Quad-Core and Eight-Core Mac Pros (2009 editions)
Although you do not know by looking at the new round of Apple’s Mac Pro has just received a major overhaul. The two models of a new tower with processor and video system and an overhaul of interior design feature. However, they have clock speeds lower than their predecessors. Last year, the standard Mac Pro
introduced a 2.8GHz eight processors based on Intel Xeon Harpertown / Penryn architecture. This year, there are two models: a quad-core Xeon processor with a 2.66GHz Nehalem and a basic model of eight running on two quad-core Xeon 2.26GHz. In addition, the new Mac Pro is 120 Nvidia GeForce GT graphics cards and a renovated interior, designed to facilitate access for users to update the internal components.
Similar, but different
Apart from the second optical drive slot on the front, the Mac Pro uses the same great handling, aluminum as a Power Mac G5, it introduced nearly five years. There are some minor changes to the outside, but especially on the type and number of connections. First, two FireWire 400 connectors for previous generations have been replaced backward compatible with FireWire 800 ports, bringing the number of FireWire ports, from four to two in front and two rear. The five USB 2.0 ports, two front and three at the back remain. On the graphics card, one of two dual-link DVI connectors on the rear of the system has been replaced by a Mini DisplayPort connector, which allows you to connect to one of the 24-inch Apple LED Cinema Display
or, with adapter (not included), a second DVI display.
When opening the case, immediate changes in the design of components. Memory modules are not installed on two sliding trays, however, memory and processor of all others in a sled at the bottom of the case, eliminating the release of two latches. The quad-core Mac Pro has four memory slots that come with 3GB, 6GB, 8GB or DDR3 SDRAM modules of 1066, the eight-core Mac Pro has eight DIMM slots for up to 32 GB of RAM . Memory design and does not require high heat.
The Mac Pro has four hard drives internal wireless slots, with a sliding tray to connect the camera directly to the motherboard. Today, however, the great celebration of the plastic fan on the front of the Mac Pro is much smaller, giving more space for the finger grip of the hard drive sleds. It’sa small change, but welcome. I can not tell you how many times I have struggled for years to eliminate this first unit. Another design change to help facilitate the removal of PCI cards for the four full-size PCI Express 2.0 slots for cards. In the past, to remove a card, you must first two turn of the screw with a small plate keeping cards in place. Then you must feel in the back of the card, find a small plastic tab mounted on the motherboard, you have to remove to release the card. With the new Mac Pro, the second step is much easier. Now simply press a single thin bar that extends across all PCI Express 2.0 slots to release some or all of the cards. Apple has also made the installation of your add-on RAID card Apple is much easier: you just put it in the top slot clearly marked, and you’re ready to go.
Installed in the first slot PCI Express 2.0 is the new Nvidia GeForce 120 GT graphics card with 512 MB of video RAM, the latest generation of Mac Pro is equipped with a standard ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT graphics card with 256 MB of memory.
