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Should I buy this G5?

Angelo95210

Angelo95210

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jan 7, 2009
972
15
Paris, France
Hi guys

I am about to buy a Powermac G5 single 1.8GHz with Geforce FX5200 and 768 MB RAM for €130 (about USD170).

I don't know the exact version, looking at Mac Tracker, it can be both a PM7,2 or PM9,1.

I am planning to upgrade the RAM and to use this mac as my second computer to do some work with InDesign CS3. What do you think? I already have Intel macs.
 
Angelo95210 said:
Hi guys

I am about to buy a Powermac G5 single 1.8GHz with Geforce FX5200 and 768 MB RAM for €130 (about USD170).

I don't know the exact version, looking at Mac Tracker, it can be both a PM7,2 or PM9,1.

I am planning to upgrade the RAM and to use this mac as my second computer to do some work with InDesign CS3. What do you think? I already have Intel macs.
Click to expand...

How is using your existing computer less desirable than spending money on an outdated machine in order to do one thing?
 
Angelo95210 said:
Hi guys

I am about to buy a Powermac G5 single 1.8GHz with Geforce FX5200 and 768 MB RAM for €130 (about USD170).

I don't know the exact version, looking at Mac Tracker, it can be both a PM7,2 or PM9,1.

I am planning to upgrade the RAM and to use this mac as my second computer to do some work with InDesign CS3. What do you think? I already have Intel macs.
Click to expand...

I paid 160 Euro for my G5 with 2.5GB DP 2.0Ghz 160GB HDD and the same graphic card. It came with the original packaging, key board, mouse, modem, PS elements w/license and original restore disks..I live in Stuttgart, while not as large a Paris is no little village.

Just a point of reference
 
So you let strangers on the net decide what you buy? Not much of an independent thinker are you?
 
TBH, I wouldn't invest any money in any PPC. Compared to any Intel machine, they're slow, hot and consume more power than they're worth. You're far better buying a cheap second hand Intel machine off eBay.

zen.state said:
So you let strangers on the net decide what you buy? Not much of an independent thinker are you?
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So why exactly are you on a forum anyway? What exactly is the purpose of any forum? It's a place for people to share thoughts and opinions. Where else would he go to ask such a question? Maybe read a 'strangers opinion' on some blog or second mac site?
 
sammich said:
So why exactly are you on a forum anyway? What exactly is the purpose of any forum? It's a place for people to share thoughts and opinions. Where else would he go to ask such a question? Maybe read a 'strangers opinion' on some blog or second mac site?
Click to expand...

Most people seem to think it's a place for other people to figure out everything in their computing life. Then there are people like yourself who are limited by your own understanding and ability to use hardware properly if you somehow need Intel to compute.

You certainly are happy to share your ignorance of hardware and clearly show no ability to get by on older hardware by using something called "computer skills".

Pointing out a lack of independence is no less helpful than your ignorant statement on PowerPC hardware.

A forum should also be a place to share ideas and experience. Not simply an answer machine for the google or thought inept.
 
sammich said:
TBH, I wouldn't invest any money in any PPC. Compared to any Intel machine, they're slow, hot and consume more power than they're worth. You're far better buying a cheap second hand Intel machine off eBay.



So why exactly are you on a forum anyway? What exactly is the purpose of any forum? It's a place for people to share thoughts and opinions. Where else would he go to ask such a question? Maybe read a 'strangers opinion' on some blog or second mac site?
Click to expand...

Never mind that OP has an Intel Mac like most of us do.

This was more of a; is this a good price thread vs. should I buy a PowerPC.

Can't we have our pleasant hobbies? The leaps sidways... geeezzz..
 
zen.state said:
Most people seem to think it's a place for other people to figure out everything in their computing life. Then there are people like yourself who are limited by your own understanding and ability to use hardware properly if you somehow need Intel to compute.

