding is, those are 1/4" Stereo inputs, not RCA... I could be wrong though..
No, you're right--the Maya analog inputs/outputs are definitely not RCA. RCA plugs look like this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RCA_plug
I can't quite tell from the photo but it looks like the coax S/PDIF i/o *is* using an RCA plug (which is pretty common IIRC).
They're TSR's, not RCA.
Fixed it in the previous post (with a link).S/PDIF can use either optical (TOSLINK) or coax (RCA).
So have people given up getting a response from apple.
Is it unlikely they fix the problem and just make sure the 2010 mac pro doesn't have this issue.
People go on about how bad windows is, but i found Microsoft and most associated companies far more pro active in solving problems like this. Anyway I guess that's another story.
Is it unlikely they fix the problem and just make sure the 2010 mac pro doesn't have this issue.
People go on about how bad windows is, but i found Microsoft and most associated companies far more pro active in solving problems like this. Anyway I guess that's another story.
I couldn't agree more.. And what also surprises me is what Apple customers will put up with. These machines are clearly dysfunctional with this glitch, and people still debate whether this is even an issue or not. The real reason why this may never get fixed is the lack of action from 99% of the customers...
I personally will not stop until I have a fix from Apple, or a refund from Apple..
After having thought about this issue over night, I am prepared to stick my neck out and state that I believe the issue to be the current implementation of the Intel ICH10 drivers for MacOS.
If my "hunch" is correct, the '10 models will have the same issue, since the hardware is changing somewhat but not nessesarily the OS or the drivers. I have read no material anywhere that indicates the switch to 6 cores will bring a new ICH11 hub - I believe it will use the X58 architecture.
I am certainly open to anyone refuting this, since it's conjecture. But thought I would put this out there...
-bill
If my "hunch" is correct, the '10 models will have the same issue, since the hardware is changing somewhat but not nessesarily the OS or the drivers. I have read no material anywhere that indicates the switch to 6 cores will bring a new ICH11 hub - I believe it will use the X58 architecture.
I am certainly open to anyone refuting this, since it's conjecture. But thought I would put this out there...
-bill
It appears that way. We need either new drivers or a recompile of OS X, which would fix it not only for the current systems, but the 2010 models as well (see below).
The Gulftown's (and Xeon family) will use the same chipsets and ICH10R as the current systems. If Apple would release a firmware update (CPU microcode), the current boards would be able to work with the new chips.
I believe this was submitted to other sites as well - possibly Ars and Anand - you would have to look in this thread. All those who have responded have stated that it would have to wait until after CES concluded...
Agreed. If it were just the CPU temperatures, I could "maybe" understand it but the performance impact of 5-20% just by playing an mp3 or plugging in a firewire audio box is unacceptable. I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say it will hurt Apple's credibility in the audio world if they don't fix this. Word hasn't really gotten out yet but it will eventually.
My personal opinion is that we'll get more traction by focusing attention on the performance drop rather than the increase in CPU temperatures. While both are real problems, the performance drop is more important to most people and there's no way that Apple can say the performance drop is "within acceptable limits". CPU temperatures don't mean much to the average user but everyone understands performance.
I have pretty much given up on any of the Apple enthusiast type sites (ie. Macworld, Mac Life, etc.) as they are too scared to post anything negative about Apple. I stopped reading them a long time ago for this reason. As for the other sites, I would not hold your breath. For somebody that is not directly affected by this situation, it's not a very news worthy story.
Apple will fix this if they have a reason too. Everyone should pick up the phone, and demand a refund for these flawed systems. That might get their attention..
If it's not fixed by the time the 2010 models ship, then the additional systems may help to draw enough attention to the problem, and Apple finally address it.
It's even possible that it's been fixed in the 10.6.3 seed that's out (trying to fix it before the 2010 units ship to reduce the potential of bad press), but I'm not aware of anyone testing it to find out for sure.
you could try some of the music production mags, like future music or computer music(these are uk based but have a big user base and may have us equivalents) as it's a audio problem these might pay more of an interest.
http://www.futuremusic.co.uk/
http://www.computermusic.co.uk/
No. Plugging it in will have the same affect as playing audio. In other words, until you unplug it, expect a system that is 20% slower, hot, and sucking 50w of extra power..