DailyTech - Apple Mac Pro Running Dual Quad-Core Spotted

Intel has publically announced several times that quad-core desktop and server processors would be shipping from the company before the end of the year. The desktop versions of the processors, dubbed Kentsfield, will carry the Core 2 Extreme brand. The server brand, codenamed Clovertown, has not been announced yet.

The Kentsfield desktop quad-core processor is expected to launch at a steep $999 MSRP, and typically server components from Intel MSRP for about 20% more than the desktop variants.

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Don't get too excited

By EarthsDM on 9/13/2006 3:38:50 PM , Rating: 1

Didn't Anand also find that performance fell only 4% when one of the processors was disabled? It doesn't look like the Mac Pro can properly feed 4 cores right now, let alone 8.

RE: Don't get too excited

By ksherman on 9/13/06, Rating: 0

RE: Don't get too excited

By blwest on 9/13/2006 5:13:28 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
Name one thing (besides a server) that would EVER utilize 8 cores, let alone 4.

pr0n baby.

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RE: Don't get too excited

By petrusbroder on 9/13/2006 5:47:59 PM , Rating: 2

No problem: Distributed computing would satisfy as many cores as can be served. This would be sweet for any DC-project!
BOINC works in Macs perfectly well (I have four of them running it), utilises any and all CPUs it finds and crunches - in a MacPro with 8 cores - 8 workunits simultaneously - at 100% load.

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RE: Don't get too excited

By bhigh on 9/13/2006 6:44:45 PM , Rating: 2

3D rendering.

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RE: Don't get too excited

By djtodd on 9/13/2006 10:16:46 PM , Rating: 2

Amen. Start working with 4 day render times across 7 workstations and you'll appreciate the improvements of quad core.

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RE: Don't get too excited

By Questar on 9/13/2006 10:09:21 PM , Rating: 1

quote:
Name one thing (besides a server) that would EVER utilize 8 cores, let alone 4.

All the software that will be enabled by the additional power this provide.

Think of it this way, Video enditing/encoding, audio manipulation/ 3D gaming was all enabled by increases in computer power. The power came first, then then applications.

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RE: Don't get too excited

By Mojo the Monkey on 9/13/2006 4:32:56 PM , Rating: 2

The practicality and optimization for current software or OS platforms are one thing, but I think its good to get excited about technology moving forward (or in this case, outward?). We were stuck with glorified P4s and A64s for too long. I'm digging all these new releases. Plus, If a higher # of cores become the standard, more people will feel compelled (for whatever reason) to upgrade from their single core, and we'll see software written for multi-cores come out sooner and more often.

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RE: Don't get too excited

By ZmaxDP on 9/13/2006 6:18:09 PM , Rating: 2

Umm,

My raidosity rendering scales quite well from 4 to 8 cores. I should know, I've done it.

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Custom paint job

By lemonadesoda on 9/13/2006 6:04:13 PM , Rating: 2

Apple running dual Intel Xeon quad core processors with XP installed, dual-link DVI 30" Apple Cinema display. Wow. Zoom! Zoom! Nice machine. One button mouse, iTunes? What a larf. It's time Apple innovated a new controller, and developed some non-proprietary "productivity" software. That would earn them some kudos in the corporate market and really excite the brand.

RE: Custom paint job

By mino on 9/13/2006 8:44:56 PM , Rating: 2

Apple lives on its proprietarity. That's the only reason they were not completely crushed by bigger comodity vendors like Dell.

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RE: Custom paint job

By afkrotch on 9/13/06, Rating: 0

RE: Custom paint job

By NainoKami on 9/14/2006 4:36:17 AM , Rating: 3

Ok, so why did I go from Windoze, and back to mac? I must be a stupid c*nt then...

Fact is: Macs are nice computers, and there's plenty of non-propreitary software for it...

What you're saying is basically that no one would choose Mac over Windows if they were presented with the choice, having never used either one... I fail to see your logic as I know plenty of people switching the other way these days, and I know people who have never had a computer who've chosen a Mac because it's a more appealing solution for them.

All I've ever wanted in this debate (Mac vs. PC) is mutual respect. I am totally fine with people using Windows. As long as they don't bash me for using something different, or call me stupid for having made a different choice. We all have different needs and feelings with regards to computers, and I don't see any reason why both platforms can't live peacefully in the same market.

-Ääni

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RE: Custom paint job

By NainoKami on 9/14/2006 4:41:53 AM , Rating: 2

Apple has a multi-button mouse out... The Mighty Mouse. It ships with new computers.

But I personally just use an MX1000, and I have never really liked ANY of the mice that come standard with Dells, HP, Apple, etc.
I bet a lot of professionals go out and find their own mouse, regardless what came with the computer. Be it a Mac or a PC.

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RE: Custom paint job

By lemonadesoda on 9/14/2006 4:05:08 PM , Rating: 2

I dont disagree with you! But my point was not about the mouse but rather that Apple is not innovating technology or function. They are just the "packaging" gurus. This is a shame: the organisation has a lot of potential for other innovation which could earn them, in the long run, a strategic win.

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Clovertown is based on Xeon

By hellokeith on 9/13/2006 5:26:52 PM , Rating: 1

Clovertown is based on Xeon, which is based on Netburst, correct?

I'd rather have two SMP-capable Core x Duo's instead.

RE: Clovertown is based on Xeon

By Griswold on 9/13/2006 5:33:13 PM , Rating: 4

Xeon is just a brand, its not limited to netburst technology.

