Filed under: Desktops, Hardware, Mac Pro
Mac Pro refresh brings high-end graphics to the Mac
Today's new hardware announcement refreshed the Mac mini and iMac lines, and at long last, the Mac Pro was also given some love. In the 14 months since the last Mac Pro refresh there have been some significant hardware changes within the microprocessor world and within Apple's own line. The result meant that the Mac Pro, while still a beast, wasn't as cutting-edge as it has been in the past. Let's look at the update and see if that story has changed.
Processor and Chipset
The big news with this Mac Pro update is the Quad-Core Intel Xeon "Nehalem" processor. Intel's "Nehalem" is the latest breakthrough in Intel's 45nm space. The Mac Pro may actually be the first commercially available computer that uses the Nehalem-based Intel Xeon. The base configuration is a Quad-Core 2.66 Ghz Intel Xeon, but you can configure a Mac Pro with two Quad-Core 2.93 Ghz Xeons, effectively meaning 8 cores. As far as I know, the 16-core option for the latest Xeon won't be available until later this year. To put it another way, this is bleeding edge.
Looking at Apple's benchmarks (obviously, the independent tests that are sure to come will probably give a more accurate overall picture), the 8-Core 2.93 Nehalem-based Xeon processor offers some significant speed increases over last generation's 8-Core Xeon 3.2 Ghz.
Aside from pure processor speed, the new chipsets include an integrated memory controller, Intel's QuickPath, Turbo Boost and Hyper-Threading technologies. The Hyper-Threading implementation is especially interesting because it means you can run two threads on each core, effectively meaning your Mac can recognize 16 virtual cores on an 8-core system. This is a virtualization nut's dream.
On the memory front, a single Quad-Core Mac Pro can take up to 8 GB of RAM. If you do the 8-core option, that capacity expands to 32 GB.
Graphics and Displays
Last October, Apple committed itself to using DisplayPort technology for its products and displays. The unfortunate side-effect of that decision meant that users wanting a Mac Pro to go with that sexy new 24" Cinema Display were out of luck, because those displays require a Mini DisplayPort, something the previous generation Mac Pros just didn't support. No more. The new Mac Pro features both Mini DisplayPort and a dual-link DVI port, so you can hook up both a 30" Cinema Display and that new 24" LED beauty.
Apple is touting the new Mac Pro as having "the fastest Mac graphics ever". Indeed, the stock NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 (note, NVIDIA changed the naming convention of its graphics chipsets recently, but the GT 120 is based on the 9500GT chipset) with 512 MB of GDDR3 RAM is a pretty decent start, especially for video professionals. You can customize the Mac Pro to include the ATI Radeon HD 4870 with 512MB of GDDR5 memory, which is one of the latest and greatest cards available from ATI.
You can put in up to four GT 120 cards in the Mac Pro, meaning you can drive as many as 8 displays off the Mac Pro. That's the video setup of my dreams.
Storage and Expandability
The Mac Pro has 4 3.5" drive bays for lots of storage options. Although you can set-up a RAID 0 without any other add-ons, Apple has introduced a new RAID card. At $700 US, it isn't cheap, but it includes 512MB of RAID cache and a 72-hour battery protecting that cache. It supports RAID 0, 1, 5 and 0+1.
The new Mac Pro also includes a double-layer 18x SuperDrive, and you can add a second 18x SuperDrive for $100 US. As for expandability, there are three open PCI Express expansion slots, one x16 slot and two x4 slots.
The regular expandability options include:
Apple has redesigned the interior of the Mac Pro to make it easier to perform upgrades, swap out drives or access memory. The Mac Pro was already really neat on the inside, but the new pictures (I'll have to harass the Apple Store people later this week) look really slick.
Price
The base price for a Mac Pro with one Quad-Core 2.66 Ghz Xeon processor, 3 GB of RAM, a 640 GB hard drive and the NVIDIA GT 120 is $2499, $300 less than last year's base model price. The base price for a two Quad-Core 2.23 Ghz Xeon Mac Pro, with 6 GB of RAM, and a 640 GB hard drive and the NVIDIA GT 120 is $3299.
If you want a machine with the 2.93 Ghz Xeon, add $500 US for the single Quad-Core option and $2400 for the two Quad-Core powerhouse ($1400 US will up the 8-core to 2.66 Ghz). The ATI Radeon HD 4870 is a $200 upgrade and a second SuperDrive is $100. All prices are US.
