PowerMac G5, iMac G5, eMac Specs

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif

ThinkSecret cites "highly reliable" source to provide us with detailed specs about upcoming hardware releases.

The new PowerMacs are said to top out at 2.7GHz in the following configurations:

Dual 2.0GHz, Dual 2.3GHz and Dual 2.7GHz with 512MB RAM featuring SuperDrives with dual-layer DVD+R support. No reliable info if the new processors will offer the multi-core 970MP or not.

The iMac G5 will reach 2GHz with two 17" and one 20" configuration, while the eMac will come with 1.25 and 1.42 GHz G4 processors as well an upgraded video card (64MB ATI Radeon 9600) to take advantage of Tiger's Core Image.

[JRM PowerPod]

Cool, just need dual core info

HERE WE GO

Revealed: New Power Mac G5, iMac G5, eMac Specs


By Ryan Katz, Senior Editor
April 14, 2005 - Highly reliable sources have confirmed the specifications of Apple's forthcoming revisions to its Power Mac G5, iMac G5 and eMac systems, expected to start shipping within a few days of Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger's April 29th release.

New Power Mac G5 systems, code-named Q87, will top out at 2.7GHz, sources said, while video cards are being upgraded with double the SDRAM. All models will feature SuperDrives offering dual-layer DVD+R support, as well as DVD±RW/CD-RW compatibility.

Three primary configurations will be offered with the following specifications:
Dual-2GHz
512K L2 cache per processor
Dual 1GHz frontside buses
512MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM (4GB max.)
160GB Serial ATA Hard Drive
128MB DDR SDRAM ATI Radeon 9600 video card

Dual-2.3GHz
512K L2 cache per processor
Dual 1.15GHz frontside buses
512MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM (8GB max.)
250GB Serial ATA Hard Drive
128MB DDR SDRAM ATI Radeon 9600 video card

Dual-2.7GHz
512K L2 cache per processor
Dual 1.35GHz frontside buses
512MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM (8GB max.)
250GB Serial ATA Hard Drive
256MB DDR SDRAM ATI Radeon 9650 video card

Sources were unable to confirm at this time whether the systems will sport the dual-core PowerPC 970MP processor or the single-core PowerPC 970GX, although unconfirmed notes point to the PowerPC 970MP. The second core would deliver performance gains far greater than the 200-300MHz bumps each processor is receiving alone with the update.

Also uncertain is whether a more affordable single-processor Power Mac G5 system will continue to be offered. After axing the model with last June's Power Mac G5 revision, Apple re-introduced the less expensive 1.8GHz single-processor system in October 2004.

iMac G5, eMac

As first reported over a month ago, the updated iMac G5, code-named Q45 C/D, will reach 2GHz, while video memory is doubled to 128MB and the card itself upgraded to ATI's Radeon 9600. All models will also feature Bluetooth 2.0 and will ship pre-installed with Tiger and iLife '05.

Two 17-inch and one 20-inch model will continue to be offered in the following configurations:

"Good" 17-inch, 1.8GHz
512K L2 cache
512MB DDR SDRAM
160GB Serial ATA Hard Drive
Combo Drive (CD-RW/DVD-ROM)

"Better" 17-inch, 2GHz
512K L2 cache
512MB DDR SDRAM
160GB Serial ATA Hard Drive
SuperDrive (supporting dual-layer as well as DVD±RW/CD-RW burning)

"Best" 20-inch, 2GHz
512K L2 cache
512MB DDR SDRAM
250GB Serial ATA Hard Drive

SuperDrive (supporting dual-layer as well as DVD±RW/CD-RW burning)
Other specifications will remain unchanged; pricing is expected to remain in line with current models.

Two eMac models, code-named Q86J, will continue to be available and will have their G4 processors bumped from 1.25GHz to 1.42GHz. The eMacs will also see their 32MB ATI Radeon 9200 video card upgraded to a 64MB ATI Radeon 9600 card, to take full advantage of new graphics capabilities found in Tiger's Core Image technology.

The low-end, Combo Drive eMac will feature 256MB of DDR SDRAM and an 80MB hard drive, while the SuperDrive eMac will pack 512MB of DDR SDRAM and a 160GB hard drive. Like the Power Mac G5 and iMac G5, the SuperDrive eMac will be capable of burning to dual-layer DVD+R media, as well as DVD±RW and CD-RW. It's unclear whether prices will be shaved slightly or remain the same.

[clykins90]

Originally Posted by JRM PowerPod

The low-end, Combo Drive eMac will feature 256MB of DDR SDRAM and an 80MB hard drive

lol, 80MB??

[ManchesterTrix]

Originally Posted by clykins90

lol, 80MB??

I sure hope it's OS 7.5.5 bootable

[morespce54]

Originally Posted by ManchesterTrix

I sure hope it's OS 7.5.5 bootable

[sarcasm]
You know what I would like to see also?
iPod but with color screen!!!! Maybe with a HD that can hold up to...lets say... 60GB!

Oh My! Where was I for the last 24 months???
[/sarcasm]

[jbrown]

When will they hit three

[superkatalog]

hm. for how many money.. that ist the question for me.

[macridah]

512 MB standard is much better but should of been done a while ago.

iMac hitting 2 GHz is cool, that's what I've been waiting for.

With these upgrades, I also hope the price comes down.

