MP 7,1 AMD RDNA 2, 6800, 6800 XT, 6900 XT MPX Modules

[timerickson]

The RDNA 2 family was announced today, with the 6800 series on sale Nov 18th, and the 6900 series on sale Dec 8th.

The natural question then is: will we see MPX modules of these chips this year for BTO Mac Pros? If so, the natural time to, at least, preview them would be the slated Nov 17th event.

 

[timerickson]

Of course, its not required to have an MPX module version of these cards. You can purchase them regular PCIe version, if we hope to see drivers in Catalina and/or Big Sur for these cards.

More on the announcement today: https://appleinsider.com/articles/20/10/28/amd-debuts-first-radeon-rx-6000-pci-e-video-cards

 

[ArPe]

Looks beastly and good prices.

Tom’s Hardware emphasises that AMD’s benchmarks were overclocked versus Nvidia stock clocks. They also say supplies will be tight at first even though AMD said they will make enough.

AMD didn’t show raytracing performance comparison so let’s see the scores from reviewers soon.

 

[LeonPro]

Seeing where this will go in terms of Apple officially adopting the card as an MPX module. Most likely an over-priced version as always, but hey I bought into the Vega II MPX. I purposely didn't add a dual GPU knowing I'll be upgrading with RDNA 2 in the near future. We shall see...

 

[LeonPro]

I'm hoping Apple will announce an MPX module on this card by next year. But my gut feeling tells me they won't even be releasing updates on the current Mac Pro and only announce new cards once they are ready to release the Mac Pro Silicone version to make sure it has the "new features".

 

[ondioline]

RDNA2 drivers are present in Big Sur. There would be no reason to wait until the next Mac Pro imo. Even considering the addition of USB4/TB4 and PCIE 4.0 to the MPX lineup, they would all be backwards compatible.

I definitely think it will appear eventually, but not this year. It took ~5 months for the w5700x to show up after the 5700XT went on sale.

 

[Graham King]

Will regular non-MPX PC versions of these cards work at launch? I don’t need thunderbolt ports.

 

[IA64]

Very interesting and promising. Can't wait for an MPX module.

 

[IA64]

I'm hoping Apple will announce an MPX module on this card by next year. But my gut feeling tells me they won't even be releasing updates on the current Mac Pro and only announce new cards once they are ready to release the Mac Pro Silicone version to make sure it has the "new features".

I strongly believe that the MP will be the last one to move to ARM and if it happens, it won't be before at least 2 years.

To think of it, Apple can get the hardware from AMD, make an MPX module and sell it for double the price. I can't see what this won't be happening. Afterall it's a modular PC, if they can sell you something and make profit, they will.

 

[throAU]

Lol, based on track record you probably won't until the 2030 Mac Pro.

 

[MisterAndrew]

These are gaming cards. My guess is Apple will wait until there is a professional version, such as a Radeon Pro W6900X. My best guess is sometime next year.

 

[ArPe]

Man I wish people wouldn’t say there are gaming cards and pro cards ? jk

For video and cg rendering there’s almost zero difference if that’s what you are doing.

 

[randy85]

Are there still issues with using non-MPX versions of gpu cards? I heard some people say that the fans whirr up when the Mac goes to sleep or something along those lines?

 

[tevion5]

Man I wish people wouldn’t say there are gaming cards and pro cards ? jk

For video and cg rendering there’s almost zero difference if that’s what you are doing.

Sure and my Pro W5700X can game very well but it's fair to point out Apple has a tendency to ship "Pro" branded Radeons in MBPs and even iMacs lately so we can expect any MPX module will be some "Pro" variant not just a direct RX card without fans.

Even if Apple shipping the Radeon Pro 580 in 2019 pushed the boundaries of "Pro" branding to say the least...

 

[flowrider]

The latest macOS build has support for the new AMD RX 6000 Series GPUs.

