Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

DP G5 Arrived, it is outdated, but I love it!!

840quadra

840quadra

Moderator
Original poster
Staff member
Feb 1, 2005
9,579
6,525
Twin Cities Minnesota
Well I took the plunge, and I am now logging in for the first time on my Dual 2.0 G5.

I know it isn't the fastest, most modern, and will be soon way outdated by the new Dual core systems, but I don't care. I have an apple collection, and this is now the newest member!!

I have been a classic user until about 3 months ago (well i still am to be honest), I wanted to try OSX and wanted to do it as a test. I bought a PM G3 (my first G processor Mac) 3 months ago on Ebay. It cost me $150, and had a fresh install of OSX, some open source software installed. After installing some Developer tools from Apple, I was in both Macintosh, and Open Source bliss! I have used Linux, BSD, and Solaris for years, and it was nice to have the mixture with my favorite Hardware platform, and still be able to run Macintosh classic programs.

Anyway to cut this short, I upgraded the G3 to a G4, and I have since built a G4 Digital audio, and started to realize how nice faster hardware is.

For fun I benchmarked my Dual 533 G4, and just now my G5.

Altivec Fractial Carbon
Test run by just opening the program, no extra settings configured.

G4 Dual 533
Run time = 3.1 Seconds 4262.8 Megaflops

G5 Dual 2.0
Run Time = 1.0 Second, 13063.5 Megaflops

Cinebench
G4 Processor Render
Single = 59 CB-CPU @ 448.6 Seconds
Dual = 109 CB-CPU @ 241.0 Seconds

G5 Processor Render
Single = 286 CB-CPU @ 92.1 Seconds
Dual = 521 CB-CPU @ 50.5 Seconds

Needless to say I am super excited about my new G5, and while it isn't a dual 2.5, I decided that I would much rather get some extra software, and toys to go with it, with the little money I saved :)

Now, I can't wait for Tiger!!

840
Loves having converted to New apple Hardware, but still keeping the 68k collection rolling along :)
 
Congrats! I would hardly say that it is outdated though. You'll have no problem running demanding apps for years to come. I must admit, however, that I may be lured to the dual core machines when they come.
 
I've been thinking about a Mac desktop machine after selling my powerbook. I'm not sure which is nicer, the PowerMac or iMac!?!?

Haven't made up my mind ... possibility of dual core powerbooks around the corner?

Dual 2.0 is still pretty sweet. Congrats!

:D
 
I got a dual 1.8 GHz last week, and I love it! I realize that the PowerMac line will most likely be updated it soon, but I needed it for a project that's on a tight schedule so I bought it. It's just a little faster than my 12" Powerbook :p.
 
For comparison:
Code: 
CINEBENCH 2003 v1
****************************************************

Tester           : Geoffrey Sneddon

Processor        : PowerMac G5 2.5GHz
MHz              : 2560
Number of CPUs   : 2
Operating System : Mac OS 10.3.8

Graphics Card    : Nvidia 6800 Ultra
Resolution       : 2560x1600
Color Depth      : Millions

****************************************************

Rendering (Single   CPU): 286 CB-CPU 
Rendering (Multiple CPU): 503 CB-CPU 

Multiprocessor Speedup: 1.76

Shading (CINEMA 4D)                : 276 CB-GFX 
Shading (OpenGL Software Lighting) : 819 CB-GFX 
Shading (OpenGL Hardware Lighting) : 1495 CB-GFX 

OpenGL Speedup: 5.41

****************************************************
and in Altivec Fractial Carbon it got 13735.2 megaflops.

Secondly:
Code: 
CINEBENCH 2003 v1
****************************************************

Tester           : Geoffrey Sneddon

Processor        : PowerBook G4
MHz              : 550
Number of CPUs   : 1
Operating System : Mac OS 10.3.8

Graphics Card    : ATI Mobility Radeon 9700
Resolution       : 1152x768
Color Depth      : Millions

****************************************************

Rendering (Single   CPU): 49 CB-CPU 
Rendering (Multiple CPU): --- CB-CPU 


Shading (CINEMA 4D)                : 61 CB-GFX 
Shading (OpenGL Software Lighting) : 139 CB-GFX 
Shading (OpenGL Hardware Lighting) : 79 CB-GFX 

OpenGL Speedup: 2.27

****************************************************
and in Altivec Fractial Carbon it got 2225.1 megaflops.

Remember both are a well worn OS X installations ;)
 
Those are good numbers..

