More than 2 Processor Support in Mac OS X?

[Lacero]

Quad G5s are totally possible. The G5 case design looks like it was built to accommodate future quad processors. OSX was built to efficiently leverage multi-processors. Most likely we are due for G6 name change.

 

[kainjow]

Apple likes to go above and beyond their goals.. so what if instead of giving us a DP3Ghz Power Mac this Summer, they give us a a Power Mac utilizing the 4.XGhz Cell processor (doesn't it require a host processor?). That would be truely awesome, and it'd completely blow away anything else on the market. Then, for 10.5, they optimize the OS like crazy for the Cell and continue to blow away Intel/AMD.

One can dream...

 

[zedster]

doesn't it require a host processor?

One of the 9 cores is the host.

 

[0098386]

funny i was thinking about Apple and 'unreleased' systems today. i mean how many computers have they made back stage which were never released because of whatever reason? a quad (or greater) computer must have at least crossed thier minds once.

i reckon someday a few old concepts will be released. early G5 Powerbooks and the likes. would be nice of them

 

[nawk]

4 Cores! - That would just the ticket for rendering video I imagine.

So will they call it the "Dual Dual"?

In Canada we call it a "Double Double".

 

[Chaszmyr]

Anyone noticed that "Clock Speed" has changed to "Core Freq."?

I didn't catch that, good eye

This is the most exciting little tidbit to make it on a rumor site for a few weeks, imo

(PS. about the 300kb jpeg: They must not have been meeting their bandwidth quota )

 

[wrldwzrd89]

I think Mac OS X (because of its UNIX underpinnings) was designed from the get-go to support N processors/cores. This means that if a Mac with more than 2 CPUs is released in the future, Mac OS X won't have to change because of that. In fact, Mac OS X could handle an 8 CPU/core, 16 CPU/core, or any other CPU/core count if it appeared in a Mac tomorrow (barring changes requiring new drivers or stuff like that).

This means that if Apple decides to release a 4 headed Mac (2 CPUs, 2 cores per CPU), the existing Mac OS X multiprocessing support won't have to change. All that will need changing is stuff like drivers for other new hardware that comes with the Mac. Therefore, Apple can get us one MUCH sooner than they'd otherwise be able to

 

[Lacero]

How about dual-core quad-processor G5s? That's eight cpus! Hubba hubba!

 

[rudijh]

Don't dual core processors look like one to the OS?

Perhaps someone can clarify this for me. I was under the impression that a two core processor would handle it's functionality internally to the processor and not look like a dual processor to the OS. Does anyone know the definitive answer to this?

 

[RacerX]

I think Mac OS X (because of its UNIX underpinnings) was designed from the get-go to support N processors/cores....

For the record, Rhapsody, which is just as Unix as Mac OS X, does not work with multiple processors. It was a functionality that Apple had to write into Mac OS X.

 

[Bear]

Re: Don't dual core processors look like one to the OS?

Perhaps someone can clarify this for me. I was under the impression that a two core processor would handle it's functionality internally to the processor and not look like a dual processor to the OS. Does anyone know the definitive answer to this?

Each core looks like a processor to the system. In some ways it would be more accurate to call it a dual core chip.

Sun Microsystems' Niagara processor is 8 cores and each core runs 4 threads. This will in a lot of ways look like 32 processors to the OS.

 

[V.A.Toss]

Anyone noticed that "Clock Speed" has changed to "Core Freq."? I am pretty sure this means dual-core CPUs soon.

Observation of the week there!

Hadnt noticed that at all

 

[wrldwzrd89]

Anyone noticed that "Clock Speed" has changed to "Core Freq."? I am pretty sure this means dual-core CPUs soon.

I didn't even know there was an updater for the CHUD utility. I'm not at my Mac right now, so I can't update my CHUD and see for myself until I return in a couple of hours

 

[Makosuke]

Normally I don't give much weight to these sorts of reports, but assuming that this is a publicly released version of this tool, it really does seem to indicate something significant (almost as much because of the "core freq" reference). At the very least, Apple must be needing it for something internal, and while that may never see the light of day it sounds like news to me. Bring on them dual cores!

(Also, doesn't this mean you can now adjust nap settings on a per-processor basis?)

