Apple Releases Dual Core PowerMac G5s

[myca]

What about the audio folk!

... are salivating. A dual dual cored G5 with enhanced RAM for faster editing and rendering, esp. HD. Dual NICs so they don't have to spend the extra little bit for the NIC needed for Xsan (pennies considering, but it's still a nice touch). PCIe for motion/maya performance and PCIe available Fibre Channel card (although I wonder if that will affect throughput..) all at the same price. Plus those folks who don't think those extra pixels and battery power on the PBs don't mean anything, ask any graphics pro. This is not insignificant. Just because these updates don't matter to you doesn't mean they don't matter to someone. Too bad we deployed our editing lab in August.

I've jusy been scouring some pro audio forums, although happy with the quad speed hike a few folk seem a bit unhappy about the death of PCI, I know PCI-express is a better technology, its just that for audio users there isn't anything out there yet that utilises this standard.
I wonder how long it will take companies like Digidesigns, MOTU and TC to come out with PCI-express perephials, until they do these updates ain't much use to Pro-audio users, but I guess we'll just have to wait for these companies to play catch up.
p.s. I want a quad mac running Logic Pro with 4 TC Powercore and 4 UAD1 card running through a magma chassis, shame that it ain't gonna happen any time soon (not that I can afford it anyway)

 

[risc]

Well not when the GeForce 7800 GT shows up in the store as a BTO or ATI release a current retail card for them.


http://www.apple.com/powermac/graphics.html

Yes and that is why I said the CURRENT cards. Who knows when the 7800 will turn up?

 

[~Shard~]

Thank goodness!!! It sucks when you like reading someones posts and they drop the hammer on you.

I didn't mean to "drop the hammer" on you either, I just have seen your arguments time and time again from other people. Yes, of course it would be nice for Apple to include more RAM, but it just isn't going to happen. It would be nice if Windows wasn't bloatware as well, but yeah, it isn't going to happen.

 

[griz]

Dual Ethernet

Can someone help me understand the need for two ethernet ports on a server? I have been racking my brain trying to figure out what the use would be. And I know that all (most) server class machines have them.

I'm curious about this too. Can anyone tell me if it is possible to utilize the 2 ports to double network transfer speeds? We have a server (Non mac) which has 4-Gigabit links into the switch. Can the new Powermac bridge its two connections and send data to a switch at 2Gigabit? This would kick so much A!!

 

[CrowSong]

Quad G5 - woo hoo!

Just placed my order for the Quad G5, guys! Yipee! Moving up from a 933MHz G4.

 

[~Shard~]

Can someone help me understand the need for two ethernet ports on a server? I have been racking my brain trying to figure out what the use would be. And I know that all (most) server class machines have them.

I'm curious about this too. Can anyone tell me if it is possible to utilize the 2 ports to double network transfer speeds? We have a server (Non mac) which has 4-Gigabit links into the switch. Can the new Powermac bridge its two connections and send data to a switch at 2Gigabit? This would kick so much A!!

No, this is not the point of dual Ethernet ports. Dual Gigabit Ethernet is ideal for users in an Xsan environment that requires independent networks for metadata and general networking. In other words, you can simultaneously connect to private and public networks (i.e. Xsan and the Internet).

Just placed my order for the Quad G5, guys! Yipee! Moving up from a 933MHz G4.

Wow, that's going to be quite the speed difference you're going to notice!

 

[nospleen]

I didn't mean to "drop the hammer" on you either, I just have seen your arguments time and time again from other people. Yes, of course it would be nice for Apple to include more RAM, but it just isn't going to happen. It would be nice if Windows wasn't bloatware as well, but yeah, it isn't going to happen.

Okay, we are friends again.

 

[fpnc]

XBench Results for dual-core Power Macs

From http://media.99mac.se/g5_dualcore/

"Testresults Xbench 1.2

We have compared the new G5 DualCore 2.0GHz and 2.3GHz with a old watercooled G5 dual 2.5GHz. The dual 2.5GHz was equipped with a GeForce 6800 Ultra graphics card, not standard equipment. The DualCore 2.0 had a two-drive RAID-0 volume so the disk test is better than normal.

