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The next Mac Pro GPU?
- Thread starter VirtualRain
- Start date
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YIKES! that thing's crazy, but ... 
For some strange reason, "Coming Soon to a monitor wall near you" comes to mind as part of the advertising campaign.
As per showing up in a Mac, I doubt it, given Apple's reluctance to add support. Besides, I'd hate to see the price on that thing on the PC side, let alone what would happen if it were to appear as a Mac edition.
For some strange reason, "Coming Soon to a monitor wall near you" comes to mind as part of the advertising campaign. As per showing up in a Mac, I doubt it, given Apple's reluctance to add support. Besides, I'd hate to see the price on that thing on the PC side, let alone what would happen if it were to appear as a Mac edition.
I'm expecting cards like the ATI FirePro V7800.
I wonder when Apple will figure out how to support cards like this.
I wonder when Apple will figure out how to support cards like this.
A V7800 would be an excellent GPU option. I'll have one of those and a 27" Cinema Display please.
I doubt Apple will use workstation graphics. Lately they've been using Radeons and GeForces, not Quadros or FirePros. Maybe people just aren't aware of workstation GPUs as discussion is always about normal desktop GPUs like ATI 5870
It's quite shocking that a 'Pro' workstation currently only has the option of a Quadro FX4800 as a high-end GPU.
Realistically the Mac Pro needs on option of FirePro V7800, V5800 and a decent high-end Radeon like a HD5870. The FirePros feature DisplayPort as standard, unlike the Quadro, so at least they work with Cinema Displays.
Realistically the Mac Pro needs on option of FirePro V7800, V5800 and a decent high-end Radeon like a HD5870. The FirePros feature DisplayPort as standard, unlike the Quadro, so at least they work with Cinema Displays.
It's quite shocking that a 'Pro' workstation currently only has the option of a Quadro FX4800 as a high-end GPU.
Realistically the Mac Pro needs on option of FirePro V7800, V5800 and a decent high-end Radeon like a HD5870. The FirePros feature DisplayPort as standard, unlike the Quadro, so at least they work with Cinema Displays.
It's not really that shocking. The major difference between consumer cards and workstation cards are optimised drivers for specific applications, more stable drivers and high quality support direct from Nvidia and AMD and certification. As Apple can dictate the quality level of drivers and support for the cards they supply and all their cards are easily certified for Mac applications there is no reason to offer expensive workstation card versions other than for those who want to run them in another OS.
Don't forget the fact that the professional cards typically have more memory than their consumer counterparts though (same GPU). It can make a difference, particularly with card optimized applications.
My only wish on the video card side is one that will properly support 10 bit output to go with the NEC PA 241 I want to buy!
I am wondering; will we see it at the MP?? The ATI 5th series is about to complete its first year since it has released and we could not see any trace of it in MP so far; expect RUMORS and hopes; what make you so sure that we may see something like that in MP?
I am wondering; will we see it at the MP?? The ATI 5th series is about to complete its first year since it has released and we could not see any trace of it in MP so far; expect RUMORS and hopes; what make you so sure that we may see something like that in MP?
Because technology always moves forward?
I would fully expect to see a Fire GL option and Quadro options. Apple have offered both I think before, I know they only stopped the Quadro option last year.
If they don't offer these pro cards in there pro machine again then you know which direction it's heading....... of a very large cliff!!
Mac Pro has never had an option for ATI Fire card, first and second gen had option for Quadro FX 4500 (1st gen) and FX 5600 (2nd gen). Apple is still selling the FX 5600 but it's not an option for current Mac Pro unless you buy it separately.
I think the biggest reason why Apple doesn't use workstation graphics are their popularity, most people have no idea about them as people just talk about Radeons and GeForces.
I am wondering; will we see it at the MP?? The ATI 5th series is about to complete its first year since it has released and we could not see any trace of it in MP so far; expect RUMORS and hopes; what make you so sure that we may see something like that in MP?
If by a year you mean eight months then yes.
Apple typically releases new GPUs with a new Mac Pro. Assuming they follow their normal pattern, I think the next generation will have a 5-series as the low end and an NVIDIA card for the high end.
Yup! And GPU update in MP runs as fast as turtle!
If by a year you mean eight months then yes.
Apple typically releases new GPUs with a new Mac Pro. Assuming they follow their normal pattern, I think the next generation will have a 5-series as the low end and an NVIDIA card for the high end.
ATI cards outperform nvidia in most applications, I don't see any reason why they won't choose High end card from ATI to be placed on next generation MP; off course I mean the ATI 5870.
at the end I am really surprised with length of ATI 5970; I am wondering if apple will launch a new design for MP to support such Graphic card.
If you look at Apple's past releases of GPUs, they switch manufacturers every generation. x1900, 8800 GT, 4870. Doesn't mean they can't break the pattern, but so far they haven't.ATI cards outperform nvidia in most applications, I don't see any reason why they won't choose High end card from ATI to be placed on next generation MP; off course I mean the ATI 5870.
If they break it, it'll likely be to Apple spending less money on R&D writing drivers than they had in the past ... so it would be a card similar to the iMac card or the GPU an evolution of the 4870 to limit driver changes.
Can still see a Nvidia 320M card in the low end for some reason, which might mean sharing the driver for the MacBook, education iMac, and low energy 4 slot capable card on Mac Pro.
Which puts the GeForce GTX 470 as the likely candidate based on their past behaviour. I'm sure there will be a lot of complaining on here if that happens, despite it being a decent graphics card.
Indeed. Here's hoping they surprise us (in a good way) this year.
Sun Baked: is there even a desktop variant of that chip? As far as I know NVIDIA only releases 300-series GPUs to OEMs, and while Apple would qualify there, it doesn't make much sense to me.
Just that people have suspected Apple would switch to a laptop chip-based card at some point for the Mac Pro's entry level card, to both keep it within the 4 slot energy spec, and to reduce the number of drivers in use.
Since there is a chance that the education iMac "might" show with this GPU as the desktop version of the MacBook, it is an outside possibility. aka, continue to use downclocked desktop chips in the low energy card or switch to something you are already using in the notebooks.
The next Hi-End GPU is going to be a 5870....i'll eat my hat if I'm wrong. Fermi has not been in existence long enough for Apple to have done needed driver work. Plus, while MOST 5xxx series ATI cards have aDisplay Port already on them....Fermi has been Dual DVI. DP and MDP are pin for pin the same, just different sizes. Apple would need to spend FAR less money developing their own 5870 than the Nvidia option. Entry level likely to be something that can run same drivers as those 3xx series Nvidia cards in Macbooks.
interesting; so it isn't related to GPU benchmark or marketing. Then I have to wait for the next cycle! when ATI is placed as high end card..
Make sure to take a photo of this if you are. If you're not, have someone bake you a cake that looks like a hat.
(And honestly, I'd rather have a 5870 over a GTX 470 or 480 any day)