You certainly are happy to share your ignorance of hardware and clearly show no ability to get by on older hardware by using something called "computer skills".

Pointing out a lack of independence is no less helpful than your ignorant statement on PowerPC hardware.

A forum should also be a place to share ideas and experience. Not simply an answer machine for the google or thought inept.
Click to expand...
Did you just one day wake up with the knowledge you currently have or did you seek advice from others along the way?

Advice, purely what this thread is about.

If you ain't willing to offer any, then keep the trolling for under the bridge.

@OP - If you feel that the G5 will satisfy a need that you have for your daily computing, then at that price, go for it. But, I'd look at what your current Mac can offer you as a substitute to what the G5 offers. The software you mentioned, I'm not familiar with.
 
zen.state said:
Most people seem to think it's a place for other people to figure out everything in their computing life. Then there are people like yourself who are limited by your own understanding and ability to use hardware properly if you somehow need Intel to compute.

You certainly are happy to share your ignorance of hardware and clearly show no ability to get by on older hardware by using something called "computer skills".

Pointing out a lack of independence is no less helpful than your ignorant statement on PowerPC hardware.

A forum should also be a place to share ideas and experience. Not simply an answer machine for the google or thought inept.
Click to expand...

You must've taken a wrong turn somewhere on your way to the 'bash people for no legitimate reason' forums.

Or else, I've managed to stumbled onto a thread where people offer helpful advice such as: 'think for yourself'.

You could've answered the other parts of his question, such as the usage of InDesign, which would be much smoother on just about any Intel Mac, or the question of value, for which almost any Mac Mini would offer in place of the Power Mac. I don't have a personal beef with a G5, it mightn't necessarily be a bad machine, but you could get better value elsewhere.

I don't know about you, but I don't come here to start a fight. You're probably having a bad day. Hope it gets better for you.

EDIT: Oh, I see what I've done now. sees the PPCs in zen.state's sig

EDIT 2: I'm not going to start another post on this, so, in continuance:

If you're going to complain about people not 'being independent thinkers and researchers', boy do I have warn you about this new thing called: The Internet. I'm all for what you're saying, it's just that saying it, doesn't add anything to the conversation. It would be like me telling people to fix up the spelling and grammatical errors. It just doesn't help.
 
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If telling someone to be more independent and self sustaining is trolling then I will happily call myself a troll. It's much better than the alternative of embracing and helping uselessness.

What can people do in life when real problems happen? How can someone ever make serious choices in life when they need help on an extremely simple one.

Doing research and consulting your own sense is always good. That way you know what you learned in a concrete way rather than having some stranger spoon feed you their own opinion which in places like this opinion is often a companion of ignorance.
 
zen.state said:
If telling someone to be more independent and self sustaining is trolling then I will happily call myself a troll. It's much better than the alternative of embracing and helping uselessness.

What can people do in life when real problems happen? How can someone ever make serious choices in life when they need help on an extremely simple one.

Doing research and consulting your own sense is always good. That way you know what you learned in a concrete way rather than having some stranger spoon feed you their own opinion which in places like this opinion is often a companion of ignorance.
Click to expand...

I don't know why you inspire so much ill will..
 
You have a forum that specialises in the subject matter and a unique case scenario that you can make a quick thread about and get enthusiasts of the topic at hand to pass off some experience, tips and suggestions etc.

That is worth far more than doing Google Search after Google Search after Google Search. Granted, that's a good accompaniment, but if someone is unsure of something, then interacting with fellow users (and a lot of them experienced users, allegedly, you included in that) is a sure fire way to put your mind at ease or guide you in what should be a more successful direction than should you have ventured based purely off said searches.

Its kind of ironic really, this guy starts a thread off and gets certain answers, someone down the line will search for the same subject matter (be it on here directly or via a search engine) and the helpful answers will help him, how did you put it, be more independent and self sustaining, because people have helped him out.

