$2999 for entry model: what do you think?

[spaz8]

Stupid question.

Is the only way to hook up a monitor to this thing through the thunderbolt ports?

Does that mean some sort of display port to dual-dvi cable for $99? X monitors?

I don't see any thunderbolt conversion cables.

Lastly.. only room for 1 ssd? hope you can use that 2nd emplty slot, just 1TB in the case seems puny.

 

[MacMilligan]

Stupid question.

Is the only way to hook up a monitor to this thing through the thunderbolt ports?

Does that mean some sort of display port to dual-dvi cable for $99? X monitors?

I don't see any thunderbolt conversion cables.

Lastly.. only room for 1 ssd? hope you can use that 2nd emplty slot, just 1TB in the case seems puny.

HDMI port. No DVI. Only 1SSD. You need to purchase a TB/USB3.0 enclosure for more disk space.

 

[peabo]

Stupid question.

Is the only way to hook up a monitor to this thing through the thunderbolt ports?

Does that mean some sort of display port to dual-dvi cable for $99? X monitors?

I don't see any thunderbolt conversion cables.

Lastly.. only room for 1 ssd? hope you can use that 2nd emplty slot, just 1TB in the case seems puny.

There is also an HDMI port.

 

[blackhand1001]

Single Xeons just seem like a waste to me. The whole point is that they can work in multiple configurations.

exactly. This thing is simply a complete failure in address what professionals need and want in a workstation. Its overpriced, sacrifices too much for a form factor that provides little benefit to the user.

 

[beaker7]

Stupid question.

Is the only way to hook up a monitor to this thing through the thunderbolt ports?

Does that mean some sort of display port to dual-dvi cable for $99? X monitors?

I don't see any thunderbolt conversion cables.

Lastly.. only room for 1 ssd? hope you can use that 2nd emplty slot, just 1TB in the case seems puny.

If you want to use a dual-dvi monitor, yes, you have to buy an adapter for each monitor.

 

[N19h7m4r3]

Actually $6000ish

Was it? I remember seeing around €8000+ for them.

If the new 12-cores are around 6000, it's not so bad. Although I don't like that the 12-core option is limited to around 2.7Ghz. I excepted the 8-core to be a bit higher as well.

If the 8-core came in at 3.2Ghz it would be the sweet spot config I think.
I cam glad we can change the RAM ourselves, and it's not soldered. I'd want at least 32GB in my system as my current 24GB has caused the swaps when dealing with big files in FCP.

 

[Inconsequential]

Did you actually expect one, even though all info said otherwise?

Hope more than expectation.

Because people like me who don't need dual GPUs and have a budget of £2k (iMac does not fit the bill) would buy one.

6 core, single GPU, 3 TB ports.

Ah well, saves me money in a long run given that I can now build something faster for much less money and have it more expandable!!

 

[peabo]

Was it? I remember seeing around €8000+ for them.

If the new 12-cores are around 6000, it's not so bad. Although I don't like that the 12-core option is limited to around 2.7Ghz. I excepted the 8-core to be a bit higher as well.

If the 8-core came in at 3.2Ghz it would be the sweet spot config I think.
I cam glad we can change the RAM ourselves, and it's not soldered. I'd want at least 32GB in my system as my current 24GB has caused the swaps when dealing with big files in FCP.

The 4, 6 and 8 core models all have turbo boosts of 3.9GHz so there is little risk of seeing the 6 or 4 core outperform the 8 core in any tasks. if you're using more cores, the lower 2.7 GHz of the 12-core model will far outperform the lower models. And even in single threaded apps, the turbo boost is 3.5GHz which is very close to the 3.9GHz turbo boost on the 4, 6 and 8 core models.

 

[N19h7m4r3]

The 4, 6 and 8 core models all have turbo boosts of 3.9GHz so there is little risk of seeing the 6 or 4 core outperform the 8 core in any tasks. if you're using more cores, the lower 2.7 Ghz of the 12-core model will far outperform the lower models. And even in single threaded apps, the turbo boost is 3.5Ghz which is very close to the 3.9GHz turbo boost on the 4, 6 and 8 core models.

