Mac Pro next update coming soon?

[RedFoxy]

I've already 2 good monitors (a 27" dell and a 25.5" Samsung) both Full HD, I goes to get a new Apple Cinema Display but the new one cannot be connected to a computer with DVI connector, than I got the Samsung one.

iMac core i7 is a really good mac, but I don't like the graphic card, iMacs have only 4 slot for ram (I think to mount 12Gb of ram) and the price of iMac top series is about the price of the MP base configuration.

I need power computing because I use one or more virtual machine in a time (like windows + freebsd) for testing and developing, during the develope I use some programs like DVB Satellite for watching TV, Photoshop and software like iMovie.

 

[DoFoT9]

iMac core i7 is a really good mac, but I don't like the graphic card, iMacs have only 4 slot for ram (I think to mount 12Gb of ram) and the price of iMac top series is about the price of the MP base configuration.

16GB is the max in iMacs now.

I need power computing because I use one or more virtual machine in a time (like windows + freebsd) for testing and developing, during the develope I use some programs like DVB Satellite for watching TV, Photoshop and software like iMovie.

are you sure you need a MP for that? screen real estate would be your biggest issue here, you could always attach something to an imac though.

 

[RedFoxy]

not really sure but I'm sure that a MP with 2 cpu and a 285GTX will be enoght for me and for a lot of years

 

[DoFoT9]

not really sure but I'm sure that a MP with 2 cpu and a 285GTX will be enoght for me and for a lot of years

the same can be said with the iMac;'s CPU (not the GPU). if you dont need the GPU then id say go imac. but if you think you need the GPU and run really large quantities of programs at the same time then by all means go the MP.

 

[Bucko]

I'm praying for Gulftown Jan. or Feb. You think? I need a new Mac Pro very soon. I can't do things on my old one. Should I buy a Nehalem now (Dec. or Jan.) or wait for Gulftown?

 

[nanofrog]

I'm praying for Gulftown Jan. or Feb. You think? I need a new Mac Pro very soon. I can't do things on my old one. Should I buy a Nehalem now (Dec. or Jan.) or wait for Gulftown?

What exactly are you using the system for (please be specific with software and how frequent you use it)?

The reason is, the Nehalems are likely to have higher clocks, but 4 vs. 6 cores per CPU. So unless you're using it for 3D rendering most of the time, you may be better off with an '09 or even '08 system (the best balance of price/performance of the EFI64 based systems). Gulftowns are aimed at a small group of workstation users given the available multi-threaded software (more than 4 core capable).

 

[bbadalucco]

What exactly are you using the system for (please be specific with software and how frequent you use it)?

The reason is, the Nehalems are likely to have higher clocks, but 4 vs. 6 cores per CPU. So unless you're using it for 3D rendering most of the time, you may be better off with an '09 or even '08 system (the best balance of price/performance of the EFI64 based systems). Gulftowns are aimed at a small group of workstation users given the available multi-threaded software (more than 4 core capable).

I have a 2.66 Quad...all I need the power for is handbrake (blu ray encodes)...would I be better with 3.33 quad or a lower clocked 6 core?

 

[nanofrog]

I have a 2.66 Quad...all I need the power for is handbrake (blu ray encodes)...would I be better with 3.33 quad or a lower clocked 6 core?

I'm under the impression it can go over 4 cores, but haven't seen/heard first hand. (Going by the fact you can edit the thread count in the preferences, and I do know setting it to thread = 4 works).

Given the fact you've already got the Quad, and don't need the extra cores for other software, I'd stick with that system, and up the CPU for a higher clock. It' going to be less expensive than a Gulftown based system IMO.

If you're contantly encoding, it might be another story. Is the system used to generate an income?

 

[TIMP1]

over reach

Before Apple goes running out and designing newer and faster machines with 6 cores --- whatever happened to getting the Nehalem machines running smooth, lean and energy efficient? What about the fact that a Nehalem Mac Pro does not run like a modern car which sips gas at stoplights using software managed fuel injection and spark timing.

In 2009-2010 people get excited about energy management. You like your home heating system to cut off when it's too hot and then burn just the right amount of fuel when it's needed through modern computer management. You like your car to apply torque only to the wheels that need the power. It feels good when energy is used wisely. That's what Nehalem was supposed to do.

But, instead Nehalem Mac Pros have turned out to be the dumb crude 1970's hot rods which mindlessly suck pints of gas while idling at a stoplight while delivering enough wasted heat to bake all the passengers inside the interior. That's not what was promised in the advertising. That's not the futuristic energy efficiency that users want in 2010. Making a faster Mac Pro is just reaching beyond the software and firmware designers grasp again. Apple needs to get Nehalem right first before building a new dragster.

In 2010 most people don't want the clumsy wasteful gas-sucking dragster -- they want the intelligent refined BMW that's just as powerful . . . but which has intelligent AWD and gets 45 mpg because of how well it manages spark timing and fuel injection via firmware. And, it can idle silently at a stoplight without all the unneeded drama. We want an intelligent machine that manages itself as well as it manages the work we need to accomplish. We want everything . . . is that too much to ask Apple?

