Quad PowerMacs and the 970MP?

[animefan_1]

Was in the market for a new mac, wondering if i should wait for this. Anyone have recommendations, guesses of when a new PM is coming? Apple seems to be dumping a lot of the "old" refurbs on the Apple store. Wondering if i should take advantage or wait for what's down the way.

And someone please reaffirm for me that this post, is in fact 100% useless.

Well, the WWDC is in early June this year. About 2.5 months to wait. http://developer.apple.com/wwdc/index.html

If you can (and want to) wait, then wait. If you need it now, buy it now.

Happy Shopping.

 

[Mr. Anderson]

I just bought a dual 2.5 and a 30" display - a pretty sweet combination right now, and fast enough for pretty much anything I do. I can't see them *shipping* one of these machines until much later in the year at best, but it would be nice to be pleasantly surprised - we have some dual gen 1 dual 2Ghz machines, and it would be great to update them to something radically better at the end of their two-year life-cycle (that's our general upgrade pattern).

Here's hoping (as usual).

But if you realize that the G5s haven't been updated it quite some time, it would seem to make sense that we'll see these quads sooner than later if they're available.

D

 

[giant25]

1.2Thz?

would 4 3Ghz G5s = 1.2Thz?

now that's a question for marketing.

 

[Chaszmyr]

would 4 3Ghz G5s = 1.2Thz?

now that's a question for marketing.

That's not a question for anyone, it's a no.

 

[kornyboy]

i sure hope not. i'd be happy with a less expensive, less hot, less noisy single core 2.3 GHz 23inch iMac.

but if the dual core 2.3 gHz imac is released i'll order one. of course.

Apple has been pretty big on updating the iMac to something that utilizes at least some of the latest technology so I do indeed see them adding a dual core processor to the iMac line.

~Kornyboy

 

[eric67]

and beyond...

Just some things I noticed when looking through the CHUD Tools:

• The badge where the number of CPU's is displayed is available in three widths (the number itself is probably generated at runtime), leaving space for at least two digits. 99 G5s anyone? Edit: Macbidouille found this before I did.

• 
  good one, it proves that multicore or multiprocessor management is really ready...as by magic in addition Apple released 10.3.9 seed recently...
  all together it makes sense!!
  in addition I think that Tiger release is necessary for a new hardware!
  in other words, without Tiger and new mangamenet tools, the new hardware in the pipeline will not be able to work optimally.
  In addition, one will have to clarify why we ahve so many 10.3.x update within such a short time the last 4 month!!
  
  I think is 970MP is to be announced in June, and available in September, then one should think again into the future of 970xx in PB...
  a multicore 970 with clockspeed could really be a solution..
  imagine a 970MP at 2.5-3.0GHz in PMG5, a 970MPat 1.5GHs would be perfect in a PB, if power management is optimized

 

[Mechcozmo]

Time to upgrade from my 400 mhz G4 with a Dual Core Dual 3Ghz Processor and 4 Gigs of RAM. I'll get slightly faster lightwave renders

Nah. You won't. You might get better FPSs in Chess though...

An iBook G5? Whan ARE they coming out???

Next Tuesday! Like everything else!



This will be pretty cool. See Apple beat x86 chips to the market, eh?

 

[iPlm]

would 4 3Ghz G5s = 1.2Thz?

now that's a question for marketing.

1.2THz would be some 400 3GHz G5s

 

[~loserman~]

In addition, one will have to clarify why we ahve so many 10.3.x update within such a short time the last 4 month!!

One of the reasons there has been so many updates in the last 4 months is because we have been exposing bugs in OS X server right and left.
At my site we have been giving Apple Engineering fits for the last 7 months.
There is a reasonable expectation that 10.3.9 will include 4 bug fixes for us specifically. Apple has rolled the code of 2 of the fixes done at out site into that update already.

 

[Platform]

would 4 3Ghz G5s = 1.2Thz?

now that's a question for marketing.

Tought that would have to be 1000Ghz = 1Thz

 

[ziwi]

"Everything is proceeding as I have foreseen"...OK well maybe as I had hoped. This makes sense why the wait would be so long for upgrades - they couldn't hit the magic mark with the chip/mobo they had needed to move in new/faster direction so dual core 970MP - problem was requires a new mobo. PM getting old - can't update now just to intro the G5 MCP at WWDC....I may be worth the wait - blu-ray, multiple core processors...we shall see.

 

[TheMasin9]

....

quad dual core g5....in powerbooks this tuesday!!!

kidding aside, i just hope they revamp the powermacs soon, im in the market!!!

Im getting tired of these comments... anyone else?