Component wise, hard drives aside, the upgrade prices for this year's Mac Pro lineup are actually pretty competitive. RAM prices aren't outrageous ($150 to go from 3 GB to 6 GB on the single Quad-Core model, $100 to go from 6 to 8 GB on the 8-core model) and considering the Xeon 2.93 Nahalem is listing at $1349 for bulk purchases, the chipset upgrade prices are actually pretty decent.
Granted, in this economy, there aren't going to be a lot of individuals who are going to relish in spending $3000+ for a new computer -- but even the base spec'd Mac Pro is a good value for video editors, digital professionals or Mac-based IT departments.
The Mac Pro has 4 3.5" drive bays for lots of storage options. Although you can set-up a RAID 0 without any other add-ons, Apple has introduced a new RAID card. At $700 US, it isn't cheap, but it includes 512MB of RAID cache and a 72-hour battery protecting that cache. It supports RAID 0, 1, 5 and 0+1.
The new Mac Pro also includes a double-layer 18x SuperDrive, and you can add a second 18x SuperDrive for $100 US. As for expandability, there are three open PCI Express expansion slots, one x16 slot and two x4 slots.
The regular expandability options include:
- Four FireWire 800 ports (two on front panel, two on back panel)
- Five USB 2.0 ports (two on front panel, three on back panel)
- Two USB 2.0 ports on included keyboard
- Front-panel headphone minijack and internal speaker
- Optical digital audio input and output TOSLINK ports
- Analog stereo line-level input and output minijacks
Apple has redesigned the interior of the Mac Pro to make it easier to perform upgrades, swap out drives or access memory. The Mac Pro was already really neat on the inside, but the new pictures (I'll have to harass the Apple Store people later this week) look really slick.
Price
The base price for a Mac Pro with one Quad-Core 2.66 Ghz Xeon processor, 3 GB of RAM, a 640 GB hard drive and the NVIDIA GT 120 is $2499, $300 less than last year's base model price. The base price for a two Quad-Core 2.23 Ghz Xeon Mac Pro, with 6 GB of RAM, and a 640 GB hard drive and the NVIDIA GT 120 is $3299.
If you want a machine with the 2.93 Ghz Xeon, add $500 US for the single Quad-Core option and $2400 for the two Quad-Core powerhouse ($1400 US will up the 8-core to 2.66 Ghz). The ATI Radeon HD 4870 is a $200 upgrade and a second SuperDrive is $100. All prices are US.
Component wise, hard drives aside, the upgrade prices for this year's Mac Pro lineup are actually pretty competitive. RAM prices aren't outrageous ($150 to go from 3 GB to 6 GB on the single Quad-Core model, $100 to go from 6 to 8 GB on the 8-core model) and considering the Xeon 2.93 Nahalem is listing at $1349 for bulk purchases, the chipset upgrade prices are actually pretty decent.
Granted, in this economy, there aren't going to be a lot of individuals who are going to relish in spending $3000+ for a new computer -- but even the base spec'd Mac Pro is a good value for video editors, digital professionals or Mac-based IT departments.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
dimitrios said 2:38PM on 3-03-2009
Uhh, I hate to burst your bubble ladies, but the 4870 with only 512MB is not the latest and greatest from ATI. Now if latest and greatest means old and busted then you are probably right, but for video cards in a Mac Pro latest and greatest means what the PC users got new a year ago. ATI is going to release an upgrade to the 4000 series cards sometime in the first quarter. So, we can continue to play the catch up game with PC users.
At least this card will be faster then that POS 8800GT I have in my Mac Pro.
Reply
Christina Warren said 2:53PM on 3-03-2009
Granted, you can get a 4870 with 1 GB of GDDR5 (maybe even 2 GB if you get it custom configured), but as far as I k now, the 4870 is still the latest and greatest chipset -- if not specific configuration. It certainly isn't going to usurp any PC enthusiast parts -- but at least it's a better upgrade option than what was offered in the past.
My point was more that this is a big step for the Mac -- it probably won't suit the hardcore gamers, but it's a start.
balls said 3:06PM on 3-03-2009
True enough, but remember who this machine is marketed towards.
It's not the pc gamer segment (specificaly the hardcore gamer that is willing to buy pricier machine configurations).
These machines are aimed at the pros:
Graphics
Photography
Video Editing
Sound Editing
Science etc.
