Intel Debuts New Xeon-W Chips Possibly Destined for iMac Pro

Intel today introduced its new Xeon-W workstation-class processors at the IFA trade show in Berlin, and the new chips line up nicely with the processor capabilities we’re expecting to see in the iMac Pro.

The new chips, which use an LGA2066 socket and Skylake-SP architecture, come in 8, 10, and 18 core configurations with Turbo Boost up to 4.5GHz, 48 PCI Express 3.0 lanes, and support for up to 512GB of DDR4–2666 ECC memory.

intelxeonwprocessors

Click to enlarge

Apple has said the iMac Pro will feature Intel’s Xeon processors, with 8, 10, and 18 core chips available as optional configurations with up to 42MB cache and maximum Turbo Boost up to 4.5GHz.

Specifically, Apple could be planning to use the 8-core 3.7GHz Xeon W–2145, the 10-core 3.3GHz Xeon W–2155, and the 18-core 2.3GHz Xeon W–2195. Pricing on the chips starts at $1,113, but a price is not yet listed for the high-end 18-core processors.

intelxeonwprocessors2
According to Intel, the Xeon-W chips offer a 1.87x boost in performance compared to a 4-year old workstation with an Intel Xeon E5–1680 v2 Romley processor, like the 2013 8-core Mac Pro, and up to 1.38x higher performance compared to previous-generation Xeon E5–1680 v4 chips.

intelxeonwprocessors3
Intel plans to release its high-end 18-core chips in the fourth quarter of 2017, which also lines up with the target release date of the iMac Pro. The other chips may see earlier release dates.

Though Xeon-W chips do appear to work for the iMac Pro, there is still some question as to whether they’re the chips Apple plans to use. A June report from Pike’s Universum suggested Apple would use Intel’s server-grade Purley processors with an LGA3647 socket rather than the desktop-class LGA2066 socket.

That information was based on firmware files found in the macOS High Sierra beta, but it’s possible it was inaccurate. Intel announced some Purley chips in July, but that announcement did not include chips that would be appropriate for the iMac Pro.

Along with Xeon processors, the iMac Pro will include Radeon Pro Vega graphics, up to 4TB of solid state storage space, four Thunderbolt 3 ports, up to 128GB of ECC RAM, and a redesigned thermal architecture to support those components.

Rumors based on firmware findings suggest the iMac Pro could also include a Secure Enclave with an ARM coprocessor like the MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, but it’s unclear at this time what that functionality will be used for as Apple has made no mention of Touch ID support.

The iMac Pro is positioned as a workstation class machine aimed at pro users with demanding workflows, and it’s priced accordingly. When it launches in December, pricing for the iMac Pro will start at $4,999.

Related Forum: iMac

Top Rated Comments

826317 Avatar
86 months ago
I'm just waiting for that guy who thinks they can build a better PC for the same price.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BGarza Avatar
86 months ago
Does anyone else find it silly that they aren't marketing the Mac Pro to include a touchbar keyboard?

Also, for that amount of money, they should include 2 hdmi inputs on the back of the monitor. I can't be the only one who finds it crazy redundant to buy another monitor to occasionally play a PS3, when a perfectly good screen is already in the room. Just saying...
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Michael Scrip Avatar
86 months ago
I'm just waiting for that guy who thinks they can build a better PC. Try finding all equivalent components for a price lower than $4999.

I probably left some things out of that list, but I can almost guarantee that you will not be able to match the iMac Pro.

Rules:
SSD speeds and sizes must match or be bigger/faster
Screen must be equal size, resolution, colour gamut support and brightness or better
CPU and GPU must perform equally as well or better for the same type of tasks
RAM must be as fast or faster and match or be bigger in size
You must include everything from equivalently performing WiFi, bluetooth and sound cards.
A mother board with thunderbolt 3 support and equally as many or more number of TB3 ports.
Motherboard must support 10Gbp ethernet.
Motherboard must support equally as fast USB ports or better and have as many or more USB ports.
Similar keyboard & mouse
True... Xeons and ECC memory aren't cheap. Apple overbuilds their "pro" workstations. They select high-priced parts.

But remember that the iMac Pro is an all-in-one... which is not the form-factor most "pros" would want anyway.

Your "rules" don't mention anything about the iMac Pro cramming a bunch of heat-generating parts inside a monitor... and that it's essentially a disposable computer. Shouldn't that count against the iMac Pro? Not unless you're handy with a heatgun to perform upgrades. :p

So even if the Hackintosh components cost more than the iMac Pro... at least you can put them in a standard PC case with adequate airflow and upgradability.

