Intel Releases new DDR3 chipset - New Mac Pro on the Horizon?

[pilotError]

I was reading an article on AnandTech about Intel finally releasing the P35 chipset that supports both DDR2 and DDR3 memory.

http://anandtech.com/memory/showdoc.aspx?i=2989

One of the interesting parts of the article was that Intel was holding the release for some unknown reason. According to the Article, the release date is officially June 4th; of course thats just happens to be the week before WWDC.

Fast forward a year and Intel is now launching their first chipsets to support DDR3 memory. In one of the sloppiest NDA launches in recent memory we already have P35 boards for sale since early May. The official chipset introduction is scheduled for May 21st and boards are "officially" launching into the retail channel on June 4th.

We can tell you that Intel does not really have an NDA, but they have been very aggressive in holding first tier manufacturers to a May 21st performance embargo and retail distribution on June 4th. Despite that, people around the world have been able to buy P35 boards from several retailers. We have retail boards we bought on the open market, which makes the 21st NDA a moot point in our opinion. Still, we value our relationship with both Intel and the major board makers, so this will not be a full P35 launch review. You will see that coming on May 21st.

Speculation anyone?

 

[dartzorichalcos]

I am guessing before or after WWDC when the "true" Mac Pro update happens.

 

[dkoralek]

I am guessing before or after WWDC when the "true" Mac Pro update happens.

Isn't Bearlake (P35) a desktop chipset for the Core 2 Duo. It essentially, if I am recallling this correctly, is the desktop equivalent of the chipset that is part of Santa Rosa. It will coincide with faster FSB (1.33) Processors, etc. Need an update to the Xeon motherboards.

cheers.

 

[dartzorichalcos]

Isn't Bearlake (P35) a desktop chipset for the Core 2 Duo.

Check this chart out.

 

[Kosh66]

Mac Pro is waiting for Seaburg (or also called Stoakley) chipset. P35 doesn't appear to be Seaburg.

 

[dkoralek]

Check this chart out.

Exactly, it is for the desktop line of Core 2 Duos (and Quads). It will not be a chipset compatible with the woodcrest/clovertown xeons (but would work with the conroe/kentsfield based xeons) that Apple uses for the Mac Pro and Stoakley-Seaburg should be implemented in the next workstation chipset (one would hazard to guess that it will also support DDR3 memory, although probably still with the FB-DIMM limitations or benefits depending on your point of view). Just checking the RAM limits on the table clearly shows that P35 is desktop oriented (8 gig).

cheers.

 

[Eidorian]

Intel Releases new DDR3 chipset - New Mac Pro on the Horizon?

Not anytime soon...

However, the test was designed so that any performance improvements that were brought by the new P35 (Bearlake) chipset would be captured and could be isolated. P35 supports either DDR2 or DDR3, and we found no real difference in current performance of DDR2 and DDR3 on the P35 platform. Both were equally faster than the same DDR2 on the P965 chipset.

 

[dartzorichalcos]

Perhaps Apple could implement this chipset into the next iMacs, at least the 24" iMac.

 

[Eidorian]

Perhaps Apple could implement this chipset into the next iMacs, at least the 24" iMac.

Santa Rosa

 

[dartzorichalcos]

Santa Rosa

I don't see anything wrong with putting this new P35 chipset in to the iMac. That should differentiate the iMacs from MacBooks and MacBook Pros. The iMacs, MacBooks and MacBook Pros right now use the same chipset and the iMacs need something that would differentiate them from the portables.

 

[Eidorian]

I don't see anything wrong with putting this new PS35 chipset in to the iMac. That should differentiate the iMacs from MacBooks and MacBook Pros. The iMacs, MacBooks and MacBook Pros right now use the same chipset and the iMacs needs something that would differentiate them from the portables.

And how long have we wanted a desktop chip in the iMac? (I suggest looking at our Conroe Vs. Merom Vs. G5 TDP talking from last June-July.)

How many times has Apple continued to use mobile parts in the iMac?

 

[localoid]

The shift to DDR3 begins this year, but its not really likely to move into the mainstream until about 2H 08. Until then, DDR3 will experience the same sorts growing pains, such as DDR2 did during its early stages. Eventually though, it will replace DDR2, just as DDR2 replaced DDR.

 

[localoid]

How many times has Apple continued to use mobile parts in the iMac?

In the iMac, the mobile chips make sense. But, if Apple were to make a low(er) end desktop (a "real" desktop, not an iMac all-in-one) or a low(er) end XServe, Intel desktop processors would make sense. I'm not holding my breathe until that happens tho'...

 

[Eidorian]

In the iMac, the mobile chips make sense. But, if Apple were to make a low(er) end desktop (a "real" desktop, not an iMac all-in-one) or a low(er) end XServe, Intel desktop processors would make sense. I'm not holding my breathe until that happens tho'...

Careful not to double post. Intel's Montevina platform should support DDR3 on laptops in early 2008.

 

[localoid]

Careful not to double post. Intel's Montevina platform should support DDR3 on laptops in early 2008.

Double post what?

 

[Eidorian]

Double post what?

Here you go. Two in a row.

In the iMac, the mobile chips make sense. But, if Apple were to make a low(er) end desktop (a "real" desktop, not an iMac all-in-one) or a low(er) end XServe, Intel desktop processors would make sense. I'm not holding my breathe until that happens tho'...

Headless desktop Mac has been wanted for years since the $1,400 Power Macs stopped being sold.

 

[localoid]

Headless desktop Mac has been wanted for years since the $1,400 Power Macs stopped being sold.

Yeah, I feel the pain (of want.) The G4-DA upgraded to 1.5Ghz, along with virtually everything else that I'm typing from is showing signs of metal fatigue (as I wait for a appropriate replacement.)

 

[localoid]

Intel's Montevina platform should support DDR3 on laptops in early 2008.

Lots of Intel stuff will support it (by then), and you'll see more and more of DDR3 entering the market, but until AMD starts using it in its mainstream offerings (which is expected to happen around 2H 08) DDR3 pricing isn't going to hit the sweet spot, in terms of pricing, in the marketplace. Prices will of course stay high around the holidays, so until early-2009 the DDR2 will likely remain very popular simply because its cheaper. Its all a cycle (of continuous change and progress.)

 

[Eidorian]

You're doing it again...​

 

[Trekkie]

Great graphic.