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Mac Pro 2011 "Sandy Bridge E" everything we know

A

Amethyst

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Aug 8, 2006
601
294
CPU:
The Sandy Bridge-E based "Intel Xeon E5"
E5-1600 Series for Single Socket
E5-2600 Series for Dual Socket

Known Configuration
UP Processor E5-1600
Xeon E5-1620 / 4 Core (8 Threads) / 3.6 GHz / L3 10 MB / TDP 130 Watt
Xeon E5-1650 / 6 Core (12 Threads) / 3.2 GHz / L3 12 MB / TDP 130 Watt
Xeon E5-1660 / 6 Core (12 Threads) / 3.3 GHz / L3 15 MB / TDP 130 Watt

DP Processor E5-2600
Dual Core
Xeon E5-2637 / 2 Core (4 Threads) / 3.0 GHz / L3 5 MB / DDR3-1600 / TDP 80 Watt

Quad Core
Xeon E5-2603 / 4 Core (4 Threads) / 1.8 GHz / L3 10 MB / DDR3-1066 / TDP 80 Watt
Xeon E5-2609 / 4 Core (4 Threads) / 2.4 GHz / L3 10 MB / DDR3-1066 / TDP 80 Watt
Xeon E5-2643 / 4 Core (8 Threads) / 3.3 GHz / L3 10 MB / DDR3-1600 / TDP 130 Watt

Hex Core
Xeon E5-2620 / 6 Core (12 Threads) / 2.0 GHz / L3 15 MB / DDR3-1333 / TDP 95 Watt
Xeon E5-2630 / 6 Core (12 Threads) / 2.3 GHz / L3 15 MB / DDR3-1333 / TDP 95 Watt
Xeon E5-2640 / 6 Core (12 Threads) / 2.5 GHz / L3 15 MB / DDR3-1333 / TDP 95 Watt
Xeon E5-2667 / 6 Core (12 Threads) / 2.9 GHz / L3 15 MB / DDR3-1600 / TDP 130 Watt
Xeon E5-2630L / 6 Core (12 Threads) / 2.0 GHz / L3 15 MB / DDR3-1333 / TDP 60 Watt

8 Core
Xeon E5-2650 / 8 Core (16 Threads) / 2.0 GHz / L3 20 MB / DDR3-1600 / TDP 95 Watt
Xeon E5-2660 / 8 Core (16 Threads) / 2.2 GHz / L3 20 MB / DDR3-1600 / TDP 95 Watt
Xeon E5-2665 / 8 Core (16 Threads) / 2.4 GHz / L3 20 MB / DDR3-1600 / TDP 115 Watt
Xeon E5-2670 / 8 Core (16 Threads) / 2.6 GHz / L3 20 MB / DDR3-1600 / TDP 115 Watt
Xeon E5-2680 / 8 Core (16 Threads) / 2.7 GHz / L3 20 MB / DDR3-1600 / TDP 130 Watt
Xeon E5-2690 / 8 Core (16 Threads) / 2.9 GHz / L3 20 MB / DDR3-1600 / TDP 135 Watt
Xeon E5-2687W / 8 Core (16 Threads) / 3.1 GHz / L3 20 MB / DDR3-1600 / TDP 150 Watt
Xeon E5-2650L / 8 Core (16 Threads) / 1.8 GHz / L3 20 MB / DDR3-1600 / TDP 70 Watt

Other Known Specification
- Socket R (2011 pins)
- 2 QPI links
- 40 PCI-E 3 Lanes
- 4 DMI 2.0 Lanes
- Quad-channel DDR3 memory controller
- Max 96 GB DDR3 Per CPU

Chipset:
- Intel X79
- Codenamed Patsburg
- PEG 2x16 up to 4x8
- Intel Rapid Storage Enterprise 3.0
- SATA Total (Max for 6GB/S) 14(10)
- Integrated Gigabit Ethernet MAC (Lewisville PHY)

GPUs:
Possible Candidate (I put the bet on ATI).
- ATI Radeon HD 6970 <- (ATI Replacement for 5870)
- ATI Radeon HD 6870 <- (ATI Replacement for 5770)

100% in 2011 Mac Pro:
- Thunderbolt Port

Other Rumors:
- Late July / Early August Launch along with Lion.
- Stackable / Rackable Newly designs case.
- May be use special Intel CPU
 
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Sorry - You are ahead of me; can you explain what the this is all about. The last I knew was that there was (is) a rumour that Apple will be using a special chip in the new Mac Pro (is this the 'E' chip you are referring to?).
 
lloyd709 said:
Sorry - You are ahead of me; can you explain what the this is all about. The last I knew was that there was (is) a rumour that Apple will be using a special chip in the new Mac Pro (is this the 'E' chip you are referring to?).
Click to expand...

