Sapphire Previews Radeon HD 7950 Mac Edition Graphics Card for Mac Pro

[snberk103]

Apple Says New Models, Designs for Mac Pro In Works, Due in 2013 (Update)

You will note that Tim Cook never said it was a Mac Pro. " .... we’re working on something really great for later next year. "

The email sent to clarify what Pogue at the NY Times simply clarified that it was not an iMac.

My wife worked in government for many years, and we talked about politics over dinner many times. Still do. Tim Cook's wording was very deliberately chosen. It may mean he didn't want to confirm a new Mac Pro - 'cause a confirmed new Mac Pro in the works would kill current sales. Or it may mean that it isn't a Mac Pro and he isn't prepared to share what it is.

We will know when one of two things happen. Apple actually officially announces it, or there is a photo of it in an elevator. Until then... we have no idea. Though I will be the first to admit speculating is fun.

 

[mozumder]

You will note that Tim Cook never said it was a Mac Pro. " .... we’re working on something really great for later next year. "

The email sent to clarify what Pogue at the NY Times simply clarified that it was not an iMac.

My wife worked in government for many years, and we talked about politics over dinner many times. Still do. Tim Cook's wording was very deliberately chosen. It may mean he didn't want to confirm a new Mac Pro - 'cause a confirmed new Mac Pro in the works would kill current sales. Or it may mean that it isn't a Mac Pro and he isn't prepared to share what it is.

We will know when one of two things happen. Apple actually officially announces it, or there is a photo of it in an elevator. Until then... we have no idea. Though I will be the first to admit speculating is fun.

Yah it's a new Mac Pro. Thanks.

 

[jenzjen]

As designed, will not fit in slot 1 - correct

The back of HD5770 and HD5870 is completely flat, this one is having very long screws near the core.

Image

Image

Assuming this is the final design (and see no reason why it wouldn't be), Spacedust is right - this card will not fit in slot 1.

I have a 7870 eyefinity 6, which has the exact same 4 screws, height, etc that prevent it from fitting into #1. It does need to be completely flush like the 5870, 5770.

 

[MacVidCards]

Assuming this is the final design (and see no reason why it wouldn't be), Spacedust is right - this card will not fit in slot 1.

I have a 7870 eyefinity 6, which has the exact same 4 screws, height, etc that prevent it from fitting into #1. It does need to be completely flush like the 5870, 5770.

Think for a moment.

Are these people REALLY going to toss out 1000's of sales because they overlooked this?

If it doesn't work in 1,1s it will be because it is EFI64 or UEFI GOP, it won't be because Stan in Hardware Procurement forgot to see if it actually fit in the machines it was designed for.

The screws holding it together aren't going to be a problem.

 

[DELTAsnake]

Think for a moment.

Are these people REALLY going to toss out 1000's of sales because they overlooked this?

If it doesn't work in 1,1s it will be because it is EFI64 or UEFI GOP, it won't be because Stan in Hardware Procurement forgot to see if it actually fit in the machines it was designed for.

The screws holding it together aren't going to be a problem.

Sapphire is not a newbie to the video card industry, they know what they are doing, it will fit in a Mac Pro.

Besides, even if the screws are a problem, which I doubt they will be, on the 2009, 2010 and 2012 Pro's both slot 1 and 2 are X16 PCIE slots. For those of you that don't know about PC hardware, that means both slot 1 and 2 are built for video cards.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2838

 

[Drinahn]

Ooh hope the 2009 Mac Pro supports it. This would breath a bit of life into it.

 

[cal6n]

Assuming this is the final design (and see no reason why it wouldn't be), Spacedust is right - this card will not fit in slot 1.

I have a 7870 eyefinity 6, which has the exact same 4 screws, height, etc that prevent it from fitting into #1. It does need to be completely flush like the 5870, 5770.

As I've pointed out to you in the other thread, you are completely wrong.

The backplane of the 5XXX series cards that you claim "needs to be completely flush" is stood off from the circuit board by the same distance that the screws on the 7950 protrude.

 

[szw-mapple fan]

TWO Mac Pro based news items in under 24 hours?!?!

boy people are getting desperate

 

[iBug2]

You will note that Tim Cook never said it was a Mac Pro. " .... we’re working on something really great for later next year. "

The email sent to clarify what Pogue at the NY Times simply clarified that it was not an iMac.

My wife worked in government for many years, and we talked about politics over dinner many times. Still do. Tim Cook's wording was very deliberately chosen. It may mean he didn't want to confirm a new Mac Pro - 'cause a confirmed new Mac Pro in the works would kill current sales. Or it may mean that it isn't a Mac Pro and he isn't prepared to share what it is.

We will know when one of two things happen. Apple actually officially announces it, or there is a photo of it in an elevator. Until then... we have no idea. Though I will be the first to admit speculating is fun.

I also think his wording was carefully chosen. Apple may actually release a new Mac Pro or they could dump the line entirely and introduce a new line instead aimed at professionals. In any case I think we are going to hear some news about it at WWDC.