That has to be seen to be true. Boost is not always 100% set speed. If you're constantly rendering for hours on end, it will throttle.

I also doubt a 2.7Ghz CPU will outperform a 3.7Ghz one in single-core work. if you're buying the 12-core it's because you'll most likely be getting it only for multi-threaded work.

We'll just have to wait until they're out. I'd like to see how the new Processors and GPU's compare to a 5.1 Mac Pro in work, especially when you can add in any current AMD or NVIDIA GPU as long as it meets the power requirements.

 

[ssgbryan]

I am curious where the "The nMP will be under $2K" brigade is at.

They sure were noisy back when the first bits about the nMP were released.

 

[dmax35]

lol Dell.

I've got nothing against PC's, and am building another one now, but come on. Dell? Really? Just build one.

----------

And $2999 seems decent for the new MP. A little higher than I'd expect, but not terrible, if you ask me. I don't feel like it's so good that I'm compelled to upgrade, though.

Enjoy the headaches. Thanks Apple for saving me from hassle of dealing with PC's in the past. Best business $ decision I made switching to Mac's.

 

[beaker7]

I am curious where the "The nMP will be under $2K" brigade is at.

They sure were noisy back when the first bits about the nMP were released.

Only way it was ever going to be under $2k is if you buy it out of a van. People smoking something if they seriously thought that.

 

[theSeb]

What part of "Starting at $3,999" are you having trouble with?

Just stop it please because you're making yourself look like a fool.

Quad Core with D300 is configurable to hex core and will therefore be cheaper than the Hex core with D500, which you're referring to. It seems like the whole conversation has gone over your head, so try to reread the specs on the Apple site and then come back and apologise, because you're wrong.

 

[ssgbryan]

Just stop it please because you're making yourself look like a fool.

Quad Core with D300 is configurable to hex core and will therefore be cheaper than the Hex core with D500, which you're referring to. It seems like the whole conversation has gone over your head, so try to reread the specs on the Apple site and then come back and apologise, because you're wrong.

I read the spec. I even read that part at the very bottom of the page where it said "6 Core starting at $3,999".

Since we can't actually go in and configure a setup just yet, I'll go with a statement from Apple over your guesses as to what we can do in BTO.

 

[badlydrawnboy]

But the $2,999 Mac Pro will hardly be more powerful than a $2,999 iMac.

Really? Seemed like the benchmarks that showed up earlier, if they were for the entry level nMP, were significantly higher?

 

[spaz8]

That has to be seen to be true. Boost is not always 100% set speed. If you're constantly rendering for hours on end, it will throttle.

I also doubt a 2.7Ghz CPU will outperform a 3.7Ghz one in single-core work. if you're buying the 12-core it's because you'll most likely be getting it only for multi-threaded work.

We'll just have to wait until they're out. I'd like to see how the new Processors and GPU's compare to a 5.1 Mac Pro in work, especially when you can add in any current AMD or NVIDIA GPU as long as it meets the power requirements.

I thought the way it works is Boost happens when you are only using some lets say.. less than 80% of your available threads. Any rendering operation should be using 100% of your threads so in the 12 cores case you are running at 2.7 ghz. If you were in Photoshop and only using 4 cores, than likely you are boosted to 3.5 - again on the 12 core. My guess is its a gradient. So on a single threaded task you probably are only getting 3.5 (best case) vs 3.9 (best case) on the others. You need to know your workload. I wanted a 10 core, but I'm pretty happy the 8 core boosts to 3.9.

 

[EpicBlob]

I understand the Apple tax and I think its usually worth the price of admission, especially for the MBP and MBA line. My problem is the cost break down of the parts on this thing for the base model, being very generous with pricing:

Quad: $300
2x D300 (low end 260 equivalent): $300
TB Motherboard: $250
12GB ECC RAM: $250
Case, cooling, PSU: $300
128GB SSD: $110
Total: ~$1510

Again, I totally understand the Apple mark up, but this is pretty out there at $2999 for the quad (again a $300 CPU.) I'm interested in the reviews for sure though.

