Will the 27" Quad-core i7 be updated soon?

[MythicFrost]

There is no hexa core suitable for iMac!!! Cheapest 95W is 2.93GHz Xeon chip which costs 1440$! Almost as much as the iMac!

High-end will remain pretty same. Same CPU and minor bump in GPU (5850 which ain't better actually)

MAYBE hexa core along with SB but I'm placing my money on late 2011

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115223
That costs $1049 and is a Core i7 980x @ 3.33GHz, getting a 95 watt one at around 2.6-2.9GHz should be a lot cheaper. The Core i7 860 is $280, I'm happy to pay an extra $420 (guessing the price of a 2.6-2.8GHz hexacore 95 watt to be around $700?) to upgrade from the stock "Core i7" processor to the hexacore.

i agree there are already to many people who are worried if the fans start spinning above 1500rpm once in a while ..so the imac would need some more holes in the back in order to fit a really good graphics card ,so as for heat ,desktop graphic cards are a absolute no no in this case and if a good mobile graphics card then ey the times point in direction DDR5 , and direct x11 is a must too as a lot of windows gamers are switching to the imac and they need more then 20fps so a crossfire or sli card is a absolute must , and you get them as mobile cards already for laptops , so there is no agueing from apple about getting to hot needs to much energy , just give the iMac the graphics power he deserved , its a nice idea to fit a fast quad and eight core processor inside , but the rest has to be as powerful to match

but i still believe in a bigger then 30 inch iMac to come soon

Core i7 (Gulftown) @ 2.8GHz with a 5850m 512MB and two internal drive bays isn't too much to ask. Seriously, how much more heat can it be?
My iMac's GPU never goes past 70c when gaming, the CPU never really past 55 or 60 and that's with the fans spinning around ~1500.

 

[Hellhammer]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115223
That costs $1049 and is a Core i7 980x @ 3.33GHz, getting a 95 watt one at around 2.6-2.9GHz should be a lot cheaper. The Core i7 860 is $280, I'm happy to pay an extra $420 (guessing the price of a 2.6-2.8GHz hexacore 95 watt to be around $700?) to upgrade from the stock "Core i7" processor to the hexacore.

There is no that kinda CPU! There is only one i7 hexa-core and that's the one you just showed. Others are Xeons which are a lot more expensive. And don't say that maybe Intel makes one just for iMac, it's not gonna happen for reasonable price.

We waited years to get quad core, we won't see hexa core along with the next update. No matter how much you want it, iMac just aren't extreme machines. Let alone what would Mac Pro use then? 8-core chips? Starting at 4999$?

Also going from 280$ CPUs to 1000$ CPUs is ridiculous, and you forgot Apple tax, meaning that your dream iMac would be $4000ish

 

[aiqw9182]

What I'm expecting to happen:

 

[MythicFrost]

There is no that kinda CPU! There is only one i7 hexa-core and that's the one you just showed. Others are Xeons which are a lot more expensive. And don't say that maybe Intel makes one just for iMac, it's not gonna happen for reasonable price.

I don't expect Apple to put a server grade processor in the iMac, I also don't think Intel will make one just for the iMac either. I do think, however, that Intel will release more gulftown processors at different clock speeds.

We waited years to get quad core, we won't see hexa core along with the next update. No matter how much you want it, iMac just aren't extreme machines. Let alone what would Mac Pro use then? 8-core chips? Starting at 4999$?

Well, time will tell. Maybe it won't, but the high end 27" iMac is an extreme machine. Also, I expect the Mac Pros to have a single hexacore processor and the higher end model dual hexacore processors.

Also going from 280$ CPUs to 1000$ CPUs is ridiculous, and you forgot Apple tax, meaning that your dream iMac would be $4000ish

Umm? No. Having the option to upgrade from the i7 860 @ 2.8GHz to the i7 (Gulftown) @ 2.6-2.8GHz isn't a big deal, I'd pay an extra $500-700 to get that CPU.

 

[Hellhammer]

I don't expect Apple to put a server grade processor in the iMac, I also don't think Intel will make one just for the iMac either. I do think, however, that Intel will release more gulftown processors at different clock speeds.


Well, time will tell. Maybe it won't, but the high end 27" iMac is an extreme machine. Also, I expect the Mac Pros to have a single hexacore processor and the higher end model dual hexacore processors.


Umm? No. Having the option to upgrade from the i7 860 @ 2.8GHz to the i7 (Gulftown) @ 2.6-2.8GHz isn't a big deal, I'd pay an extra $500-700 to get that CPU.

