2GHz PPCs?

[Kela]

Blakespot...

No i don't debate this as I know Athlon processors are very good. However, why don't i tell you a configuration which will prove my point. You are aware that the G4 processor has something called the Velocity Engine. (like broadband for bytes) It can stuff way more bytes through at a time. Do you know what the G4 533 dual (AND I MEAN DUAL PROCESSOR) is capable of? Add 256MB ram to this with the top of the line N-vidia, youre talking speed which is undebatable. Look simple math:

1 G4/400 = PIII/700 right?

so a G4/533 (dual) = almost PIII/2.1GHZ

and since mathematically, and logically, the velocity engine acts like a broadband on data, the increase (i.e in doubling the processor) has a multiplier or exponential effect on speed. Its like taking the radius of a sphere and enlarging it by a factor of 2, but the volume increases by more than 2. By the ways, soon they are introducing the G4/ 733 MHZ which could equal almost a 2.5-2.6GHZ equivalent PIII.

 

[MacRumors]

Speed

I am not sure that I believe that your assesment of speed as far as G4 vs PIII. Yes--AltiVec is great. And the OS (X) makes good use of it. But most other apps do not. And those that do not, benefit not from it. A G3 400 is exactly the same speed as a G4 400 at running non-AltiVec enhanced code. Higher G4's have had some improvements in cache that help them out. Also remember that 2 400MHz CPU's do not equal 1 800MHz CPU. In an optimal situation, the dual processor, half clock processors will come close to the speed of the single, double clock CPU. But that's running apps coded to take advantage of multiprocessing. OS X does, and it does a good job of scheduling apps on the dual CPU's...but It's not twice the speed of one of it's processors.

Again...I will likely get a Dual G4 733 Q1 '02, so my arguing is not that of a "deserter" - I am just pointing out some issues.



blakespot

 

[Kela]

So youre saying that...

I stand corrected. Thankyou for the added insight. So in the end are you saying that PCs are faster or Macs? I mean, the Dual G4/733 youre going to get with 256 MB ram, wouldn't that outrun the latest PC? (on programs that use altivec?) Please say yes.

 

[blakespot]

On programs that run AltiVec, I'd say yes.

My concern is that most don't. OS X does (the OS itself) but it still feels sluggish (on the fastest G4's currently) becuase of the demands the Quartz 2D engine puts on the system. I feel eventually that better drivers will be written to allow even exsiting moderate boards (Rage 128, etc.) to offload some of the calcs to the video card.

Quartz is the interface between the user and OS X, and it being sluggish gives a very convincing feeling that the OS itself is sluggish. This is why I pointed out that for OS ops, my 68040 33MHz, 32MB RAM NeXTStation Turbo Color feels faster than OS X on my B&W G3 400, 512MB RAM. (And as you know, OS X is based on NeXTSTEP.)

I feel things will get better.

Anyway--off to the Tysons Apple Store. Will come back w/ photos a-plenty for the site.



bp

 

[Kela]

Fair enough

On another subject, these new retail stores are going to be another hit in Steves Job's strategy! They are truly what Apple needs, also on a World Wide level. I was in Dubai 3 weeks ago and OH MY GOD!!! I went to the "only" retailer in the city and there was this women sitting there so disgusted with life itself, she didn't even care to assist me. I was then shocked to see that they were showpiecing Director 4.0!! Director 8.5 is already out!! Then I said I would like to purchase a titanium G4. She said, shed never heard of it. The prices were domestically inflated too!! I mean, Apple PR in Calif should know about this treachory going on!! The situation at the GRAVIS stores in Germany isn't too much better. Apple is a product that deserves so much better publicity (world wide).

 

[blakespot]

BIGAD

Yea, the Apple store is a win. It would be hard for them to have all of them be profitable, even with massive sales, but that's acceptable (and predicted, I'm sure) as the main point of the store is not to be massive profit engines, but to be a massive interactive advertisement. Familiarize the common man with the Mac, etc. Excellent plan, I'd say.

Well, I'm off!



bp