[RowdyBacon]

If this information is indeed accurate, I'd say there's a very good chance that the processors are the 970MP variants. Considering that Apple has been employing 2Ghz and 2.3Ghz G5 processors for some time now (XServe and PowerMac), it seems rather unlikely they'd simply reshuffle the current PowerMac line with revised/speed-bumped "old generation" G5s. It would be a less-than-impressive model refresh to say the least.

However, if these new machines are sporting the dual-core G5s, then the apparent minor speed bump would be anything but minor!

[AppleFoussa]

Originally Posted by jbrown

When will they hit three

Seriously though! Apple isgoing little step by lil step. THat is if the rumors are true. dual 3.0 would be Phat.

[cgc]

Originally Posted by jbrown

When will they hit three

Doesn't really matter. You're saying that 3.0GHz is the magic number, but that's only .3GHz faster than the current projections. When will they go 970MP is the big question.

[w_parietti22]

Originally Posted by jbrown

When will they hit three

lol. Three processors would be nice... but I think the current Dual 2.5 liquid cooling system is way to expensive already and can't handel a "tri" 3ghz.

[Zaty]

Originally Posted by Macrumors

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif

ThinkSecret cites "highly reliable" source to provide us with detailed specs about upcoming hardware releases.

The new PowerMacs are said to top out at 2.7GHz in the following configurations:

Dual 2.0GHz, Dual 2.3GHz and Dual 2.7GHz with 512MB RAM featuring SuperDrives with dual-layer DVD+R support. No reliable info if the new processors will offer the multi-core 970MP or not.

The iMac G5 will reach 2GHz with two 17" and one 20" configuration, while the eMac will come with 1.25 and 1.42 GHz G4 processors as well an upgraded video card (64MB ATI Radeon 9600) to take advantage of Tiger's Core Image.

While the upgrades for iMacs and eMacs are great (except for the 256 MB RAM at the low-end), the value of the PM upgrades depends on the CPU. While a dual 2.7 GHz 970MP would be amazing (it would probably be faster than a dual 3.0 GHz 970FX/GX system), a dual 2.7 GHz FX/GX system wouldn't be a huge improvement, given the time since the last update. ONTH, better GPUs and better SuperDrives along with lower prices could still improve the value of such a system even if it's "only" a FX/GX CPU.

[MacRy]

Not a huge increase in the top end. They must be struggling with those G5's.

[bosrs1]

Originally Posted by MacRy

Not a huge increase in the top end. They must be struggling with those G5's.

I agree. I was hoping they'd FINALLY deliver on the Dual 3. I would have traded up my Dual 1.8 for that. Now I'm not sure it's worth it.

[CaptainCaveMann]

Originally Posted by MacRy

Not a huge increase in the top end. They must be struggling with those G5's.

Ya no kidding! 2.7!!????? Come on Apple!!! We were supposed to hit 3.0 by now. This is rediculous. 2.7 is merely a 3.0 tease. I would say Apple is MORE than struggling with the g5.

[d.perel]

Originally Posted by CaptainCaveMann

Ya no kidding! 2.7!!????? Come on Apple!!! We were supposed to hit 3.0 by now. This is rediculous. 2.7 is merely a 3.0 tease. I would say Apple is MORE than struggling with the g5.

Don't forget, this is only a rumor. For all we know, there could be a 3.8 ghz in steve's garage

[rockthecasbah]

i sent that story in, too...woot. Very dissapointing about the Power Macs not reaching 3ghz though. iMacs sound awesome though, they will sell a ton...

[toontra]

If the Powermacs don't have the dual-core processors then these specs will leave me totally underwhelmed, not to say pissed-off.

If they are dual-core, I'll want to see benchmark tests to work out what the benefits are.

Welcome boost in RAM, hard disk size, etc, but after all this time we want a big boost in performance, not trifles.

[ewinemiller]

Originally Posted by toontra

If the Powermacs don't have the dual-core processors then these specs will leave me totally underwhelmed, not to say pissed-off.

If they are dual-core, I'll want to see benchmark tests to work out what the benefits are.

Welcome boost in RAM, hard disk size, etc, but after all this time we want a big boost in performance, not trifles.

I have to agree...unless there is a large price drop instead. I'm in the market for a new Mac. If there is a dual-core dual 2.7 it will be irresistable even at a high price point. If the dual 2.0 comes in at $1600, it will also be irresistable just because of the value.

[deanbo]

Was an extra 200mhz all IBM could manage after all this time?

[coolfactor]

Originally Posted by toontra

Welcome boost in RAM, hard disk size, etc, but after all this time we want a big boost in performance, not trifles.

We're getting a big boost in performance -- with a more efficient operating system, Tiger!

Silly boy.

[broken_keyboard]

Pretty disappointing that they didn't make 3GHz on the PM. Doesn't the Intel Pentium 4 Extreme 840 go at 4GHz?

I was super sure I wanted to upgrade my 2003 Dual 2.0 but will have to wait and see now.

[aswitcher]

The most important updates here to my mind are the VRAM updates on the iMacs...and decent ram minimums. I expect this to keep sales high, especially if they can drop the 20" down a few bucks as well.

I still think they should produce a Deluxe/Royale version of the 20" with a Gig of ram, WiFi, BT Keyboard and Mouse so people can buy it straight from the store without CTOs or fiddling with them. Surely of the 20"s this would be a popular config...

[Stella]

Intel are playing the Mhz game... the P4 running @ 4 Ghz isn't necessarily faster than processors running at lower clock rates.

Anyway, its about time Apple provided good graphic cards - the 9600 is a nice card.. the memory too..