Debating on whether or not to buy an early PM G5

[MacFoxG4]

So as I was shopping on eBay for a new PM G4 Sawtooth to replace the one I have, I noticed that the early G5s, notably the 1.8ghz models (PM 7,2 and PM 9,1) were about the same price as a Sawtooth. I'm kind of tempted to buy one of these early G5s and have it replace the Sawtooth or buy the G5 and then buy a new Sawtooth at another time. I have never used a G5 and I have always wanted to add a G5 to my collection. The G5 Dual Cores and the Quad are impressive, of course, but they go for a bit more money than I feel like spending at the moment. I also want to avoid the LCS models.

Are the PM 7,2 or 9,1 models worth getting?

Thanks in advance.

 

[TheShortTimer]

In my opinion, I'd urge you to wait till you can find a quad or dual core model at a suitably cheap price. From what @iluvmacs99 detailed in this discussion, early models like the 1.8ghz machines are essentially "a rebadged iMac G5." Where are you based? I'm in the UK and picked up my DC DP PM G5 for next to nothing.

 

[velocityg4]

I agree with @TheShortTimer. Dual CPU is the only way to go with the PM G5. I'd also look locally. As shipping is expensive. The handles also get trashed frequently when shipped. Since a lot of people can't pack them properly.

 

[Amethyst1]

From what @iluvmacs99 detailed in this discussion, early models like the 1.8ghz machines are essentially "a rebadged iMac G5."

This only applies to the 1.8 GHz model with PCI slots introduced in 2004.

I concur with @TheShortTimer that the final multi-core models are preferred. Apart from these, I'd personally consider an original (2003) G5 but only because it's the fastest machine that can run Jaguar. If that's of no use to you, then go for a final-gen.

 

[MacFoxG4]

I agree with @TheShortTimer. Dual CPU is the only way to go with the PM G5. I'd also look locally. As shipping is expensive. The handles also get trashed frequently when shipped. Since a lot of people can't pack them properly.

I'm not comfortable going the local route and I don't drive, which is why I use eBay. I know there is a risk with shipping, and I've had stuff arrive broken before, but it's one I have to take.

In my opinion, I'd urge you to wait till you can find a quad or dual core model at a suitably cheap price. From what @iluvmacs99 detailed in this discussion, early models like the 1.8ghz machines are essentially "a rebadged iMac G5." Where are you based? I'm in the UK and picked up my DC DP PM G5 for next to nothing.

I'm in the US, but meeting up with someone locally via something like Craigslist isn't an option for me.

This only applies to the 1.8 GHz model with PCI slots introduced in 2004.

I concur with @TheShortTimer that the final multi-core models are preferred. Apart from these, I'd personally consider an original (2003) G5 but only because it's the fastest machine that can run Jaguar. If that's of no use to you, then go for a final-gen.

I like the idea of getting one of the Jaguar capable ones as Jaguar has a much better classic mode than Tiger. I already have Macs that can run Classic Mac OS though, so being able to run Jaguar is not a must-have. Leopard would be the main OS on the G5, possibly dual booted with Tiger or Jaguar (if applicable). I get good performance out of Leopard when running it on a 1.5ghz G4 7455, so in terms of performance that is what I would be comparing a G5 against.

 

[eyoungren]

All I can say is that I put a G5 9,1 through it's paces 5 days a week from February 2005 to June 2013. During that entire time it was on full power 24/7. This is when I worked for a weekly newspaper and I did everything for the paper on that Mac.

When it died, I swapped LBs, and when I left that job in November 2018 it was still running.

With the exception of Tiger that Mac was dependable and reliable. The only problem I had with it was a bad ram stick. That caused the B-Tree Catalogue on the HD to fail, which meant reinstalling the OS, but other than that - never gave me a problem.

I think, OP, if you're coming from the Sawtooth this is going to be a considerable upgrade experience for you. The fact that you can now use SATA drives natively is a huge plus.

 

[iluvmacs99]

I own a PowerMac G5 9,1, which is basically a rebadged iMac G5 with PCI slots and a whole slew of other ports as well. I got it for free from the recycling depot where I used to work and so far, it's been reliable. It serves as my PPC server to my G4 and G3, laser printer server as well as driving a Canon medium format film scanner. I had a Dual PMac G5 before this, but it died within 1 month. Logic board problems. If you want to get the most reliable 1.8Ghz PowerMac, I would stick with the 9,1 as it has improved designs based on the iMac G5 that makes it more reliable than the first generation 1.8Ghz. The speed penalty between 7,2 vs 9,1 is only about 1-4% in favor of the 7,2. Other notable upgrades are SATA drive ports and the 9,1 uses the 970fx of the G5 chip, whereas the 7,2 uses the 970 of the G5. The 970fx is more power efficient.