 

[daveL]

Was Doom3 compiled using the Tiger libraries?

Remember, you have to recompile in order to take advantage of the new libraries.

If it's a update of an existing library and the app was compiled to use shared libraries, which a large majority are, you do *not* need to recompile the app to take advantage of the updated libraries. This is precisely one of the huge advantages to shared, dynamically loaded libraries. If it's a library that didn't exist in Panther or the app is purely statically linked, then you are correct.

Anyway, I don't have the answer to your question. I'm sure you can look up the D3/~loserman~ posts, but he was talking about the kernel, not the graphics libraries, etc.

 

[cyberenz]

2+ Processor Support for Mac OS X

I read somewhere that Stevo built specialized 3 processor G5 machines for Pixar a few months back, which required a taller G5 Box and he was looking at building a 4 processor G5 machine for even more calculating power. With that said, support for 3 or more processors under MacOS X was certainly to appear to consumers after testing at Apple.

 

[Sun Baked]

I read somewhere that Stevo built specialized 3 processor G5 machines for Pixar a few months back, which required a taller G5 Box and he was looking at building a 4 processor G5 machine for even more calculating power. With that said, support for 3 or more processors under MacOS X was certainly to appear to consumers after testing at Apple.

The problem with this statement is that each 970 and 970FX CPU requires it's own dedicated FSB between it and the Memory Controller.

So unlike the G4 where it would require designing a bigger daughter card with 3 processor (and only the 7400 supported this) -- on the G5 it would require redesigning everthing BUT the daughter card. Including making a series of low-volume memory controller with 3 FSBs -- and you'd probably be able to buy a Bently for less than the cost of those low volume chips.

The dual core CPUs place two CPU cores on a single FSB and don't require a whole new box.

NOTE: Hopefully he's not regurgitating that darn MacOSRumors spew.

 

[GFLPraxis]

I think you forgot the xServe.

I also think it is difficult for an app to utilize more than two processors. But the XBox get's three, so why not. It could also be that a dual core processor presents itself as a single core processor. And maybe in time 4 processors become normal. Maybe you can run two Operating servers on one computer now. (Let's say a webserver and OSX). And it's also not uncommon to have 3 or more heavy duty apps open at once.

I suspect one processor will be for sound on the XBox 2, since it lacks a sound card.

 

[wrc fan]

I think Mac OS X (because of its UNIX underpinnings) was designed from the get-go to support N processors/cores. This means that if a Mac with more than 2 CPUs is released in the future, Mac OS X won't have to change because of that. In fact, Mac OS X could handle an 8 CPU/core, 16 CPU/core, or any other CPU/core count if it appeared in a Mac tomorrow (barring changes requiring new drivers or stuff like that).

This means that if Apple decides to release a 4 headed Mac (2 CPUs, 2 cores per CPU), the existing Mac OS X multiprocessing support won't have to change. All that will need changing is stuff like drivers for other new hardware that comes with the Mac. Therefore, Apple can get us one MUCH sooner than they'd otherwise be able to

I'm wondering if anyone with developer builds can run hostinfo on their machine and see if the processor is configured for more than 2 cpus. Although I just checked and my PowerBook says it has a kernel configured for 1 cpu, while my G5 is configured for 2. Hmm... idea popping in to head to see what it will say if my G5 boots off the PowerBook hard drive.

 

[Rod Rod]

G5 case opinions

I mean first off a Quad Processor G5 would need a much larger tower enclosure to cool it, <snip>

The G5 case design looks like it was built to accommodate future quad processors.

I read somewhere that Stevo built specialized 3 processor G5 machines for Pixar a few months back, which required a taller G5 Box

I agree with Lacero, and I'd like to add that we'll likely see side vents on such machines. Either that or there will be even more fans, which will be more jet-like.

 

[iriejedi]

Nice dream but....

For starters.... my home equity credit card really supports this idea.....

BUT.... what do we have that needs this? Are their any modern games that support dual or quad processors? Any modern software??? I love the speed of my dual 2.5... but maybe it is just me but I do not think that ANYTHING that is software truly appreciats the price I paid. I probably bought more machine then I need (no need to flame me) but what in iLife, iWorks even MS or adobe truly boast 100% dual processor support?

I have the adobe photoshop plug in - but I guess my expectation were just too high.

