2016 nMP

[Zarniwoop]

I do not know what to think about it. It is possible, that we will see new Macs with Polaris GPUs, and Skylake CPUs and TB3. For VR, tho. Im absolutely not sure. Thats all.

How about a scenario, that we'll see an entry model nMP with four core Broadwell-EP 1600 and one Fiji GPU? Then the better model could come with six core Broadwell-EP and two Polaris GPUs. This scenario because AMD is not able to release all new 14nm chip models same time. Also one Fiji only to meet the thermal demands. It would be a great chip for multipurpose MP. Like for music production and general office stuff that needs more hp but doesn't benefit so much of GPGPU.

 

[koyoot]

I will not say that it is not possible .

In fact, it is possible.

However, for that type machine I would demand from Apple lower price. Much lower than current model. Like 1999$.

 

[Zarniwoop]

nMP v2 released 15th of March 2016 (disclaimer: in Zarniwoop's dreams)

Starter model
- Skylake EP-1200 4-core
- AMD Fiji 4GB
- 16GB DDR4 ECC
- 256 GB SSD
$1999
Available: immediately

Better model
- Broadwell EP-1600 6-core
- 2x Polaris 4GB (8GB CTO)
- 16GB DDR4 ECC
- 512 GB SSD
$2999
Available in late April.

I'd take the starter model with upgraded Processor and SSD.

 

[Mago]

How about a scenario, that we'll see an entry model nMP with four core Broadwell-EP 1600 and one Fiji GPU? Then the better model could come with six core Broadwell-EP and two Polaris GPUs. This scenario because AMD is not able to release all new 14nm chip models same time. Also one Fiji only to meet the thermal demands. It would be a great chip for multipurpose MP. Like music production and general office stuff that needs more hp but doesn't benefit so much of GPGPU.

Broadwell-EP begins at 6 cores only Xeon on 4 cores are Skylake.

Apple also could sell an i7-non ECC version with much cheaper ram (i7 cost the same also more than many Xeon).

At entry level where people don't demand ultra powerful gpu Apple should do this just, put a couple of Fiji (r9-nano), and offer high end Polaris-hbm2 at mid-high end,

The nnMP price should go down at least for the base model since the nMP flash storage slashed it cost to near 1/4 Apple still charges 1$ per MB.

 

[MacVidCards]

The nnMP price should go down at least for the base model since the nMP flash storage slashed it cost to near 1/4 Apple still charges 1$ per MB.

You're joking, right?

Or maybe you're new to Apple.

Apple's prices are like Gasoline prices in LA.

Last month I kept hearing about record low oil prices, yet the Shell at Fairfax and Wilshire was still charging $4.79/gal.

Somehow lower oil prices rarely show up at the pump. On the other hand, when the price of oil jumps, the pump prices go right up the next day. Apple's prices work the same way.

Those 7970s they put in 6,1 should be about $150/each by now. Yet they want $1K, and you have to give back your D300s (7770s).

 

[koyoot]

Those 7970s they put in 6,1 should be about $150/each by now. Yet they want $1K, and you have to give back your D300s (7770s).

Great knowledge of a computer you are talking about. D300 is R9 270X/7870. R9 M370X is 7770.

 

[hollyhillbilly]

You're joking, right?


Apple's prices are like Gasoline prices in LA.

Last month I kept hearing about record low oil prices, yet the Shell at Fairfax and Wilshire was still charging $4.79/gal.

Ever hear of gas buddy? you are a fool if you pay that much.

 

[Mago]

You're joking, right?

Or maybe you're new to Apple.

Sir, I wrote "the price should", not "the price will", do you understand?

 

[Mago]

nMP v2 released 15th of March 2016 (disclaimer: in Zarniwoop's dreams)

Starter model
- Skylake EP-1200 4-core
- AMD Fiji 4GB
- 16GB DDR4 ECC
- 256 GB SSD
$1999
Available: immediately

Better model
- Broadwell EP-1600 6-core
- 2x Polaris 4GB (8GB CTO)
- 16GB DDR4 ECC
- 512 GB SSD
$2999
Available in late April.

I'd take the starter model with upgraded Processor and SSD.

The problem with this base model is that Skylake requires a different chipset, so a new motherboard, also Skylake only provides support for upto 2 Thunderbolt ports.

One the other hand, despite relatively expensive compared with similar pc configurations, this machine will sell fast.

But I think its still possible an cheaper Mac Pro on Broadwell, C610 supports Core i7-5790 also mated with non ecc memory will cost 2100$ before Apple tax (600cpu+ 400x2 gpu r9-nano + 400$ logic board chasis psu+80$ 16gb ddr4 + 220$ 256gb ssd NVMe), or about 2400—2500$ retail.

