Actually iMac overclocking is very popular, but not many people know about it. If you hold down the "O" key when booting up, you can get to the EFI cpu settings screen. The only thing you can't tweak is voltage. Here's a video of my 27" iMac running @ 4.2 GHz http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
I noticed the same today too. Well, the SSD versions aren't shipping yet (showing 4-6 weeks) so it is possible that Apple uses the Smart Response Technology (BTW, there will be more about this and a lot other stuff tomorrow or the day after ;-))
If they were using that tech, they would mention it. Right now a buyer would think he's getting two separate drives, not one drive and one invisible cache drive.
SRT can be set up later on with reinstalling or anything like that. Maybe it is a feature that will be implemented later on (e.g. in Lion), any software update could add that. Of course, might be that Apple isn't using it at all.
BTW, I don't think you can use the IGP and thus QuickSync unless you have a monitor connected to the IGP. You would need GPU switching system (such as Synergy or Virtu) to use both, the IGP and the dGPU with only one monitor.
I thought the whole point of quicksync was that you did not need a monitor connected to both GPUs - that it can make use of IGP features without having to physically switch cables etc. Otherwise, what would be the point of the technology?
"There’s just one hangup to all of this Quick Sync greatness: it only works if the processor’s GPU is enabled. In other words, on a desktop with a single monitor connected to a discrete GPU, you can’t use Quick Sync."
You need switchable graphics such as Virtu or Synergy to take advantage of QS with dGPU and one monitor.
I thought Z68's other big feature was QuickSync support even when using a discrete GPU as the primary output. Hardware accelerated encoding would definitely be something that would appeal to Apple. Hopefully support will be incorporated into QuickTime X and iTunes in Lion if not sooner.
There is a new process running in the latest Lion that might have something to do with caching, don't remember the exact name as it pops up every now and then.(I have the latest 11" MBA). The process takes up a lot of resources when new discs are connected to the system and accessing the subfolders of that external drive feels a lot snappier on Lion than on my iMac with SL. When the disc is disconnected it looks like this on my desktop. http://cl.ly/2B06333S2X2o2X1m1a15
They're likely just caching the folder hierarchy in RAM. Accessing subfolders on EXT2/3/4 in Linux (especially using a GUI) is/was a fairly slow ordeal. Perhaps they're just trying to speed up the process?
On the flip side, much the same effect could be had by installing the OS on the SSD (for fast boot, application launch, and library access) while placing the user folder, or more specifically, the music, movie, and picture folder, on the HDD.
At this point we're still a month away from knowing what Apple is doing with the SSD.
<blockquote>Z68 incorporates features that Apple doesn't seem to use in the new iMac (SSD caching, overclocking)</blockquote> Unlike the earlier chipsets, Z68 also features QuickSync encoding via the SB integrated GPU in systems that have a discrete GPU like the iMac. Apple should support that.
The Z68 also adds PCI-Express port bifurcation support over H67 I believe, could this be how Apple provided adequate bandwidth to the Thunderbolt controller?
x4 PCI-Express 2.0 lanes should be plenty enough in of itself. There's no pci-express switch so. That's 2000 MB/s or 16 Gigabit/s for the Thunderbolt IC. Which can't establish more then 4 PCI-Expresslanes any way. That the data transport is 10 Gigabit/s doesn't matter here, so is PCI-Express x2 thanks to it's 8b/10b encoding. Most simple devices maybe won't be using two lanes any way. The only other (other then graphics which sits on the cpu's pci-express lanes) PCI-Express hardware appears to be the wireless and LAN/NIC. So they should even have two lanes left over. x8 PCI-Express 2.0 is more then enough for a computer like this.
Does anyone know were I to add 2x4GB of ram to the 2x2GB would this slow down ram performance? Essentially my question is whether or not this chipset is dual, triple or quad(?) channel in terms of memory?
LGA 1155 (iMac) is Dual channel - but I wouldn't worry about it slowing things down - only if you're doing HPC or something would it be very noticeable.