 

[TheMasin9]

nope

Tought that would have to be 1000Ghz = 1Thz

i highly doubt they could actually market this, we would be getting 4 3ghz processors not 1 1.2 thz processor there is a big diff.

 

[Raiden]

I for one could care less about a 4 processor duel core 3Ghz Powermac G5.

Why?

In the end, people might see little better photoshop renders and maybe a few faster frames per sec in Doom3, all after 6 months when programs are compiled to take advantage of the computers firepower.

But honestly, the whole DC thing is totally overrated. And it is not worth the price of putting FOUR G5 chips into the powermac. C'mon, two is near 3000 dollars...I would put the quad G5 at 3500 dollars...who would buy that when a 'outdated' 2.5 G5 is 2500 and produces near the same results?

dont mean to be a pessimist...sorry.

 

[itsa]

But if you realize that the G5s haven't been updated it quite some time, it would seem to make sense that we'll see these quads sooner than later if they're available.

D

I agree.... Apple is not going to hold off two months if they can be making a killing today. If they have something ready... we will see it as soon as they do. It does not help anyone to sit on it.

As for me... I've been waiting for 6 months to buy again... can't hurt to wait a little longer.

 

[bdkennedy1]

An iBook G5? Whan ARE they coming out???

If I could have bet money that someone was going to ask this tired, stupid question I'd be rich right now. They'll come out when they come out.

 

[toontra]

I for one could care less about a 4 processor duel core 3Ghz Powermac G5.

Why?

In the end, people might see little better photoshop renders and maybe a few faster frames per sec in Doom3, all after 6 months when programs are compiled to take advantage of the computers firepower.

But honestly, the whole DC thing is totally overrated. And it is not worth the price of putting FOUR G5 chips into the powermac. C'mon, two is near 3000 dollars...I would put the quad G5 at 3500 dollars...who would buy that when a 'outdated' 2.5 G5 is 2500 and produces near the same results?

dont mean to be a pessimist...sorry.

It depends what apps you use and if you're a pro or not. For virtual instruments in Logic or filters & rendering in Final Cut you need as much CPU as you can get. Higher CPU = more capability and less time - simple as that (and we all know what time equals!)

I get pretty bored with those who say they can't see the need for a speed bump. If you don't need fast processing then don't upgrade, but don't assume we all sit at home browsing, noodling with iMovie & playing the occasional game!

 

[Frobozz]

I for one could care less about a 4 processor duel core 3Ghz Powermac G5.

Why?

In the end, people might see little better photoshop renders and maybe a few faster frames per sec in Doom3, all after 6 months when programs are compiled to take advantage of the computers firepower.

But honestly, the whole DC thing is totally overrated. And it is not worth the price of putting FOUR G5 chips into the powermac. C'mon, two is near 3000 dollars...I would put the quad G5 at 3500 dollars...who would buy that when a 'outdated' 2.5 G5 is 2500 and produces near the same results?

dont mean to be a pessimist...sorry.

You're right-- and this was something I thought about pointing out, too. For most things there won't be a speed up. HOWEVER-- most things are already fast enough on a 2.5 GH dp G5. The things that will be accelerated are the pro level apps, but prob. not much for games. Specifically:

-- Cinema 4D and other 3D modelling applications (I mention my favorite).
-- Motion
-- DVD Studio Pro
-- iDVD
-- iMovie HD
-- Final Cut Pro
-- Photoshop

... and the list goes on.

So my feeling is that unless the OS requires more juice that everything mundane is already fast enough on a current top of the line mac. Everything else will see a significant speed boost. I can't tell you how much faster Cinema 4D is on a DP machine than single. It's basically 85% faster at rendering. Now, with 4 it will be something like 340% faster than a single processor. In other words, similar to a single 10 GHz G5. (Please spare the scaling/real world discussion-- I'm only throwing numbers out as way to put things in perspective!)

 

[cliffjumper68]

Great! It sounds like these will be out sometime this summer, just in time for my next purchase! I am glad I waited on the PowerMac Purchase.

 

[yoda_four]

Considering this little report, I would assume that if FCP 5 and co. were seemingly being rewritten to take advantage of QT7 and Tiger, they'd add the support for "dual dual-core processing".

Is it possible that MOSR got something right for a change?

Several major corporate buyers and at least two major educational/scientific customers of Apple have been assured that there is a significant upgrade in "G5 technology" coming to the company's lineup before springtime (that being, in the Northern Hemisphere, March 21st).