Sandy Bridge-E is the name for LGA 2011 (Socket R) processors as a whole, or maybe just the consumer ones... Intel's naming schemes are not exactly known for being clear.

These processors and the chipsets they run on are set to replace those currently used in the Mac Pro.

The custom thing is just a rumour and even if true could be optimisations for Apple hardware, better thermal characteristics, certain clock speeds and configs Intel aren't planning on using in the main line. Rather than something no one else has.
 
Yup. Until Apple shows us different these are the chips the new Pro's will be using. Plan accordingly.
 
lloyd709 said:
Sorry - You are ahead of me; can you explain what the this is all about. The last I knew was that there was (is) a rumour that Apple will be using a special chip in the new Mac Pro (is this the 'E' chip you are referring to?).
Click to expand...

No, he is talking about Sandy Bridge-E.

Whatever the Mac Pro has, custom chip or not, it will be based on/will be Sandy Bridge.
 
It looks like that X79 and Enthusiast is all for gaming platforms. No multi-processor support. Not for a Mac Pro unless Apple decides that one CPU is enough.
 
saulinpa said:
It looks like that X79 and Enthusiast is all for gaming platforms. No multi-processor support. Not for a Mac Pro unless Apple decides that one CPU is enough.
Click to expand...

The current single CPU Mac Pros use the X58 chipset, which it replaces. Dual processor ones will use whatever replaces the 5520.
 
Umbongo said:
Sandy Bridge-E is the name for LGA 2011 (Socket R) processors as a whole, or maybe just the consumer ones... Intel's naming schemes are not exactly known for being clear.

These processors and the chipsets they run on are set to replace those currently used in the Mac Pro.
Click to expand...
Absolutely.

Umbongo said:
The custom thing is just a rumour and even if true could be optimisations for Apple hardware, better thermal characteristics, certain clock speeds and configs Intel aren't planning on using in the main line. Rather than something no one else has.
Click to expand...
Exactly.

When I think of "custom", I think of a different circuit topology (at least some modifications/add-ons from any other part, such as ARM architecture + other bits used, such as SATA controllers, in specialized SoC's). Not a modification of an existing chip that doesn't change the circuits (i.e. same CPU, but without the IHS that would be included in any OEM or boxed CPU of the same P/N).

I can't for the life of me see Apple paying Intel to make a truly custom CPU for the MP. The evidence available indicates that the sales volume of the MP just isn't large enough to keep the R&D per unit low enough to justify such a decision.

Nor Intel have another complete enterprise design sitting on a shelf they're not already using at all. Just collecting dust until Apple asked if they had anything as was the case with the CPU for the first generation Air. Financially speaking, this would have more merit than Apple hiring Intel to do a truly custom CPU for the MP though.
 
Amethyst said:
- Sandy Bridge-E based "Intel Xeon E5"
- E5-1600 Series for Single Socket
- Quad Core / 8 Threads 3.6 GHz 10MB L3
- ATI Radeon HD 6970
- Thunderbolt Port
- Late July / Early August Launch along with Lion
Click to expand...

If they sell it around 2000€ I'd buy one ASAP.....

High clock speed for single/double threaded software, which is what i mainly use, and 8 threads (4+4) for future proofing....
 
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My ideas about mac pro line-ups

i7 iMac 4 core 3.4 GHz / 6970m 1GB / 2TB / 4GB (2x2) 2199

Single processor
4 core 3.6 GHz / 6870 / 2TB / 4GB (4x1) 2299
6 core 3.2 GHz / 6870 / 2TB / 4GB (4x1) 2499
8 core .... GHz / 6870 / 2TB / 4GB (4x1) 2799

Dual processor
2x6 core 3.2 GHz / 6870 / 2TB / 8GB (4x2) 3499
2x8 core .... GHz / 6870 / 2TB / 8GB (4x2) 3999
 
We better get a faster video card than the 6870. The 5870 is faster and it is like 2 years old. I guess as standard config that could be pretty good.

