Intel Shows Off Conroe (Desktop) Processors

[ksz]

Why does Apple ned a high end CPU in an XServe? What do those run that needs it? They are mostly used as file servers. or maybe directory services and light duty web hosting. You don't see high CPU usage for these tasks

On the other hand people sometimes use PowerMacs to render hD video wich is typically 100% CPU bound.

Price is an important factor. Xeons are very expensive, even in volume purchases. The Xeon dual core processor (2.8 GHz) sells for about $1100 to $1200 (retail).

XServes are used in high-performance clusters for industrial and scientific purposes. Virginia Tech isn't the only institution that has built a supercomputer out of XServes; we have as well (but I cannot say who 'we' are). Servers are used for many other purposes than web hosting.

For the desktop Macintosh, price is important. Apple will most likely price the new machines at the SAME levels as existing PowerMacs. Woodcrest will be too expensive, I think, to achieve those price points. And it's not necessary.

I haven't seen a reference from Intel that rules out SMP on Conroe (but then I haven't looked), but it's understandable given that Pentium does not support SMP, but Xeon does.

So if Conroe==Pentium and Woodcrest==Xeon, it's possible that only the top end PowerMac replacement will get Woodcrested.

 

[DavidCar]

I also see Apple using the Conroe in the PowerMac replacement since a dual core Conroe will outperform any dual core PowerMac and outperform a quad core PowerMac in all but thread heavy work loads (likely hold its own even then).

I think we may see quad core Intel "PowerMac" systems in early 2007 with dual core coming in late 2006.

I would think that Apple would want the first Intel PowerMac to be a big improvement over the quad, and not just "hold its own."

 

[Mechcozmo]

Oh I just relized I have been saying it wrong this whole time, I always thought it was Mem-rom... me and my dyslexia

I didn't notice I was wrong until I saw your post. Oops.

I'm still waiting for the "Same speed, 2x battery life" processor.

 

[capone2]

its pronounced like this

I pronounce it "MARE-om", but what do I know....

.."more-um" merom

cant wait for the 17" merom 2.5-3.0ghz 64bit.....with leopard of course

 

[shawmanus]

Price is an important factor. Xeons are very expensive, even in volume purchases. The Xeon dual core processor (2.8 GHz) sells for about $1100 to $1200 (retail).

XServes are used in high-performance clusters for industrial and scientific purposes. Virginia Tech isn't the only institution that has built a supercomputer out of XServes; we have as well (but I cannot say who 'we' are). Servers are used for many other purposes than web hosting.

For the desktop Macintosh, price is important. Apple will most likely price the new machines at the SAME levels as existing PowerMacs. Woodcrest will be too expensive, I think, to achieve those price points. And it's not necessary.

I haven't seen a reference from Intel that rules out SMP on Conroe (but then I haven't looked), but it's understandable given that Pentium does not support SMP, but Xeon does.

So if Conroe==Pentium and Woodcrest==Xeon, it's possible that only the top end PowerMac replacement will get Woodcrested.

Intel has priced woodcrest very competitively.

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=29510

Intel Woodcrest at 3.0 GhZ at $850 is not bad. I think Apple can put woodcrest in powermac or mac pro.

 

[nagromme]

The Kentsfield appears to two Conroe dies (or very close relatives of) in a single package.

Yes, but meanwhile, can two separate Conroes be used together, much like the G5 quad has dual duals?

I've seen some posts here suggesting Conroe can't do that, and I'm wondering if people are just ASSUMING that, or if it's something Intel has actually indicated?

Is there any reason why a Server chip shouldnt be in a desktop? Are they just better overall except for the power consumption? What about in games?

Good question. If it comes down to cost, how much more do server chips cost? (EDIT: thanks shawmanus! Now how much less, in theory, would Conroe be at the same Ghz?)

Those wondering how to pronounce Merom, it is a hebrew word so just ask someone who speaks hebrew how you would say it.

Yeah, I was wondering what it would really be. My friend who speaks Hebrew says it's pronounced much like the English "this side."

 

[runninmac]

I just thought of this also, since the clock speed starts out great thats good, but then will they hit a wall once they hit the 3.__(you fill in number)Ghz? Or have they planed around that?