256gb ssd, still don't know about the graphics cards, and TB is INSANELY EXPENSIVE. A single thunderbolt controller costs about $30, and there are 6. that's $180 in thunderbolt ports alone. And that's the price Apple buys then controllers from Intel. You still have to mark it up.

For the size, I think the price isn't too bad. Desktop people will always (I mean always) make the argument about a desktop with better performance beating out a laptop for the same price. For a workstation this powerful, being able to stick it in a lunchbox is pretty impressive.

 

[bearcatrp]

4 grand for a six core? No thank you. I just built a sweet six core using the 4930K processor, ssd and hard drive and 32gb ram for 1800 bucks. Hate to see how much apple will charge for a 12 core. Glad I moved on after I sold my 2008 mac pro.

 

[spaz8]

By my math the 8 core is gonna be a $1200 (atleast) add to the 6 core..
And the 12 core is $2100 - ish add.

so the 8 core is about $5200

and the 12 core is about $6100

 

[sbrage2000]

Not surprised but definitely a little more $$$ than I was expecting. Thought a hex-core might start around $3K but looks like it's $4K. Based on this pricing model and the cost of ivy bridge xeon processors, I would expect 8-core and 12-core to add another $2K-$3K. Not to mention, adding the 6GB GPUs will likely put it through the roof. I dunno, I'd love to get back on OS-X but $4K for a watered down 4930K and two overrated GPUs seems a little steep.

 

[peabo]

By my math the 8 core is gonna by a $1200 (atleast) add to the 6 core..
And the 12 core is $2100 - ish add.

so the 8 core is about $5200

and the 12 core is about $6100

I wonder how much the D700 will add to the price too...

 

[deconstruct60]

I am curious where the "The nMP will be under $2K" brigade is at.

They sure were noisy back when the first bits about the nMP were released.

It is largely composed of the xMac brigade. They just jumped on the nMP as their newest vechicle to push forward the xMac idea. They aren't going anywhere. How the same old argument is composed will be couched differently, but they are just resting today (or off campaining in the iMac forums). There is plenty of other negatives on pricing being throw out. At this point $2,399-2,699 price range looks better than it did last year for the folks with tighter budgets.

 

[theSeb]

I read the spec. I even read that part at the very bottom of the page where it said "6 Core starting at $3,999".

Since we can't actually go in and configure a setup just yet, I'll go with a statement from Apple over your guesses as to what we can do in BTO.

Apple has told us what we can do in BTO. It's all right there.


http://store.apple.com/us/buy-mac/mac-pro

Click on tech specs and prepare to be enlightened, or do I have to post screenshots to explain this mystery? The hex core can be ordered with the base gpu so it will be less than the 3999 hex core with d500.

 

[N19h7m4r3]

I thought the way it works is Boost happens when you are only using some lets say.. less than 80% of your available threads. Any rendering operation should be using 100% of your threads so in the 12 cores case you are running at 2.7 ghz. If you were in Photoshop and only using 4 cores, than likely you are boosted to 3.5 - again on the 12 core. My guess is its a gradient. So on a single threaded task you probably are only getting 3.5 (best case) vs 3.9 (best case) on the others. You need to know your workload. I wanted a 10 core, but I'm pretty happy the 8 core boosts to 3.9.

Yup, that's right.

Which means that the 12core seems a bit lack luster to me. Depending on price to performance the 8-core one might be the sweet spot.

I'm eagerly awaiting proper reviews and benchmarks, especially compared to current 5.1 Mac Pros.

 

[Gav Mack]

There's one good reason for the price premium - assembled in the states. I would imagine they could have shaved $500 off it building it totally at pegatron or Foxconn coupled with the tax savings of manufacturing in China over the USA.