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Buying a nMP? Which config?

What config are you likely buying?

  • 4-core, D300s

    Votes: 14 12.5%

  • 4-core, D500s

    Votes: 5 4.5%

  • 4-core, D700s

    Votes: 1 0.9%

  • 6-core, D300s

    Votes: 21 18.8%

  • 6-core, D500s

    Votes: 27 24.1%

  • 6-core, D700s

    Votes: 12 10.7%

  • 8-core, D300s

    Votes: 2 1.8%

  • 8-core, D500s

    Votes: 5 4.5%

  • 8-core, D700s

    Votes: 9 8.0%

  • 12-core, D300s

    Votes: 2 1.8%

  • 12-core, D500s

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • 12-core, D700s

    Votes: 14 12.5%
  • Total voters
    112
VirtualRain

VirtualRain

macrumors 603
Original poster
Aug 1, 2008
6,304
118
Vancouver, BC
If you're planning to buy a nMP, what configuration are you thinking of getting?

EDIT: Here's a table of the current breakdown... attached.

Observations:
- The 6-core is the clear leader in CPU choice
- The GPUs are biased towards the entry level but more evenly distributed
- People buying the 12-core are either going D300 or D700 - no D500

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

We know the 4-Core/D300/12GB/256GB is $2999 USD
We also know the 6-Core/D500/16GB/256GB is $3999 USD

I'm currently leaning towards 4-Core/D300/12GB/1TB (and buy 32GB RAM elsewhere unless Apples BTO for that is close to $400). I'm assuming the 1TB BTO adds $800.

I rarely max out my existing 4 cores, so don't think I'd benefit from adding more cores this time around.

I use Aperture, and hoping a new version is forthcoming that can leverage these GPUs.

I can definitely leverage more RAM and the fast SSD.
 

Attachments

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For the two customers in mind I'm leaning towards the standard 6 core model but want all the prices for the different options in detail first before deciding!
 
Originally I was planning on getting the hex core setup but I have been thinking about it and maybe will go quad and just get the d500s or possible d700s if they arent ridiculously priced and a 1tb ssd and upgrade the ram later
 
Unfortunately I'm going to wait about 9months to see what happens with the software I use and OpenCL. Seems silly to have all that GPU power and the software not use it. Definitely going Mac Pro next, just a case of which age......I so hope it's new.

Hex core for me, I need the single core speed for some software, but have other software than can use multi. Speed drop is not that great between the 2.

nMP hex core - 32gb - D500 & 500gb SSD
 
All depends on the cost of the d700s...

Most importantly I need a terabyte of flash and the two d700s. Ideally I'd like to get those specs with the eight core for no more than 8 grand.

If not I'll settle for the hex core. The ram I have taken care of.
 
LongSticks said:
Unfortunately I'm going to wait about 9months to see what happens with the software I use and OpenCL. Seems silly to have all that GPU power and the software not use it. Definitely going Mac Pro next, just a case of which age......I so hope it's new.

Hex core for me, I need the single core speed for some software, but have other software than can use multi. Speed drop is not that great between the 2.

nMP hex core - 32gb - D500 & 500gb SSD
Click to expand...

Yeah, wise (but not fun) to wait and see ;)... I might be buying more GPU than I can use initially, unless Apple does something to Aperture to change that. But I do want a 4K monitor in the next year, so if nothing else, that can help justify the GPUs.

The beauty of the 6-core this time around is that you don't sacrifice single-core clock speed for more cores. The turbo scales the same as the Quad.
 
I want a 6 core/1 TB/ d300 and a standard 12gb ram. That is if you can upgrade from the basic 4 core by selecting other components. I may upgrade to the d500s depending on cost, but for sure the 1TB and 6 core is a must.
 
I would think about $320 for the 6 core upgrade and another $320 for the D700. The 1TB SSD upgrade about $800.
 
VirtualRain said:
The beauty of the 6-core this time around is that you don't sacrifice single-core clock speed for more cores. The turbo scales the same as the Quad.
Click to expand...

My understanding was that the 8-core was the sweet spot, as the turbo scales the same (or very similar) per core to the 4 and 6 core chips, giving you the speed benefits of the lower chips while having extra cores for software supports it. The obvious downside is that the 8-core upgrade will be extremely expensive (about a $1200 upgrade over the 6 core when comparing CPU value).

Here is an article about the CPU turbo scaling linked in another thread (my apologies, I cannot remember who originally posted this link).

http://www.marco.org/2013/11/26/new-mac-pro-cpus
 
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jivemaster said:
My understanding was that the 8-core was the sweet spot, as the turbo scales the same (or very similar) per core to the 4 and 6 core chips, giving you the speed benefits of the lower chips while having extra cores for software supports it. The obvious downside is that the 8-core upgrade will be extremely expensive (about a $1200 upgrade over the 6 core when comparing CPU value).