You forget that iMac is still a consumer machine, even though Intel would release new Gulftowns, they'd be too expensive for iMac. No matter how much you would pay to get one, it just isn't realistic. There would be no need for single CPU Mac Pro if iMac had the same CPU (they do now but MP will get updated soon).

You can hope for all what you want, just be ready to be disappointed.

 

[DoFoT9]

I don't expect Apple to put a server grade processor in the iMac, I also don't think Intel will make one just for the iMac either. I do think, however, that Intel will release more gulftown processors at different clock speeds.

not for a while, a long while. i dont think apple would put it into the imac anyway.

Well, time will tell. Maybe it won't, but the high end 27" iMac is an extreme machine.

an extreme machine? have you seen that GPU? lol.

Also, I expect the Mac Pros to have a single hexacore processor and the higher end model dual hexacore processors.

at least you have some common sense haha im in agreement with you on that!

Umm? No. Having the option to upgrade from the i7 860 @ 2.8GHz to the i7 (Gulftown) @ 2.6-2.8GHz isn't a big deal, I'd pay an extra $500-700 to get that CPU.

wont happen - its apple - they still stay away from the "mhz myth" thing, in fear that customers wont know the difference

There would be no need for single CPU Mac Pro if iMac had the same CPU (they do now but MP will get updated soon).

that is kind of the case now! the i7 iMac performance is greater then that of the quad Macpro! the macpro is the better machine though, better GPU options, more HDD space, more RAM (worse monitor though ). i feel that apple will continue to keep this overlap, hoping that they will opt for the more future proof option (macpro).

 

[MythicFrost]

You forget that iMac is still a consumer machine, even though Intel would release new Gulftowns, they'd be too expensive for iMac. No matter how much you would pay to get one, it just isn't realistic. There would be no need for single CPU Mac Pro if iMac had the same CPU (they do now but MP will get updated soon).

They wouldn't be too expensive, it'd only be a $500-700 to upgrade from the i7.
And there would be a lot of need for the single CPU Mac Pro, like you said the iMac is a consumer machine, the Mac Pro would offer more hard drives, better graphics card needed for workstation use (like the Quadro FX 4800), and server grade xeon processors, anyone needing that won't be getting an iMac.

You can hope for all what you want, just be ready to be disappointed.

I won't be disappointed if it doesn't include it, I just won't buy one.

at least you have some common sense haha im in agreement with you on that!

I can't tell if this is some form of insult or not? Saying that at least I have some common sense, as if what I've been saying previously is stupid or ridiculous. Is that right or am I just reading that the wrong way?

 

[DoFoT9]

I won't be disappointed if it doesn't include it, I just won't buy one.

im glad i got in when i did

I can't tell if this is some form of insult or not? Saying that at least I have some common sense, as if what I've been saying previously is stupid or ridiculous. Is that right or am I just reading that the wrong way?

sorry, i worded it wrong just saying that i dont agree with what you said in that part (the part that i didnt agree with obviously)

 

[Hellhammer]

They wouldn't be too expensive, it'd only be a $500-700 to upgrade from the i7.
And there would be a lot of need for the single CPU Mac Pro, like you said the iMac is a consumer machine, the Mac Pro would offer more hard drives, better graphics card needed for workstation use (like the Quadro FX 4800), and server grade xeon processors, anyone needing that won't be getting an iMac.

For the money you would pay for six-core iMac, you could get faster Mac Pro... Anyone who needs six-core wouldn't get an iMac either, so your logic pretty much fights against itself

I think +500$ just for a CPU UPGRADE is A LOT money.. It would also need another logic board which is more expensive (LGA 1156 vs 1366). And you're again forgetting Apple tax

 

[aiqw9182]

There is no hexa core suitable for iMac!!! Cheapest 95W is 2.93GHz Xeon chip which costs 1440$! Almost as much as the iMac!

High-end will remain pretty same. Same CPU and minor bump in GPU (5850 which ain't better actually)

MAYBE hexa core along with SB but I'm placing my money on late 2011

The 5850 IS slightly better.
http://www.notebookcheck.net/ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-5850.23069.0.html
http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-4850.13975.0.html

 

[Hellhammer]

The 5850 IS slightly better.
http://www.notebookcheck.net/ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-5850.23069.0.html
http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-4850.13975.0.html

But only slightly so IMO it ain't really an upgrade. Few FPS is nothing, 5870 would be an upgrade

 

[MythicFrost]

im glad i got in when i did

Me too, I've also got the 27" i7.

sorry, i worded it wrong just saying that i dont agree with what you said in that part (the part that i didnt agree with obviously)

No worries, I think I know what you mean.