Plus with a Hackintosh you can choose the video card(s) and monitor(s) you want... and have multiple PCIe SSDs inside the computer... and other internal drives and expansion cards too. You can install anything you want. And again... you don't need to have everything crammed into an unnecessarily thin case.

Besides... the biggest reason someone builds a Hackintosh is to save money and choose the parts they want... not to spend as much as a "real" Mac with the exact same parts.

Someone can follow you your "rules" to build a Hackintosh that will be similar to the iMac Pro... but they might not get all the way. Fair point.

Then again... the iMac Pro is an all-in-one with little to no expandability. That should be taken into consideration too. :)
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BaltimoreMediaBlog Avatar
86 months ago
So, you want to still be using that 20 year old CRT that was available in 1997? LOL. Apple leads all tech in recycling, so when you finally need to give up on an iMac, they will see that it is recycled properly, for free! I have a ten year old iMac that is running as smooth as day one and still works great in the kitchen for basic web surfing and watching videos while I cook.
What are YOU smoking? Apple is in the disposable tech business. This is why they've let their PRO business languish.
Providing long lasting high powered computers is no longer they're concern.

HELLO! THEY'RE MAINLY A DISPOSABLE PHONE MANUFACTURER NOW! The Mac was afterthought since Mavericks!
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HobeSoundDarryl Avatar
86 months ago
WOW!

Will that be the Mac that becomes self-aware?;)
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
genzai Avatar
86 months ago
I'm just waiting for that guy who thinks they can build a better PC for the same price.
Its called a hackintosh. I build them all the time.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

reset password request iphone

Warning: Apple Users Targeted in Phishing Attack Involving Rapid Password Reset Requests

Tuesday March 26, 2024 4:34 pm PDT by
Phishing attacks taking advantage of Apple's password reset feature have become increasingly common, according to a report from KrebsOnSecurity. Multiple Apple users have been targeted in an attack that bombards them with an endless stream of notifications or multi-factor authentication (MFA) messages in an attempt to cause panic so they'll respond favorably to social engineering. An...
maxresdefault

Apple to Launch New iPad Pro and iPad Air Models in May

Thursday March 28, 2024 11:07 am PDT by
Apple will introduce new iPad Pro and iPad Air models in early May, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gurman previously suggested the new iPads would come out in March, and then April, but the timeline has been pushed back once again. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Apple is working on updates to both the iPad Pro and iPad Air models. The iPad Pro models will...
Generic iOS 18 Feature Purple

iOS 18: What to Expect From 'Biggest' Update in iPhone's History

Wednesday March 27, 2024 11:10 am PDT by
At least some Apple software engineers continue to believe that iOS 18 will be the "biggest" update in the iPhone's history, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Below, we recap rumored features and changes for the iPhone. "The iOS 18 update is expected to be the most ambitious overhaul of the iPhone's software in its history, according to people working on the upgrade," wrote Gurman, in a r...
maxresdefault

Apple Announces WWDC 2024 Event for June 10 to 14

Tuesday March 26, 2024 10:02 am PDT by
Apple today announced that its 35th annual Worldwide Developers Conference is set to take place from Monday, June 10 to Friday, June 14. As with WWDC events since 2020, WWDC 2024 will be an online event that is open to all developers at no cost. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. WWDC 2024 will include online sessions and labs so that developers can learn about new...
apple maps 3d feature

Apple Maps May Gain Custom Routes With iOS 18

Tuesday March 26, 2024 3:10 pm PDT by
Apple may be planning to add support for "custom routes" in Apple Maps in iOS 18, according to code reviewed by MacRumors. Apple Maps does not currently offer a way to input self-selected routes, with Maps users limited to Apple's pre-selected options, but that may change in iOS 18. Apple has pushed an iOS 18 file to its maps backend labeled "CustomRouteCreation." While not much is revealed...
General iOS 17 Feature Orange Purple

Apple Releases Revised Versions of iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 With Updated Build Number

Wednesday March 27, 2024 5:59 am PDT by
Apple on late Tuesday released revised versions of iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 with an updated build number of 21E237, according to MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. The updates previously had a build number of 21E236. The revised updates are available for all iPhone and iPad models that are compatible with iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, but they can only be installed via the Finder app on macOS...
applephilschiller

Apple's Phil Schiller Works 80 Hours a Week Overseeing App Store

Wednesday March 27, 2024 2:03 pm PDT by
With the App Store and app ecosystem undergoing major changes in the European Union, The Wall Street Journal today shared a profile on App Store chief Phil Schiller, who is responsible for the App Store. Though Schiller transitioned from marketing chief to "Apple Fellow" in 2020 to take a step back from Apple and spend more time on personal projects and friends, he is reportedly working...