Bloomberg: Apple Silicon Mac Pro May Feature Up to 32 High Performance Cores, 128 Core Option for Graphics

Apple is working on an updated model of its Mac Pro that may feature an Apple silicon chip with as many as 32 high performance cores, and a 128 core option for graphics, according to a new report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Mac Pro M series feature 1
Bloomberg has reported in the past that Apple is working on an updated Mac Pro that will feature an Apple silicon chip rather than an Intel processor. Today's new report echoes a similar story but offers more details on the performance of this upcoming high-end Mac.

Bloomberg says there are two new ‌Mac Pro‌ models in the works, both featuring a redesign and are planned to "come in 20 or 40 computing core variations, made up of 16 high-performance or 32 high-performance cores and four or eight high-efficiency cores."

Codenamed Jade 2C-Die and Jade 4C-Die, a redesigned Mac Pro is planned to come in 20 or 40 computing core variations, made up of 16 high-performance or 32 high-performance cores and four or eight high-efficiency cores. The chips would also include either 64 core or 128 core options for graphics. The computing core counts top the 28 core maximum offered by today’s Intel Mac Pro chips, while the higher-end graphics chips would replace parts now made by Advanced Micro Devices Inc.

Alongside the faster, more powerful processor, the new ‌Mac Pro‌ will feature a smaller design that "could invoke nostalgia for the Power Mac G4 Cube," according to a previous Bloomberg report. Apple is also working on a successor to the current ‌Mac Pro‌ design that may use Intel processors rather than its own Apple silicon.

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Top Rated Comments

cmaier Avatar
46 months ago

Why would this type of computer need efficiency cores? Is there something inherent in the design of the CPU which requires them.

I just ask as it seems that the space taken up by the efficiency cores could fit in more performance cores. Really this could be applied to all desktop models. For the Mac Pro they seem the most pointless.
There are many tasks a cpu does that do not require super high performance. Even one of these machines. They go on all the time. Allowing the efficiency cores to do them frees up the performance cores. It also reduces thermal output, allowing the other cores to run hotter. By them being there the overall cpu performance increases. Replacing them with a small number of performance cores (remember the performance cores are MUCH bigger) would actually decrease overall performance.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lemon Olive Avatar
46 months ago
So Apple's headless desktop offerings will consist of:

$600 M1 mini with 8 cores.

$x,xxx Mac Pro with 20 or 40 cores.

For the love of pete, can we just get something in the $2,000 range that has 10 or 12 cores?
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Coleco Avatar
46 months ago
I realize it's a niche, but the entire purpose of this design was to provide modular upgrades. It would say a lot to those early adopters of this gen of Mac Pro if Apple offered a $1,000-$1,500 M1X or M2 CPU card that allowed an upgrade without the need to repurchase the entire Mac Pro. I imagine the Mac could dynamically adapt which CPU it would use based on whether the app is optimized for Apple Silicon (and, perhaps, even magically use the MacPro's discreet graphics cards where there was an advantage to doing so). This would allow those users to maintain backward compatibility, Windows compatibility and preserve their investment. It could also be billed as a more "green" upgrade than just a wholesale replacement. Realistically, I don't see that happening, but it would be a cool thing to do.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cmaier Avatar
46 months ago

Great to hear, but how about a 64 core and 128 core version to really get these machines rocking past AMD.
Unless AMD has a 30-or-so watt part with 20 cores, seems these will already rock past AMD.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Serban55 Avatar
46 months ago
Now thats power....
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GLS Avatar
46 months ago

Holy crap.
Coming from you with your background, I'll take this report as impressive.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)