Also, would like to see a Dual Quad 3.6GHz. Not the pathetically slow clocks Apple has been offering in the 2x4-core sweet spot. 2.26, 2.4 Give me a break.
I see dual hex 3.33GHz as top dog (wallet smasher)

Absolutely do not care about an 8-core if the clocks are as low as being reported (1.8GHz+). Your server may care, I don't.
 
Amethyst said:
My ideas about mac pro line-ups

i7 iMac 4 core 3.4 GHz / 6970m 1GB / 2TB / 4GB (2x2) 2199

Single processor
4 core 3.6 GHz / 6870 / 2TB / 4GB (4x1) 2299
6 core 3.2 GHz / 6870 / 2TB / 4GB (4x1) 2499
8 core .... GHz / 6870 / 2TB / 4GB (4x1) 2799

Dual processor
2x6 core 3.2 GHz / 6870 / 2TB / 8GB (4x2) 3499
2x8 core .... GHz / 6870 / 2TB / 8GB (4x2) 3999
Click to expand...

Why would apple lower their current MP pricing? Assuming your CPU's are close to the mark I think they would be more like this:

Single processor
4 core 3.6 GHz / 6870 / 2TB / 4GB (4x1) 2499
6 core 3.2 GHz / 6870 / 2TB / 4GB (4x1) 2899
8 core .... GHz / 6870 / 2TB / 4GB (4x1) 3299

Dual processor
2x6 core 3.2 GHz / 6870 / 2TB / 8GB (4x2) 3499
2x8 core .... GHz / 6870 / 2TB / 8GB (4x2) 3999
 
Amethyst said:
CPU:
Known Configuration
- Quad Core / 8 Threads 3.6 GHz 10MB L3
- 6 Core / 12 Threads 3.2 GHz 12MB L3
- 6 Core / 12 Threads 3.3 GHz 15MB L3
- 8 Core / 16 Threads 1.6 GHz 20MB L3 (<- ebay listing)
Click to expand...

That last one (I put in bold) surprises me. What is the purpose?
 
It's possible (or even likely) that there will be LGA 1356 socket as well for low-end DP CPUs. Several reports have suggested this.

So could be like:

3.6GHz quad (LGA 2011) - $2499
3.2GHz 6-core (LGA 2011) - $2899

x.xxGHz x-core (LGA 1356) - $3499 (and at least one BTO option)

x.xxGHz x-core (LGA 2011) - $4999 (and at least one BTO option)

Currently, there is no guarantee of 8-core CPUs. I know there are ESs of them out but at least the roadmaps suggest that there won't be 8-core under the i7 brand, which indicated that there will be no SP Xeon 8-core either.

Some details of SB-E here
 
That's good actually. The longer Intel waits on these super-core monsters the more time they give dev's to optimize and update code. Worthless now at 1.6GHz. At least for desktop.
 
I'd be thrilled with a 3.2 GHz 6-core for $2899 - assuming the packaging is similar to today's models. Now I wonder what I could get for my 2008 8-core?
 
Greg Punzo said:
How much faster will the new 6 core be than the current one???
Click to expand...
Sandy Bridge is faster than Bloomfield around 15-20% clock by clock.

I think Sandy Bridge-E will be little faster than Sandy Bridge. at clock by clock.
 
Amethyst said:
My ideas about mac pro line-ups

i7 iMac 4 core 3.4 GHz / 6970m 1GB / 2TB / 4GB (2x2) 2199

Single processor
4 core 3.6 GHz / 6870 / 2TB / 4GB (4x1) 2299
6 core 3.2 GHz / 6870 / 2TB / 4GB (4x1) 2499
8 core .... GHz / 6870 / 2TB / 4GB (4x1) 2799

Dual processor
2x6 core 3.2 GHz / 6870 / 2TB / 8GB (4x2) 3499
2x8 core .... GHz / 6870 / 2TB / 8GB (4x2) 3999
Click to expand...

I wish you were setting Mac Pro prices! Dual 8 core for $3999? That's very optimistic! The current dual 6 core base model is $4999. I have a sinking feeling that if a dual 8 core Mac Pro is released it will cost at least $1000 more than the current dual 6 core of today. :(
 
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