Apple Xserve: G5 2.3 GHz machines available

[Eug]

Apple only sells 2.0 GHz G5 Xserves to the general public, but Virginia Tech has managed to get over 1000 Xserves running 2.3 GHz G5s. (Remember, these are not the huge water cooled towers like the 2.5 GHz Power Macs, but are air cooled 1U servers.)

Proof here

 

[Darien]

typo? or overclock?

 

[Eug]

Originally posted by: Darien
typo? or overclock?

Not a typo for sure. USA Today reported 2.3 GHz a long time ago and nobody believed them, and now, if you look at the numbers in the list I showed, the 2.3 GHz's numbers make perfect sense too... The old G5 system was using 2.0 GHz chips, and it scored 10280 with 2200 CPUs. The new system uses 2.3 GHz chips, and it scores 10930 with 2048 CPUs.

I guess Virginia Tech gets special treatment, but AFAIK nobody else has these 2.3 GHz Xserves. It also makes me wonder if Apple will give the Xserve a speedbump to 2.3 GHz for the general public in a couple of months.

 

[ponyo]

You wouldn't overclock something like this. Stability means everything.

 

[Eug]

Originally posted by: Naustica
You wouldn't overclock something like this. Stability means everything.

Yeah I agree. I'm not surprised that Apple can put 2.3 GHz chips in these 1U servers though, since IBM has announced G5 blades with 2.2 GHz chips. However, again, it's only for a supercomputer (in Spain). The ones they sell to the general public are only 1.6 GHz, using the older 130 nm chips. (The current G5 Xserves use 90 nm chips.)

 

[Darien]

Originally posted by: Naustica
You wouldn't overclock something like this. Stability means everything.

Yeah, considering that Apple turned to liquid cooling for cpus 200mhz faster, I'm just finding this to be a bit hard to believe. So now I'm wondering: how loud are these things? It probably doesn't matter much for this situation...I'm just curious.

and what does it mean to the powermac line? Could the next refresh include 2.3 GHz chips?

dual 3, dual 2.5, dual 2.3, dual 2.0?

EDIT: i dont' remember the last time apple gave 4 options for speed grades. maybe 3, 2.5 and 2.3. the 2 will drop down to the imac line when it gets a refresh.

EDIT 2: a 200mhz delta seems kind of minimal. . .ahh the speculation Also, a huge thread at ars perkeded my interest a little while ago. anyone think throttling is going on in the xserves? or powermacs for that matter? haven't looked at the thread for the while, but this was something that came up when investigating the perofrmance of the dual 2.5 systems.

EDIT 3: link to ars thread about this issue.

 

[Wahsapa]

i dont think heat pipes really count as liquid cooling. and the new heatsink is probably because of noise restraints. i mean, they COULD strap on a faster(read loud) fan to cool them, but its steve.... he doesnt play that way.

 

[Darien]

it's not a heatpipe in the 2.5s. That's what I thought at first when they came out, but the cooling is a bit different.
http://www.apple.com/powermac/design.html
And powermacs can sure be loud. I was using one a few days ago typing up a simple report, and the fans sped up on occassion.

 

[dmw16]

Actually, I would call that a heatpipe. Heatpipes are liquid cooling they just circulate the working fluid by convection rather than a pump. It isnt really water cooling in the "traditional" sense (that is, there isnt a pump) but it is liquid cooling none the less.

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: dmw16
Actually, I would call that a heatpipe. Heatpipes are liquid cooling they just circulate the working fluid by convection rather than a pump. It isnt really water cooling in the "traditional" sense (that is, there isnt a pump) but it is liquid cooling none the less.

well from what i've read its got a pump. so not a heatpipe. apples cite that was posted above was of course rather vague. but evne if you just look at the design, heatpipes doesn't seem to make sense. theres no space constraint for heatsink size.

from lazy google search http://forums.sudhian.com/mess...AR_FORUMVIEWTMP=Linear

The LCS cooling system fluid is predominantly water (80% or greater) with a mixture of corrosion inhibitors, antifreeze, and bacterial growth preventatives.

...So if your office air-conditioning system goes berserk you won't have to worry about your processors exploding...

Of other interest, "Nitrile or rubber glove should be worn when handling an LCS module that is leaking or suspected to be leaking. Evidence of leaks would include corrosion around fittings in the LCS coolant system, a light green or red liquid present, or a slick or slimy feel when handling the part. For leaks or spills, wipe up the fluid using rags, paper towels, or other suitable materials. Dispose of all cleaning materials according to local laws and regulations (Refer to laws and regulations pertaining to disposal of Antifreeze). Do not combine used coolant with any other chemical.

Place the failed LCS module (leaking or not) in the packaging that the replacement module came in. Follow the packaging instructions included with the replacement module. Failure to follow the instructions could damage your equipment and void warranty coverage."

 

[0roo0roo]

http://www.macobserver.com/article/2003/10/07.6.shtml
AMC uses a solid-state electro-kinetic pump to draw the water through the channels and across a heat radiator. Apart from the fluid, the system contains no moving parts, so should be effectively noiseless and reliable for long-term use, Cooligy says.

 

[Eug]

Originally posted by: Wahsapa
i dont think heat pipes really count as liquid cooling. and the new heatsink is probably because of noise restraints. i mean, they COULD strap on a faster(read loud) fan to cool them, but its steve.... he doesnt play that way.

The Power Mac system is a traditional liquid system with a pump. Not a heatpipe.

Originally posted by: Darien

Originally posted by: Naustica
You wouldn't overclock something like this. Stability means everything.

Yeah, considering that Apple turned to liquid cooling for cpus 200mhz faster, I'm just finding this to be a bit hard to believe. So now I'm wondering: how loud are these things? It probably doesn't matter much for this situation...I'm just curious.

Dunno how loud they are but the 2.0 GHz ones are supposed to be quieter than the G4 Xserves.

and what does it mean to the powermac line? Could the next refresh include 2.3 GHz chips?

dual 3, dual 2.5, dual 2.3, dual 2.0?

EDIT: i dont' remember the last time apple gave 4 options for speed grades. maybe 3, 2.5 and 2.3. the 2 will drop down to the imac line when it gets a refresh.

EDIT 2: a 200mhz delta seems kind of minimal. . .ahh the speculation Also, a huge thread at ars perkeded my interest a little while ago. anyone think throttling is going on in the xserves? or powermacs for that matter? haven't looked at the thread for the while, but this was something that came up when investigating the perofrmance of the dual 2.5 systems.

It will be interesting to see what January brings for a Power Mac update. The 3 GHz is long overdue.

 

[Eug]

The Xserve dual G5 2.3 GHz has now been released.

Specs:
Dual 2.3 GHz G5
1U (1.75" thick)
1.2 Terabyte hot-swappable storage
Dual gigabit Ethernet
Dual Firewire 800
8 GB DDR400 ECC
PCI-X
Combo drive or SuperDrive

Also, Xsan is now shipping.