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You can't just put two of those in, the CPU doesn't support DP configuration. The xeon 3600s don't support it either, but the 5600s do.

Can someone pls clarify what Hexacore CPUs could possibly be in the next MacPro and when they were made available. ie Single and DP configurations.


tia
 
Can someone pls clarify what Hexacore CPUs could possibly be in the next MacPro and when they were made available. ie Single and DP configurations.


tia

Likely Xeon 36xx "Gulftown" and 56xx "Westmere EP" series.

My guess:

UP version: W3620 (2.66GHz) in stock model and W3640 (2.93GHz) and W3680 (3.33GHz) as BTO options

DP version: Dual X5650 (2.66GHz) in stock model and X5660 (2.8GHz) and X5670 (2.93GHz) as BTO options.

However, W3620 and W3640 are still unreleased thus the model names and clock speeds are unverified. They will likely be available later on this quarter
 
Likely Xeon 36xx "Gulftown" and 56xx "Westmere EP" series.

My guess:

UP version: W3620 (2.66GHz) in stock model and W3640 (2.93GHz) and W3680 (3.33GHz) as BTO options

DP version: Dual X5650 (2.66GHz) in stock model and X5660 (2.8GHz) and X5670 (2.93GHz) as BTO options.

However, W3620 and W3640 are still unreleased thus the model names and clock speeds are unverified. They will likely be available later on this quarter

Where are people getting this W3620 and W3640 information?
I can't find information on those puppies anywhere.
I know they don't exist, yet, but where did you get the information to begin with?

My guess it is being based on the E5620 and E5640. The clocks on those are 2.67GHz and 2.40GHz.
Why would they come out now at this late date?
 
Likely Xeon 36xx "Gulftown" and 56xx "Westmere EP" series.

My guess:

UP version: W3620 (2.66GHz) in stock model and W3640 (2.93GHz) and W3680 (3.33GHz) as BTO options

DP version: Dual X5650 (2.66GHz) in stock model and X5660 (2.8GHz) and X5670 (2.93GHz) as BTO options.

However, W3620 and W3640 are still unreleased thus the model names and clock speeds are unverified. They will likely be available later on this quarter


thanks HH

...and sorry if already covered...

Q: Why not use the hexacore i7-970 for the UP
 
Where are people getting this W3620 and W3640 information?
I can't find information on those puppies anywhere.
I know they don't exist, yet, but where did you get the information to begin with?

nanofrog had a source but couldn't find it. Look at W35xx line, it gives you the idea.

W3520 - 2.66GHz
W3540 - 2.93GHz
W3550 - 3.06GHz
W3570 - 3.2GHz
W3580 - 3.33GHz

W3680 is 3.33GHz, just like its predecessor W3580 is so it's expected that it will be like this in W36xx line as well. Of course it's just speculation but sooner than later Intel will expand the 36xx series as well. The model names can be different but the clock speeds will remain the same as 133MHz is the base clock which is then multiplied and those numbers above are the result (missing 2.8GHz though)

My guess it is being based on the E5620 and E5640. The clocks on those are 2.67GHz and 2.40GHz.
Why would they come out now at this late date?

Why would Apple use quad cores instead of hexas? That would be no upgrade from current gen, only a minor price cut (or more profit for Apple :D).

I guess Intel wants to sell the W3680 which is 999$ chip. The hexa cores in 56xx series start from 958$. Now that the impatient people have already given their money, they will come up with cheaper models. The i7 970 is shipping now AFAIK, it's little less than 900$ ATM. It's just Intel's marketing scheme.

Q: Why not use the hexacore i7-970 for the UP

Apple has always used Xeons in Mac Pro. i7-970 isn't impossible but would fight against the history of Mac Pro
 
nanofrog had a source but couldn't find it. Look at W35xx line, it gives you the idea.

W3520 - 2.66GHz
W3540 - 2.93GHz
W3550 - 3.06GHz
W3570 - 3.2GHz
W3580 - 3.33GHz

W3680 is 3.33GHz, just like its predecessor W3580 is so it's expected that it will be like this in W36xx line as well. Of course it's just speculation but sooner than later Intel will expand the 36xx series as well. The model names can be different but the clock speeds will remain the same as 133MHz is the base clock which is then multiplied and those numbers above are the result (missing 2.8GHz though)

That makes zero sense to me.
Those are all quad-core 45nm Nehalem cpus. They all came out a year ago.
 
That makes zero sense to me.
Those are all quad-core 45nm Nehalem cpus. They all came out a year ago.

He's just saying if you look at the quad core line, you can see what speeds and model numbers the 6-core line will likely have. We already know 3.33GHz is W3680 and 3.2GHz is W3670 so there is evidence to support it. There are no lower end 6-core parts scheduled for this year though.
 
That makes zero sense to me.
Those are all quad-core 45nm Nehalem cpus. They all came out a year ago.

Look at the model name and clock speed.

