Apple has updated the hardware of its 2019 Intel-powered Mac Pro. It adds new Radeon W6800X and W6900X GPU modules, with rather eye-catching prices.
Amid rumors that Apple could continue to maintain an exception with Intel for its most powerful Mac range, the Mac Pro, the Cupertino firm has updated worldwide and the rest of the world the hardware of its current Mac Pro, launched in 2019. It does so by adding new GPU options, again from the hand of AMD.
Specifically, it adds new GPU modules from AMD, premiering the new range of Radeon 6000X graphics. Options are added to include a Radeon Pro W6800X and Pro W6900X. It is also possible to add these new graphics cards in dual form factor, which increases the price.
In the Apple Store, in the Mac Pro options configurator, we can see how the new AMD GPUs are available in addition to the current graphics versions available, with a configuration that can reach an additional $15,824.
Improved Mac Pro specs and prices
This is good news for the Mac Pro’s modular system, the MPX expansion system, as Apple’s commitment to new graphics cards shows that the company is still committed to promoting this system. Back in June, we could already see these new graphics cards appear on the market, under the promise of achieving up to 79% performance over the previous generation. These are the options:
- Radeon Pro W6800X with 32GB of GDDR6 memory: an additional $3,274.
- Two Radeon Pro W6800X with 32GB of GDDR6 memory each: an additional $7,094.
- Radeon Pro W6900X with 32GB GDDR6 memory: an additional $7,639.
- Two Radeon Pro W6900X with 32GB GDDR6 memory each: an additional $15,824.
- Radeon Pro W6800X Duo with 64GB of GDDR6 memory: an additional $6,275.
- Two Radeon Pro W6800X Duo with 64GB of GDDR6 memory each: an additional $13,095.
These new modules replace the Radeon Pro Vega II MPXs that were previously available, although for the time being the Pro Vega II and Vega II Duo MPXs will continue to be available in separate kits for users. These modules will also become available separately in the future, according to Apple.
Each of these modules adds in addition to the extra GPU power 4 Thunderbolt 3 ports and a new HDMI 2.0. According to Apple, these GPUs could in some cases get Octane X to run 84% faster, and achieve 23% better performance with DaVinci Resolve. However, this will have to be verified in actual tests.
These new MPX kits come at a peak moment for Apple rumors. There have been many rumors claiming that Apple’s next Mac Pro could feature the latest Intel processor in the Mac range, at the expense of achieving extra power that an ARM processor from Cupertino could not achieve.
It is also estimated that the future Mac Pro could follow the line of Apple Silicon and mount an Apple processor but tremendously vitaminized, reaching up to 32 cores of power.
