Intel Provides early 'Montevina'-Like Technology to iMac

[ReanimationLP]

The "Extreme" tag is for Intel's high performance, enthusiast processors with high stock clock speeds and unlocked multipliers for easy overclocking. The processors can be overclocked by increasing the clock speed multiplier in addition to the front side bus.

Keep in mind the majority of Extreme processors are over US$1,000.

Yeah, they are insanely expensive.

I dont personally think Apple is paying close to 1,000 for the 3.06 GHz processor though.

Its' probably a chip that Intel custom designed for Apple with a faster clock multiplier.

Either that or they just figured hey, these Core2s overclock nicely, and fiddled with the bus speeds. :3

 

[DaBrain]

I wonder what's around the corner *wink wink*

Looks like 10.5.3 is not too far off. Perhaps they will update the mini soon also. It's needed. I think this was a great update and if my original intel iMac wasn't working so great I'd buy! Congrats to those buying now! Your going to get a great computer! WTG Apple!

 

[commander.data]

Is the 512MB 8800GS exclusive to Apple or are there any PC 8800GS with 512MB?

Well the 512MB 8800 GS is actually a Go 8800M GTS, which can be found in PC laptops. Placing the Go 8800M GTS into a desktop to create the 8800 GS is a Apple only feature.

Besides, a true desktop GPU would be faster and cheaper. Apple just doesn't do it due to heat issues.

 

[twoodcc]

very interesting. looks like Apple gets special attention from Intel again. glad to see that.

i would advise people to "buy now" as well

 

[jimmc]

No 20" VESA Mounts

I own several internet cafes with over 110 G5 iMacs. All installed on VESA-compliant wall mounts.

Once again, the 20" Aluminum's have been released without VESA mounts available, unlike the 24" (which are too large for internet cafe use).

This is an abhorrent situation - a unit designed to be an "all in one" that can't go on a VESA mount?

A Google will show that this has been a consistent complaint by iMac users (especially commercial users), and Apple continues to not address this shortcoming. Where is the quality engineering and customer-centric design policy we're always told about?

WE WANT OUR VESA MOUNTS!

 

[Rocketman]

Let's be literal here. Apple gets a "special" Santa Rosa high FSB chip set with a processor INTEL forced them to side grade to since they are shutting down production on the prior C2D technology. The timing? Tax Rebate Day 2008.

This is a stopgap computer. BUT it is also an "insanely great" computer given when it is released and what is available at that moment. Even 10.5.3 was rushed to update.

This is a BUY.

It is also evidence the next generation is going to be a total update to a LARGE degree. Across all product lines.

Rocketman

 

[jaredrou]

I just got the new 3.06 GHz one tonight from the 5th avenue store. It rocks! The first thing I noticed about the new one when I got it home is that the colors are a lot better and the colors don't change when you look at it from different viewing angles unlike the prior generation. I think this is a great buy.

 

[mhnajjar]

The jump from 2.4" to 24" is huge!

Yeah, I could not see anything on that 2.4" not even this website

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

I just got the new 3.06 GHz one tonight from the 5th avenue store. It rocks! The first thing I noticed about the new one when I got it home is that the colors are a lot better and the colors don't change when you look at it from different viewing angles unlike the prior generation.

Well, the 20" did and still does have the TN film panel. The 24" uses H-IPS, same as before.

 

[TheSlush]

A very informative post! The background is helpful.

 

[MacFly123]

I would want one of these new iMacs, except that my video production work is to the point that I have to have a Mac Pro and Dual 30" ACDs Apple can you EVER update the Cinema Displays already??????????

 

[stevegmu]

I own several internet cafes with over 110 G5 iMacs. All installed on VESA-compliant wall mounts.

Once again, the 20" Aluminum's have been released without VESA mounts available, unlike the 24" (which are too large for internet cafe use).

This is an abhorrent situation - a unit designed to be an "all in one" that can't go on a VESA mount?

A Google will show that this has been a consistent complaint by iMac users (especially commercial users), and Apple continues to not address this shortcoming. Where is the quality engineering and customer-centric design policy we're always told about?

WE WANT OUR VESA MOUNTS!

These don't work?

http://imacmount.com/

 

[kockgunner]

Oh blasphemy! Macs last forever - they never die. I keep hearing that PCs are disposable, and Macs are extremely high quality and never stop.

Did you check that the power cord is connected? Surely Macs aren't becoming disposable items too....

I hope not! I saw a powerbook g3 pismo at a convention a few months ago (when apple's still looked ugly :O). I thought it was a pc but then i saw os x on the dim screen and the upside down logo on the back. that thing is at least 7 years old and it looked like the earlier models too!

 

[phalewhale]

noise

I just got the new 3.06 GHz one tonight from the 5th avenue store. It rocks! The first thing I noticed about the new one when I got it home is that the colors are a lot better and the colors don't change when you look at it from different viewing angles unlike the prior generation. I think this is a great buy.

have you noticed if the machine is any louder than the 2.8 extreme? Does the fan take off?