The IMC supports only dual-channeling and it has two channels so adding 2x4GB should not slow down the RAM bandwidth. At any case, you wouldn't notice the difference between RAM bandwidth.
This isn't the first Apple first dibs treatment with Sandy Bridge. Apple bypassed the SATA problem in the Sandy Bridge MacBook Pros that launch earlier by getting first dibs on the fixed B3 stepping of the H67. They are now getting first dibs on the Z68, presumably because they wanted the additional SSD caching and QuickSync/discrete GPU support.
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headbox - Wednesday, May 4, 2011 - link
Actually iMac overclocking is very popular, but not many people know about it. If you hold down the "O" key when booting up, you can get to the EFI cpu settings screen. The only thing you can't tweak is voltage. Here's a video of my 27" iMac running @ 4.2 GHzhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
aguilpa1 - Wednesday, May 4, 2011 - link
and YO mama is a virgin..., that's funny to.vol7ron - Wednesday, September 14, 2011 - link
haha got me, kinda (recognized the link lol).it's funny how now there's an add on the video. you have to wait to be rick rolled.
ArKritz - Wednesday, May 4, 2011 - link
Well played, worthy adversary.clanmacleod - Wednesday, May 4, 2011 - link
nice, havn't been rick rolled in awhile thats so 2008 loljurasofish - Thursday, May 5, 2011 - link
well played indeed, so nostalgic :)Cpt. Insano - Friday, May 6, 2011 - link
"Hold down O?" ZING!!Kristian Vättö - Wednesday, May 4, 2011 - link
I noticed the same today too. Well, the SSD versions aren't shipping yet (showing 4-6 weeks) so it is possible that Apple uses the Smart Response Technology (BTW, there will be more about this and a lot other stuff tomorrow or the day after ;-))tipoo - Wednesday, May 4, 2011 - link
If they were using that tech, they would mention it. Right now a buyer would think he's getting two separate drives, not one drive and one invisible cache drive.Kristian Vättö - Thursday, May 5, 2011 - link
SRT can be set up later on with reinstalling or anything like that. Maybe it is a feature that will be implemented later on (e.g. in Lion), any software update could add that. Of course, might be that Apple isn't using it at all.BTW, I don't think you can use the IGP and thus QuickSync unless you have a monitor connected to the IGP. You would need GPU switching system (such as Synergy or Virtu) to use both, the IGP and the dGPU with only one monitor.
pubjoe - Friday, May 6, 2011 - link
I thought the whole point of quicksync was that you did not need a monitor connected to both GPUs - that it can make use of IGP features without having to physically switch cables etc. Otherwise, what would be the point of the technology?Kristian Vättö - Friday, May 6, 2011 - link
Unfortunately, it does not work that way.From Sandy Bridge review:
"There’s just one hangup to all of this Quick Sync greatness: it only works if the processor’s GPU is enabled. In other words, on a desktop with a single monitor connected to a discrete GPU, you can’t use Quick Sync."
You need switchable graphics such as Virtu or Synergy to take advantage of QS with dGPU and one monitor.
