Dual G4 450 or Single G4 1.25

Single 1.25gHz, hands down.

If you are going with Apple's specs, the dual 450 has:

Bus Speed: 100 Mhz
Data Path: 64 bit
RAM Type: PC100
Mininum RAM Speed: 133 Mhz
Maximum RAM: 2 GB

Level 1 Cache: 32 k data, 32k instruction
Level 2 Cache: 1 MB backside, 1:2
Video Card: ATI RAGE 128 Pro
VRAM: 16 MB

==========================
Whereas the 1.25 has:

Bus Speed: 166 Mhz
Data Path: 64 bit
ROM: 1 MB ROM + 3 MB toolbox ROM loaded into RAM
RAM Type: PC2700 DDR
Mininum RAM Speed: 333 Mhz

Level 1 Cache: 32 k data, 32k instruction
Level 2 Cache: 256 kb on-chip, 1:1
Level 3 Cache: 1 MB DDR SDRAM per-processor, 1:4 (2 MB for 2x 1.25 Ghz)
Video Card: ATI Radeon 9000 Pro
VRAM: 64 MB
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Thats a significant difference, and not just because of the processor. FSB and type of ram is very important. Besides, I dont think the 450 and the 1.25 CAN have the same video card, and I know it cant take the same type of ram. The single 1.25 is a better choice, not just because of the processor speed, but the architecture of the box as well.

Dont forget, a dual machine doesnt mean it runs twice as FAST, it can just do threaded tasks simultaneously.

1.25GHz

Next.

The difference, in essence, is this:

I've got a dual-450 MHz G4 on my desk.

I WISH I had a 1.25 GHz G4 on my desk, even a single-processor model.

'Nuff said?

Val

the duals are going pretty good on ebay right now... (as in 600+ for the machine) (more or less, depending on config), so that would take a nice chunk out of the cost of a new machine.

the video card alone would make a nice difference - the actual proc speed from what i've heard (from others who have made similar switches) doesn't make too big of a difference, but X does love its vid ram... and it would run panther pretty sweet... 🙂

oh, and if you decide on that 1.25, and you just feel like getting rid of that 2 x 450, *cough* give me a call 🙂

matt