 

[nanofrog]

Before Apple goes running out and designing newer and faster machines with 6 cores --- whatever happened to getting the Nehalem machines running smooth, lean and energy efficient? What about the fact that a Nehalem Mac Pro does not run like a modern car which sips gas at stoplights using software managed fuel injection and spark timing.

In 2009-2010 people get excited about energy management. You like your home heating system to cut off when it's too hot and then burn just the right amount of fuel when it's needed through modern computer management. You like your car to apply torque only to the wheels that need the power. It feels good when energy is used wisely. That's what Nehalem was supposed to do.

But, instead Nehalem Mac Pros have turned out to be the dumb crude 1970's hot rods which mindlessly suck pints of gas while idling at a stoplight while delivering enough wasted heat to bake all the passengers inside the interior. That's not what was promised in the advertising. That's not the futuristic energy efficiency that users want in 2010. Making a faster Mac Pro is just reaching beyond the software and firmware designers grasp again. Apple needs to get Nehalem right first before building a new dragster.

In 2010 most people don't want the clumsy wasteful gas-sucking dragster -- they want the intelligent refined BMW that's just as powerful . . . but which has intelligent AWD and gets 45 mpg because of how well it manages spark timing and fuel injection via firmware. And, it can idle silently at a stoplight without all the unneeded drama. We want an intelligent machine that manages itself as well as it manages the work we need to accomplish. We want everything . . . is that too much to ask Apple?

They make their money on new systems though, so support is an afterthought compared to getting new systems out. And given the Gulftowns are essentially the same chips (+ 2 cores & shrunk to 32nm), the issue could continue.

A solution may not be out before the Gulftowns release, unless Apple takes the issue seriously, and addresses it. No idea if this will happen, so users reporting the problem is necessary IMO (hopefully will elevate it's priority).

 

[seisend]

Details concerning the Xeon processors with 6 cores:

New information shown by Intel lets us learn some more on the future Intel processors in 6 cores engraved in 32 nm that we soon expect to see equipping the Mac Pro. To start, contrary to the forecasts, these processors will keep the name of Core i7 and will not be called Core i9. They will be placed by Intel in the Extreme category and will carry X in their name. Here the roadmap of Intel and information on this processor.
The first processor of this new line will be thus the i7-980X. In spite of its 6 cores, it will be able to reach the frequency of 3,33 GHz that promises performances of very highest level with the software optimized to take advantage of the 6 cores and the 12 threads (double in a machine equipped with 2 Xeon). Its price should will be in top position in the Intel catalogue, thus lowering the price of the other processors.
To finish, it should be released in March 2010. If Apple decides to integrate it into its Mac Pro, and they always have had good relationships with Intel, one should see it fitted in machines with an Apple logo a few weeks in advance, approximately a year after current Mac Pro.

Source: http://www.hardmac.com/news/2009/12...feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+hardmac+(HardMac.com)


EDIT : Just saw that there is a Thread about this already.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/835184/

 

[Icaras]

Nice, thanks for the update and the direction to the other thread.

 

[chet.d]

I'm praying for Gulftown Jan. or Feb. You think? I need a new Mac Pro very soon. I can't do things on my old one. Should I buy a Nehalem now (Dec. or Jan.) or wait for Gulftown?

It's like your reading my mind man.........

But, I'm in a different situation, doing audio only in my studio and presently finishing up mixing of a new ep on a dual 867 !!!!!!

...I should win some kinda award for bouncing / freezing / juggling tracks (up to 50) around to not get constant stuttering headaches etc.

I'm mixing down to analog tape (thank God) which helps a lot and I have quality outboard compression and eq but..... dual 867 !

So, you can see why I'm waiting till Jan-Feb to see "if" I can afford a new one though ofcourse, a very good deal on a 8 core Nehalem 2.6 or higher (8-10 gigs ram and about 2 tb of 3200 cache drives) would make me blind with appreciation I'm sure.

Have feeling the new ones will be out of my 3-4k-ish (including ram & hd's) budget.

 

[nanofrog]

Have feeling the new ones will be out of my 3-4k-ish (including ram & hd's) budget.

Unfortunately, this seems likely.

 

[southerndoc]

Does anyone know what speeds will be available at launch for the i7-980x?

I've read rumors that it will start at 3.33 GHz, but then some sites seem to indicate it will be initially available in the same speeds as the i7-975.

 

[Umbongo]

Does anyone know what speeds will be available at launch for the i7-980x?

I've read rumors that it will start at 3.33 GHz, but then some sites seem to indicate it will be initially available in the same speeds as the i7-975.

The i7-975 runs at 3.33GHz.

 

[nanofrog]

Does anyone know what speeds will be available at launch for the i7-980x?

I've read rumors that it will start at 3.33 GHz, but then some sites seem to indicate it will be initially available in the same speeds as the i7-975.

The 3.33GHz part is going to be the top end clock it seems for the intitial launch, with a higher clock part to drop later (3.46GHz).

No full list yet though (includes the quantity pricing for each P/N available). I'm hoping shortly though, as the release date isn't that far off (March formally, but Apple it seems has made arrangements to obtain parts early).