Apple's iMac Pro now includes 10-core processors as standard

As part of a range of iMac upgrades on Tuesday, Apple has entirely dropped its original 8-core Xeon option for the iMac Pro in favor of a 10-core configuration at the same price.

Alongside its release of an updated 27-inch iMac, Apple has made a minor but significant chance to the iMac Pro. By changing the entry-level model to a 10-core Xeon processor configuration, it has made that more powerful option less expensive.

The original 8-core Xeon base configuration is no longer available even as a build-to-order option. Instead, while iMac Pro prices still start at $4,999, the standard model now comes with a 10-core Xeon processor which previously cost around $800 more (deals are already available, however).

Apple has not changed any of the other specifications of the iMac Pro, and the online Apple Store hasn't given it the "New" label that it has previous put on similarly minor specification changes for the Mac mini.

In full, the iMac Pro's new base processor configuration is a 10-core 3.0GHz Intel Xeon W, with Turbo Boost up to 4.5GHz, and 23.75MB cache. The previous entry version was an 8-Core 3.2GHz Intel Xeon W, with Turbo Boost up to 4.2GHz, and 19MB cache.

The iMac Pro was launched in 2017, and has not been significantly updated since. Recent rumors have claimed that a version utilizing a mini LED display may be in the works.

While the iMac has not been redesigned either, the new release does feature a significant improvement compared to the iMac Pro. The new 27-inch iMac is available with a choice of standard or nano-texture glass, similar to the technology used on Apple's Pro Display XDR.

6 Comments

dysamoria 3430 comments · 12 Years

About 4 years ago

“New” computers that are the same 3-year-old computers, with the same base price, but with the base specs moved up slightly (CPU only?).

Ok, Apple...

razorpit 1793 comments · 17 Years

dysamoria said:

“New” computers that are the same 3-year-old computers, with the same base price, but with the base specs moved up slightly (CPU only?).

Ok, Apple...

What do you expect them to do at this point? It's still a pretty good machine. ASi will be here soon. Let's see how that changes things.

jellybelly 139 comments · 15 Years

I just checked specs and this updated iMac Pro still has DisplayPort 1.2. You cannot use the Apple 6K XDR Display with this 2020 iMac Pro.

I need two displays and two TB3 buses (four TB ports) for my professional photography, graphic design and some video work. I have an Apple. XDR 6K display which requires DisplayPort 1.3. Neither 27”iMac in 2017 or since then has offered both DisplayPort 1.3 and two TB3 buses And still don’t in mid 2020.

DisplayPort 1.3 was announced in Sept. 2014 and adopted soon thereafter in a Dell display.

Apple used DisplayPort 1.2 in 2017 for the iMac Pro, because Intel’s Xeon chipset that Apple used had that limitation. Today’s 2020 iMac Pro chipset still has that limitation!

Using a 2nd display eats up a lot of Thunderbolt 3 bus’s bandwidth, adversely degrading throughput of external SSD(s) connected to that bus. Therefore, the need for two TB3 buses. One for XDR Display and other bus for high speed data.

I’d settle for a non-Pro model if Apple added a 2nd TB3 bus.

I have the 16” MBP and it has two TB3 buses with a 6K XDR attached to one of the buses.
I don’t see why they couldn’t have added a 2nd bus to the new 27” iMac, as the 16” MBP i9 chipset supports two TB3 buses as well as DisplayPort 1.3. The i9 in the new 27” iMac supports both.

It just doesn’t make sense to get a Mac Pro for $6,000 to $8,000—plus getting another 6k or 5K monitor.

While I’m unhappy with Intel, I’m also unhappy with Apple. Anyone wanting a high end iMac and spending over $5,000 for an iMac for pro creative work, most likely needs a 2nd monitor along with very fast attached SSD for data.

I waited patiently for two years for an iMac upgrade. It could be a another year or two before we see an ASi iMac that suits creative pro needs.

caladanian 380 comments · 10 Years

How does this iMac Pro compares to the new iMac? A comparison soo , please. :smile:

flydog 1141 comments · 14 Years

dysamoria said:

“New” computers that are the same 3-year-old computers, with the same base price, but with the base specs moved up slightly (CPU only?).

Ok, Apple...

For a person who actually uses the power, the 10 core is 20% faster and now $800 cheaper.

if your main use case is downloading porn, then you won’t appreciate the changes.

And just FYI, Apple is not representing these as “new” models.