Mac Pro Rising

[Blair Paulsen]

We need plenty of PCIe3 lanes to back multiple TB3 headers so the I/O can manage "big data" and eGPU applications concurrently. Can we all just move directly to TB3, and can we please go as directly as possible to the CPU. I get the nest of wires aversion, but at least give us the throughput to exploit it if we see fit.
While I'm on a roll, how about somebody make some bomb ass portable TB3>PCIe3 host chassis that comes with 4 TB3 ports on each end and a snake with 4x TB3 to TB3 cables, 2x short copper and 1x 50 meter tactical fiber in the kit. If Apple actually goes with a newer CPU/MoBo with enough data lanes, PCIe3 or 4, an external chassis can host all the noisy hardware while you and the client relax in the suite with only the slow fan in the 7,1 tube to disturb the peace.
If I understand the applications for GPUs with 1TB of local SSD storage correctly, caching frames in a virtual RAM buffer on an SSD should read out fast enough to allow clean scrubbing and playback even at UHD/4K resolution, at 12bits, 4/4/4 - without having to move data back and forth over the TB3 bus just to feed displays - the displays could hook directly to the eGPUs in the external chassis. That would clean up the bus traffic a bit...
If I'm being a bit utopian, mea culpa.

 

[ManuelGomes]

Zen coming up?
http://www.amd.com/en-gb
http://www.amd.com/en-gb/innovations/software-technologies/zen-cpu

They mention products coming up next year 2017. OK.

 

[tomvos]

Looks like the marketing campaign for Zen has started:

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/08/amd-zen-performance-details-release-date/

 

[koyoot]

There is a thread already for Zen in this particular sub forum

 

[ManuelGomes]

They seem pretty bold about it, let's hope it's not a flop.
Or that they are not exaggerating and in the end it will come short.
Maybe Apple is waiting on Zen for the nMP? Hope not.
They might want/need to stick with Intel since probably some of the A10 will be manufactured by Intel, and Apple is very good in doing these deals. They give Intel their SOCs to produce, Intel lowers prices for their desktop CPUs. Different areas I know but at this level it should be negotiated globally I recon.
[doublepost=1471546791][/doublepost]More and more I'm getting the feeling that indeed Apple is waiting on Zen and Vega for the new nMP.
And that will probably only happen next year - even if Vega comes in October, server parts of Zen seem to be only available next year.
But using the same 14nm tech might come with the same limitations as in Polaris, max freq at least.
But beating (usual grain of salt here) BDW-E is something, if it comes to fruition. Vendor's benchmarks aren't always that clear, let's wait and see.
If Zen comes with enough PCIe lanes to accommodate for the TB3 controllers, GPUs and SSDs, that might change my mind.
My concern is with AMD's PCH. At least USB 3.1 10Gbps and nVME are supported.
Dual channel DDR4?
No AVX512? Most apps don't need it anyway.
No wait, the Opteron parts (which should be the ones in the nMP) look nice, 64 PCIe lanes, 4 10GbE ports, coherent interconnect. I'm even more convinced, but that will take time and another delay...

 

[fastlanephil]

Might be smart just to make the default RAM non ECC, possibly have an i7 option, but keep the Xeon options. I don't think the i7s and Xeon E5s are board compatible though.

I see that AdkProaudio uses the Core i7 X99 V2 board for their 2nd from TOTL model which is compatible with both i7 and E5 processors. From the Corei7 6800K up to the E5 2697A V4.

 

[JesterJJZ]

This was a fun thread. Where's our insider? I want more info!

 

[ActionableMango]

More and more I'm getting the feeling that indeed Apple is waiting on Zen and Vega for the new nMP.

"Apple could use custom x86 SoC made by AMD"
http://www.bitsandchips.it/52-english-news/6183-apple-could-use-custom-x86-soc-made-by-amd

 

[Ph.D.]

This was a fun thread. Where's our insider? I want more info!

He/she/it is now riling up some other corner of the internet. And instead of "info" I think you meant "totally unsubstantiated and ridiculously improbable trolling."

 

[xsmi123]

He/she/it is now riling up some other corner of the internet. And instead of "info" I think you meant "totally unsubstantiated and ridiculously improbable trolling."

I hope you don't mind if I HOPE you're wrong this one time. You're probably right, but I REALLY hope you're wrong.

 

[JesterJJZ]

He/she/it is now riling up some other corner of the internet. And instead of "info" I think you meant "totally unsubstantiated and ridiculously improbable trolling."

I'll take trolling over silence these days...

 

[JimGoshorn]

Did you see this:

http://appleinsider.com/articles/16...ages-archived-by-apple-will-longer-be-updated

 

[sigmadog]

Did you see this:

http://appleinsider.com/articles/16...ages-archived-by-apple-will-longer-be-updated

If I was an optimist, I'd say we're in for a new Mac Pro. If I was an optimist.

 

[xsmi123]

Did you see this:

http://appleinsider.com/articles/16...ages-archived-by-apple-will-longer-be-updated

HALLELUAH!!!!!!!!!!!

I REALLY hope this is true!

 

[Ph.D.]

I hope you don't mind if I HOPE you're wrong this one time. You're probably right, but I REALLY hope you're wrong.

I don't mind.
[doublepost=1473198031][/doublepost]

HALLELUAH!!!!!!!!!!!

I REALLY hope this is true!

Um, quoting from the article: "... signaling a possible refresh or retirement of the computer." Which of these are you hoping is true?

Hmm, maybe either way would be OK. At least we would be put out of our collective misery.

 

[JimGoshorn]

I don't mind.
[doublepost=1473198031][/doublepost]Hmm, maybe either way would be OK. At least we would be put out of our collective misery.

Unfortunately, this may be nothing more than another tidbit to string us along. Either way, we still don't know how long before Apple will officially announce what is being done with the MacPro.

At this point, any official announcement would be a good announcement.

 

[Larry-K]

If I was an optimist, I'd say we're in for a new Mac Pro. If I was an optimist.

Compared to me, you are.

 

[AidenShaw]

Compared to me, you are.

Apple doesn't really need to formally announce the retirement of the MP6,1.

As it moves down the path to legacy and then to unsupported, people will figure it out.

Or more likely, they'll have given up on the wait and will be enjoying their Precision and Z-Series systems....

 

[xsmi123]

Apple doesn't really need to formally announce the retirement of the MP6,1.

As it moves down the path to legacy and then to unsupported, people will figure it out.

Or more likely, they'll have given up on the wait and will be enjoying their Precision and Z-Series systems....

Which too many already have.

 

[Larry-K]

Apple doesn't really need to formally announce the retirement of the MP6,1.

As it moves down the path to legacy and then to unsupported, people will figure it out.

Or more likely, they'll have given up on the wait and will be enjoying their Precision and Z-Series systems....

I'm still gonna wait for them to "Phone it in" like everything else recently Mac-related.

 

[pat500000]

If I was an optimist, I'd say we're in for a new Mac Pro. If I was an optimist.

What is indicating that there would be a refresh?

 

[xmonkey]

That's a very interesting move by Apple... definitely feels like more of a retirement of the Mac Pro entirely to me. On the flip side, it would signal they're going to ditch the current design completely if the Mac Pro line is to continue.

 

[sigmadog]

What is indicating that there would be a refresh?

Nothing, really, but the linked article mentioned the possibility of a refresh. That's what I was referring to.

 

[ManuelGomes]

Saw that last night and got me thinking.
Let's hope the new one is coming.

 

[filmak]

I think that Apple has to maintain a headless "Pro" machine, in whatever form, so it's more possible to have a new edition. hopefully soon.