W3580 - 3.33GHz
W3680 - 3.33GHz

If it goes like it's expected to go, the 36xx line will start from W3620 which runs at 2.66GHz, just like W3520 did and the only difference between 35xx and 36xx will be the number of cores and threads. Of course it's just speculation but at least we will get lower clocked Gultowns with better price tag, no matter what is the model name. In fact, we already got i7-970 but there is no Xeon version of it, yet.

Hopefully nano will drag his ass over here soon, he said he has some sources (I heard the whole W3620 thing from him).
 
The 970 isn't actually launched yet either, just out there. You won't find it on Intel's site for example.
 
The 970 isn't actually launched yet either, just out there. You won't find it on Intel's site for example.

True, but you can buy it already :p Seems like Intel screwed up something or retailers were too fast. Anyway, the official launch can't be far away
 
He's just saying if you look at the quad core line, you can see what speeds and model numbers the 6-core line will likely have. We already know 3.33GHz is W3680 and 3.2GHz is W3670 so there is evidence to support it. There are no lower end 6-core parts scheduled for this year though.

Look at the model name and clock speed.
W3580 - 3.33GHz
W3680 - 3.33GHz

The X5680 is a six-core 3.33GHz Westmere cpu which matches up nicely with the W3680.
I still think the "Westmere" E5620 and E5640 cpus match up better than the OLD "Nehalem" W3520 and W3540 cpus.

Why do I even care? This is so screwed up it reminds me of the good ol' Motorola and IBM days.
Why not just bring out a W3680 Mac Pro now and wait for Sandy Bridge?
 
The X5680 is a six-core 3.33GHz Westmere cpu which matches up nicely with the W3680.
I still think the "Westmere" E5620 and E5640 cpus match up better than the OLD "Nehalem" W3520 and W3540 cpus.

Why do I even care? This is so screwed up it reminds me of the good ol' Motorola and IBM days.
Why not just bring out a W3680 Mac Pro now and wait for Sandy Bridge?

The X5680 is a 1663$ DP chip.... It's same as W3680 but with dual QPI, allowing dual CPUs to be used in one computer.

E5620 and E5640 are both DP chips while W35xx are UP chips, don't mix them. E5640 costs 774$ and runs at 2.66GHz. The W3520 costs 284$ and also runs at 2.66GHz. Both are quad core so there shouldn't be much difference in performance.

W3680 Mac Pro would simply be too expensive. It costs over 700 bucks more than W3520 so the low-end Mac Pro would be over three grands. Sandy Bridge Xeons are not coming before H2 2011 so that's a long wait for affordable Mac Pro
 
The X5680 is a 1663$ DP chip.... It's same as W3680 but with dual QPI, allowing dual CPUs to be used in one computer.

E5620 and E5640 are both DP chips while W35xx are UP chips, don't mix them. E5640 costs 774$ and runs at 2.66GHz. The W3520 costs 284$ and also runs at 2.66GHz. Both are quad core so there shouldn't be much difference in performance.

W3680 Mac Pro would simply be too expensive. It costs over 700 bucks more than W3520 so the low-end Mac Pro would be over three grands. Sandy Bridge Xeons are not coming before H2 2011 so that's a long wait for affordable Mac Pro

Thank you.
 
Q: Why not use the hexacore i7-970 for the UP
As mentioned, it's not officially been released yet. But another aspect, is it doesn't have ECC memory capability either (remember, so far, Apple's sticking with ECC, as the current Xeon's and W36xx/56xx parts have the ability to use non-ECC as well as ECC DDR3). You just can't mix the two memory types.

nanofrog had a source but couldn't find it.
Wiki previously had information on the W3620, W3640, and W3690 (3.43GHz) including their release dates (Quarter and year, not a precise date). A couple of others existed as well, but they've also disappeared. I don't know why for sure, but expect they were pressured by Intel to remove it.

Why would Apple use quad cores instead of hexas? That would be no upgrade from current gen, only a minor price cut (or more profit for Apple :D).
In terms of the DP systems, cost, as the DP Hex core's aren't cheap (i.e. X5650 is $996 per CPU in quantity). Those details are in another post (different thread). The X5645 is a bit cheaper, but not much.

This is why I'm thinking the Octad will still be available in the DP system (at least one, but perhaps 2), in order to meet the lowest price point, and possibly the mid-level. Sticking with Dodeca's put the base DP system at something like $5049 USD, and the top end model at $6049 USD (previous post, different thread), with another yet in the middle. That's a high starting price, and way too big a gap IMO (price difference between the top end SP and the base DP systems). So they'd almost certainly want more of a price distribution. Octad system/s fit the bill, given the CPU pricing structure. ;)

For the SP systems, it would depend on the planned release date for the systems (i.e are the other Hex core SP parts ready or not when production begins). It's getting late enough, this could be what we see. But I still think the biggest holdup has been available developer time (think iOS for the devices).
 
