Mac Pro 2.1 with XEON 8-core and EFI 32 = Apple Frankenstein ?

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Level 1

6 points

Mac Pro 2.1 with XEON 8-core and EFI 32 = Apple Frankenstein ?

Hi!
I bought a Mac Pro in January 2008. Then I was told about the 64-bit Snow Leo by the seller.
So I invested in a faster processor 3 GHz and more memory, 16 MB. I spent more money, hoping that this investment will pay off when SnowLeo go out.

Today, it turned out that I have got 32 bit EFI installed and this crossed out my Mac Pro as a base for true 64-bit OS platform in the near future.

Is EFI 32 bit the only problem in my MacPro to dream about working in 64 bit ?
Does my Mac Pro is adapted to life in the 64-bit like Frankeinstin?

Message was edited by: art.mariusz

Message was edited by: art.mariusz

Posted on Sep 7, 2009 1:41 AM

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Answer 1

msuper69

Level 6

8,705 points

Sep 7, 2009 2:14 AM in response to art.mariusz

Your Mac Pro will run 64-bit apps without breaking a sweat.
Just because the kernel runs as 32-bit has NO effect on your apps.

You are fine. I wish I had a Mac like yours.

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Answer 2

art.mariusz Author

Level 1

6 points

Sep 7, 2009 2:35 AM in response to msuper69

Thank you. I know that will work applications 64 bit.

But they will not run 64-bit drivers, and more RAM... EIF 32 bit is a bottleneck for the Mac Pro, and uses true 64-bit.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ExtensibleFirmwareInterface
EFI 32 bit it is"
- 32bit RAM
- 32bit bus
http://www.apple.com/macpro/features/processor.html
I am wrong?

Message was edited by: art.mariusz

Message was edited by: art.mariusz

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Answer 3

art.mariusz Author

Level 1

6 points

Sep 7, 2009 2:59 AM in response to msuper69

Here is the specification used procerora Mac Pro 2.1. I had hoped that the new system will free capacity. But it is not possible because of the EIF 32
http://download.intel.com/products/processor/xeon/dc55kprodbrief.pdf
I am mistaken?

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Answer 4

Sep 7, 2009 9:55 AM in response to art.mariusz

Even 32-bit kernel of Mac OS X can address up to 32 GB of RAM thanks to PAE support in Mac hardware. Speed penalty of using PAE vs 64-bit kernel is marginal.
Even with 32-bit kernel you can still run 64-bit apps and they can use more than 4GB of RAM.

64-bit kernel is disabled on default with current Mac OS 10.6, even on the machines which support it (only server version defaults to new 64-bit mode). It is because 64-bit kernel is incompatible with current 32-bit drivers and kernel extensions, making many applications and devices unusable. It will take some time before software developers and hardware producers make 64-bit versions of their products.

So what do you exactly need 64-bit kernel and drivers for?

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Answer 5

art.mariusz Author

Level 1

6 points

Sep 8, 2009 2:05 AM in response to Witold Oleksiak

Think about what I write.
I do not write about the current situation (temporary), only a true 64-bit systems tomorrow, not only applications but also the drivers.

If the application Pro can not access the hardware in 64 bit mode, it decreases performance. 😟

Message was edited by: art.mariusz

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Answer 6

Sep 8, 2009 2:05 AM in response to art.mariusz

OK, but do you know about any specific advantages of 64-bit drivers? Or do you want to have them just because it is state of the art technology?

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Answer 7

art.mariusz Author

Level 1

6 points

Sep 8, 2009 3:36 AM in response to Witold Oleksiak

Today, drivers are not needed. But the door is already open and tomorrow it will be based on performance. I ask if I throw money into the new Mac Pro in order to have only 64-bit EFI?

Poza tym daj się wypowiedzieć Apple 🙂 bo to co mi sprzedali zaledwie rok temu okazuje się Frankeinstainem, a nie przemyślaną maszyną do zastosowań Pro.
Zaraz wydadzą FinalCut 64 bit Adobe 64 bit i będzie wymagał dostępu do sterowników 64 bit.

Message was edited by: art.mariusz

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Answer 8

Sep 8, 2009 5:39 AM in response to art.mariusz

Weird there is no private message option on this board. Think different.
If it is a public conversation it is better to stay with English I guess.

I doubt Apple will ever comment here on that issue. I still treat it as a really minor one, compared with other brilliant ideas like:
+ making Java SE 6 available only to 64-bit Intel machines (no PowerPC or early Intels support)
+ removing good 23'' LCD from manufacturing and putting new 'great' 24'' designed only with Macbooks in mind, having too short cables for MacPro and interface which you can connect only to 2009-manufactured computers; and did I mention that you can use only one such monitor if you have only one graphics card?
+ removing ExpressCard slot from 15'' MacBook Pro...
...ok, stop bashing.

Welcome to Pro Apple world. To be hated or to be loved, nothing in between. 😐

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Answer 9

blee4

Level 1

14 points

Oct 23, 2009 11:40 AM in response to Witold Oleksiak

I'm pretty disappointed as well, I have a first generation Mac Pro that I have an extremely hard time finding video cards. I paid good money for my mac years ago the hardware is still great I don't think I'll need to upgrade for years, but even if I do I'm reluctant to sink so much money into a "Pro" machine because Apple doesn't take care of their own. It wasn't always like this back in the day before Apple became so popular they would always surprise me with all the firmware fixes and driver updates to make things work with older macs. It was one of the main reasons that I switched over, I mean for the cost of a Mac Pro I could easily buy several mid level PC's over the course of a few years but I chose to throw a large chunk of change at Apple hoping that my mac would stand the test of time.

My origional ATI x1900xt video card with 512MB or memory that had defects, water under the bridge my Mac Pro was first gen... fine I accept that. But my Mac Pro supposedly supports 64-Bit EFI firmware from what I've read.

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Answer 10

Jolly Giant

Level 7

25,464 points

Oct 23, 2009 12:09 PM in response to art.mariusz

perhaps this read http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=10441861#10441861

and this http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2132106&tstart=0

will give Y'all some hints

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