 

[MacVidCards]

Sir, I wrote "the price should", not "the price will", do you understand?

Why would you ever bother typing this then? I think we can all agree that pretty much everything Apple sells SHOULD sell for a lower price. Especially the 6,1 with 7970s for $500+ each.
[doublepost=1455932196][/doublepost]

Great knowledge of a computer you are talking about. D300 is R9 270X/7870. R9 M370X is 7770.

Sorry, I just know that my nMP has underpowered gutless wonders for GPUs, they seem as slow as a 7770 I have here, and I didn't think it important to keep all of the low end stuff straight. My apologies, they only feel like 7770s because they are underclocked 7870s. I'm very sorry.
[doublepost=1455932324][/doublepost]

Ever hear of gas buddy? you are a fool if you pay that much.

I never said I paid that much. A buddy of mine got short staffed on a commercial so I did some runs for the Prop department. Got to see a lot of LA in 3 days, noticed that gas prices were all over the map, that station had the highest, being on corner of 2 major roads they probably felt nobody would care. I know I will buy wherever is cheapest, AS LONG AS I DON"T HAVE TO TAKE A LEFT during rush hour(s).

 

[OS6-OSX]

Last month I kept hearing about record low oil prices, yet the Shell at Fairfax and Wilshire was still charging $4.79/gal.

I think you mean Fairfax and Beverly across from CBS. Fairfax and Wilshire you have the Petersen Auto Museum and LACMA (Los Angeles County of Modern Art). This is where the old Orbach and May Company stores were respectively. You can see a good shot of this in the old Disney movie The Million Dollar Duck. I spent many summers there having clothes selected for me for the fall school year.
So the only way any of this remotely fits into this thread is if the nMP is thought of as modern art and ends up in LACMA. The other is if Apple blows it with the next update and lays a Million Dollar Duck Egg!

 

[Mactrunk]

I gotta say....

MacVidCards is doing excellent advocacy for the disappointed long term Mac Pro folks.

Geeze, can't Apple come up with something "insanely great"?
Something better than a closed system tube with 3 year old GPUs and CPUs called a Mac Pro.

I am one of the folks who would happily purchase a new mac pro if Apple would "think different"

 

[ManuelGomes]

AMD Baffin, Weston and Banks spotted at Zauba. These must be low end cards, only 2GB GDDR5 but Baffin has 4GB and could be Polaris 11.
But still with old names.
[doublepost=1455966123][/doublepost]nMP clone: https://www.macrumors.com/2016/02/19/dune-case-copies-mac-pro-design/
[doublepost=1455966403][/doublepost]What a rip off...
Well, at least some here will be able to have a nMP with selected components, and leave the nMP alone, or not.

 

[Mago]

AMD Baffin, Weston and Banks spotted at Zauba. These must be low end cards, only 2GB GDDR5 but Baffin has 4GB and could be Polaris 11.
But still with old names.
[doublepost=1455966123][/doublepost]nMP clone: https://www.macrumors.com/2016/02/19/dune-case-copies-mac-pro-design/
[doublepost=1455966403][/doublepost]What a rip off...
Well, at least some here will be able to have a nMP with selected components, and leave the nMP alone, or not.

Thera are Polaris GPU targeted at the nMacbook Pro, maybe this could be one of these. (I'll love an Macbook Pro with Xeon and Polaris Gpu, but there is a possibility no more dGPU on Apple laptop anymore, due Thunderbolt 3 external gpu)

 

[koyoot]

Baffin XT is Polaris chip. The other are simply Cape Verde rebrands for sub 100$ market.

 

[ManuelGomes]

koyoot, you should be right about that. Being GDDR5 they must be old models again.
Let's see what Baffin will come with, GDDR5X or HBM1/2. HBM2 is unlikely at this point though.

Mago, that would be sweet, I should have waited for the nrMBP wth Skylake and Polaris, if we get dGPU again. Xeons, even the low end ones, is quite unlikely.

 

[Mago]

Mago, that would be sweet, I should have waited for the nrMBP wth Skylake and Polaris, if we get dGPU again. Xeons, even the low end ones, is quite unlikely.

Not so unlikely, Intel mobile Skylake don't end at core i7, but on Xeon, uses the same chipset mobile Skylake same BGA connector, in case Apple decides to release an Xeon Skylake rMBP what they only need is to swap cpu and ddr4 ram for Xeon and ecc ddr4 no new logic board needed for this, *drop-in like replacemen*

Right now lenovo's thinkpad p50 offers it (a tempting machine also on 4k resolution and nVidia quadro faster than amd D300).