CPU Test:
2.3 Dualcore: 114,32
2.0 Dualcore: 101,55
2.5 Dual: 122,25

Thread test:
2.3 Dualcore: 113,74
2.0 Dualcore: 96,91
2.5 Dual: 125,90

Memory test:
2.3 Dualcore: 121,99
2.0 Dualcore: 110,32
2.5 Dual: 103,73

Quartz graphics:
2.3 Dualcore: 126,64
2.0 Dualcore: 107,07
2.5 Dual: 125,76

Open GL:
2.3 Dualcore: 135,38
2.0 Dualcore: 113,27
2.5 Dual: 125,63

User Interface:
2.3 Dualcore: 121,58
2.0 Dualcore: 118,98
2.5 Dual: 99,94

Disk Test:
2.3 Dualcore: 66,0
2.0 Dualcore 82,3 (2st harddrives RAID-1)
2.5 Dual: 69,3

TOTALS:
2.3 Dualcore: 108,7 (winner!)
2.0 Dualcore: 103,1
2.5 Dual: 105,9

As you can see the 2.3 GHz Dual Core machine is marginally faster than a water-cooled 2.5GHz Dual G5 with a souped-up graphics card. The largest difference is in memory performance, not in the actual processors according to our tests with Xbench. We want to point out that this testing method isn't completely failsafe but should mostly be seen as a hint of the new machine's performance.

Conclusion
The Power Macintosh G5 is better than ever and this is likely the last major update that we will see before the transition to Intel- processors. Apple has polished the details and the new processors gives some extra power. Because the exterior is largely exchanged this feels more like a "speedbump" even if the processor-switch is more significant than that.

Performance-wise, one Dual Core processor doesn't make for a large difference compared to two old G5 processors. We predict that the new Quad 2.5GHz Powermac will make for a performance increase of 70% or more."

 

[~Shard~]

Okay, we are friends again.

Good to hear it. I just find it amusing sometimes that no matter how great of an upgrade is released, people always find something to question. But, if we don't continue to demand better, the industry won't progress as fast!

 

[nospleen]

Good to hear it. I just find it amusing sometimes that no matter how great of an upgrade is released, people always find something to question. But, if we don't continue to demand better, the industry won't progress as fast!

I totally agree. I am generally on your end of those arguments. I even think the PB update is pretty decent. But, this one annoyed me for some reason. Maybe I am sick of seeing that damn 2.0 offered. It has been up there since rev A damnit!!

 

[iIra]

I like how Airport Extreme and BT are still BTO. 512 MB if RAM on a pro machine?

LOL

Nice upgrade, though. Can't wait to see the quad benchmarks when they ship in February.

This is the whole pro/consumer machine thing again. If you're some sort of professional who doesn't need AirPort or BT, they won't make you pay for it. It's standard on the mini because in the mind of the average home user, more features=better. The idea is to make th pro machines more configurable to suit the needs of the end-user. If they don't need it, don't put it in.

 

[EricNau]

OK...Sorry, this question has probably been answered 100 times today, but I can't find it.
Is there a webcast of the special event held today?

 

[~Shard~]

OK...Sorry, this question has probably been answered 100 times today, but I can't find it.
Is there a webcast of the special event held today?

Haven't seen anything on Apple's main site yet. Have been looking myself...

 

[p0intblank]

Ah, I'm so late into this thread!

Anyway, these updates are awesome! I've been waiting for a dual dual-core CPU config and now it is finally a reality! $3299 is a lot of money, but it can be had for $2999 with the .edu discount. Or maybe I'll settle for the mid-rangle model. Either way, I'm definitely going to get one of them very soon.

Thank you, Apple!

 

[EricNau]

Haven't seen anything on Apple's main site yet. Have been looking myself...

They don't have it posted where all the other special events are (Here)
I'm afraid they may never post one!

 

[aussie_geek]

I'm happy with my Dual 2.5 but wouldn't mind a Quad

Yep. Same here. No more PowerMac's for me until MacTel.

aussie_geek

 

[~Shard~]

Yep. Same here. No more PowerMac's for me until MacTel.

Just as long as you don't mind waiting until 2007.

 

[iIra]

You could get a mini. That's due next year sometime right? Not really a PowerMac, though.

This is sort of off-topic but does anyone else think MacTel sounds like a phone company?

 

[JCT]

Just as long as you don't mind waiting until 2007.

Not to mention the fun and excitement of a major Rev A hardware release

I figure a Quad G5 will tide me over for a good long time, probably stick my toe in the MacTel water with a new Powerbook (Rev B) .