pubjoe - Friday, May 6, 2011 - link
Ah. Thanks for explaining. That is a shame.Breit - Thursday, May 5, 2011 - link
i thought apple users never know what their hardware actually does or how it works, they'll just use it and are creative with it... ;)ltcommanderdata - Wednesday, May 4, 2011 - link
I thought Z68's other big feature was QuickSync support even when using a discrete GPU as the primary output. Hardware accelerated encoding would definitely be something that would appeal to Apple. Hopefully support will be incorporated into QuickTime X and iTunes in Lion if not sooner.KDN - Wednesday, May 4, 2011 - link
There is a new process running in the latest Lion that might have something to do with caching, don't remember the exact name as it pops up every now and then.(I have the latest 11" MBA). The process takes up a lot of resources when new discs are connected to the system and accessing the subfolders of that external drive feels a lot snappier on Lion than on my iMac with SL. When the disc is disconnected it looks like this on my desktop. http://cl.ly/2B06333S2X2o2X1m1a15Ammaross - Wednesday, May 4, 2011 - link
They're likely just caching the folder hierarchy in RAM. Accessing subfolders on EXT2/3/4 in Linux (especially using a GUI) is/was a fairly slow ordeal. Perhaps they're just trying to speed up the process?tipoo - Wednesday, May 4, 2011 - link
So OSX is getting Superfetch?Will Robinson - Wednesday, May 4, 2011 - link
LOL...nicemichael2k - Wednesday, May 4, 2011 - link
It's there if you try to customize an iMac. It's not available at the lowest price point, but all the other models have it.tipoo - Wednesday, May 4, 2011 - link
An SSD is an option. There is no mention of it being used as a cache drive.michael2k - Thursday, May 5, 2011 - link
You're correct.On the flip side, much the same effect could be had by installing the OS on the SSD (for fast boot, application launch, and library access) while placing the user folder, or more specifically, the music, movie, and picture folder, on the HDD.
At this point we're still a month away from knowing what Apple is doing with the SSD.
Foggg - Wednesday, May 4, 2011 - link
<blockquote>Z68 incorporates features that Apple doesn't seem to use in the new iMac (SSD caching, overclocking)</blockquote>Unlike the earlier chipsets, Z68 also features QuickSync encoding via the SB integrated GPU in systems that have a discrete GPU like the iMac. Apple should support that.
LtGoonRush - Wednesday, May 4, 2011 - link
The Z68 also adds PCI-Express port bifurcation support over H67 I believe, could this be how Apple provided adequate bandwidth to the Thunderbolt controller?Penti - Thursday, May 5, 2011 - link
x4 PCI-Express 2.0 lanes should be plenty enough in of itself. There's no pci-express switch so. That's 2000 MB/s or 16 Gigabit/s for the Thunderbolt IC. Which can't establish more then 4 PCI-Expresslanes any way. That the data transport is 10 Gigabit/s doesn't matter here, so is PCI-Express x2 thanks to it's 8b/10b encoding. Most simple devices maybe won't be using two lanes any way. The only other (other then graphics which sits on the cpu's pci-express lanes) PCI-Express hardware appears to be the wireless and LAN/NIC. So they should even have two lanes left over. x8 PCI-Express 2.0 is more then enough for a computer like this.gilesrulz - Wednesday, May 4, 2011 - link
It wouldn't be the first time Apple bought into a chipset that had features which never made it to the Macs that contained them.um8ra - Wednesday, May 4, 2011 - link
Does anyone know were I to add 2x4GB of ram to the 2x2GB would this slow down ram performance? Essentially my question is whether or not this chipset is dual, triple or quad(?) channel in terms of memory?Thanks.
HilbertSpace - Wednesday, May 4, 2011 - link
LGA 1155 (iMac) is Dual channel - but I wouldn't worry about it slowing things down - only if you're doing HPC or something would it be very noticeable.Kristian Vättö - Thursday, May 5, 2011 - link
The IMC supports only dual-channeling and it has two channels so adding 2x4GB should not slow down the RAM bandwidth. At any case, you wouldn't notice the difference between RAM bandwidth.chenheihei - Thursday, May 5, 2011 - link
goodvision33r - Thursday, May 5, 2011 - link
So that's how Apple proceeded production without delays.ltcommanderdata - Thursday, May 5, 2011 - link
This isn't the first Apple first dibs treatment with Sandy Bridge. Apple bypassed the SATA problem in the Sandy Bridge MacBook Pros that launch earlier by getting first dibs on the fixed B3 stepping of the H67. They are now getting first dibs on the Z68, presumably because they wanted the additional SSD caching and QuickSync/discrete GPU support.Dr.Kamiya - Thursday, May 5, 2011 - link
Over here in South East Asia we've had the Gigabyte Z68-UD7 in stores for almost a week now.flyvog6 - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 - link
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flyvog6 - Tuesday, May 17, 2011 - link
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aa0101bb - Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - link
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