 

[chrisrosemusic1]

This is some good news for the Pro's - I'm hoping they don't let them down for much longer.

Makes no difference for me though

 

[snberk103]

I also think his wording was carefully chosen. Apple may actually release a new Mac Pro or they could dump the line entirely and introduce a new line instead aimed at professionals. In any case I think we are going to hear some news about it at WWDC.

It's possible that when he wrote that Apple had not yet decided on which way to go. That there were a couple of teams.... one designing the next version of the Mac Pro that evolves from the current version, and a 2nd team designing a new Pro System that is completely different than what we know. Perhaps there was a 3rd or 4th team that were exploring whether they could offer versions oft the Mini and/or iMac that would attract Pro users.

Certainly Apple is keeping their options open. There are reports here at MR that 10.8.3 betas contain video drivers for new video cards - indicating that they are spending resources to keep Mac Pros up-to-date-ish. On the other hand Apple doesn't bother to certify Mac Pros to comply with a new EU regulation, thus temporarily putting a halt to sales in the EU.

Too many tea leaves to read.

I would be interesting to get a Tim Cook to comment now, eh?

 

[adder7712]

I have a Sapphire HD 7950 installed in my PC. Paid $310 for it.

 

[Setmose]

!! Sample Mac Edition Doesn't Include "Tray"

The back of HD5770 and HD5870 is completely flat, this one is having very long screws near the core.

Image

Image

Look at your pics again. The Apple parts have a long black tray/carrier that slots in next to the PCI intake fan in Mac Pro. The depth of that tray is about equal to the protrusion of the screws, which is why there is a cutout in the tray to accommodate them. The Sapphire part, at least as shown so far, does not include the tray. Probably the PCI connector and the attachment to the backplane is enough and the card doesn't dip down to touch the aluminum of the CPU compartment. The tray is just Apple's great over-kill engineering which allows the Mac Pro to be tossed about without the video card stressing the PCI connector.

 

[Setmose]

That approach has about zero chance of working. The gap between the Thunderbolt controller and the physical ports has to be around an inch or two.

this is also backwards! The output from the GPU must be feed through the Thunderbolt controller and then out to the physical port.

The thunderbolt controller would have to be on the GPU card itself. That still leaves the problem of how the PCI-e x4 througput gets to the controller (can "steal"/"share" it with the GPU put you've chopped down its bandwidth to rest of system) and powering the TB controller and delivering power to TB sockets, since the are modest power producers. (Again you can steal/borrow from the GPU infrastructure but that too will mean compromises. )

Intel has said since Thunderbolt was intially release that it is aimed at the motherboard and there aren't any PCI-e solutions on the horzion.

Putting Thunderbolt on a GPU card isn't likely going to be certified any time soon. It is mainly an idea advocated by those who want to position that discrete cards can solve every problem. They don't.




Not! That solution takes the iGPU from the CPU socket and hooks it to the TB controller which is connected to the TB ports on the edge of the motherboard.

Any PCI-e graphics card is only virtually connected by copying its frame buffer over to the iGPUs. (on web you reference see the "LucidLogix Virtu MVP " section of the page. )


Apple is likely to use Xeon E5 1600 and 2600 solutions. Those have no GPU. The solution that exists that Apple has already deployed is to use an embedded GPU just like on the iMac. A GPU and VRAM soldered to the motherboard will provide DisplayPort output to the TB controller. That controller will connect to two ports ( probably on the back. Perhaps where the two analog auido ports are now. Or Apple tossing something else off the back. )

It isn't really necessary to virtually map a second GPU's output. All that is necessary for TB is just one. A discrete card could function in a new Mac Pro just like a second one does in the current Mac Pro. That card's outputs are hooked to a different set of monitors. There is no good rational reason why all the GPUs in a Mac Pro must output only through TB ports. Makes no sense at all.

Well, going forward Mac Pro must be able to be hooked to an Apple Thunderbolt monitor so that they can be sold together as a solution. Currently Apple has gotten itself out on a limb, which is why they uncharacteristically have continued both MDP and Thunderbolt ACDs.

----------

Ooh hope the 2009 Mac Pro supports it. This would breath a bit of life into it.

Another vote.

 

[deconstruct60]

Well, going forward Mac Pro must be able to be hooked to an Apple Thunderbolt monitor so that they can be sold together as a solution.

That is really a kool-aid drinking solution. The Thunderbolt docking station ( cough Display) is an odd-ball mix for the Mac Pro. The dangling MagSafe power adapter and the relatively short Thunderbolt cord that limits "display"/Mac Pro distance are not well designed.

Apple isn't in the monitor business anymore even as they continue to use the word on their docking station product.

Currently Apple has gotten itself out on a limb, which is why they uncharacteristically have continued both MDP and Thunderbolt ACDs.

This is just about a non issue as the fact that Apple doesn't sell printers anymore. There are a number of high quality monitor vendors out there. All of them have products that work even better with a Mac Pro than Apple's docking station.

