One of the key fundamental ideas of the redesigned Mac Pro is its high modularity. This means that you can customize it to your needs, not only before you buy, but also after. A key element of this concept is Apple’s MPX module system.
So what exactly are MPX modules for Mac Pro? What are they for and what components do they cover? And, more importantly, are they worth your money? That’s what we’re going to cover in this article.
We’ve already looked at the Afterburner tab for Mac Pro, so check out that article if you need more information on that particular component.
What are MPX modules for?
Image used with permission of the copyright holder
Each MPX module (short for Mac Pro Expansion Module) is essentially a pre-packaged box that contains everything you need to run an internal component. No configuration required, just plug the entire MPX module into the appropriate PCIe slot on the Mac Pro motherboard and away you go. You can later swap it out for another MPX module if you want. Currently, Apple offers two main categories of MPX module kits: graphics and storage.
Most graphics MPX modules contain a single GPU, ranging from AMD Radeon Pro 580X to AMD Radeon Pro Vega II. However, there is also an option to install AMD Radeon Pro Vega II Duo. This single MPX module actually contains two GPUs connected by an Infinity Fabric Link. This allows incredibly fast data transfer between GPUs.
In fact, you can install two AMD Radeon Pro Vega II Duo MPX modules, giving your Mac Pro a total of four GPUs. This provides a huge amount of graphics power — a total of 128 GB of video RAM — which is perfect for intensive workloads.
The higher-end graphics cards available in the MPX modules give you an array of Thunderbolt 3 ports on the back of the module, as well as a single HDMI 2.0 port. On the other hand, the AMD Radeon Pro 580X MPX module has only two HDMI 2.0 ports. However, all MPX graphics modules provide power to the Thunderbolt 3 ports on the top and back of the Mac Pro.
If you want additional storage, Apple sells the Promise Pegasus R4i MPX RAID MPX module. This gives you 32TB of additional storage space (as a 7200rpm SATA HDD), massively increasing the 8TB maximum storage you can get with the Mac Pro.
Although there has been no official announcement from Apple, it is possible that the company will offer more MPX modules in the future. Given that the Mac Pro is built on a foundation of modularity, we wouldn’t be surprised if other components get the MPX module treatment in the future.
Are MPX modules your only options?
If a third-party graphics card works with eGPU in MacOS, chances are it will work in a Mac Pro image used with permission of the copyright holder
Not. When you look at Apple’s spec sheet, there are many expansion options available to you. Each MPX bay provides x16 gen 3 bandwidth for graphics, x8 gen 3 bandwidth for Thunderbolt and DisplayPort video routing when used with an MPX module. But you don’t have to stick with Apple’s MPX modules. If you’re using third-party PCIe expansion cards, you’ll get either one full-length, double-width x16 gen 3 slot and one full-length, double-width x8 gen 3 slot (in MPX bay 1) or two full-length, x16 gen 3 double-width slots. (in MPX tray 2).
Apple designed the Mac Pro so that you can install third-party graphics cards and expansion options into the MPX module slots. This means that if you already have a powerful graphics card and want to keep using it, you don’t have to give it up.
Any graphics card that can be used in an eGPU box with a Mac can be installed directly into the Mac Pro. However, there are a few things you need to be aware of. First, if you want to use an Nvidia GPU in Windows using Boot Camp, Apple advises that you should not install it in slot 2. And second, each PCIe slot provides 300W of power to third-party graphics cards (but 500W to the MPX module slot). If your GPU requires more than 300W of power, you’ll need to purchase a Belkin AUX power cable to provide it with additional power.
Those same PCIe slots work with a variety of other PCIe cards, not just GPUs. For example, Apple says you can install “optical channel cards, fiber optic network cards, and professional video and audio interface cards” in the Mac Pro. This gives you plenty of expansion options outside of the MPX module route.
Which MPX modules to choose?
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
Apple offers a lot of choices when it comes to MPX modules for the Mac Pro, and choosing the right one depends largely on your workload and budget. Additionally, whether you have existing hardware that you want to use in your Mac Pro will affect our decision.
For example, if you already have a powerful graphics card and want to use it, it would be best to opt for the AMD Radeon Pro 580X MPX Module. This wouldn’t add anything to the price of the Mac Pro, and you could trade it in for your own GPU when the computer arrives.
However, Apple’s higher-end GPU capabilities will likely be much more powerful than anything you already have. If you have extremely demanding workloads and don’t mind paying for the best performance, the ability to have two AMD Radeon Pro Vega II Duos in your Mac Pro (for a total of four GPUs) is very hard to beat. We already know that the Mac Pro is incredibly powerful, and the kind of performance this GPU configuration offers will blow away everything else.
If you’re seriously considering a Mac Pro, then it’s likely that you already work with large files and therefore probably already have a large storage solution. The Mac Pro is already well equipped for this, as its dual 10Gb Ethernet ports allow you to connect to an external file server or storage device and transfer files incredibly quickly. If you prefer your storage to be connected internally, then the Promise Pegasus MPX module is worth considering, but we think most users will probably have their storage sorted already. Unless you have a specific need for the Promise Pegasus MPX module, it might be best to avoid it.
Most importantly, the modular design greatly extends the longevity of the Mac Pro. This is essential when you are making such an expensive investment.
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Source: newstars.edu.vn