For the money you would pay for six-core iMac, you could get faster Mac Pro... Anyone who needs six-core wouldn't get an iMac either, so your logic pretty much fights against itself

I don't see how a six-core iMac could cost more than a six-core Mac Pro? My logic is perfectly fine, I need more than the i7 in my iMac, but the iMac is so much cheaper than a Mac Pro, so I'd rather get the iMac.

I think +500$ just for a CPU UPGRADE is A LOT money.. It would also need another logic board which is more expensive (LGA 1156 vs 1366). And you're again forgetting Apple tax

I'm not forgetting Apple tax... plus if you think it's expensive you wouldn't have to upgrade to it, I'd pay +$1000 if I had to (which I wouldn't)... because it'd still be cheaper than the Mac Pro. I love my iMac, it just needs to get a little better.

 

[aiqw9182]

But only slightly so IMO it ain't really an upgrade. Few FPS is nothing, 5870 would be an upgrade

I agree, unless Apple FINALLY decides to bump up their VRAM to 1GB, but they can still get away with using a 5850 in the next model if they choose to with 512MB because it won't be a downgrade.

A 5870 is also an option, which is why in my guess picture above I never put the last two digits in my ATI line guesses. But the 5870 might lead to confusion if Apple decides to use it in the Mac Pro because Apple doesn't advertise the GPU's in the iMacs as being mobile.

Me too, I've also got the 27" i7.
I don't see how a six-core iMac could cost more than a six-core Mac Pro? My logic is perfectly fine, I need more than the i7 in my iMac, but the iMac is so much cheaper than a Mac Pro, so I'd rather get the iMac.

You're getting a 27" IPS LED monitor with a resolution of 2560x1440 in the iMac. A similar monitor from Dell costs around a grand.

 

[Hellhammer]

I don't see how a six-core iMac could cost more than a six-core Mac Pro? My logic is perfectly fine, I need more than the i7 in my iMac, but the iMac is so much cheaper than a Mac Pro, so I'd rather get the iMac.

I'm not forgetting Apple tax... plus if you think it's expensive you wouldn't have to upgrade to it, I'd pay +$1000 if I had to (which I wouldn't)... because it'd still be cheaper than the Mac Pro. I love my iMac, it just needs to get a little better.

iMac has a screen which ain't free... I don't know how you think it's cheaper to buy 3500$ iMac than 2500$ Mac Pro... You are now asking for enthusiast level chips with crazy price tag fitted in consumer machine with fair price tag. iMac lacks so MANY other things that they would be the bottlenecks anyway.

This conversation leads to nothing as you obviously think that it's possible while I don't... Even though it might be theoretically possible, it doesn't mean that it's going to happen. I don't get it why would you want one as iMac has so little upgradeability. People who needs that kinda chips won't buy an AIO with only RAM being upgradeable

 

[MythicFrost]

You're getting a 27" IPS LED monitor with a resolution of 2560x1440 in the iMac. A similar monitor from Dell costs around a grand.

2.8GHz i7 iMac costs $2199, 2.66GHz quad-core Mac Pro $2499. When they both get upgraded I expect the price difference to be the same. So instead of upgrading for $200 to the i7 from the i5, I'd like to upgrade from the i7 to the i7 (gulftown) for $500-700. I'm sure the base Mac Pro model will still be a few hundred cheaper, plus I get the display.

Anyway, time will tell. My hopes / beliefs aren't changing

This conversation leads to nothing as you obviously think that it's possible while I don't... Even though it might be theoretically possible, it doesn't mean that it's going to happen. I don't get it why would you want one as iMac has so little upgradeability. People who needs that kinda chips won't buy an AIO with only RAM being upgradeable

It suits me, that's why . Also, considering the Core i7 iMac costs $2199, add $700 to upgrade to the hexacore, that's $2899, the Mac Pro with a hexacore processor (and a xeon too) would be starting at more like $3500 for the same clock speed. Plus the iMac includes the screen, with the Mac Pro I'd have to purchase one, the iMac is a lot cheaper than the Mac Pro IMO.

 

[Hellhammer]

I agree, unless Apple FINALLY decides to bump up their VRAM to 1GB, but they can still get away with using a 5850 in the next model if they choose to with 512MB because it won't be a downgrade.