It would be a sign that the inmates had taken over the asylum if the Mac Pro was only useful with a integrated monitor docking station. I don't think the clueless have taken over Apple just yet.

 

[ActionableMango]

Well, going forward Mac Pro must be able to be hooked to an Apple Thunderbolt monitor so that they can be sold together as a solution. Currently Apple has gotten itself out on a limb, which is why they uncharacteristically have continued both MDP and Thunderbolt ACDs.

I don't see what's wrong with continuing to sell two monitors. It has worked for years now and can continue to work.

If they had to only sell one ACD I bet they could simply make the ACD accept an MDP signal. It's the same physical connector as the MDP anyway. I know it's not a perfect solution because the hub won't work, but having read through the threads discussing the ways the MP could be made into Thunderbolt, I can say those solutions usually have much more significant problems.

 

[george-brooks]

I think he's suggesting that there is no real indication they are planning to redesign the case/look of the machine. "something really great" could mean just a powerful machine with modern hardware in the same package.

The basic mac pro design has been around for 10 years now. I think its time for a refresh by any measure.

 

[MikBe]

I'm pretty sure if you look at his quote, he simply said that there was something coming for pro users in response to a question about a Mac Pro. I don't think you will find he every used the words "Mac Pro". But I could be wrong...

You're wrong; as are all the other people that went off on a tangent without verifying the full quote. Ironically the partial quote removes the very words "Mac Pro" because they are understood. Here is the full email:

Franz,

Thanks for your email. Our Pro customers like you are really important to us. Although we didn’t have a chance to talk about a new Mac Pro at today’s event, don’t worry as we’re working on something really great for later next year. We also updated the current model today.

We’ve been continuing to update Final Cut Pro X with revolutionary pro features like industry leading multi-cam support and we just updated Aperture with incredible new image adjustment features.

We also announced a MacBook Pro with a Retina Display that is a great solution for many pros.

Tim

With the inclusion of the full quote it's obvious he's talking about a new Mac Pro.

 

[snberk103]

You're wrong; as are all the other people that went off on a tangent without verifying the full quote. Ironically the partial quote removes the very words "Mac Pro" because they are understood. Here is the full email: [Cook's Email]

With the inclusion of the full quote it's obvious he's talking about a new Mac Pro.

Nope, not wrong. I had the full quote in front of me while writing. Was saving some space.

In that sentence Tim Cook Says.
1) Thanks.
2) "[Apple's] 'Pro customers' are really important...." Please find the definition that Apple uses when it says 'Pro customers'. Do they mean people who use Mac Book Pros & Mac Pros? Or do they mean people who are a professional in some field? Which could mean everybody except the unemployed, students, retirees, and children?
3a) Then a statement of historical fact. Apple did not talk about Mac Pros at that event.
3b) Then that though ends, and a new topic is introduced. "...don’t worry as we’re working on something really great...." Tim Cook merely said "something". The Mac Pro reference ended with that comma. He uses the word 'something' instead of 'Mac Pro' - or - 'Desktop', 'Tower', 'Computer', 'System', 'Hardware', or just about any other word that would have narrowed thing down even a little bit. It might mean new Mac Pro - or it might mean that Apple is creating a new cloud service for people who call themselves professionals.

That 'something' was chosen very carefully. I have experience writing like that.... so I recognize a good waffle when I see it. So keep your ho es up... but don't bet any money you can't afford to lose on a new Mac Pro that is like the current system.

imho, of course.

 

[Garamond]

So… where to pre-order this thing?

 

[MikBe]

Nope, not wrong...
[snip]
imho, of course.

I hope I'm not mischaracterizing you but you appear to be asserting that there is some kind of conspiracy. Is that what you are saying?

 

[snberk103]

I hope I'm not mischaracterizing you but you appear to be asserting that there is some kind of conspiracy. Is that what you are saying?

Conspiracy? No. Can you expand on that thought?

 

[MikBe]

Conspiracy? No. Can you expand on that thought?

It seems like you're saying Apple is conspiring to misinform us about the Mac Pro. That they are purposefully misleading us into thinking there will be a new Mac Pro when there will not be.

Seems to me Tim was just being the typical Apple spokesperson.

 

[billdone7]

Good one, like it thanks

 

[snberk103]

It seems like you're saying Apple is conspiring to misinform us about the Mac Pro. That they are purposefully misleading us into thinking there will be a new Mac Pro when there will not be.

Seems to me Tim was just being the typical Apple spokesperson.

I did not explicitly or implicitly say that Apple was trying to "misinform" us. I very clearly stated that, imo, Tim Cook's statement was very non-specific about what Apple may or may not release in 2013. This was a direct response to someone who, in their opinion, thought a very specific product had been announced.

Though, I agree that Tim's non-specifivity is a long-held Apple PR tradition.

And while I'm quibbling, a conspiracy requires more than one actor. So Apple and ......, or Tim Cook and ..... Since I was specifically talking about a statement by Tim Cook, it could not be a "conspiracy."