The 2009 (Gainestown) Mac Pro: Everything We Know

[Setmose]

No I don't think so. Apple have actively managed to get processors early.

Yes, and not even the 3.2 GHz Gainestowns. They probably paid a premium for that, and they are passing along the cost. That means there are several immediate bump-ups coming for Mac Pro, at a minimum the 3.2 GHz. I'm going to have to think seriously about waiting for the Snow Leopard version.

I think we are starting to miss Steve Jobs having his hands on the day-to-day decision making.

 

[robinp]

Sorry. I'm currently in the U.S.A

well try the amazon link that someone else posted

 

[ildondeigiocchi]

Does the new Mac Pro even have SLI?

 

[nanofrog]

Hey guys,

What happened ? Where are those 16cores XEONs ? I thought new macPros will have new 8cores CPUs,1 single CPU = 8cores.

and whats up with all those prices. I just checked official apple site and the moment if u get Two 2.93GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon the price jumps to $6,919.00, are u kidding me........

What do they think at Apple, that all of us split cocaine everyday and thats how we make our $$$...

8 core CPU's are Beckton, which isn't out yet.

The new models surprised me, as I'm finding myself disappointed. Base model is underpowered, and ~$500USD more. To bump it to what was expected is just too much $$$. It seems the value that was once the MP, is now gone.

$4,899.00 for 2x 2.66GHz and an HD4870? Ouch.

 

[Tesselator]

It seems the value that was once the MP, is now gone.

$4,899.00 for 2x 2.66GHz and an HD4870? Ouch.

Too true. Very sad!

Anyone know what specific model number procs are actually being used?

 

[bvk]

Dumb question, but I'm confused as well - are these new Nehalem processors just that much better on their own to justify a single 2.6 as the base model?

I have to buy one to replace my '06 model, which was a 4 core 2.6 in 2 duals, I'm very disappointed that I'm stuck with 2.6 GHz again. But hopeful there'll be a big difference in it being a single 4 core processor.

Maybe I'll just buy an iMac & save a ton of cash

 

[Umbongo]

Yes, and not even the 3.2 GHz Gainestowns. They probably paid a premium for that, and they are passing along the cost. That means there are several immediate bump-ups coming for Mac Pro, at a minimum the 3.2 GHz. I'm going to have to think seriously about waiting for the Snow Leopard version.

I think we are starting to miss Steve Jobs having his hands on the day-to-day decision making.

Oh don't doubt Steve had a hand in this.

 

[Umbongo]

Dumb question, but I'm confused as well - are these new Nehalem processors just that much better on their own to justify a single 2.6 as the base model?

I have to buy one to replace my '06 model, which was a 4 core 2.6 in 2 duals, I'm very disappointed that I'm stuck with 2.6 GHz again. But hopeful there'll be a big difference in it being a single 4 core processor.

Maybe I'll just buy an iMac & save a ton of cash

A single 2.66GHz nehalem is a lot faster than your 2.66GHz.

 

[ceres]

Man, pricing is just brutal even in the EURO Zone.
The Quad Machine is particularly disappointing bc there is no justification for the price. The E3 Xeon is cheap.
Also, still no eSATA, included wireless or more than 4 HDD trays and other stuff that should be there in 2009.
The 4870 is very welcome but should be available with 1 Gig of Memory.
It really shows that the Early 08 Model was a very good value impossible to DIY for the same $$$.

 

[Tesselator]

Dumb question, but I'm confused as well - are these new Nehalem processors just that much better on their own to justify a single 2.6 as the base model?

I have to buy one to replace my '06 model, which was a 4 core 2.6 in 2 duals, I'm very disappointed that I'm stuck with 2.6 GHz again. But hopeful there'll be a big difference in it being a single 4 core processor.

Maybe I'll just buy an iMac & save a ton of cash

The new 2.66 will be very close to two times the speed of the 06' version 2.66 (quad to quad). A little more for some things and a little less for others.

http://images.apple.com/macpro/docs/MacPro_CS3_Report.pdf
http://www.apple.com/macpro/performance.html

 

[nanofrog]

Too true. Very sad!

Anyone know what specific model number procs are actually being used?

Yes.