 

[mhnajjar]

have you noticed if the machine is any louder than the 2.8 extreme? Does the fan take off?

No, it is very quite

 

[Hooka]

I hate people who say that they buy something the first day it comes out, but...... I just ordered this sucker!!!

iMac, 24-inch, 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB 800MHz DDR2 SDRAM - 2x 2GB
3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS w/512MB GDDR3
750GB Serial ATA Drive

Question?: Is the 24 inch iMac with the 8800 card considered "HD?"

 

[Anaxarxes]

I hate people who say that they buy something the first day it comes out, but...... I just ordered this sucker!!!

iMac, 24-inch, 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB 800MHz DDR2 SDRAM - 2x 2GB
3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS w/512MB GDDR3
750GB Serial ATA Drive

Question?: Is the 24 inch iMac with the 8800 card considered "HD?"

You bought RAM from ? I will say no more...

And:

24" anything with the Resolution of 1920x1080 is considered HD. Nothing to do if it's an iMac or just a monitor, or if it's connected to 8800 or Intel GMA950...

 

[omni-impotent]

benchmarks

Can't wait to see the benchmarks on these new machines. I hear that having a higher FSB frequency (1066MHz for the new iMacs) than the RAM frequency (800MHz) is actually slower for the machine as the processor is out-of-sync with the RAM and must wait on average half a cycle before it can read/write...

 

[Anaxarxes]

Can't wait to see the benchmarks on these new machines. I hear that having a higher FSB frequency (1066MHz for the new iMacs) than the RAM frequency (800MHz) is actually slower for the machine as the processor is out-of-sync with the RAM and must wait on average half a cycle before it can read/write...

It was a big problem in early Pentium 4 days that the RAM is asyncronous to FSB caused very low performance. That is not the case in modern hardware.

Yes it will be slower but not such a big problem like the old days.

 

[MIDI_EVIL]

I think what has happened here is that Intel overclocked some 'Penryns' for Apple whilst they exhaust their supply of the chip, and come Montevina, Apple will quietly and seamlessly incorporate the new motherboard and chipset.

Either that or they are going to skip every other revision of a chipset, but get Intel to overclock the last few of the previous chipset...?

 

[Anaxarxes]

I think what has happened here is that Intel overclocked some 'Penryns' for Apple whilst they exhaust their supply of the chip, and come Montevina, Apple will quietly and seamlessly incorporate the new motherboard and chipset.

Either that or they are going to skip every other revision of a chipset, but get Intel to overclock the last few of the previous chipset...?

Again, it is not an overclock...

Intel possibly pushed the clensing of 65nm parts on Apple, too and they gave them a special hardware to keep them updated.

Honestly, I thin that Apple might skip Montevina on iMac line, completely.

Macbook and MaCbook Pro, on the other hand, could probably get it.

 

[daneoni]

I think what has happened here is that Intel overclocked some 'Penryns' for Apple whilst they exhaust their supply of the chip, and come Montevina, Apple will quietly and seamlessly incorporate the new motherboard and chipset.

Either that or they are going to skip every other revision of a chipset, but get Intel to overclock the last few of the previous chipset...?

Interesting theory. Apple could just switch to the Montevina boards later on (holiday season) silently and the untrained eye wouldn't notice.

It sounds harmless yet devious at the same time

Again, it is not an overclock...

Intel possibly pushed the clensing of 65nm parts on Apple, too and they gave them a special hardware to keep them updated.

Honestly, I thin that Apple might skip Montevina on iMac line, completely.

Macbook and MaCbook Pro, on the other hand, could probably get it.

I want to believe you but Apple, thus far, has yet to skip any platform revision

 

[Hooka]

You bought RAM from ? I will say no more...

And:

24" anything with the Resolution of 1920x1080 is considered HD. Nothing to do if it's an iMac or just a monitor, or if it's connected to 8800 or Intel GMA950...

Ram cost anywhere form $124-$227 US plus shipping. Driving or looking is not worth my time. Installing ram is easy, yes but once again not my idea of a fun half of hour. Plus what do I do with the old dims? Sell them? No time for that. Now Think of the raw energy used to make 2x 1gb of ram? Now think... if I just let instal my ram, and save the other 2 x1gb sticks, save me time,gas, effort, all that stuff. Is it really that silly? I don't think so. The world is a wonderful place, let instal your ram, lol.

 

[clin86]

isnt the 2.8 ones still montevina, someone said its the t9600 processor

 

[wesleyh]

Ram cost anywhere form $124-$227 US plus shipping. Driving or looking is not worth my time. Installing ram is easy, yes but once again not my idea of a fun half of hour. Plus what do I do with the old dims? Sell them? No time for that. Now Think of the raw energy used to make 2x 1gb of ram? Now think... if I just let instal my ram, and save the other 2 x1gb sticks, save me time,gas, effort, all that stuff. Is it really that silly? I don't think so. The world is a wonderful place, let instal your ram, lol.

Oh my god you lazy bum.