I really wanted the Dual 2.5, I just didn't want to use my credit card to purchase it. I saved up (didn't even use Tax return) to buy this thing. This is the ONLY expensive purchase in the last two years that I have absolutly NO remorse for buying. I feel good about my buy, and I am super happy so far (8 hours into using it now).

I am ashamed of my (non posted Video) numbers on the G4, I am running a G3 PCI Video card in it, because I just got done building it. I had it laying it around and used it as opposed to waiting for my AGP to come in..

The Dual 1.8 was real high on my list. The fact that the new 1.8's can't have as much memory added as the older setup, changed my mind. The origional G5 Dual 1.8 would support 8gb, and the new setup only supports 4gb. Not that I will ever have that much memory, i just didn't want that limitation.
 
I'm glad you like it, fortunately I can wait to purchase a powermac so I'm holding out for the next revision. My 12" revD SD 1.5Ghz 1.25GB ain't so bad ;)
 
840quadra said:
For fun I benchmarked my Dual 533 G4, and just now my G5.

Altivec Fractial Carbon
Test run by just opening the program, no extra settings configured.

G4 Dual 533
Run time = 3.1 Seconds 4262.8 Megaflops

G5 Dual 2.0
Run Time = 1.0 Second, 13063.5 Megaflops
Click to expand...

Hmm. I am a bit dissapointed with the G5's performance. My MDD 867 dual got 7417.8 megaflops. Anyone have a dual 1.42 MDD that can run the test. This test may be relative to CPU speed. I have heard that the G4 is a more efficient chip at executing Altivec code - can someone back me up on that?

aussie_geek
 
link92 said:
For comparison:
Code: 
CINEBENCH 2003 v1
****************************************************

Tester           : Geoffrey Sneddon

[B]Processor        : PowerMac G5 2.5GHz
MHz              : 2560[/B]Number of CPUs   : 2
Operating System : Mac OS 10.3.8

Graphics Card    : Nvidia 6800 Ultra
Resolution       : 2560x1600
Color Depth      : Millions

****************************************************

Rendering (Single   CPU): 286 CB-CPU 
Rendering (Multiple CPU): 503 CB-CPU 

Multiprocessor Speedup: 1.76

Shading (CINEMA 4D)                : 276 CB-GFX 
Shading (OpenGL Software Lighting) : 819 CB-GFX 
Shading (OpenGL Hardware Lighting) : 1495 CB-GFX 

OpenGL Speedup: 5.41

****************************************************
and in Altivec Fractial Carbon it got 13735.2 megaflops.

Secondly:
Code: 
CINEBENCH 2003 v1
****************************************************

Tester           : Geoffrey Sneddon

Processor        : PowerBook G4
MHz              : 550
Number of CPUs   : 1
Operating System : Mac OS 10.3.8

Graphics Card    : ATI Mobility Radeon 9700
Resolution       : 1152x768
Color Depth      : Millions

****************************************************

Rendering (Single   CPU): 49 CB-CPU 
Rendering (Multiple CPU): --- CB-CPU 


Shading (CINEMA 4D)                : 61 CB-GFX 
Shading (OpenGL Software Lighting) : 139 CB-GFX 
Shading (OpenGL Hardware Lighting) : 79 CB-GFX 

OpenGL Speedup: 2.27

****************************************************
and in Altivec Fractial Carbon it got 2225.1 megaflops.

Remember both are a well worn OS X installations ;)
Click to expand...