 

[~Shard~]

oh, i'm not slamming it; I'm excited for it. But as someone else posted, I'd like to see an increase in battery life over an increase in processor power. More power at the same consumption is always good, but how 'bout a laptop that really lasts 7 hours?

Yep, I completely agree, and know where you're coming from. Sometimes more processing power isn't always better if it means no reduction in power consumption itself.

 

[Marble]

I'll be very interested to see if the iMac gets Conroe or Merom. I think this G4 TiBook still has a year in it and I'd like to get a desktop class processor that has as much life in it as this baby has.

 

[Anonymous Freak]

Yeah, I was wondering what it would really be. My friend who speaks Hebrew says it's pronounced much like the English "this side."

I have a feeling he was pulling your leg.

But, I (and two Intel employees I know) all pronounce it 'MARE-om' (Mare like a horse, om rhyming with pond.) But every once in a while, I hear a 'MARE-um'.

Conroe is 'CON-row'.

 

[boncellis]

I have a feeling he was pulling your leg.

But, I (and two Intel employees I know) all pronounce it 'MARE-om' (Mare like a horse, om rhyming with pond.) But every once in a while, I hear a 'MARE-um'.

Conroe is 'CON-row'.

Actually, nagromme is pulling our leg. I personally can't get enough of any and all things having to do with those wonderful chinese characters...

I laughed, nagromme.

 

[Analog Kid]

Have you seen the tests against AMD's top processor thats been overclocked? I bet not. It even should be getting faster than that by the time its ready for retail and it will also be offered in a 3.0 extreme edition. Read/look that before you start pooping on everyone parade.

Wow... Silly me, thinking it appropriate to express an opinion in a "forum". You take a swing at everyone you overhear saying something you disagree with?

No parade pooping going on here, just realizing that times are changing. Not as exciting, but hopefully more consistent.

Before you swipe at the next guy though, you might try putting your tongue in your cheek while you read the post and see if it feels right there...

 

[hadlock]

I saw this asked before, but nobody responded -

is the Conroe processor 64 bit?

If it is, we could see the entire mac lineup switch entirely to Merom/Conroe processors, which would be interesting, since they'll be announcing the release of 10.5 - which could be the first fully 64 bit version of OSX.

64 bit finder in cocoa... mmm.

People who bought the gimpy 32 bit intel powerbooks are going to be complaining mightily come August

 

[wyatt23]

socket?

does anyone know what socket size the new processors are?

it'd be nice to know that if say i bought a low end intel iMac now, i could swap in a Conroe / Meron later.

 

[austinbond]

When do ya'll think they will release an iBook rev. B...History shows that iBooks are usually announced in April or May, and around October or November. I don't want to buy an iBook this summer for college and have a significant upgrade coming months after. You don't think they will get conroe as well?

Thanks guys!

 

[AidenShaw]

astute observation

I'm curious to know why some of you automatically assume that Conroe is going into the PowerMacs? Maybe you all know something I don't, but Woodcrest is suppose to be replacing Xeon and Xeon processors have found there way into not just servers but workstations in the PC market. I would think that Woodcrest would be the preferred processor in PowerMacs rather than Conroe if the price is right.

Most readers here probably aren't familiar with the way that Intel has traditionally drawn a line between single-socket chips and dual-socket capable chips - even when the basic design is the same.

A Xeon (DP) and a Pentium 4 are almost the same chip, but only a Xeon runs in a dual-socket config.

Many readers here will say "dual Conroes" without realizing that's a marketing impossibility - you'll need "dual Woodcrests".
_______________________________________________________

However, I predict that Apple will in fact introduce a Conroe minitower - something to fill the gap between the tragically constrained MiniMacIntel and the tragically huge PowerMac G5. A Conroe (dual-core, single socket) in a typical minitower form factor (or even one of the SFF like a Dell Optiplex- see picture below) would be a good fit for someone who wants more expandability than a Mini, doesn't want the forced monitor of the iMac, but doesn't need a huge PowerMac.