The PowerPC 970FX seems to be stalled out, little is known about the "Antares" 970GX/970MP programs outside of IBM, and the introduction of POWER5-class technology to the Mac platform is still strongly believed to be slated for the Xserve or "Xstation" ultra-high-end systems rather than the "consumer high-end" PowerMac.

In researching new reports of delayed PMG5 orders and Apple's communications with major customers about the upcoming revision, we stumbled upon what seems like credible evidence of PCI Express support in the next revision....as well as employment of IBM's first dual-core Antares G5 processor - the PPC 970MP.

or an older report:

What the grapevine now envisions is a mixed bag -- an entry-level system based on single and dual 2GHz PPC 970 processors, a mid-range machine based on the 2.5GHz 970FX, and a high-end machine with either two 2.8GHz 970GX's or a sole dual-core 2.8GHz 970MP.

Unfortunately, although IBM's Antares-era system controller supports features like twice as many HyperTransport links, PCI Express with SLI, DDR2-667 memory and other cutting-edge technological upgrades, we do not expect this controller to be available in volume until much later in the year. If it does appear on the new PowerMacs, it will almost certainly only be in the high-end model and shipments of such a machine probably would not catch up with demand until as late as June or even July!

 

[jcrowe]

The things that will be accelerated are the pro level apps, but prob. not much for games. Specifically:

-- Cinema 4D and other 3D modelling applications (I mention my favorite).
-- Motion
-- DVD Studio Pro
-- iDVD
-- iMovie HD
-- Final Cut Pro
-- Photoshop

... and the list goes on.

Add to that list anything that requires rendering, like Poser and Carrara objects and scenes. Also, existing iMovie and Garageband applications tend to run out of gas as well. As important as ability to run multiple concurrent threads of execution is the bandwidth between processors, cache, memory and storage. Of all the things I do on my 800Mhz G4 iMac, the applications mentioned above test the capabilities of the machine. I'm looking for a hardware upgrade, but not until Tiger comes out and looks solid. Presently, I tend to run Poser on my homebrew PC because it's simply much newer and faster than the iMac. However, running Windows 2000 makes it a very vulnerable environment for use online.

So my feeling is that unless the OS requires more juice that everything mundane is already fast enough on a current top of the line mac. Everything else will see a significant speed boost. I can't tell you how much faster Cinema 4D is on a DP machine than single. It's basically 85% faster at rendering. Now, with 4 it will be something like 340% faster than a single processor. In other words, similar to a single 10 GHz G5. (Please spare the scaling/real world discussion-- I'm only throwing numbers out as way to put things in perspective!)

Yeah, there are architectural limitations too. My company used to produce a fault tolerant 4 way SMP UNIX box based on MIPS processors. The added advantage of more processors was largely limited by infrastructure issues, but essentially, IIRC, a 4 way was 2.89 x of a uniprocessor. Even in the most efficient SMP designs, you will never see a 4x increase in processor efficiency. However, in the market we were addressing, achieving "five nines" of uptime, which translates to 2 minutes of unplanned downtime a year, was far more important than overall power (which was also important). When a customer loses tens of thousands of dollars for each minute of downtime, availability trumps raw power. I'm considering a dual 2.0 Ghz G5 when the next generation comes along, figuring that it will define the new lowend.

Thanks for reading.

 

[ClimbingTheLog]

When Apple says "by springtime" they mean "before springtime is over" , i.e. June 20.

There's some time dilation effect in the presence of a Reality Distortion Field.

 

[MacsRgr8]

Too bad Doom 3 won't benefit...

We'll have to wait and see what price tags these Quads will get. The normal overall user experience hardly benefits from these multi cores. Only apps that are SMP supported will fly. Good for the Pro's!

The bad news with this, is that MHz speed probably will not increase (lesson learned from Moto's Dual 450 & 500 MHz G4.... where hardly an app at all could make use of the second CPU).
And single processor G5's (iMacs, PowerBook??) will hardly benefit from this.

I wonder if the 3.0 GHz barrier could be further away than anticipated...

Let's hope the G5 will reach 3.0 GHz:
Single CPU, Single Core: iMac, PowerBook (max)
Single CPU, Dual Core: PowerMac, Xserve
Dual CPU, Dual Core: PowerMac (max) Xserve (max)

 

[FoxyKaye]

Yay! Then maybe sometime in 2006 or 2007, they'll matriculate down to the iMacs or even the Minis. Perhaps dual-core, single-processor models?

OK, so I'm not a developer, and I'm sure this has been mentioned a thousand times, but the only thing I think of when I look at CHUD Tools is Cannabalistic Humanoid Underground Dweller.

 

[joeboy_45101]

Quad G5 Powerbooks are a,comin'!