X5550 = 2.66GHz part
E5520 = 2.26GHz part

Here's a link to the Xeon 5500 series parts. (Scroll down a bit).

 

[Eidorian]

A single 2.66GHz nehalem is a lot faster than your 2.66GHz.

Good lord Intel is charging on those dual socket Nehalems.

 

[Tallest Skil]

Does the new Mac Pro even have SLI?

Tylersburg supports it, so it could very well be possible in WINDOWS only.

 

[Tesselator]

Yes.

X5550 = 2.66GHz part
E5520 = 2.26GHz part

Here's a link to the Xeon 5500 series parts. (Scroll down a bit).

Thanks man!!!

 

[m1stake]

The 2.66 in the single is a 3500 series chip according to Apple's site.

 

[KBS756]

Does anyone know where the cheapest place to get 16GB (8x2GB) for the new nehalem mac pro is? dont wanna spend 500 with apple if its cheaper elsewhere (but lookin round i havent seen cheaper) thanks in advance

 

[kuep]

Yes.

X5550 = 2.66GHz part
E5520 = 2.26GHz part

Here's a link to the Xeon 5500 series parts. (Scroll down a bit).

# 8-core: Two 2.26GHz, 2.66GHz or 2.93GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon 5500 series processors
# Quad-core: One 2.66GHz or 2.93GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon 3500 series processor

 

[Eidorian]

The 2.66 in the single is a 3500 series chip according to Apple's site.

Oh snap, talk about markup for that single socket Xeon. Yes it's there.

 

[Horst]

Yes, but in computing one expects performance gains at little or no
cost. More than a year has passed and we should expect more for
the same money. It's called "progress"

Amen, bro.

There should be a big sticker on the new Mac Pros, saying 'Rev. A, guinea pigs only' .

Can't wait to see some barefeats comparisons, but I guess there'll be little to no performance gains unless one spends an insane amount of money.

 

[frimple]

Does anyone know where the cheapest place to get 16GB (8x2GB) for the new nehalem mac pro is? dont wanna spend 500 with apple if its cheaper elsewhere (but lookin round i havent seen cheaper) thanks in advance

That depends on if you want registered memory or not. The egg doesn't have any registered DDR3 ATM.

 

[BenRoethig]

Does the new Mac Pro even have SLI?

The chipset has that capability, but its currently dormant.

 

[iMacmatician]

Amen, bro.

There should be a big sticker on the new Mac Pros, saying 'Rev. A, guinea pigs only' .

Can't wait to see some barefeats comparisons, but I guess there'll be little to no performance gains unless one spends an insane amount of money.

Nehalem does give a lot of performance, but as you say they are more expensive.

 

[Fomaphone]

what did you go for? I'm stuck trying to work out what config

Two 2.66GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon
8GB (4x2GB)
1TB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s
ATI Radeon HD 4870 512MB
Two 18x SuperDrives
Apple Mighty Mouse
Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad (English) and User's Guide
AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi Card with 802.11n
Apple Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter

$4,222.00 With Student ADC, before NYS sales tax

 

[nanofrog]

The 2.66 in the single is a 3500 series chip according to Apple's site.

I'll have to look at that one. IIRC, the Workstation parts have not released yet.

Those are what I wanted. Settled for an i7-920 to tide me over until they release, as I acquired all the other parts.

It was driving me crazy to not be able to do anything, as all of it is useless without a CPU.

Does anyone know where the cheapest place to get 16GB (8x2GB) for the new nehalem mac pro is? dont wanna spend 500 with apple if its cheaper elsewhere (but lookin round i havent seen cheaper) thanks in advance

For the '08 or '09 model?

I ask, as the '09 only has a maximum of 3 channels per CPU. If this is what you're looking for, Crucial has been offering DDR3 Unbuffered ECC DIMM's for awhile. Pricing isn't terrible either.

 

[nanofrog]

Two 2.66GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon
8GB (4x2GB)
1TB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s
ATI Radeon HD 4870 512MB
Two 18x SuperDrives
Apple Mighty Mouse
Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad (English) and User's Guide
AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi Card with 802.11n
Apple Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter

$4,222.00 With Student ADC, before NYS sales tax

Nice discount , though still a little high IMO.