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Tipster Report: Mac Pro 'hexacore' Xeon Core i7-980x coming Tuesday

Summary: I'm getting tips in from sources who claim that Apple is set to revamp its high-end Mac Pro line, adding a 'hexacore' Core i7-980x model to the line up.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

By for Hardware 2.0 |

I'm getting tips in from sources who claim that Apple is set to revamp its high-end Mac Pro line, adding a 'hexacore' Core i7-980x model to the line up.

All information points to this happening next Tuesday, March 16th.

The Core i7-980x is Intel's first six-core part. Here's the spec:

  • 3.33GHz (TurboBoost to 3.6GHz)
  • 6 cores / 12 threads
  • 32nm architecture
  • Socket LGA1366
  • 130W TDP

A 'hexacore' system would represent a significant upgrade for the Mac Pro line.

If you're thinking of buying a Mac Pro, you might want to wait a few days.

Note: These are unofficial reports from tipsters, and not official reports.

UPDATE: Several of you have asked me about macBook Pro updates. I've no reports of any changes to this line happening any time soon.

Stay tuned!

Topics: Apple, Hardware

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Talkback

20 comments
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  • What about the dual socket 12-core version?

    I'm just thinking about the insanity that would come with 24 GB of RAM
    and 24 simultaneous threads.
    nix_hed
    Reply Vote

    • Assuming...

      ...you can find anything that can consume 24 threads. The apps included in Final Cut Studio only spawn off 8 threads each for rendering and the like. Although this could be updated to support more.

      However video rendering cannot make much use of hyper threading.

      But even at that, 12 physical cores will be nuts.

      I hope they stick a good video card in it. An HD 5870 would be nice :)
      Stuka
      Reply Vote

  • Just gotta find ...

    ... 6,000 hexabuck$ now then!
    johnfenjackson@...
    Reply Vote

  • Does Apple have some sort of agreement with Intel...

    Does Apple have some sort of agreement with Intel to allow
    them to be the exclusive reseller for the first few months?

    I've noticed this trend for the past few Intel releases, Apple
    has been the only company you could buy the new chips
    from for several months.
    olePigeon
    Reply Vote

    • Hmm, I'd never thought about that...

      Could be. Now THAT would be interesting...
      rlorenz
      Reply Vote

    • @olePigeon

      Intel mentioned in the keynote when the first Intel based computer was introduced that they have been trying to get Apple to switch for at least 2-3 decades if I remember correctly. So it wouldn't surprise me that Intel is bending over backwards for Apple.
      Axsimulate
      Reply Vote

    • RE: Apple Agreement

      They definitely had some key processors early, the latest Mac Pro got the Xeon 5500's first, and the old MacBook air in 2008 had an exclusive processor for it at the time.

      For this latest deal though, I've seen articles about European resellers already stocking the i7-980x, and there's already a router/security appliance that's using the new Xeon 5600. Maybe they are just taking pre-orders, but it definitely got some buzz going as I have been waiting impatiently for this new MacPro.
      eric@...
      Reply Vote

  • What does "adding" it mean?

    Is it like they "added" the iPad to their lineup which really meant they were doing a paper launch and you would not see the product for two more months? Or is it a "real launch" meaning you could actually buy it if you had the $$$ (which of course few will have)
    cornpie
    Reply Vote

    • Usually....

      Updates to systems go straight to the apple store
      and are "buyable" right away. Totally new products
      sometimes will be pre-announced (iphone, ipad).
      lostarchitect
      Reply Vote

      • That's my experience too

        When new system revs are announced, they take the Apple Store down for a couple of hours just before the announcement, then bring it back up with the new revs immediately "available" for purchase. In this case it might take an additional week for the box to arrive in your mailbox, especially if the demand outstrips the initial supply.

        Big, overhyped releases (read iPhone and iPad) that are announced several months in advance, will not be available until the date that Apple sets. Probably that means that Apple still needs to work out the kinks in the supply chain, or fix any IP issues, or just make enough of the suckers to satisfy the anticipated initial demand.
        ssaha
        Reply Vote

        • Apple likes to announce their new products...

          themselves, not have a rumor site do it for them.

          The iPhone and the iPad required FCC approval, a process that is public,
          which means the rumor sites would get the information on them at the
          time Apple filed for approval. That's why they were pre-announced.
          They also can't be pre-ordered until the FCC approval is granted.
          msalzberg
          Reply Vote

  • RE: Tipster Report: Mac Pro 'hexacore' Xeon Core i7-980x coming Tuesday

    The price is likely to be very expensive. I'm almost
    surprised that Apple can sell Mac Pros for nearly $5000 a
    pop with dual 2.66 Nehalem processors. They are
    beautifully built machines inside and out and I'd always
    wanted one, but I guess I'll have to be content with a
    quad-core iMac which is about as much as I need without
    breaking my piggy bank. I'll still be on the lookout for an
    older refurbished 8-core Mac Pro.

    I shudder to imagine what a dual hexacore Mac Pro would
    cost.
    ConstableOdo
    Reply Vote

    • Expensive chips ...

      The Xeon chips are pricey, presumably because those users who need
      both the speed and reliability they provide are willing to pay for them.

      Apple's not out of line here; a quick visit to Dell's site, configuring their
      base T5500 workstation with dual 2.66 GHz Nehalems and 2 GB of RAM
      comes out to $4780 (rebate to $4413) vs Apple's $4699 (but with 6 GB).
      Bringing the Dell to 6 GB brings the after-rebate price to $4733.

      I settled for a quad-core iMac myself, but really wish I had ECC. I can?t
      quite justify for what I do at home, though. If it were for work, it?d be
      easy to spend the extra $1000 or more for peace of mind.
      tarrant.
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Tipster Report: Mac Pro 'hexacore' Xeon Core i7-980x coming Tuesday

    what about final cut studio 64bit....any new on that...
    alexmolly
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Tipster Report: Mac Pro 'hexacore' Xeon Core i7-980x coming Tuesday

    what about final cut studio 64bit.any news on that...
    alexmolly
    Reply Vote

  • you're doing it wrong

    Hex = 8. The article specifically says 6. That would be
    sextacore, not hexacore.
    derek@...
    Reply Vote

    • Stay in school kids!

      Please stay in school! Hex = 6 Octo=8.
      jonahan
      Reply Vote

  • ATI 5XXX Series Cards

    Wonder if they'll launch the new ATI cards along with it? That would be sweet. Then I can finally build the hackintosh of my dreams. :)

    Sorry Apple..as much as I love your OS, your hardware is far too expensive.
    fortierj
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Tipster Report: Mac Pro 'hexacore' Xeon Core i7-980x coming Tuesday

    Well, it's the 16th! Where is it? I've been waiting for two months for a new Mac Pro, and I'm getting pretty desperate here. I NEED a new Mac Pro for work. My current workstation is limping along, but I'm not going to buy one that's going to be replaced any day now. If they don't release it in the next week or two I'm just going to build my own. I'm beginning to think that Apple only cares about iPads and iPhones now. What about us professionals who have used your products for years? So, Apple if you want my $3,000 to $4,000 you better hurry up and do something here.
    Fozzco
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Tipster Report: Mac Pro 'hexacore' Xeon Core i7-980x coming Tuesday

    Whatever happened to the Mac Pro Update? We you just
    blowing smoke? Thanks......
    chemmaster
    Reply Vote
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