It's frustrating, as Apple doesn't really have a machine that adequately addresses the gamer market, but don't get it twisted, this isn't a gaming machine.
balls said 3:12PM on 3-03-2009
The 4870 isn't busted by any means. It still holds the best bang for buck option, and remember that graphics memory only comes into play when dealing with larger resolutions.
512MB is enough to hold very high texture data at 1920 x 1080.
The real issue is expandability. Will there be options to move to the newer gpu's later, or is the 4870 the best you can do?
kanebake said 4:45PM on 3-03-2009
I agree that the 4870 512 is not enough.
I run a 30" screen at the office on my 8 core macpro tower with a 512 meg card and I find that Photoshop in 3D accelerated mode is dead in water for me. I have to turn 3D card acceleration off.
My home PC does wonders on the other hand with a 1 gig card.
A good video card is not just for gaming anymore.
This really needs a 1 gig option that is strangely absent from the system, which reminds me that the quadro cards are gone as an option as well.
Alan Wilensky said 2:25PM on 3-03-2009
Not the first to use Core i7 by a longshot. Dell had the XPS studio for months already. Where do you get this stuff?
I am a Mac and PC user, so please, don't go there.
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balls said 2:38PM on 3-03-2009
The Corei7 and the Nehalem Xeon's aren't the same.
Dell Studios use Corei7 which are desktop cpu's.
XEONs are server class workstation cpu's.
Christina Warren said 2:56PM on 3-03-2009
Exactly -- as balls said (heh, that made me laugh, sorry) -- Xeon is server class, not desktop class. The Core i7 is awesome, but it's not in the same league. From everything I can tell, the ship date on the Xeon Nehalem's isn't until March 29 -- so the Mac Pro is the first system to get it.
Jeff Mather said 2:11PM on 3-03-2009
Even more important than being able to drive eight monitors will be all of that GPU power available for the next generation of performance improvements.
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Zaxour said 2:18PM on 3-03-2009
The 9500GT/GT120 is the "fastest mac graphics ever"? That's a load.......I believe the 8800GT 512mb was faster. The HD4870 is cool though.
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Randy said 2:20PM on 3-03-2009
My Questions:
1. Is the new RAID card supported under Windows? the last gen wasn't.
2. On the Quad Core Model, is there a Second CPU socket? (in case i decide I want add a second CPU later.)
3, Is 8GB of RAM really the Limit for the Quad? Are we sure it's not 12GB or 24GB? (8 seems kinda small.)
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Mike said 2:24PM on 3-03-2009
I haven't seen anyone point out that these no longer take FB Dimms which is why the ram is so much cheaper.
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Advocate said 2:33PM on 3-03-2009
Noone has noticed yet that the monitor sitting next to the Mac Pro in that shot is WAYYYYY bigger than a 24 inch. Apple traditionally have the Mac Pro next to the 30 inch Cinema Display which coincidentally happens to be the same height as the Mac Pro, ooh just like the one in the photo above :D:D
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Mike said 3:00PM on 3-03-2009
Looking at tech specs for both items the mac pro is 20.1" tall while the 24" cinema display is 18.84" so not even an inch and a half difference. Nothing to see here.
Mike said 2:35PM on 3-03-2009
Also forgot to mention the base model 8 core is a 2.26 GHz not a 2.66 GHz. Granted these are faster processors at same specs as old ones but 2.8to 2.26 I think is a downgrade no matter how you slice it.
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Pumapayam said 2:44PM on 3-03-2009
"The base price for a two Quad-Core 2.66 Ghz Xeon Mac Pro, with 6 GB of RAM, and a 640 GB hard drive and the NVIDIA GT 120 is $3299. "
Yeah, I noticed that too, it should be 2.26 Ghz, and are these faster or equal to the previous chips at 2.8 Ghz?
Mike said 2:48PM on 3-03-2009
If I had to guess theyre slower. I would say the 2.66 is close if not slightly faster in performance to the old 2.8's but 2.26 is a stretch.
Christina Warren said 2:53PM on 3-03-2009
edited and corrected -- thanks!
balls said 2:50PM on 3-03-2009
I believe they are faster. The Corei7's, even the slowest model, is faster than the all of the previous generation Quad Cores.
My guess is that this transfers to the nehalem xeons as well.
JedixJarf said 2:41PM on 3-03-2009
The 9500gt is a freaking POS, there is nothing great about it.
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