A 5870 is also an option, which is why in my guess picture above I never put the last two digits in my ATI line guesses. But the 5870 might lead to confusion if Apple decides to use it in the Mac Pro because Apple doesn't advertise the GPU's in the iMacs as being mobile..

Can the mobile 58xx fully use 1GB? It's useless to put more if it can't, same as 512MB 330M is as fast as 256MB. Those 1GB 5650 are ridiculous, they just are cheating buyers

Most people thinks that 5850 is much faster than 4850 as in desktop they are, so Apple could easily do it so

 

[aiqw9182]

2.8GHz i7 iMac costs $2199, 2.66GHz quad-core Mac Pro $2499. When they both get upgraded I expect the price difference to be the same. So instead of upgrading for $200 to the i7 from the i5, I'd like to upgrade from the i7 to the i7 (gulftown) for $500-700. I'm sure the base Mac Pro model will still be a few hundred cheaper, plus I get the display.

Gulftown has a TDP of 130 watts which is not suitable for the iMacs. AT ALL. The current 2.8 GHz i7 CPU in the iMac has a TDP of 95 watts. The day the current iMacs get a Gulftown processor is the day they will explode.

It suits me, that's why . Also, considering the Core i7 iMac costs $2199, add $700 to upgrade to the hexacore, that's $2899, the Mac Pro with a hexacore processor (and a xeon too) would be starting at more like $3500 for the same clock speed. Plus the iMac includes the screen, with the Mac Pro I'd have to purchase one, the iMac is a lot cheaper than the Mac Pro IMO.

Apple making the Mac Pro entry price $3500? What a joke...

Can the mobile 58xx fully use 1GB? It's useless to put more if it can't, same as 512MB 330M is as fast as 256MB. Those 1GB 5650 are ridiculous, they just are cheating buyers

Most people thinks that 5850 is much faster than 4850 as in desktop they are, so Apple could easily do it so

Not sure if they can fully use the 1GB but I'm too lazy to scour through Google at the moment.

 

[MythicFrost]

Gulftown has a TDP of 130 watts which is not suitable for the iMacs. AT ALL. The current 2.8 GHz i7 CPU in the iMac has a TDP of 95 watts. The day the current iMacs get a Gulftown processor is the day they will explode.

Won't they have a 95 watt model at a lower clock speed?

Apple making the Mac Pro entry price $3500? What a joke...

Not what I said, I said it'd be like $3500 at the same clock speed. Although, realistically it'll be ~$2499 with the low end hexacore processor and probably +$600-800 to upgrade it to the high end. The iMac would be ~$1999 for the i7 and probably +$600-800 to upgrade to the higher end processor.

 

[aiqw9182]

Won't they have a 95 watt model at a lower clock speed?

You are basing your entire argument on a guess that Intel will release lower clocked Core i7 9xxX processors with no actual evidence of them doing so.

Not what I said, I said it'd be like $3500 at the same clock speed. Although, realistically it'll be ~$2499 with the low end hexacore processor and probably +$600-800 to upgrade it to the high end. The iMac would be ~$1999 for the i7 and probably +$600-800 to upgrade to the higher end processor.

Not gonna happen. Paying 200 more bucks for the same processor as the Mac Pro when you are getting a thousand dollar monitor as well is a laughable market strategy.

 

[Hellhammer]

You are basing your entire argument on a guess that Intel will release lower clocked Core i7 9xxX processors with no actual evidence of them doing so.


Not gonna happen. Paying 200 more bucks for the same processor as the Mac Pro when you are getting a thousand dollar monitor as well is a laughable market strategy.

I agree. Hexa-core will be expensive, no matter what is the clockspeed. iMac with same CPU won't be cheaper. It's now because Mac Pro is outdated.

Six-core SB is possible, but that won't be out before late 2011

 

[DoFoT9]

Me too, I've also got the 27" i7.

how much RAM do u have? living off 4GB is torture!!!

No worries, I think I know what you mean.

good i would never unintentinally insult a fellow aussie hehe

I don't see how a six-core iMac could cost more than a six-core Mac Pro? My logic is perfectly fine, I need more than the i7 in my iMac, but the iMac is so much cheaper than a Mac Pro, so I'd rather get the iMac.

hmm tough one to guess. i think they would be close but the imac will remain cheaper. that IPS panel is fairly expensive! as are to SO-DIMM & GPU mobile components.