 

[ManuelGomes]

Correction, the Xeon D 1500 is looking good, great performance at low TDP. Same cores as pure Xeon parts, lower speed. Those could easily go in the rMBP, and they're even BGA and SoC, the way Apple loves it. Being a SoC PCH functionality is integrated in the CPU die, no 2 chip solution anymore. It features 24 PCIe 3 lanes, 8 PCIe 2 lanes, dual 10GbE - seems they integrated C610 into the CPU, keeping 32 PCIe 3 lanes of the CPU - 24 available and 4x for each 10GbE I'd guess.
I wouldn't see it on the nMP though, only dual channel mem.
[doublepost=1456057011][/doublepost]Just saw your reply, was replying in the process.
These Xeon D are still based on Broadwell, if they were already Skylake would be awesome.

 

[Mago]

Correction, the Xeon D 1500 is looking good, great performance at low TDP. Same cores as pure Xeon parts, lower speed. Those could easily go in the rMBP, and they're even BGA and SoC, the way Apple loves it. Being a SoC PCH functionality is integrated in the CPU die, no 2 chip solution anymore. It features 24 PCIe 3 lanes, 8 PCIe 2 lanes, dual 10GbE - seems they integrated C610 into the CPU, keeping 32 PCIe 3 lanes of the CPU - 24 available and 4x for each 10GbE I'd guess.
I wouldn't see it on the nMP though, only dual channel mem.
[doublepost=1456057011][/doublepost]Just saw your reply, was replying in the process.
These Xeon D are still based on Broadwell, if they were already Skylake would be awesome.

No this is a server / low end workstation cpu.

The Xeon Skylake on the thinkpad p50 is the E3-1500Mv5 http://www.anandtech.com/show/9507/intel-quietly-launches-mobile-xeons-skylake-e3-1500m-v5

 

[ManuelGomes]

I know that, but imagine a rMBP with 16 cores!! ;-)
Get an eGPU on TB3 and no need for the nMP for many!
And Apple would go full mobile.

 

[Mago]

I know that, but imagine a rMBP with 16 cores!! ;-)
Get an eGPU on TB3 and no need for the nMP for many!
And Apple would go full mobile.

Ha ha, not 16 cores but threads, actually Xeon D1500 is an 8 cores cpu aimed at server farms where ARM menaces Intel.

Thunderbolt 3 opens many new possibilities, as an external Xeon Phi Card accelerator could be amazing, also nVidia is getting ready an Cuda accelerator for Thunderbolt 3 that will crush the latest Xeon Phi on both performance and efficiency, future never seem so promising for mobile pro users.

 

[ManuelGomes]

No, there are actually 16 core (32 threads) Xeon D 1500, check it out (1571/77/87).

 

[Mago]

No, there are actually 16 core (32 threads) Xeon D 1500, check it out (1571/77/87).

Sorry Manuel, Intel said I'm right http://ark.intel.com/m/products/911...41-12M-Cache-2_10-GHz#@product/specifications

 

[koyoot]

Sorry Manuel, Intel said I'm right http://ark.intel.com/m/products/911...41-12M-Cache-2_10-GHz#@product/specifications

Are you sure?
http://ark.intel.com/products/93355/Intel-Xeon-Processor-D-1571-24M-Cache-1_30-GHz

1.7 GHz version of this chip is also possible, but it has 65W TDP.

koyoot, you should be right about that. Being GDDR5 they must be old models again.
Let's see what Baffin will come with, GDDR5X or HBM1/2. HBM2 is unlikely at this point though.

Mago, that would be sweet, I should have waited for the nrMBP wth Skylake and Polaris, if we get dGPU again. Xeons, even the low end ones, is quite unlikely.

It depends which manufacturer of HBM2 AMD picked. If Micron - no chance for GPUs until late Q3. If Samsung... They would be available in late march - early April. Which falls perfectly in line for rumored Polaris 11 release.

 

[Mago]

Are you sure?
http://ark.intel.com/products/93355/Intel-Xeon-Processor-D-1571-24M-Cache-1_30-GHz

1.7 GHz version of this chip is also possible, but it has 65W TDP.
It depends which manufacturer of HBM2 AMD picked. If Micron - no chance for GPUs until late Q3. If Samsung... They would be available in late march - early April. Which falls perfectly in line for rumored Polaris 11 release.

Ok this is an fresh new one Xeon D I didn't aware, anyway are not aimed at laptops.

I think it's more likely we will see sooner an Macbook Pro with Thunderbolt 3, Xeon and Polaris than the nnMP, unless Apple opts no HBM yet.