 

[AidenShaw]

It's Intel's WWDC

does it feel weird to anyone else here having intel chip announcements on the MR front page?

well i guess it's about to become a regular occurance since they tend to update their lines every time they sneeze.

The IDF is Intel's equivalent to the WWDC - so it's obvious why it rates coverage for anyone interested in the x86/x64 platform.

 

[AidenShaw]

$$$$$$$$$$$$

Is there any reason why a Server chip shouldnt be in a desktop? Are they just better overall except for the power consumption? What about in games?

Intel typically prices DP-capable server chips (dual socket workstation and low-end server) quite a bit higher than single-socket only chips.

MP-capable server chips are *much* more expensive - but often have much larger caches as well (current Xeon MPs have up to 8 MiB on-chip caches).

 

[backdraft]

Not impressed by Intel... Same garbage X86 chips with an inferior design...

 

[boncellis]

Yes!

...However, I predict that Apple will in fact introduce a Conroe minitower - something to fill the gap between the tragically constrained MiniMacIntel and the tragically huge PowerMac G5. A Conroe (dual-core, single socket) in a typical minitower form factor (or even one of the SFF like a Dell Optiplex- see picture below) would be a good fit for someone who wants more expandability than a Mini, doesn't want the forced monitor of the iMac, but doesn't need a huge PowerMac.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, AidenShaw (for the validation). I was saying something similar in the WWDC thread and got hammered by different posters including one who defensively suggested that I be content with not buying a G5 rather than expressing an opinion that didn't conform with his own. Not exactly helpful, or responsive, for that matter.

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who thinks Apple could introduce an intermediary machine--I would be in the market for it.

 

[Donm]

If you are building a notebook, or a small desktop like a Mini or an iMac then "power matters." You can't get the heat out of such a small enclosure without a huge noisy fan. So use these new chips when compute power per watt matters

What I don't understand is way you'd want them in a Power Mac replacement If you want a Power Mac replacement you can make a nice one today. No waiting. Simply build one of these
http://tinyurl.com/zsaxg
but put it in a pretty box and load Mac OSX on it The specs are just about right for a PoerMac. It's the only thing I've seen that would seriously outperform a G5 Quad Core Powermac It that's not enough Sun has four chip. eight core Opertoon boxes that have been sellig for some time now.

I just don't see Intel catching up to AMD at the high end.

eight core Opteron's? REALLY? I don't think so...8-way processor versus 8 cores are totally different. Everyone has 8-way.

 

[Donm]

Yes, but you are comparing a not yet released for sale Intel chip against a not top of the line AMD. AMD's top performer is the Operon.

but its still desktop processor to desktop processor. When they test Woodcrest to optinon, what are you going to complain about then?

 

[Chundles]

I saw this asked before, but nobody responded -

is the Conroe processor 64 bit?

If it is, we could see the entire mac lineup switch entirely to Merom/Conroe processors, which would be interesting, since they'll be announcing the release of 10.5 - which could be the first fully 64 bit version of OSX.

64 bit finder in cocoa... mmm.

People who bought the gimpy 32 bit intel powerbooks are going to be complaining mightily come August

Yes, it is 64 bit. The Merom processor from which Conroe and Woodcrest are based is a faster, 64 bit version of the current core duo processor we know as Yonah with a few more bells and whistles. The Core Duo debuted at a minimum of 1.67GHz, Merom will debut at 2.33GHz - is fast yes? Yes indeed.....

 

[duffman9000]

Not impressed by Intel... Same garbage X86 chips with an inferior design...

Please die... or better yet, choke on your G3.

Finally... seems that Intel wasn't just blowing smoke but instead came out swinging. Stevie boy must have seen this coming. Performance + supply = a helluva of lotta happy Mac users.

 

[duffman9000]

However, I predict that Apple will in fact introduce a Conroe minitower - something to fill the gap between the tragically constrained MiniMacIntel and the tragically huge PowerMac G5. A Conroe (dual-core, single socket) in a typical minitower form factor (or even one of the SFF like a Dell Optiplex- see picture below) would be a good fit for someone who wants more expandability than a Mini, doesn't want the forced monitor of the iMac, but doesn't need a huge PowerMac.

QFT... good to see the Intel haters quickly disappearing.