MP 7,1 Will MPX modules become unavailable.....

[dominicperry]

When Apple finally announce the new MP 8,1 I'm assuming the 7,1 will become instantly unavailable. And with it, all the MPX card upgrades?
I need to decide whether to pre-emptively buy a new MPX GPU as there aren't many coming up used for sale.
What's Apple's history with this, do they normally remove all upgrade components from sale at the same time as removing the main item, or is there no reliable precedent?

 

[majus]

I don't see them doing that because they still need the 7,1 Intel machine for some time.

 

[venom600]

Just curious, why do you need an MPX GPU? I thought the point of the Mac Pro was that you could grab any Radeon off the shelf and run it without issue.

 

[dominicperry]

Well, done. It took two posts before you decided to:
(a) tell the OP they didn't want to do what they were asking to do and
(b) move completely off-topic by asking a question unrelated to the original question, whilst not providing any relevant answer or information.

 

[avro707]

It’s a thought - yes, you can add other GPUs but the MPX modules are distinct. Very quiet running and with specifications not available easily elsewhere.

I’m definitely interested in a second W6800X but other expenses have come about. Although I can afford it, other things come first.

 

[prefuse07]

@dominicperry To answer your original question -- that remains to be seen once the 8,1 is announced (supposedly in March)

A lot of people are wondering if the 8,1 will even support 3rd party GPUs or if it will be MPX only (or none at all), and without any leaks, we can only continue to speculate...

My advice: Wait until the 8,1 is announced, unless your current workflow absolutely needs it now

 

[dominicperry]

@dominicperry To answer your original question -- that remains to be seen once the 8,1 is announced (supposedly in March)

A lot of people are wondering if the 8,1 will even support 3rd party GPUs or if it will be MPX only (or none at all), and without any leaks, we can only continue to speculate...

My advice: Wait until the 8,1 is announced, unless your current workflow absolutely needs it now

Well, this is the problem - when the 8,1 is announced, that will be the point when the 7,1 is removed from sale. And so if the MPX modules are taken down too, it will be too late.

I don't want an 8,1 - I will never buy one. The question is about whether I keep the 7,1 for the long term as an Intel Mac/Win/Linux machine. And if I do, I will want a better MPX card that the 580x. But I don't have the cash to buy one immediately unless I have to.

 

[startergo]

Well, this is the problem - when the 8,1 is announced, that will be the point when the 7,1 is removed from sale. And so if the MPX modules are taken down too, it will be too late.

I don't want an 8,1 - I will never buy one. The question is about whether I keep the 7,1 for the long term as an Intel Mac/Win/Linux machine. And if I do, I will want a better MPX card that the 580x. But I don't have the cash to buy one immediately unless I have to.

They will not immediately stop selling. Bear in mind that the retailers still have some stock. Check OWC sales, they had very lucrative deals recently.

 

[MisterAndrew]

It's possible Apple will continue to sell the 7,1 alongside the 8,1 until they have a solution for the high-end; similar to what they currently do for the Mac mini. That's because it won't support as much RAM and storage as the current model and there are customers who need that. There are rumors the 8,1 will be cheaper, so it would make sense to keep the 7,1 going to fill the top-end slot. That's my guess. Then it will be discontinued after they figure out an M3 Extreme or whatever to top out the range.

 

[StuAff]

Why choose MPX over a regular PCIe card? The 5700X module is £900 in the UK. An RX 5700XT- admittedly 8GB rather than 16GB- is £200 used. 32GB 6900X MPX is £5400- barely cheaper than an entire 8 core MP. New & second-hand 16GB 6900XTs are £600-750. You have to really, really want the neater tidier solution & those TB3 connections- granted, they're your only option for running an XDR or Studio Display- to pay those premiums. If I end up buying a 7,1 (I might if the 8,1 doesn't appeal and prices on them drop enough), I'd definitely prefer to save that cash, your needs may vary. But as others have said, they won't be disappearing the instant the 8,1 finally goes on sale.

 

[curnalpanic]

Why choose MPX over a regular PCIe card?

Because it looks much better! Imagine a sleek black box instead of random GPU cooling enclosure with RGB fans.

 

[StuAff]

Because it looks much better! Imagine a sleek black box instead of random GPU cooling enclosure with RGB fans.

RGB can be turned off (not that you can see it in an MP anyway).

 

[MisterAndrew]

If you buy a new or refurbished Mac Pro with the GPU you want then you can also have AppleCare+ for it. 3rd party GPUs can often be problematic, the warranty is short, and getting support for them can also be a challenge. I don't think AppleCare+ covers MPX GPU upgrades, but you could ask Apple. I found an old thread where we discussed it, but it looks like we didn't reach a definitive conclusion. Maybe if Apple installs it for you then it would be covered.