I was initially really excited by the nMP, and thought it might make a great "mini" server for VMs and Java app servers. I already use a 2011 Mac Mini server in this role, but it's limited to 16GB RAM and only has a quad-core mobile i7 @ 2GHz, so I was looking for something with more power.
After a lot of research, I've had to conclude that the nMP just isn't a good fit for what I need, which is basically a VM server, with the ability to be used as a Java development workstation.
I really don't need any fancy GPUs, just the capability of running at least 2 large monitors.
Portability would have been nice as I often travel with my Mac Mini server + MacBook, which is why I was looking at the nMP.
Unfortunately, it just seems way overpriced to use in a headless server role - you're paying for the dual GPUs, Thunderbolt & high speed SSD. I'd love to have one, but simply can't justify the price.
Also, initial reports seem to indicate that at least the 4-core model (and even the 6-core for some tasks) is slower than a top-end iMac, unless you have software that uses those GPUs. If not, you're paying over the odds for the available performance, unless you are optimistic about the release of new GPU-enabled software in the near future.
In the end I found a deal for a Dell PowerEdge T110 II Xeon server, for about $700, including 8GB RAM & 500GB disk.
This is a mini-tower format with a Xeon E3 1230v2 CPU, 4 PCIe slots, 4 3.5" drive bays.
I've ordered 32GB of ECC RAM for about $300 and a Samsung EVO 840 250GB SSD for about $150. I also added an Asus Radeon 7750 video card with support for 3 monitors for about $100.
So all up I have paid about $1250 for a quad-core Xeon workstation/server, which seems to run pretty well - I've yet to do any benchmarks, and I won't turn it into a Hackintosh, but I'm pretty happy with my purchase.
I intend to either use it as a pure server (either running VMWare ESXi VMs), in conjunction with my MacBook Air or Mac Mini as the "workstation", or use it as a development workstation (under Windows or Linux), using VMWare Workstation or VirtualBox to run my VMs "locally".
I guess that like many people who don't work in video/3D modelling, I find the value proposition of the nMP is not that good. Unless you use the GPUs, it's simply not a good bang for your buck.
I'd love Apple to release a "server" version of the nMP as they did with the oMP, in which you could downgrade the GPUs, or even replace one with a second CPU; but I doubt this will happen.
I'll see how I go with the 4-core Xeon, and may upgrade to a dual CPU machine later, if my workload warrants it. I'll also be following the development of the nMP to see whether GPU-optimized software in my field becomes available.
It's a pity not to get the latest & greatest from Apple, but in the end I've got something that is a better fit for my work, and saved an awful lot money.
John.
After a lot of research, I've had to conclude that the nMP just isn't a good fit for what I need, which is basically a VM server, with the ability to be used as a Java development workstation.
I really don't need any fancy GPUs, just the capability of running at least 2 large monitors.
Portability would have been nice as I often travel with my Mac Mini server + MacBook, which is why I was looking at the nMP.
Unfortunately, it just seems way overpriced to use in a headless server role - you're paying for the dual GPUs, Thunderbolt & high speed SSD. I'd love to have one, but simply can't justify the price.
Also, initial reports seem to indicate that at least the 4-core model (and even the 6-core for some tasks) is slower than a top-end iMac, unless you have software that uses those GPUs. If not, you're paying over the odds for the available performance, unless you are optimistic about the release of new GPU-enabled software in the near future.
In the end I found a deal for a Dell PowerEdge T110 II Xeon server, for about $700, including 8GB RAM & 500GB disk.
This is a mini-tower format with a Xeon E3 1230v2 CPU, 4 PCIe slots, 4 3.5" drive bays.
I've ordered 32GB of ECC RAM for about $300 and a Samsung EVO 840 250GB SSD for about $150. I also added an Asus Radeon 7750 video card with support for 3 monitors for about $100.
So all up I have paid about $1250 for a quad-core Xeon workstation/server, which seems to run pretty well - I've yet to do any benchmarks, and I won't turn it into a Hackintosh, but I'm pretty happy with my purchase.
I intend to either use it as a pure server (either running VMWare ESXi VMs), in conjunction with my MacBook Air or Mac Mini as the "workstation", or use it as a development workstation (under Windows or Linux), using VMWare Workstation or VirtualBox to run my VMs "locally".
I guess that like many people who don't work in video/3D modelling, I find the value proposition of the nMP is not that good. Unless you use the GPUs, it's simply not a good bang for your buck.
I'd love Apple to release a "server" version of the nMP as they did with the oMP, in which you could downgrade the GPUs, or even replace one with a second CPU; but I doubt this will happen.
I'll see how I go with the 4-core Xeon, and may upgrade to a dual CPU machine later, if my workload warrants it. I'll also be following the development of the nMP to see whether GPU-optimized software in my field becomes available.
It's a pity not to get the latest & greatest from Apple, but in the end I've got something that is a better fit for my work, and saved an awful lot money.
John.
I hate buying hardware because of this and spend more time researching than just getting on with it and working. But I waited 6 months for the specs to appear on the nMP (how horribly long was that wait!) and for my 3D animation work it should be a very pleasant upgrade.
