Intel Preparing to Launch New Xeon Processors for Potential Mac Pro Upgrade

after 3 , half years minor processor bump, apple late last year launched redesigned mac pro, moving compact cylindrical design relying on slew of thunderbolt 2 ports expandability. while new machine began shipping in last few days of 2013, extreme shortages of machine persisted months , wasn't until two months ago shipping estimates reached "within 24 hours" level , apple's own retail stores began stocking mac pro immediate purchase.

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potential mac pro customers may now, however, starting forward first update redesigned mac pro, intel appears set launch new processors appropriate mac pro next month. highlighted macworld uk, intel's "grantley" xeon e5 v3 chips ready ship successors current "romley" xeon e5 v2 chips used in mac pro.

intel announced last month had begun shipping @ least versions of new xeon e5 v3 chips server makers, , widespread availability reportedly set september. chiploco outlined significant set of e5-2600 v3 series chips, including several became available pre-order , used upgrade current top-of-the-line 2.7 ghz 12-core e5-2697 v2 chip found in mac pro.

direct successor current chip 2.6 ghz 14-core e5-2697 v3 chip, although new chip come higher thermal rating , unclear whether change have impact on apple's willingness use chip in mac pro. other variants in new high-end e5-269x v3 series range 12 18 cores.

below top end, apple uses e5-1600 v2 series processors, , intel reportedly preparing full set of successor v3 chips launch next month.

- 4-core: 3.7 ghz e5-1620 v2 moves 3.5 ghz e5-1620 v3 or 3.7 ghz e5-1630 v3
- 6-core: 3.5 ghz e5-1650 v2 moves 3.5 ghz e5-1650 v3
- 8-core: 3.0 ghz e5-1680 v2 moves 3.2 ghz e5-1680 v3

e5-2600 v3 series chips, these e5-1600 v3 series chips come higher thermal ratings predecessors. of new chips in both series support faster ddr4-2133 memory, contribute improved performance.

on graphics side, apple uses customized versions of amd's firepro series of high-end graphics cards, although apple's d300, d500, , d700 options can equated amd's w7000, w8000, , w9000 on pc side. on last several months, amd has been updating firepro cards, culminating week's introduction of four new cards, including w7100 successor w7000 card. alex4d summarizes how w9100/w8100/w7100 cards introduced in recent months compare predecessors , collates handy comparison chart showing how these new , old cards compare apple's d-series cards.

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at each level amd have @ least doubled vram, added 40% more stream processors. w8100 , w9100 have wider memory buses (so more information can transferred each command) , many more transistors.

although apple can specify number of stream processors, clock speeds or vram, these more recent cards show amd considers low-, medium- , high-end when comes pcs. mac owners perspective, show how card similar amount of money amd can make compared cards in mac pro , 2012.

click expand...

as when updated mac pro models might arrive, remains unclear, news pieces supporting potential upgrade starting fall place. while intel's new processors reportedly scheduled arrive next month, unlikely mac pro upgrade close given apple's usual iphone focus month. seems possible upgrade in works late year or next year depending on how apple decides space out product launches , @ point views mac pro in need of boost.

article link: intel preparing launch new xeon processors potential mac pro upgrade

 

i can haz nvidia gfx

 

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