As mentioned, it's not officially been released yet. But another aspect, is it doesn't have ECC memory capability either (remember, so far, Apple's sticking with ECC, as the current Xeon's and W36xx/56xx parts have the ability to use non-ECC as well as ECC DDR3). You just can't mix the two memory types.

It is now, see my post above ;)

In terms of the DP systems, cost, as the DP Hex core's aren't cheap (i.e. X5650 is $996 per CPU in quantity). Those details are in another post (different thread). The X5645 is a bit cheaper, but not much.

We were talking about SP system, at least I think so as it was mainly about W36xx :p Anyway, we have discussed about the DP octo already and it seems reasonable and hopefully true. No need to repeat that as I would have said octo is possible and even likely if it was about DP system ;)
 
It is now, see my post above ;)
Officially = Search on Intel's Ark site. Nothing yet.

That's not the same as being able to get one however, as has already been shown (retailers have parts, and are selling them rather than waiting). As Umbongo pointed out, this isn't uncommon. ;) They make money by selling stuff, not letting it sit on the shelf. :eek: :p

We were talking about SP system, at least I think so as it was mainly about W36xx :p Anyway, we have discussed about the DP octo already and it seems reasonable and hopefully true. No need to repeat that as I would have said octo is possible and even likely if it was about DP system ;)
I took the Hex core to mean both SP and DP potentially, so I wanted to clarify. This time around is going to be more confusing I think, and likely cause all kinds of questions, arguments, and tempers to flare (pricing and appropriate system based on usage comes to mind). ;)

I can't help but think a little bit of detailed information now, might reduce the aftermath when the 2010's do finally show up. Besides, at this point, what else can we really do other than wait? :D :p
 
Officially = Search on Intel's Ark site. Nothing yet.

That's not the same as being able to get one however, as has already been shown (retailers have parts, and are selling them rather than waiting). As Umbongo pointed out, this isn't uncommon. ;) They make money by selling stuff, not letting it sit on the shelf. :eek: :p

http://files.shareholder.com/downlo...E60-F6A50F491DFB/July_18_10_1ku_Price.xls.pdf

That should be Intel's latest official pricing guide, been effective since yesterday. Includes bunch of other rumored CPUs. See this as well, you can't say it's not official anymore ;)

what else can we really do other than wait? :D :p

Speculate? Oh, that's what we are doing all the time :D
 
http://files.shareholder.com/downlo...E60-F6A50F491DFB/July_18_10_1ku_Price.xls.pdf

That should be Intel's latest official pricing guide, been effective since yesterday. Includes bunch of other rumored CPUs. Should show up in Intel. See this as well, you can't say it's not official anymore ;)
I'm talking about the actual release date. Remember the March 16, 2010 date?

You wouldn't get anything on those parts from that site (technical information and purchase options). It's available prior to that, but you have to have a login to gain access (think developer site).

The first link is a leak, as those are covered by NDA's until Intel allows it to be published. Information is available earlier than the public sees it, but developers need to keep out of trouble with Intel to keep getting samples in order to develop products, so most leaks are planned by Intel (though we're seeing more come out of Asia once the Engineering Samples have been tested).

The second, is a PR page (Press Room). It's obviously coming and they want to generate excitement over it, but it's not been officially released yet. Even though parts have actually entered retail channels (which means they've been in direct and distributor channels = system vendors have them on hand to build systems with already).

Officially however, they can't ship them until the date hits. But that doesn't always happen if the systems are actually ready. :D

Speculate? Oh, that's what we are doing all the time :D
Kills time and boredom anyway. :p
 
Waiting for W36XX lineup?

I get the queasy feeling that Apple is waiting for Intel to release the full SP hexacore lineup (W36XX) before rolling out an updated MP.

My hunch is that Apple wants the base MP to be a lower-end hexacore - and that as others have noted, the 3.33GHz W3680 is way too pricey for the base SP model. Having the low-end MP be a hexacore would be a clear way to differentiate from the high-end quad iMac.

What I find confusing is that Intel has released the faster chip in the lineup much earlier than the slower chips. I was under the impression that it is easier to produce the slower ones first and that as manufacturing processes improve, then the faster models follow. But the 36XX release pattern turns that on its head.

I suppose (and hope) that Apple might announce the full lineup before all models are ready to ship, as long as they have at least some models available (e.g. W3680 ready to go, others available in a month or whatever). They did this, for example, with the iMac release last fall – the 27 inch quads were announced, but not available, when the others were announced.

Of course that was a case where the base models were ready and the high-end ones not. But this being the Pro market, maybe Apple would be OK with flipping that around, with higher-end units ready before the base ones?
 
I'm talking about the actual release date. Remember the March 16, 2010 date?

Lets call it half-official then :p

In the latter link it says: "Intel has released new desktop PC processors this week"

So, they are creating excitement for the release which is due this week?
 
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