Apple Computer Refresh
Almost all Apple computers have been updated to Intel’s new Core i3, i5 and i7 processors, but the most recent update was made to the Mac Pro, the strongest desktop computer offered by Apple. Starting from August, there are two new configurations ready to order. The single socket version of Mac Pro was fitted with the 6-core 12-thread Intel Xeon X5670 processor with a 2.93GHz frequency and 95Watt power consumption. Although this 6-core Xeoan processor is very expensive (around $1500), it beats the cheaper six-core Core i7 processors (when run on the same frequency) made by Intel which consume a lot more power ~130Watts.
Apple also made a decision to cut the power consumption of the graphics cards used in these powerful workstations by offering configurations only with ATI graphics cards that are known to be the most efficient. The ATI Radeon 5770 and 5870 were chosen, both with 1GB of GDDR5 memory and because the Mac Pro was meant to excel in running 3D applications too, three of these cards can be installed into the same system to multiply processing speed but also the number of monitors connected to one Mac Pro with ATI’s Eyefinity technology. One ATI card has three independent digital outputs (two mini DisplayPorts and one Dual-link DVI), so three installed video cards mean up to 9 FullHD+ monitors (resolutions up to 2560 x 1600). Recently ATI has also released video cards with 6 ports, so it’s very possible that Apple will also use such models to increase the number of connectible monitors for exceptional situations.
The only thing missing from a computer system with so many outputs is an LCD monitor that doesn’t have frames, just pixels (displayed image) on the whole surface, so a huge uninterrupted screen can be built.
The Mac Pro computer case is almost classic, nothing needs to be changed on it with this Apple Computer Update, it has an excellent design. Up to 32GB of memory can be installed, four modules per processor, so the single processor model supports only up to 16GB of system memory (4 x 4GB). It’s interesting because single-processor laptops have already been launched by Dell that support 32GB of memory, so it’s a little hard to find an excuse for a recently released desktop for being limited to only 16GB. From a very similar performance category a Core i7 Desktop processor installed in an X58 motherboard can already support 6 x 4GB (24GB) or 8 x 4GB (32GB) of DDR3.
You may be wondering how a three-channel memory controller can use 4 modules to reach the 16GB capacity. Intel found a simple solution for this problem, although it’s a little barbaric, because this way the biggest part of the memory will be used in dual or triple channel mode, and the rest in single channel mode, Intel explains.
All Apple Mac Pros come with minimum 1TB 7200RPM hard drives, but they support up to 4 hard drives (2TB each) in most popular RAID modes or in normal, non-RAID mode. Other features mostly remained the same, numerous wireless connectivity options, DVD burner (still only 18X for some reason), four FireWire ports
Five USB 2.0 ports, stereo headphone and microphone plugs,optical out …etc.
Let’s face it, it looks great, totally worth the price difference from a standard non-Apple machine.
Apple didn’t quite update its website yet, but apparently prices start from $2,499.00 for the single-processor model and $3,299.00 for a dual-processor system. 6-core processors and more memory cost extra of course. Personally I would rather buy a much cheaper no-name Core i7 system with very similar performance, but without the shiny Apple case you might ask yourself what’s the point?
