Probability of Mac Pro Video Card refresh?

[peterg]

Ok, so I have been pining for a new video card for the mac pro since I bought it (Sept. 2006). I felt at the time that $400 for a X1900XT was just a little too steep, and since a year has passed I'm definitely not willing to buy one for what they are asking.

I had been waiting for the 7th to see if they would refresh it then, but of course my dreams were dashed.

However I was looking on the store today and found a 7-10 week delay for new X1900XT kits.

Does anyone have any guesses as to if this means an update is coming or that ATI is just dragging its feet?

 

[slughead]

the X1900 XT has been discontinued by ATI because it's a POS

Apple probably doesn't have the supply.

I'm still guessing there will be a new mac pro revision this month, including new video cards.

 

[Wild-Bill]

The 7-10 week delay is because ATI no longer manufactures the card, as it has reached EOL some time ago. None of the third-party ATI manufacturers make it either.

Apple contracts Foxconn (maker of many things, including motherboards) to make the cards for Apple. The lead time is presumably to accrue enough orders so they can place one or more large orders at a time.


http://www.apple.com/feedback/macpro.html

^ Mac Pro online feedback submission to Apple.

 

[suneohair]

Q4 ends in September. Harpertown should be shipping by then. I expect an update to hit before years end. Which means 4 months. I doubt it will be held off til Macworld.

Paris Expo is the 25th(?) of next month. Which could bring a Mac Pro update. With Harpertown so close, it would seem Apple is holding off for that to being the 45nm transition for all their Macs. The PowerMac/Mac Pro has always been the benchmark for what is to come in the rest of their Macs. I imagine that will continue (CPU-wise).

With that in mind, it would seem logical for new GPUs to hit when new CPUs hit. Thus avoiding two updates.

 

[peterg]

Thank you, all this info is great and I'm definitely going ot fill out the Mac Pro form.

Thanks again.

 

[vicious7]

I am definitely one of many who are disappointed that the MP was not updated today. I told my guys to suffer through another couple of months while we wait for the new tech to be released. I need 4 of these buggers...

 

[Umbongo]

I am definitely one of many who are disappointed that the MP was not updated today. I told my guys to suffer through another couple of months while we wait for the new tech to be released. I need 4 of these buggers...

It may not be that long. Heck it could be next week for all we know. It's just impossible to know with Apple whether they will do an update before moving to Penryn based systems.

 

[Grimace]

Apple hasn't ever done a video card (only) refresh in the Mac Pro. A refresh of the whole computer itself is still a bit early. Look for something in September or October.

 

[Eidorian]

Apple hasn't ever done a video card (only) refresh in the Mac Pro. A refresh of the whole computer itself is still a bit early. Look for something in September or October.

And the last thing that you could even call a refresh was the new processor option.

It's a year old machine.

 

[irishgrizzly]

Apple hasn't ever done a video card (only) refresh in the Mac Pro. A refresh of the whole computer itself is still a bit early. Look for something in September or October.

Apple hasn't ever done a video card refresh... yeah, in it's long history the Mac Pro has never done this

 

[peterg]

Apple hasn't ever done a video card refresh... yeah, in it's long history the Mac Pro has never done this

Yea, but its basically the spiritual successor to the PowerMac GX with a new badge, so I see where he is coming from.

I mean even on Mac Rumors buyers guuide the Mac Pro has just taken over all the refresh data for the powermacs.

 

[irishgrizzly]

Yea, but its basically the spiritual successor to the PowerMac GX with a new badge, so I see where he is coming from.

I mean even on Mac Rumors buyers guuide the Mac Pro has just taken over all the refresh data for the powermacs.

Fair point. Ever get the feeling apple wish they didn't have to "do" video cards.

 

[peterg]

Fair point. Ever get the feeling apple wish they didn't have to "do" video cards.

Yea, definitely, probably because they can't control what the hardware is going to be, but its output makes or breaks how their software looks and feels. Its probably annoying. Oh well, hope they update and gimme something.

 

[damado]

The 7-10 week delay is because ATI no longer manufactures the card, as it has reached EOL some time ago. None of the third-party ATI manufacturers make it either.

Apple contracts Foxconn (maker of many things, including motherboards) to make the cards for Apple. The lead time is presumably to accrue enough orders so they can place one or more large orders at a time.


http://www.apple.com/feedback/macpro.html

^ Mac Pro online feedback submission to Apple.

Thanks, I sent my desperate plea for a new video card in

 

[Wild-Bill]

Thanks, I sent my desperate plea for a new video card in

Awesome! Tell your friends. Give 'em the link too.

 

[Cromulent]

Sent feedback as well to help the cause. Lets just get everyone on Mac Rumours to send feedback and hopefully the flood of e-mails will give Apple the kick up the back side they require to actually implement the change.

 

[Firebar]

Bah! I need a computer now and I dont like the iMac's. Not to mention their appauling HD2600 Pro's. Looks like I'll have to buy a Mac Pro now and then just update the video card later on.

 

[Wild-Bill]

Bah! I need a computer now and I dont like the iMac's. Not to mention their appauling HD2600 Pro's. Looks like I'll have to buy a Mac Pro now and then just update the video card later on.

Have you voiced your frustration about the lack of current video cards in the Mac Pro to Apple yet????

Click the link in my signature. It will make you feel better.

 

[flappo]

as has been mentioned a million times already , simply upgrade the pro when new cards come out

it's not like they're going from agp to pci express all over again with the new video card is it ?

the next video card will be compatible with the existing pro's video slot , so why worry ?

 

[flappo]

http://www.nvidia.com/page/8800_tech_specs.html

High Speed Interfaces
: Designed for PCI Express® x16

sorted

 

[statikcat]

as has been mentioned a million times already , simply upgrade the pro when new cards come out

it's not like they're going from agp to pci express all over again with the new video card is it ?

the next video card will be compatible with the existing pro's video slot , so why worry ?

For some people because that will be another 300+$ they have to spend. Maybe more knowing Apple GPU markup. You are right though it is nothing to really worry about but maybe be concerned about your money. You are getting the short end of the stick at the moment. For some people that doesn't matter but for some it does.

 

[Firebar]

Have you voiced your frustration about the lack of current video cards in the Mac Pro to Apple yet????

I most certainly have!!

I will be one of the first peeps to pick up an HD2900 or an 8800 when the new cards come out. Thing being that when they do the G92's will probably come out the next week and in a 1 1/2 years time we'll all be in the same situation.

 

[Pangolin]

High Speed Interfaces
: Designed for PCI Express® x16

Is this card "flash-able" like the PC versions of the x1900xt?

 

[Wild-Bill]

Is this card "flash-able" like the PC versions of the x1900xt?

No. No Mac drivers exist for it and no EFI rom exists for the 8800GTX.

Click the link in my sig. Tell Apple to update the video cards.

 

[mdio1234]

imac faster graphics than mac pro

they should upgrade the mac pro because right now the imac has better graphics with the 256mb hd2600xt pro.