WHOA. the G5s are actually running at 2.56GHz?!? :eek:
 
Ever since I got my DP 2.5Ghz G5 and 30" Apple Cinema HD Display and iWork 05 I'm VERY happy with the purchase.. then again for $7,060 I should be :rolleyes:
 
aussie_geek said:
Hmm. I am a bit dissapointed with the G5's performance. My MDD 867 dual got 7417.8 megaflops. Anyone have a dual 1.42 MDD that can run the test. This test may be relative to CPU speed. I have heard that the G4 is a more efficient chip at executing Altivec code - can someone back me up on that?

aussie_geek
Click to expand...

http://macspeedzone.com/html/hardware/machine/comparison/all/#Processor

They don't list the MDD 1.42 in this test, but they may in other tests. It is a known fact that MHZ to MHZ, the G4 is a faster processor.

From what I understand, not all programs take advantage of altivec, and the new and upcomming programs that do, will be optimized for the G5 (from what I understand.

If I could have gotten one with Applecare, and they were not so expensive second hand, I think I would currently own a MDD .

Also did we run the same version of Altivec, and what settings did you have?
I benchmarked my G4 and G5 with the exact same settings. Anyway My point in this post was NOT to start a G4 vs G5 war, it was to show how much faster my Macintosh experience is then it was before..

840
 
Well I don't think your DP 2.0 G5 is outdate at all :eek:

Hope you will enjoy it and use it for a long time ;)
 
uptime
12:40 up 20:54, 2 users, load averages: 0.07 0.06 0.01

:)

So far so good.. It is even getting along well on the network with my Quadra 840av :)
 
aussie_geek said:
Hmm. I am a bit dissapointed with the G5's performance. My MDD 867 dual got 7417.8 megaflops. Anyone have a dual 1.42 MDD that can run the test. This test may be relative to CPU speed. I have heard that the G4 is a more efficient chip at executing Altivec code - can someone back me up on that?

aussie_geek
Click to expand...


Hi.
I have a MDD 1.42 Dual G4.
Just downloaded Altivec Fractal Carbon 1.3 a minute ago, ran it and it reports 10779.1 megaflops.
:)
 
AirWave said:
Hi.
I have a MDD 1.42 Dual G4.
Just downloaded Altivec Fractal Carbon 1.3 a minute ago, ran it and it reports 10779.1 megaflops.
:)
Click to expand...

HEHE I made a small mistake there. Completely forgot I had other apps running (safari and iTunes).
Ran Altivec Fractal Carbon again after quitting the other apps and it's even better. 11570.5 megaflops.
Sorry. My mistake :rolleyes:
 
AirWave said:
HEHE I made a small mistake there. Completely forgot I had other apps running (safari and iTunes).
Ran Altivec Fractal Carbon again after quitting the other apps and it's even better. 11570.5 megaflops.
Sorry. My mistake :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Even hiding your dock will help, if you're using the Dock to launch it. You can use Activity monitor to kill other extraneous background processes as well.
 
I think that the most important thing is that you are happy with your purchase. The G5 is the newest technology. We still don't know what the next upgrade will be for sure. If it turns out like the next update, you could end up waiting for the arrival of your new Mac. Now you have a brand new Mac that you can enjoy for many years to come.
 
Your better off buying a machine thats 6 months used, and this will save you more money in the 4 years you'll own it, than buying new and leveraging the added cost of those 6 months.
 
link92 said:
1GHz is 1024MHz, so 2.5GHz is 2560MHz
Click to expand...
No.

1 GHz = 1000 MHz.
1 GB = 1024 MB.

There's a difference. Only hard drives use the "ass-backwards" meanings for the giga-, mega-, kilo-, etc prefixes.

Oh and I hate you for saying your machine is outdated. WTF man!
 
Lacero said:
Your better off buying a machine thats 6 months used, and this will save you more money in the 4 years you'll own it, than buying new and leveraging the added cost of those 6 months.
Click to expand...

or a factory referb with full Apple Warranty :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back