Harpertown versus Clovertown

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Level 3

838 points

Harpertown versus Clovertown

Does anyone know which processor is in the Mac Pro 3.0GHz model? I am not sure if the chipset has changed since the 2.8 to 3.0GHz Mac Pro line debuted in early 2008? Is it (3.0GHz model) still using the Clovertown processor?

I am debating between the 2.8 the 3.2 Mac Pro. I am assuming both of these are still using the Harpertown chipset.

I have been reading about the performance tests on the Mac Pro tower line Pfeiffer Report and Barefeats report.

The Clovertown performance-wise is not much faster than Harpertown. In some cases slower. If the 3.0GHz model is still using the Clovertown chipset, I am wondering why they did not use the Harpertown instead.

Does anyone know if they will up the processor speed configuration one more time mid-year before Nehlem arrives late 2009 early 2010?

Thanks.

PowerMac G5/Dual 2.0 GHz, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Feb 28, 2009 6:52 AM

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Answer 1

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Feb 28, 2009 7:17 AM in response to Carlton Chin

If you want to know, the full Xeon map
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xeon

There have been 3 3GHz models in the past, 5400, 5300, and 5160.
The only changes are Intel steppings, and whatever errata get in there.

2008 Penryn / Hapertown 5400
2007 Clovertown 5300
2006 Woodcrest 5100
Nehalem based Gainestown 5500 mid/late 2009?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listof_future_Intel_Xeonmicroprocessors
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larrabee_(GPU)

Westmere 32nm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nehalem%28CPUarchitecture%29

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Answer 2

Carlton Chin Author

Level 3

838 points

Feb 28, 2009 12:39 PM in response to The hatter

Thanks for the links. It looks like if Apple wanted to they could ramp the processor mid-year to 3.0/3.2/3.4GHz configurations based on what I saw at wikipedia, no?

Has there been any rumors about this? Would Penryn end up as part of the Mac Pro Towers? I saw something about it at engadget. I didn't think it was part of this line yet.

I still didn't see anything about what processor is in the 3.0GHz model. Is there a definitive list as to what is actually being shipped in the latest Mac Pro Towers?

Message was edited by: Carlton Chin

Message was edited by: Carlton Chin

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Answer 3

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Feb 28, 2009 1:50 PM in response to Carlton Chin

I know from reading that both "E" and "X" versions have been used, but at this date.... wait for Core i7 family of Xeon (55xx).

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Answer 4

Carlton Chin Author

Level 3

838 points

Feb 28, 2009 7:30 PM in response to The hatter

Core i7 family of Xeon? Gainestown, right?

Any ideas when it could be released?

It is suppose to be based on Nehalem, correct? Does it mean it is a "water down" version of Nehalem which will be released much later this year or next?

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Answer 5

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Mar 1, 2009 9:03 AM in response to Carlton Chin

I saw "water" and I was afraid you were asking about "will it be water (liquid) cooled" which obviously it won't and no one wants! thankfully 😉

And it happens when it happens. No idea when, though you can read what Intel puts in the press and when Apple and Intel are ready.

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Answer 6

Carlton Chin Author

Level 3

838 points

Mar 1, 2009 5:27 PM in response to The hatter

The "water-down" comment was referring to the quality/performance of the version of processor itself. Not the liquid cooling technology. (Although that was a short lived line.) Sorry about the mis-direction.

I think sometimes companies will put out a version of their product that is less than complete. Then a few months or a year later release a new (and improved) version as it was originally intended.

If I understand correctly, Gainestown is based on the Nehalem. But I wonder if it is correct to think that Gainestown is another stage of development of working out the bugs to perfect Nehalem.

Sort of like the fan/noise problem with the Power Mac G5s. The first releases were plagued with fan/noise problems. Then later versions of the Power Mac G5s (I believe) addressed this problem.

I certainly hope a Gainestown Mac Pro will be released early/late spring. Hopefully my G5 will last long enough to make that switch.

Message was edited by: Carlton Chin

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Answer 7

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Mar 2, 2009 6:37 AM in response to Carlton Chin

You are mixing apples and oranges, fan issues with SMC and EFI.

I would not worry, and I would not rush into anything.

Core i7 has been great but all the boards (and BIOS) are a work in progress, not that there is something wrong or imperfect. Yes, there will be new revisions. Any chip, disk drive, firmware, electronic part goes through feedback based on returns.

Is the Mac Pro 2008 today or when it came out flawed as far as Penryn Harper goes? Ask Intel. Is the EFI and SMC firmware better? yes. Does 10.5.6 work better than 10.5.1+ was? goes without saying, yes.

Will being forced to use the next iteration of OS X help or hurt? it may hurt for six months. Will every driver and program be ready for 10.6 and work on day one with 64-bit drivers now required?

The best time to buy a workstation is sometimes when it isn't on the bleeding edge.

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