JT

 

[BGil]

i just configured a dual dual core Intel machine over at DELL. Almost identical specs as the quad G5 (coudlnt get a dual layer burner though) and it came to about $4741. So i think $3300 is a fair price in relation to the computing world.

That's because the Dell dual Xeon is actually 8 logical processors because of the hyperthreading. Also, the Dell comes with the 3-year warranty and the Mac does not. Dell also wouldn't let me configure one without 2GB's of ram.
The similar Mac costs $3,848.00 but it's only 4 logical processors.
Edit: I just configured a Dell Precision and it only came to $4406.

Oh yeah, all Dell DVD burners are dual layer. In the PC world dual layer is a given.

Bottom line: The top-end PowerMac is very nicely priced but the two other models aren't even worth half the price Apple wants for them considering dual core PC's start at about $800 with 1GB ram, dual layer DVD burner, PCIe, and a 200-250GB drive.

For anyone wondering, the key to ordering a Dell is to find a Dell coupon on the net (or register for their site and get them emailed to you) and to order a monitor with it. Generally, Dell has crazy sales on their monitors. For instance, right now you can get a 19-inch ultrasharp LCD free with most desktops (starting at like $700) and their 20 inch widescreen monitor is going for less than $400.

 

[electronbee]

Somethings that Apple could have done better...

Have BOTH PCI and PCIe on the motherboard. Really, all you would need would be one or two PCI/PCIx slots to accomodate "legacy" cards. Most intel/AMD boards support both. Some even still support AGP since a lot of vid card manufacturers have simplya dapted an AGP card over to PCIe. Like when AGP first came out they adapted a lot of PCI cards over to AGP. No real performance gain.

And, the one that strikes a cord with some: more RAM. Should of at least have been 1GB. 512MB isn't even good for Photoshop.

I did find a link to use AGP cards ina PCIe slot. However, it was limited to low-end cards. Pointless. But, I did find plety of PCI and PCIe info and there are already chipsets and technologies for a manufacturer to readily adapt a PCI/PCIx card over to PCIe. PCIe was mainlya server thing but now its becoming more and more mainstream si I'd say 6mo at least to a year for it to be adopted.

 

[~Shard~]

<snip>

Sorry, just a pet peeve of mine, it's "double layer", not "dual layer".

 

[Mgmax]

Questions...

Okay, I finally ordered one of these silver gods to replace my blue and white Frankenmac (I call it that because it's a G3, but I put a G4 brain in it, and have swapped out a number of other things over the years-- DVD burners, hard drives, etc.) But I have two big questions as I move into the modern age:

1) How much RAM should I put in? Okay, I know that the answer is basically, more is always better than less. But I'm going to do Final Cut on here, Photoshop, etc. So what do people think is that basic amount that you ought not to be below? 2 GB?

2) Uh... what's a PCI-X slot for?

Thanks...

 

[~Shard~]

Okay, I finally ordered one of these silver gods to replace my blue and white Frankenmac (I call it that because it's a G3, but I put a G4 brain in it, and have swapped out a number of other things over the years-- DVD burners, hard drives, etc.) But I have two big questions as I move into the modern age:

1) How much RAM should I put in? Okay, I know that the answer is basically, more is always better than less. But I'm going to do Final Cut on here, Photoshop, etc. So what do people think is that basic amount that you ought not to be below? 2 GB?

2) Uh... what's a PCI-X slot for?

Thanks...

I would say 2 GB would be just fine, and yes, more is always better.

Unless you're buying the "old" dual 2.7 GHz systems, I don't believe you have to worry about PCI-X anymore - all the new PowerMacs are PCIe.

They are truly amazing machines, great updates - what a pomaceous day!

 

[andiwm2003]

....................................................
Bottom line: The top-end PowerMac is very nicely priced but the two other models aren't even worth half the price Apple wants for them considering dual core PC's start at about $800 with 1GB ram, dual layer DVD burner, PCIe, and a 200-250GB drive.

i haven't read all of this thread but quite a bit. it seems some sort of consensus comes up along the line of what you said: most people are happy with the dual dual monster. therefore the positive ratings.

many people are happy with the dual core 2.3 ghz but think it's way to expensive. therefore the negative ratings.

so when people think it's a great update then they usually go for a dual dual monster. when people complain then they were in the market for a midrange model.

i wonder how that will play out.
are people not going to buy the midrange models?
and will apple react at some point and make a mini update or a price drop?
or will most people buy the midrange models anyway?