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Base Mac Pro w/ Intel Core i5?

Q

Quad 2.5 G5 =)

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Today, Intel introduced the first Core i5 processor that is on the LGA 1156 processor socket. This processor has hyperthreading disabled, and runs at 2.66 GHz with 4 cores.
Will :apple: possibly use this processor as a base configuration in the MP, or possibly a high end configuration in the iMac?
 
Quad 2.5 G5 =) said:
Will :apple: possibly use this processor as a base configuration in the MP, or possibly a high end configuration in the iMac?
Click to expand...

Replacing the XEON i7 with a stock i5 without HT? Won't happen.

The Core2Duo processors the iMac uses, have 35W TDP, the i5 has 82W. I don't think that the iMacs can handle that.
 
xeon and i7 are different cpus... I think Apple will always rely on workstation processors for their Mac Pros and Xserve products. I just don't see that ever changing unless intel drops xeon from their roadmap (never going to happen).
 
Both the i7 and the Nehalem Xeon are based on the same technology.

The XEON UP models are besides from the ECC support pretty much identical.
The XEON MP added support for multiple units, but nevertheless it's the same core.

That's why I personally would not say that they are 'different cpus'.
 
Transporteur said:
The XEON UP models are besides from the ECC support pretty much identical.
The XEON MP added support for multiple units, but nevertheless it's the same core.

That's why I personally would not say that they are 'different cpus'.
Click to expand...

Yeah, those aren't the only differences...
 
Quad 2.5 G5 =) said:
Today, Intel introduced the first Core i5 processor that is on the LGA 1156 processor socket. This processor has hyperthreading disabled, and runs at 2.66 GHz with 4 cores.
Will :apple: possibly use this processor as a base configuration in the MP, or possibly a high end configuration in the iMac?
Click to expand...

No HyperThreading or the 3rd memory channel? I don't think Apple would downgrade like that.
 
Core i5 = LGA1156
Core i7 = LGA1366

So they're not physically compatible, though they're both based on the same architecture.
 
Well, wasn't LGA 1156 supposed to deliver hexa-core processors? Maybe they're just not out yet....

Still, on The Egg, of the three 1156 CPUs, all three are Lynnfield but only one is labeled as "i5". What happens to make this processor different from its "i7" cousins that inhabit the same socket? Is it just marketing?
 
milk242 said:
xeon and i7 are different cpus...
Click to expand...

Transporteur said:
No they are not.
Click to expand...

capitanbuzo said:
Oh yes they are.
Click to expand...
Transporteur said:
I personally would not say that they are 'different cpus'.
Click to expand...

capitanbuzo said:
But they are.
Click to expand...

lol...best thread ever

btw...the 'i7' and Xeons in the Mac Pro are both subsets of the family of 'Nehalem' processors

so while not identical, they're damn similar
 
i7 and Xeon are just branding. Current gen lower end Xeon processor are identical to i7 just named differently.
 
Dr.Pants said:
Well, wasn't LGA 1156 supposed to deliver hexa-core processors? Maybe they're just not out yet....

Still, on The Egg, of the three 1156 CPUs, all three are Lynnfield but only one is labeled as "i5". What happens to make this processor different from its "i7" cousins that inhabit the same socket? Is it just marketing?
Click to expand...

In addition to lower speeds Core i5 does not have the hyperthreading or VT-d enabled.
 
lixuelai said:
i7 and Xeon are just branding. Current gen lower end Xeon processor are identical to i7 just named differently.
Click to expand...

I was given to understand that Xeon had support for ECC memory (among other things) and non-Xeons did not, making it more than just naming.
 
TheStrudel said:
I was given to understand that Xeon had support for ECC memory (among other things) and non-Xeons did not, making it more than just naming.
Click to expand...

IIRC, i7's support ECC in hardware, it's just turned off since it's more of a hindrance than a benefit in a gaming machine.
 
J the Ninja said:
IIRC, i7's support ECC in hardware, it's just turned off since it's more of a hindrance than a benefit in a gaming machine.
Click to expand...

Also, I do remember that the i5 is basically a i7 without HT (and a bunch of different things). The i7 is basically a Xeon (with features added and removed),
which makes the Core i5 a distant relative of the Xeon.
 
Quad 2.5 G5 =) said:
Also, I do remember that the i5 is basically a i7 without HT (and a bunch of different things). The i7 is basically a Xeon (with features added and removed),
which makes the Core i5 a distant relative of the Xeon.
Click to expand...
i5-750:
LGA1156
Turbo Boost = Yes
Hyper Threading = No
Vt-d (virtualization support) = No
Memory = DDR3 Dual Channel
ECC = No
Bus Communication = DMI, not QPI
TDP = 95W

Source.
 
nanofrog said:
i5-750:
LGA1156
Turbo Boost = Yes
Hyper Threading = No
Vt-d (virtualization support) = No
Memory = DDR3 Dual Channel
ECC = No
Bus Communication = DMI, not QPI
TDP = 95W

Source.
Click to expand...

That much removed/changed? More than I thought... the VT is actually a "yes" as it has a checkmark on it.
 
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