Harpertown a drop-in replacement for Wolfdale?

[netdog]

Wondering if a pair of Wolfdales would be user-upgradeable to Harpertowns. Anybody know if this would work?

 

[Eidorian]

No

 

[netdog]

So if Apple wanted to put out quad-core and octo-core MP's when they launch Penryn, it will require two different motherboards?

 

[Eidorian]

So if Apple wanted to put out quad-core and octo-core MP's when they launch Penryn, it will require two different motherboards?

No

 

[netdog]

If the motherboard and sockets are the same, and the chipset the same, then why couldn't one drop in 1333 Harpertowns into 1333 Wolfdale sockets?

 

[Eidorian]

If the motherboard and sockets are the same, and the chipset the same, then why couldn't one drop in 1333 Harpertowns into 1333 Wolfdale sockets?

The Xeon LGA771 Harpertown would be the quad core upgrade path for the Xeon LGA771 Wolfdale-DP dual core on a dual socket motherboard.

Wolfdale being used for desktop LGA775 and Xeon LGA771 is a little vague.

 

[timestamp]

Considering the speeds of the Wolfdales, I don't find it likely that Apple will use one.

Also, they both seem to use 771, so I don't see why (if they did release a Wolfdale Mac Pro) you couldn't drop in Harpertowns.

 

[netdog]

I just find it hard to believe that Apple is going to give all us Mac Pro buyers 8-cores in a couple of weeks.

 

[Eidorian]

I just find it hard to believe that Apple is going to give all us Mac Pro buyers 8-cores in a couple of weeks.

It's not like a Harpertown processor is significantly more expensive when the Wolfdale-DP.

 

[timestamp]

I just find it hard to believe that Apple is going to give all us Mac Pro buyers 8-cores in a couple of weeks.

Why?

 

[netdog]

I am not sure that speed differences across the Mac Pro line are going to justify the $4K base they will want to collect for the top machine.

 

[timestamp]

I am not sure that speed differences across the Mac Pro line are going to justify the $4K base they will want to collect for the top machine.

I am not following you. Can you be a little more clear?

 

[Eidorian]

I am not sure that speed differences across the Mac Pro line are going to justify the $4K base they will want to collect for the top machine.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...Harpertown.22_.28standard-voltage.2C_45_nm.29

 

[zdobson]

I am not sure that speed differences across the Mac Pro line are going to justify the $4K base they will want to collect for the top machine.

Well, the price difference between the current 2.66 woodcrest ($690) and the 3.0 clovertown ($1172) is the same as the difference between a 2.83 ($690) and a 3.16 harpertown ($1172), so it seems reasonable to expect those machines to have the same prices a current models. Not to mention the 3.2 harpertown is $1279. While the only difference between the 2.83 and 3.16 is speed and power consumption, if they used the 3.2 as the top you'd get the extra frontside bus.

I understand what you're saying, though. Currently you're paying $1500 to go from a quad to an octo machine. Will people pay an extra $1500 for only a speed bump? I wouldn't, but some people like to buy the fastest available no matter what. And I bet if they put the 3.2 in the top model, there will be plenty of people wanting that extra FSB.