So, instead of treating people like dog s***e because you think you know more than them, spread that alleged wealth of knowledge and help him and anyone else that stumbles upon this afterwards that is trying to be "self sustaining".
 
Angelo95210 said:
Hi guys

I am about to buy a Powermac G5 single 1.8GHz with Geforce FX5200 and 768 MB RAM for €130 (about USD170).

I don't know the exact version, looking at Mac Tracker, it can be both a PM7,2 or PM9,1.

I am planning to upgrade the RAM and to use this mac as my second computer to do some work with InDesign CS3. What do you think? I already have Intel macs.
Click to expand...

I bought a Dual Processor 1.8gzh G5, with 8gb of ram, and an FX5200 for 50 USD, so I am unsure as if 170 sounds like alot for that G5. Mine didn't come with a keyboard or mouse tho. It's in like new condition.

I don't use my G5 as my Main Machine, I have a Beast of a Windows 7 that I use as my main machine, but for older games, and some cool old programs, and general browsing/surfing and all that, I use the Mac, its a good purchase.

Just depends on if you feel its worth it to have a second machine. Just be away that newer Mac programs Won't run on it, its very antiquated, not because it isn't a capable computer, there is just almost zero power PC support left. But, its a cool computer and the choice is up to you. The only problem when I use mine, is that I feel so limited compared to a Windows machine, then again I get that feeling with all Macs lol
 
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Every time someone uses heat when talking about powerpc machines I can't help but laugh. I think of every intel and amd equipped machine I have ever owned and the heat just doesn't compare. One exception was my old dell 8600 with the 1.4 pentium m processor. My G5 hardly ever if never ramps those fans up to high speed. Your experience may vary.
 
G5 Mac Daddy said:
Every time someone uses heat when talking about powerpc machines I can't help but laugh. I think of every intel and amd equipped machine I have ever owned and the heat just doesn't compare. One exception was my old dell 8600 with the 1.4 pentium m processor. My G5 hardly ever if never ramps those fans up to high speed. Your experience may vary.
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I don't know what G5 your using, but my 1.8 Dual Processor G5, with 8 gigs of ram and an FX5200 video card starts getting LOUDDDDDDD Whenever I do any kind of processor intensive application, you should hear it during Doom 3, holy crap.

Not that It matters to me, its loud. But not loud enough to be annoying, and unless your super ocd about noise. I wouldn't let a noisy G5 stop me from buying one.
 
zigzagg321 said:
You would be correct.
Click to expand...

I agree. As cool as these computers are, and as I have said many times before, I love my G5, makes a great 2nd machine. And its my only Mac, and I like it so much, I might pick up some more old Macs, G3s, G4s and the like, just to have them. None of those iMac G3s ( the candy colored ones, I wanted to throw those out the window in high school ).

Problem is, no support = antiquated. Hell, my old Athlon 64 with 4 gigs of ram is less " antiquated " because I can still install modern programs, not so with PPC. I think what some people are trying to do is just let the OP know what he's getting into before he buys it. Not knocking PPC or anything.
 
G5 Mac Daddy said:
Every time someone uses heat when talking about powerpc machines I can't help but laugh. I think of every intel and amd equipped machine I have ever owned and the heat just doesn't compare. One exception was my old dell 8600 with the 1.4 pentium m processor. My G5 hardly ever if never ramps those fans up to high speed. Your experience may vary.
Click to expand...

https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/14390058/
 
See maybe doom 3 just kills that fx 5200.... well I know it kills it. Thats the wind tunnel you hear I bet.
 
If you want performance I'd say pickout the last generation PM G5, those dual cores or the quad. They use faster memory. A G5 is a G5 no matter what, it could never be an Intel Mac Pro. Performance results vary depending on the user expectations.
 
Ok thanks to all of you guys you replied. Including the flame guys. Actually like some of you said this is a forum for passionated people. We all know I will not use this computer for serious and productive work.

I decided to not buy this computer at the end...
 
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