Here is an article about the CPU turbo scaling linked in another thread (my apologies, I cannot remember who originally posted this link).

http://www.marco.org/2013/11/26/new-mac-pro-cpus
Click to expand...

IMHO, given the pricing of the 8-core, you need to be making money with this machine (eg. time is money) AND you really need to be able to max out those 8 cores regularly. Of course, having more money than you know what to do with is also a perfectly good reason to get the 8-core. :p

----------

BTW, here are my best guesses for the BTO options on a few things...

From Base Quad Core at $2999...

6-Core - Add $400-$500
8-Core - Add $1500-$1800
12-Core - Add $2500-$3000
512GB SSD - Add $300
1TB SSD - Add $800
Dual D500s - Add $500-600
Dual D700s - Add $1200-$1500
 
Einz said:
I would think about $320 for the 6 core upgrade and another $320 for the D700. The 1TB SSD upgrade about $800.
Click to expand...

6 core E5 16550 v2 is $583 the 1620 v2 around $300 ... you're likely leaving out Apple's 30% mark-up. 758 - 300 --> $460 is probably closer.
[ looks like you are just trying to subtract raw component prices... none of Apple's BTO prices work that way for current Macs. Not likely any change coming exclusive to the Mac Pro replacement. ]

The $1000 gap between entry and 6 core Mac Pro suggests that twin D500 are around $400-500 upgrade from twin D300's. At least minimally double that for the D700s and likely more since the VRAM differences are also much more significant. (going from D300's 2GB to D500's 3GB is a much smaller jump than from D500's 3GB to D700's 6GB. Some of the 2 -> 3 GB transition is consumed by enabling and using "overprovision" space or ECC, but no where near as big a jump. ) It is also a much bigger jump in raw computational horsepower ( 2 to 2.2 TFLOPs vs 2.2 to 3.5 TFLOPs )
 
Last edited:
jivemaster said:
...
Here is an article about the CPU turbo scaling linked in another thread (my apologies, I cannot remember who originally posted this link).

http://www.marco.org/2013/11/26/new-mac-pro-cpus
Click to expand...

Those "likely" prices are low for the most part. The 1620 -> 1650 is about right but the rest look close to that CPU price minus the approximate $300 for the 1620 v2. That isn't how Apple prices things. There is a profit percentage layered on top. For those highly expensive options that adds considerably to the costs.

E5 1680 v2 likely closer to $1.9-2K and E5 2697 v2 likely cracks the $3K barrier over the entry model configuration. The previous high clock, 12 core options were up the $6K range... it will still be there with the newer models. [ If the table is a bit confused and are suppose to add second +$500 to the other lower two.... that is likely closer. ]


At $300-500 per core it definately is in the zone where if they are "making money" it work but if not, that is a per core price that is higher than a whole E5 1620 v2.
 
Oops, I meant the D500.

I have no idea what Apple will charge for the D700
 
8 core / 1TB SSD / D500 / 16GB (+ AppleCare)

I'm looking for this configuration to come in ~ $6,000.

If I keep this machine for 6 years as I have for my '08, at just $4 per day (it's less than $3 a day if you factor in weekends and non-workdays) it's a great deal...not to mention I need the business expense in 2014 so if Apple could make a 4K monitor appear in matte to replace my lovely but aging 30" ACD that would be marvelous too. :D
 
Depends what the D700 costs.

I'll go 6 core, ideally 8 core.

Ideal setup would be 8 core, 32GB (3rd party), 1TB, D700.

If the D700's are a 1500+ BTO I may just get a 6 core, 16 GB, 256, D700, and upgrade the SSD and Ram in 6 - 12 months 3rd party. I may go 512 on the SSD though, replacing the SSD with the OS on it seems painful.

Would be nice if Apple had an option to have no ram, or 2x8GB sticks or 1X 16 GB stick vs. The 3 or 4 X 4gbs :( I was debating upgrading from the Quad just to not end up tossing the all the apple ram that comes with the base configs. 12 (3x4) + 16 (1 x 16) = 28GB.
 
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D700s, unsure on core count yet. My budget to throw at cores depends on what the monitor situation is.

I won't be buying at launch, but sometime next year.
 
VirtualRain said:
Those of you going D700 (or D500 even), what software are you using that can take advantage of them?
Click to expand...

I'm a 3d guy so Opengl and Vram is even more important than the openCl performance everyone is fixated on.

Though after effects, final cut and photoshop will benefit immediately. I think Nuke will support openCl in the next year or so.

I want the experience in Mari I saw demo'd -(pure opengl, vram, ssd - no opencl involved) having used mari in Win8 with NV and ATI cards and an HDD and not having nearly as fluid an experience.
 
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My target is the 4 core with dual D300, 256GB SSD and 16GB RAM. A LaCie D2 Thunderbolt 3TB as datadrive is already on its way.

This should be around 3 times faster in Shade3D then my quadcore-mp-2008. When it finally gets OpenCL support it will just get better ;P
 
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