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iMac Pro May Feature Intel's Server-Grade 'Purley' Processors, ARM Coprocessor

Thursday June 22, 2017 1:15 pm PDT by Joe Rossignol
Apple earlier this month unveiled the iMac Pro, a workstation-class desktop computer with up to an 18-core Intel Xeon processor, top-of-the-line Radeon Pro Vega graphics, up to 4TB of SSD storage, and up to 128GB of ECC RAM.


Apple didn't specify exactly which processors will be included in the iMac Pro, but if the blog Pike's Universum is to be believed, it could be powered by Intel's next-generation server-grade Skylake-EX and Skylake-EP processors, which are based on a platform codenamed "Purley."

The blog, which appears to be sourcing its information from firmware files in the macOS High Sierra developer beta, said the iMac Pro will use Intel's new server-class LGA3647 socket, not its high-end, desktop-class LGA2066 socket.

If the information is accurate, it suggests the iMac Pro could have truly server-grade Xeon processors, rather than using Intel's recently announced Core-X series of Skylake and Kaby Lake chips that still use the LGA2066 socket.

The blog added that the new iMac Pro appears to be coming with a Secure Enclave, suggesting it will have an ARM coprocessor like the MacBook Pro with Touch Bar for added security. It would also open the door to Touch ID on the iMac Pro, but Apple made no mention of the feature when introducing the computer.


Pike's Universum revealed some of the iMac Pro's tech specs in April, two months prior to it being announced, including that it would have Xeon processors, ECC RAM, faster SSD storage, AMD graphics options, and Thunderbolt 3 ports, but some of the specific details proved to be inaccurate.

Apple said the iMac Pro will be available to order in December, starting at $4,999 in the United States.

Related Roundup: iMac Pro
Tag: Intel
Buyer's Guide: iMac Pro (Neutral)
[ 313 comments ]


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keysofanxiety
29 months ago

It's sad when you already can foresee a product being recalled or having significant defects on their first shipment.


I'm sure the designers and QA engineers will completely rethink their processes based on your gut feeling. :D
Rating: 53 Votes
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keysofanxiety
29 months ago

I'm not sure I see the point of devices like this anymore. The iPad Pro can literally do it all at a fraction of the cost.


You can't be serious. Don't take the bait... don't take the bait...
Rating: 53 Votes
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keysofanxiety
29 months ago

I am serious.

I have the current Mac Pro and I never use it anymore. It's gathering dust while my iPad Pro devices help me get all my important work done.

The future Steve Jobs spoke of has finally arrived.


Then you misinterpreted his comment. Steve Jobs likened it to trucks and cars. Very few people use a truck but there will always be a need for them. This is the figurative truck.

It's incredibly short sighted to think that because you can't justify the usage, that means nobody else can.

There are people whose workflow requires this hardware power and a full-blooded mouse & keyboard OS with practically limitless desktop applications.
Rating: 37 Votes
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v0lume4
29 months ago

It's sad when you already can foresee a product being recalled or having significant defects on their first shipment.

Xeon. AMD GPU. iMac form factor.

Heat dissipation issues? No, never! :P
Rating: 35 Votes
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citysnaps
29 months ago

It's sad when you already can foresee a product being recalled or having significant defects on their first shipment.


Please contact Apple's system and hardware design engineers and let them know about these issues you foresee, that they're not aware of, and set them straight! Apple Senior VP Dan Riccio should also be in the loop on this as well.
Rating: 33 Votes
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Jsameds
29 months ago
"Intel is coming"

- Jon S̶n̶o̶w̶ Ive
Rating: 19 Votes
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Pbrutto
29 months ago
Mondo processing power, sounds awesome, would be overkill for my safari usage I think.....
Rating: 17 Votes
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pat500000
29 months ago
Ne.... need mac ...mac pro
Rating: 16 Votes
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lostczech
29 months ago

I am serious.

I have the current Mac Pro and I never use it anymore. It's gathering dust while my iPad Pro devices help me get all my important work done.

The future Steve Jobs spoke of has finally arrived.


Genuinely curious, what "important work" do you do that can be done on an iPad? More over, whatever that is, why did you have a Mac Pro then? It must have been complete overkill if you can accomplish the same task on an iPad..
Rating: 14 Votes
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danielwsmithee
29 months ago

I'm very curious how they're managing to cool this beast. one of the problems I've seen reported about the current iMac's running i7's, is that they do thermal throttle quite a bit when under consistent load.

the iMac pro is going to put out a significant amount more heat. So the cooling system for 2017 iMac Pro's (and even maybe iMac) must have received a significant cooling upgrade. Wondering, if thats the case, could the i7-7700k get a decent overclock with the new cooling...

The cooling design does look pretty significantly upgraded as apple essentially stole the space for the 3.5 in HD, and used it for a much larger heat pipe, sink and second fan.

Here is the standard iMac.


Here is the new iMac Pro.
Rating: 13 Votes

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