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RE: Clovertown is based on Xeon

By Calin on 9/14/2006 7:22:37 AM , Rating: 2

The first Xeons I heard about were the Pentium II Xeons (or maybe the Pentium !!! Xeons).

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RE: Clovertown is based on Xeon

By johnsonx on 9/13/2006 5:58:46 PM , Rating: 2

in other words, Clovertown is the server version of Core 2 Quad, aka quad-core Conroe.

As the first reply said, Xeon is just a brand. It goes back to Pentium II days.

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AMD quad-cores

By koyaanisqatsi on 9/14/2006 12:29:42 AM , Rating: 2

and AMD quads will be recognised as one core, so they are gonna be alot faster running normal apps.

RE: AMD quad-cores

By Master Kenobi

(blog) on 9/14/2006 7:21:55 AM , Rating: 2

Mmmmmmmm. Care to explain this? Just spent some time searching around and I've found no reference to this kind of chip logic being built into the Quad Core AMD chips. Got a link?

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RE: AMD quad-cores

By protosv on 9/14/2006 8:29:08 AM , Rating: 2

I had heard this rumor as well, but I believe it turned out to be untrue...

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060713-7263...

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RE: AMD quad-cores

By DallasTexas on 9/14/2006 8:34:12 AM , Rating: 3

".. and AMD quads will be recognised as one core, so they are gonna be alot faster running normal apps.."

LOL. AMD fans are getting delirious. I expect mass suicide in the next few months as Vista beings to ship.

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wow!

By urosv on 9/13/2006 3:11:03 PM , Rating: 2

8 core powered Mac... What can you want more? That's one owesome machine!

RE: wow!

By VooDooAddict on 9/13/2006 3:37:00 PM , Rating: 2

8-Core ... How many VMware windows do you want to run today? ... how many can you actually put to use?!

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RE: wow!

By mino on 9/13/2006 8:42:49 PM , Rating: 2

none

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Xeons more expensive?

By Von Matrices on 9/13/2006 3:13:40 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
. . . typically server components from Intel MSRP for about 20% more than the desktop variants.

Last time I checked, Newegg was selling X6800s for $999 and Xeon 5160s for $890.

RE: Xeons more expensive?

By Puddleglum on 9/13/2006 3:21:16 PM , Rating: 2

X6800's don't fall under the category of "typical" in regards to price/performance.

I'd love to see a great review between Core 2 Duo and Xeon's on Workstation applications and gaming applications together.

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RE: Xeons more expensive?

By afkrotch on 9/13/2006 10:12:13 PM , Rating: 2

Last time I checked, Intel Xeon mobos cost more, FB-Dimms cost more, and well...overall, costs more.

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How fast is it exactly?... I mean, "are they"?

By roeller on 9/13/2006 3:14:18 PM , Rating: 2

How about some benchmarks? :-)

RE: How fast is it exactly?... I mean, "are they"?

By ktlewis02 on 9/13/2006 3:39:00 PM , Rating: 2

Anand is not yet allowed to post benchmarks (NDA!)

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RE: How fast is it exactly?... I mean, "are they"?

By Chillin1248

(blog) on 9/13/2006 7:11:08 PM , Rating: 2

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php...

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what's so special about 8 cores in a mac?

By Fenixgoon on 9/13/2006 8:27:37 PM , Rating: 2

last i checked, a mac uses the same components as a PC, so PC workstations will get quad core too. dont start f@pping yet, everyone - just evolution of tech, same thing from single to dual core.

RE: what's so special about 8 cores in a mac?

By NainoKami on 9/14/2006 4:46:35 AM , Rating: 2

No, it's not revolution, but evolution. Just as you stated.
But what's wrong with getting excited with new tech? And what's wrong with getting excited that you may be able to upgrade a Mac Pro to 8 cores in the future?

Of course you're going to get the same tech in a PC near you, and that rocks just as much! Just for different people! :)

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that is sweeeeeeeeeeeeet

By Esquire on 9/13/2006 2:58:08 PM , Rating: 2

seriously

Support at different levels

By umasan on 9/14/2006 1:14:30 PM , Rating: 2

Hi. We need good introductory review about multi-core support at BIOS (mobo); OS and Application level. Common sense does not agree with some of posts.

How To Easily and FULLY HOSE 8 Cores NOW

By FutureMedia on 9/26/2006 12:09:45 PM , Rating: 2

Run 4 copies of Handbrake Simultaneously
Run 4 copies of Toast Simutaneously
Run 2 copies of Toast and 2 copies of Handbrake Simultaneously
Run 1 copy of Toast and 3 copies of Handbrake Simultaneously
Run 1 copy of Handbrake and 3 copies of Toast Simultaneously
Run 1 copy of Toast and 2 copies of Handbrake Simultaneously
Run 1 copy of Handbrake and 2 copies of Toast Simultaneously

All of the above would HOSE the 8 Core Mac Pro. I need to do all of the above all the time.

I use Toast to encode and write EyeTV2 digital SD and HD Broadcast Recordings to DVD IMAGES (not DVD media) before crushing those images to excellent compact mp4 files with Handbrake. BOTH can use up to 3 cores on G5 Quads - perhaps 4 on Intel - EACH if they are allowed to run alone.

"Nowadays, security guys break the Mac every single day. Every single day, they come out with a total exploit, your machine can be taken over totally. I dare anybody to do that once a month on the Windows machine." -- Bill Gates