Quad dual-processor, dual-core G5 Macs but with PCIe

[Demetrious]

New Mac G5s Quad dual-processor, dual-core system but with a PCIe

Sounds powerful but will UAD-1 work with the PCIe slot?

http://www.macworld.com/news/2005/10/19 ... /index.php

 

[esencia]

That's what I'm wondering too...
will this Quad improve UAD-1 performance? does it use and AMD chipset?

 

[JamesR]

This revsion is pretty much guaranteed not to use the AMD controller used in previous models, since we have PCI-Express here and not PCI-X.

I would expect an intel buss controller by this stage - but who knows.

The question we are all asking is: will the UAD-1 fit into and working correctly in a) a PCI Express slot built to spec and b) the PCI Express slots in these new macs.

If they have used an intel bridge, then i am more hopefull the slots will function to published standards (for once.)

If the UAD is made obselete by these machines, then i will have to find an existing model or find out about a PCI Express to PCI Magma chassis.

Does anyone know whether the UAD is supposed to work in PCI Express?

J.

 

[dix]

I came here in search of this answer too. How about it UA? (c'mon it's been like 5 minutes since the announcement. what's the hold up? )

 

[JamesR]

I think the answer is a resounding NO.

PCI Express slots, of all types, are physically incompatible with tradional PCI Slots.

I suppose this will force some manufacturers to update products, and move future products to the market sooner?

Now, obviously manufacturers such as UA (and whoa there, what about digidesign!) much have foreseen this situation and have planned accordingly.

What i would like to know from someone at UA is, what is the best course of action now?

I am more than \"ripe\" to buy a new mac and have been hanging on to see these latest revisions. My current machine doesn't quite keep up now that i use a few auxes + busses in Logic (thanks to PDC.)

Should i try to get hold of an existing, PCI/PCI-X model?

Or get a new quad machine and a PCI express to PCI magma?

OR - wait for it - is there something UA haven't told us about a new PCI Express solution to the UAD-1?

I would like my new machine to last me until the intel macs are matured a little.

As well as the end of the stock for the outgoing mdoels, I also have someone waiting to buy my current machine, so i can't hang around too long!


is there an emot-icon for \"pulljng hair out?\"

J.

 

[Demetrious]

They are available in apple store site now :? .

what PCIe devices are available for these macs? When they make a proper expandable (that can take my UAD-1s and PT HD cards) versions, I might upgarde in a say 7 - 12 months time.

It looks like they are upgrading these macs for graphic designers and Final Cut video editors only :?

Looks like they don't want to sell many on these macs

 

[Giles117 DP]

Looks like a major upgrade around my parts.

DSP cards.....Magma CHassi???

How about UAD plugins in iLok format (Hardware iLok)

 

[Demetrious]

PCI express to PCI magma?

Is one available, and what is compatible with it?

 

[JamesR]

Magma do not currently make a PCI-Express to PCI chassis.

 

[MadR]

boys .. didn't told you ? really phat !
but i thought pci express was backword compatible ...

but his is goodnews part one .. let see ..

 

[JamesR]

UAJames, will the UAD-1 work in a \"regular\" PCIe slot? :!:

 

[dix]

\"\"regular\" PCIe\"? What's that? JamesR. Didn't you state above PCI and PCI Express (PCIe) are not physically compatible?

 

[JamesR]

Yes, unfortuantely with more research, you cannot put a PCI card into a PCIe slot.

that's it.

(despite being told by an apple sales rep tonight that you can put some PCI cards in a PCIe slot...)

ps. i was referring to a PCIe slot that is properly compliant to the published standards.

what i meant was: is it supposed to work? in the same way as a PCI-X slot is supposed to work with a PCI card...

unless AMD make the controller chip, and apple make the computer...

J.

 

[Demetrious]

I recon apple have F*cked up with this 1.

They should have made it with PCI or PCIx.

If they had to have PCIe, then it should have been only for the graphics card for now @ most.

Then later if they do go mactel or when supply and demand for PCI£ Sound cards (@ least) and DSP cards and the rest.

I just upgraded to PT HD2, I also have 2 UAD-1s and was about to buy another 1 or 2.

I also have a MOTU PCI 424 in another mac.

I'm not ready to fork out £s on PCI£. I was thinking about setup my PT HD in a PC. Lucky for apple that they bought Logic, cause if they did not and continued to go this way then the mac would have to go.

