Dual 2.5GHz PowerMacs Shipping

[wdlove]

Hi gang,

Well I'm sorry to report that I'm going to flex the remorse option and send the G5 (and 30" display) back to its maker.

I'm going to sit back and evaluate my options -- maybe get a helpful clerk at a high-end music store or a genius at the new Apple store who can demonstrate to me a G5 DP (am now considering the 2.0 Rev B) working QUIETLY in a studio environment.

I'm bitterly disappointed, and it will be a pain to go back to the slow G4, but I couldn't just hang on to hope that either Apple Care or firmware updates would cover me in the long run.

I'm still committed to getting a Mac though. Invested too much in Logic Pro

Anyway, I wanted to share this with the rest of you, and thank you for all the support and encouragement you've given me since I first placed my order back in JUNE!

Cheers,

Grebo

I'm very sorry to hear about the problems that you have been having Grebo . I can't completely understand the pain that you have suffered after having a DOA twice. Hopefully with time and reflection you will make the best decision in your case. It does seem that several have decided to go with the Rev. B G5. Please let us know what you end up deciding on .

 

[Kairy]

Don't sit back

Hi gang,

I'm going to sit back and evaluate my options -- maybe get a helpful clerk at a high-end music store or a genius at the new Apple store who can demonstrate to me a G5 DP (am now considering the 2.0 Rev B) working QUIETLY in a studio environment.

I'm
Grebo

Sorry to hear you have totaly backed down from a G5. I too downgraded my DOA DP2.5 for a DP2.0 due to fan noise. The G5 series is still the most advanced machine in the market. I use the G5 with protools (not such a DP efficient software) and am blown away with the performance. Logic should perform even better!.

There is definetly no comparison between G4 and G5 technology.

I say get the DP 2.0, and start making music. You won't need to upgrade for at least 2-3 years.

good (better) luck

 

[grebo]

Sorry to hear you have totaly backed down from a G5. I too downgraded my DOA DP2.5 for a DP2.0 due to fan noise. The G5 series is still the most advanced machine in the market. I use the G5 with protools (not such a DP efficient software) and am blown away with the performance. Logic should perform even better!.

There is definetly no comparison between G4 and G5 technology.

I say get the DP 2.0, and start making music. You won't need to upgrade for at least 2-3 years.

good (better) luck

Thanks for the feedback (you too WD). Can I ask which video card you opted for? Am thinking the 6800 Ultra might be contributing to the fan noise too, and thinking the ATI 9800 would be just as bad.

I'm also thinking of downgrading to a 23" so the 6800 wouldn't be necessary.

 

[mikepj]

If you want to stick with the 30", you might want to consider the 6800 GT card. Since it's clocked lower than the 6800 Ultra, it probably runs quieter too. I don't know of any sites that have a review on it yet though.

My 2.5 Ghz G5, 512Mb RAM (+ 1Gb from OWC), 250Gb drive, 9800 XT, Bluetooth machine ordered on 10/11 is on the Fedex truck for delivery right now. The 20" Cinema display I ordered is just sitting on my desk waiting for a machine to drive it. Should be a very good day.

 

[wdlove]

If you want to stick with the 30", you might want to consider the 6800 GT card. Since it's clocked lower than the 6800 Ultra, it probably runs quieter too. I don't know of any sites that have a review on it yet though.

My 2.5 Ghz G5, 512Mb RAM (+ 1Gb from OWC), 250Gb drive, 9800 XT, Bluetooth machine ordered on 10/11 is on the Fedex truck for delivery right now. The 20" Cinema display I ordered is just sitting on my desk waiting for a machine to drive it. Should be a very good day.

That is an awesome setup that you have on the way. Will be interested to hear your impression.

My wife and I really have our hearts set on the 30". Would the 6800 GT still be able to handle the 30"? With so many problems with the 2.5, wonder if it might not be better to wait.

 

[klaus]

That is an awesome setup that you have on the way. Will be interested to hear your impression.

My wife and I really have our hearts set on the 30". Would the 6800 GT still be able to handle the 30"? With so many problems with the 2.5, wonder if it might not be better to wait.