I made a simple slide show on iMove for iDVD and it took forever to 'render' - with all the power that requires liquid cooling what will it take to make rendering a movie 'instant'?

That is really my quesation. As a wanna be power user - what is the problem/bottle neck?

Why is rendering so slow? Why is Doom3 predicted to be so pitiful? WHAT machines was Doom3 developed on so that they said wow this is a great product? Why doesn't Apple sell those machines?

I know... yadda yadda yadda - drivers drivers drivers... but still what would it take to satisfy everyone? How many gigahertz is the human brain? I'm pretty sure my Mac is faster than me!

Well back to MBA final on Purchasing Management but I need to vent and this seemed like a great place to do it!

Iriejedi!

PS - I predict new G5s in Sept. Realistically available Jan or February!

Forget quad G5s. i want my quad G6!

(I once had a quad G2 Mac from DayStar at work!)

I like the "NEW" flags, BTW.

(PS. It can't have been easy to get that JPEG up to 300k )

 

[Bear]

BUT.... what do we have that needs this? Are their any modern games that support dual or quad processors? Any modern software??? I love the speed of my dual 2.5... but maybe it is just me but I do not think that ANYTHING that is software truly appreciats the price I paid. I probably bought more machine then I need (no need to flame me) but what in iLife, iWorks even MS or adobe truly boast 100% dual processor support?

I don't know about games, but I do know that I have seen both Adobe Photoshop and Nikon Capture use a healthy portion of both CPUs in my system. Final Copy Express is also set up to use multiple procs as well as iDVD. [All from my own experience.] And even if you don't have much software that can make effective use of multiple procs, imagine being able to run 2 or 3 intensive [but single proc] applications at the same time? Believe me, there's plenty of sofgtware that could use a dual core-dual proc system to its fullest. Just because you don't see it, it doesn't mean that the stuff doesn't exist.

PS - I predict new G5s in Sept. Realistically available Jan or February!

Announced at WWDC at the latest. Available in 1 to 5 weeks depending on the model and options ordered. Which of course means the system I order will take 6 weeks.

 

[Kagetenshi]

BUT.... what do we have that needs this? Are their any modern games that support dual or quad processors? Any modern software??? I love the speed of my dual 2.5... but maybe it is just me but I do not think that ANYTHING that is software truly appreciats the price I paid. I probably bought more machine then I need (no need to flame me) but what in iLife, iWorks even MS or adobe truly boast 100% dual processor support?

At absolute worst, different tasks could run on different processors, giving you an entirely unencumbered processor for the game while the OS, etc. runs on a different processor. How much that'll get you depends on how much you multitask.

~J

 

[iriejedi]

Excellent Pont

I don't know about games, but I do know that I have seen both Adobe Photoshop and Nikon Capture use a healthy portion of both CPUs in my system. Final Copy Express is also set up to use multiple procs as well as iDVD. [All from my own experience.] And even if you don't have much software that can make effective use of multiple procs, imagine being able to run 2 or 3 intensive [but single proc] applications at the same time? Believe me, there's plenty of sofgtware that could use a dual core-dual proc system to its fullest. Just because you don't see it, it doesn't mean that the stuff doesn't exist.

Announced at WWDC at the latest. Available in 1 to 5 weeks depending on the model and options ordered. Which of course means the system I order will take 6 weeks.

I stand corrected - I was unaware that 10.3 could take two single proc apps to their fullest - I was told that was not happening until 10.4

But still..... what speed WOULD it take to render a iMovie to a file form (leave out the burning bottle neck) - nearley instantaneously? 10ghtz? 20? What speed will make a truely GREAT animated show like Toy Story or Nemo a weekly event like south park or spongbob?

 

[lmalave]

BUT.... what do we have that needs this? Are their any modern games that support dual or quad processors? Any modern software??? I love the speed of my dual 2.5... but maybe it is just me but I do not think that ANYTHING that is software truly appreciats the price I paid. I probably bought more machine then I need (no need to flame me) but what in iLife, iWorks even MS or adobe truly boast 100% dual processor support?

I think the software that would support quad-cpus would be for professional (or academic research) uses, such as:

- supercomputing clusters
- video render farms
- server software (e.g. Oracle, which Apple is getting very chummy with)