 

[MythicFrost]

You are basing your entire argument on a guess that Intel will release lower clocked Core i7 9xxX processors with no actual evidence of them doing so.

No, an assumption, eventually there will be more. It's not like we know the exact release date of the iMac.

Not gonna happen. Paying 200 more bucks for the same processor as the Mac Pro when you are getting a thousand dollar monitor as well is a laughable market strategy.

Simply put, the iMac will always be cheaper than the entry level Mac Pro. If Apple did offer the upgrade from the i7 to the i7xxX it'd still be cheaper than the Mac Pro, because obviously the Mac Pro price would go up with the more expensive processors.

I googled the i7 970x and it is coming out in the third quarter, but it's still 130 watt and its at 3.2GHz. If it's taking Intel that long to get a new model out, I doubt we'd see a lower clocked hexacore processor in time for the iMac, so that's the end of that.

I agree. Hexa-core will be expensive, no matter what is the clockspeed. iMac with same CPU won't be cheaper. It's now because Mac Pro is outdated.

If the iMac did receive the option to upgrade to the six-core processor @ 2.93GHz (which I no longer think) and the entry level Mac Pro received the 2.66GHz six-core xeon, assuming the entry level Mac Pro doesn't get a minor price bump, and that the iMac upgrade cost would be about $700 (from the i7 @ $1999), that leaves you at $2699, which isn't much of a difference.

how much RAM do u have? living off 4GB is torture!!!

4GB for now, it was bad at first, but the iMac seems to have adapted.

hmm tough one to guess. i think they would be close but the imac will remain cheaper. that IPS panel is fairly expensive! as are to SO-DIMM & GPU mobile components.

Yeah they'd be close, xeon processors are more expensive

good i would never unintentinally insult a fellow aussie hehe

Huh? So, you meant to insult me? Is that right? Lol

 

[DoFoT9]

4GB for now, it was bad at first, but the iMac seems to have adapted.

my VM hates 1GB RAM lol.. and my iMac hates 4GB. i have to wait 2+mins sometimes when opening u tabs in safari.. its torture! 12GB soon though :

Yeah they'd be close, xeon processors are more expensive

SO much more! but i was under the impression that the new i7 gulftown would need a new socket? that makes it harder..

Huh? So, you meant to insult me? Is that right? Lol

oh god.. im digging a bigger hole for myself. i didnt mean it in a bad way - just meant that i didnt agree. just stated that ^ when i woke up hahaha. i dont even remember typing that!!

 

[MythicFrost]

my VM hates 1GB RAM lol.. and my iMac hates 4GB. i have to wait 2+mins sometimes when opening u tabs in safari.. its torture! 12GB soon though :

I'm giving XP and Vista 256MB LOL (it's a lot worse when they are open )

SO much more! but i was under the impression that the new i7 gulftown would need a new socket? that makes it harder..

They would I think.

oh god.. im digging a bigger hole for myself. i didnt mean it in a bad way - just meant that i didnt agree. just stated that ^ when i woke up hahaha. i dont even remember typing that!!

LOL k! I gotcha.

 

[aiqw9182]

No, an assumption, eventually there will be more. It's not like we know the exact release date of the iMac.

Key word is eventually, if you are expecting anything before Sandy Bridge in 2011 you are out of your mind.

Simply put, the iMac will always be cheaper than the entry level Mac Pro. If Apple did offer the upgrade from the i7 to the i7xxX it'd still be cheaper than the Mac Pro, because obviously the Mac Pro price would go up with the more expensive processors.

Sorry, but you are mistaking more expensive processors for better processors. No one would touch an entry level Mac Pro if it was physically possible for the iMac to have the same processor performance, much like how no one is touching the current Mac Pro.

I googled the i7 970x and it is coming out in the third quarter, but it's still 130 watt and its at 3.2GHz. If it's taking Intel that long to get a new model out, I doubt we'd see a lower clocked hexacore processor in time for the iMac, so that's the end of that.

So then why are you arguing anything still?

If the iMac did receive the option to upgrade to the six-core processor @ 2.93GHz (which I no longer think) and the entry level Mac Pro received the 2.66GHz six-core xeon, assuming the entry level Mac Pro doesn't get a minor price bump, and that the iMac upgrade cost would be about $700 (from the i7 @ $1999), that leaves you at $2699, which isn't much of a difference.

Again, the iMac's screen is worth $1000. You think a $200 trade-off for that screen is really going to happen? Never.