Anyone know a PC DAW that is as warm/fat sounding as logic :?:

 

[UAJames]

Hi Guys,
A PCI card will not go into a PCI-E slot so that means the UAD-1 card will not work in PCI-E slots (Mac or PC).

I don't know at this time if there are going to be any PCI-E to PCI adapters available commercially (or if they would even fit in the G5). If any word comes down the pipe about it I'll be sure to let everyone know.

I haven't been able to find out of these machines use the 8131 chipset or not (the developer notes on G5 architecture haven't been updated for the new models yet) although it's unlikely that they do.

The \"PCI-X model\" that they still have available on the store does though (it's the same Dual 2.7 that was available eariler).

 

[dix]

I haven't been able to find out of these machines use the 8131 chipset or not (the developer notes on G5 architecture haven't been updated for the new models yet) although it's unlikely that they do.

Sorry. I haven't been following this issue. Is this good or bad news? ...thanks for the speedy communication btw James.

 

[JamesR]

Thank you James.

As expected then.

I must say that now i;ve had 5 minutes to think about it, i am fairly shocked at the way apple have abondoned PCI/PCI-X.

To offer no PCI support this early on does not make sense. There are simply no audio cards around now. I guess FW is the way for most.

I too was expecting PCIe for Graphics, but thought we would have PCI/PCI-X for expansion until the intel macs come along.

I have been hanging on for some time now, but find that i will have to find stock of existing macs somewhere...?

Just when you though a dream machine was about to come along, the quad (@about 60-80% faster than a 2.7 it seems) apple go right ahead and throw a spanner in the works for all the audio people, the very people they have been trying to keep hold of since buying out emagic...

oh well, if i am going to buy a \"old\" machine (the 2.0 has been for how long now? 3 years?) then at least it'll be the cheapest 2.0 ever sold...

ok, on with the rest of my life now....

J.

 

[peter893]

Thank you James.

As expected then.

I must say that now i;ve had 5 minutes to think about it, i am fairly shocked at the way apple have abondoned PCI/PCI-X.

actually its not that shocking. PCI express is an Intel development. It only makes sense that Apple adopt this. Yes its a bit abrupt, but every one needs to get to the same page for when the intel macs come out.


Peter

 

[ramuncho]

JamesR,

I have about the same system as yours (G4 Dual 1G, 2G Ram, PCI 424, HD 192 & 1224, 2X UAD-1, Poco FW) and I share the same problems as yours. I did expect a lot from the new quads.
I'm still in 10.3.9 because I think my system would be slowed down by the load of Tiger plus everything else. I was waiting to have \"agregate audio\" to add an Apogee A/D. I am also very disappointed that there is no PCIe to PCI Magma solution. So what are the solutions left ?

1) Future PCIe to PCI adaptors as JamesUA suggests (if this is technically feasable for those G5s)

2) Future PCIe to PCI Magma (as for the adaptors, the question is : will the demand be strong enough to motivate the makers and when ?)

3) UA and Motu (and Digi and ...) have to put on the market asap new PCIe products (that we have to buy and loose money on the difficult resell of old cards)

4) Buy the \"old\" 2 X 2,7 with PCIx, which is still available on the apple Store as the PCIx solution (minus little less compatibilty with UAD-1). I coud consider that one but I really don't know about this overclocked G5 (water cooling system on the long run ? leakage ? fragility of the CPU ?)

5) Pray that Apple will put back some PCI(x) slots back in a future quad Rev B by popular demand

By the way, are you on Tiger with your system ? is it OK ?

 

[Trace]

I don't remember who it was that said Apple was now more or less ambivalent towards DSP Cards, but it seems they may be right. Apple wants to sell more new G5's and with the Quad they know that they have a machine with plenty of brute processing power. They also have the Node feature in Logic, that will allow them to further push people into more Apple computers instead of DSP.

Personally, i'll be looking to add anotther G5, most likely a PCI version so I can have my UAD's loaded into that with no issues and I'd keep my PCI-X G5 for the extra processing power, memory and storage. I'm not in love with the idea of having two G5's, but then I already have a G4 so its not like I haven't be using multiple computers. That PCI G5 should be a bit more affordable now too.

I'm not going to panic. I never have before. Not when I have affordable options.

TRACE