Filed under: Hardware, Rumors, Mac Pro
Rumor: 6-core Intel Core i9 CPU on the way to a Mac Pro near you
Hardmac has provided the Mac universe with an interesting rumor -- that a future Mac Pro, expected in early 2010, will sport dual Intel Xeon Core i9 "Gulftown" CPUs. The website cites a Polish website, PCLab, as showing test results of the CPU at about 50% faster than the corresponding quad-core Xeon processor. Intel's new 6-core CPU features 32 nm engraving, which results in less power consumption in idle (50% less) and fully-loaded (10% less) modes. PCLab had posted a detailed review of the new CPU, but pulled it when asked by Intel to remove the data.Many Mac pundits have been wondering what Apple would do to differentiate the new iMac Core i7 and the Mac Pro models. The six-core CPU would give the engineers in Cupertino a growth path that results in a top-of-the-line 12-core Mac Pro that incidentally uses less power. Of course, applications will need to be properly coded to take advantage of the multiple cores, something that many Mac developers are already doing.
[via Hardmac]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
doodad said 8:20AM on 11-30-2009
Given that most macs are used for blogging and organizing their iTunes playlists, how many cores do you really need? Well, aside from using a core just to handle all the icon reflection?
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RyanR said 8:23AM on 11-30-2009
Ooh aren't you controversial, give yourself a pat on the back.
Ned Scott said 9:06AM on 11-30-2009
Doodad, I'm having a hard time anyone could be so clueless, so I'm assuming you're trolling.
If you're not... Video/audio/photo production are just a -few- of the processor intensive markets Mac Pros are aimed at.
Bradley said 9:35AM on 11-30-2009
Not that I have 4k files that I want to punch through a little quicker but I am looking at the rig for photography, videography and related. While the current system will or would be just fine, I still feel waiting for the update can't be a bad thing. Well unless the price is another grand or two and I say that only because the current setup would probably work just fine but holding out for some upgrades for the same current price seems logical.
Jordan said 10:27AM on 11-30-2009
I have to agree with the guy. The MacMini is not enough hardware for some. People also do not like to have "all-in-ones". This leaves the MacPro.
Sure the MacPro is officially for the "professionals". Professionals being in quotes because most of those "professionals" are more like amatures.
But once again here we go with "50% FASTER THIS and 2X THAT!!!!!"
Bradley said 8:20AM on 11-30-2009
Still in the debate of waiting for this new Mac Pro or just buying one off the shelves today. Quarter 1 is really not that far away, think it is best to wait.
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moo083 said 10:25AM on 11-30-2009
Consult buyersguide.macrumors.com
it's very useful for that kind of decision.
Skoalbandit said 11:54AM on 11-30-2009
Couple years ago I was looking to upgrade from a Powermac G5. The Mac Pro was just too expensive and I went with an iMac which I am very happy with.
That being said Apple really needs a 'cheap' tower. Something I can put some drives in and upgrade a video card. Maybe one PCI slot for for expansion. Never going to happen but I can dream and Probably the best way to go is to build a Hackintosh.
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Cam said 1:36PM on 11-30-2009
YES. Apple needs a midrange tower!
Now, I'm no fanboi, but Apple does design the best tower/chassis for PCs. (That's personal computer, which all Macs are).
philasan said 1:14PM on 11-30-2009
Gulftown chips aren't set to be released until sometime in Q2 2010, but then again, it wouldn't be the first time that Apple's gotten a new Intel chip before everyone else..
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takamaru said 2:58PM on 11-30-2009
12 cores?! *faints*
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takamaru said 6:55PM on 11-30-2009
12 cores?! *faints*
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takamaru said 6:57PM on 11-30-2009
Gah! stupid 1Password!