I'm hoping Apple will announce an MPX module on this card by next year. But my gut feeling tells me they won't even be releasing updates on the current Mac Pro and only announce new cards once they are ready to release the Mac Pro Silicone version to make sure it has the "new features".

Another member, Mister Andrew has installed MacOS Beta 11.0.1 and has posted :

"The latest macOS build has support for the new AMD RX 6000 Series GPUs."

Lou

 

[IA64]

The latest macOS build has support for the new AMD RX 6000 Series GPUs.

Another member, Mister Andrew has installed MacOS Beta 11.0.1 and has posted :

"The latest macOS build has support for the new AMD RX 6000 Series GPUs."

Lou

Having support is something and making an MPX card is something else. You can install an aftermarket RX6000 card but we're interested in MPX modules.

 

[flowrider]

^^^^I'm aware of that. But, wouldn't you think that having support for a family of cards might lead to something❓ Like just maybe MPX modules❓

Lou

 

[IA64]

^^^^I'm aware of that. But, wouldn't you think that having support for a family of cards might lead to something❓ Like just maybe MPX modules❓

Lou

It's not really having support, it's a driver. As long as they're supporting AMD cards, I don't understand why they wouldn't let those who bough a modular mac because they thought they would upgrade their hardware ( Graphic cards specifically ) often, benefit. The MP7.1 is not the trashcan. Also they might be releasing something soon with the 6000M on their macbook who knows. Apparently the new Macbook is still going to be Intel based.

Take a look :

New MacBook Pro (16-inch) could arrive this year — but without this crucial feature

A new 16-inch MacBook Pro could be Intel's Mac swan song

www.laptopmag.com

 

[flowrider]

^^^^What are you arguing about❓❓❓❓❓ Support for a device in an OS is a driver We all know that‼️

Lou

 

[IA64]

^^^^What are you arguing about❓❓❓❓❓ Support for a device in an OS is a driver We all know that‼️

Lou

I'm just telling you that device compatibility in Mac doesn't mean anything, at least for me. Intel Optane is supported but that doesn't mean they are going to sell it with the Mac.

Afterall, I wish they would release a new MPX 6000 card but so far we have zero evidence.

 

[crypto7]

I'm pissed enough at the unexplainable, seemingly grudge-like behavior toward nVidia Apple has shown for, what, a decade or more?? that I'm ready to say screw MPX modules, and put a GeForce 30x0 or a Radeon 6x00 XT into the Mac Pro 2019 PCIe slots.

So now my only question now is, do I shut down macos and switch the display cable from a Radeon 580X MPX module (which is a $200 gfx card in a $5000+ computer!) to a 30x0 nVidia card every time I boot into Boot Camp? Sounds like a PITA. Or do I put in an AMD 60x0 card, remove the 580x MPX module and just use the AMD card on PCIe for both Winders and macos? Because the latter is likely what I'm going to try, at least so I can use ONE (1) card with both operating systems...

 

[MisterAndrew]

I'm just telling you that device compatibility in Mac doesn't mean anything, at least for me. Intel Optane is supported but that doesn't mean they are going to sell it with the Mac.

Afterall, I wish they would release a new MPX 6000 card but so far we have zero evidence.

Intel Optane Persistent Memory is not supported by the 7,1's CPUs.

 

[IA64]

Intel Optane Persistent Memory is not supported by the 7,1's CPUs.

I meant the SSD and it was for the sake of argument.

 

[Theophilos]

Can I just say that I’m really happy with the performance of my single Vega II when editing ProRes RAW from a Sony A7S III? Final Cut saturates the GPU processor and RAM while the 16c processor gets pushed to 1,300% usage in iStat. It’s so satisfying to see these computing resources getting used rather than sitting idle as they do with most other apps.

 

[Graham King]

Glad to hear your setup is working well for you. I’m pretty stuck on Premiere and not willing to transition to FCP or Resolve. So I just sold my 7,1 after only 4 months. I blame Adobe’s crappy software for not taking advantage of the hardware and also the pandemic for wiping out most of my work.