Hi Wdlove, I don't think there are that many problems with the 2.5, at least compared to the amount of production units already in use.
Mine is perfect, my friends as well, and now that they seem to have ramped up production to supply even best buy - buyers (weird word!) I don't think the issues are that widespread.

Good luck to all of you!

cu guys

 

[grebo]

That is an awesome setup that you have on the way. Will be interested to hear your impression.

My wife and I really have our hearts set on the 30". Would the 6800 GT still be able to handle the 30"? With so many problems with the 2.5, wonder if it might not be better to wait.

Can I just say that I had no qualms with the 30" screen, other than the fact that it almost completely obscured my two speakers (small desk) and I might want to avoid a video card that has yet another fan on it!

That said, I've heard some interesting things about something called an NV5 Silencer (http://www.arctic-cooling.com) and some positive reports from folks using it over at xlr8yourmac.com.

And yes, the 6800 GT can also drive the 30" -- in fact, it can drive two just like its big brother the 6800 Ultra.

 

[DWKlink]

\I'm going to sit back and evaluate my options -- maybe get a helpful clerk at a high-end music store or a genius at the new Apple store who can demonstrate to me a G5 DP (am now considering the 2.0 Rev B) working QUIETLY in a studio environment.

Sorry to hear about your problems and that you are abandoning the 2.5 G5. I was just curious why you are not happy with the machine. You mention it being too noisy working in a studio environment, and I was wondering whether it would be possible to move it out of the studio into another room and power it with a KVM extender.

 

[grebo]

Sorry to hear about your problems and that you are abandoning the 2.5 G5. I was just curious why you are not happy with the machine. You mention it being too noisy working in a studio environment, and I was wondering whether it would be possible to move it out of the studio into another room and power it with a KVM extender.

Hi, thanks for your condolences -- but when I say 'studio', it's really just my bedroom, and space is very limited. I did think about building an enclosure for it, but that's probably not a good idea considering the amount of air it seems to require coursing through it.

It's odd though that reports indicate the 2.0 is MUCH quieter than the 2.5. I thought the WHOLE purpose of liquid cooling was to rely on fans less...

 

[DWKlink]

It's odd though that reports indicate the 2.0 is MUCH quieter than the 2.5. I thought the WHOLE purpose of liquid cooling was to rely on fans less...

Yeah, we all thought the 2.5 would be so much quieter because of the liquid cooling, but i guess that apple was more concerned about heat dissipation than noise. Not only do the 2.5 need the same amount of air moving through them, but they need the liquid cooling as well.

I still find my machine to run very quiet though. A friend at work had a compaq notebook the other day, and i could hardly hear him over the fan in that thing. Other than the occasional rev up, I find the 2.5s to be pretty silent.

 

[monogee]

I'm very sorry to hear about the problems that you have been having Grebo . I can't completely understand the pain that you have suffered after having a DOA twice. Hopefully with time and reflection you will make the best decision in your case. It does seem that several have decided to go with the Rev. B G5. Please let us know what you end up deciding on .

Can someone explain what Rev. B G5 is?

 

[wrldwzrd89]

Can someone explain what Rev. B G5 is?

I feel very strange posting in a 200+ page thread that I have no involvement in, since I don't own a PowerMac G5 and don't plan on buying a new Mac anytime soon...but anyway, to answer your question:

Rev. is short for "Revision". The initial run of a particular branch of a product line (Aluminum PowerBooks, PowerMac G5s, etc.) is called Revision A. Updates to that branch are called Revision B, C, D, etc. When a significant change is made to a product line (for example, Titanium PowerBooks to Aluminum PowerBooks), a new branch is started at Revision A all over again.

 

[monogee]

Thanks, so does that mean Rev.B is now available if I were to purchase a Powermac G5?

 

[grebo]

I feel very strange posting in a 200+ page thread that I have no involvement in, since I don't own a PowerMac G5 and don't plan on buying a new Mac anytime soon...but anyway, to answer your question:

Rev. is short for "Revision". The initial run of a particular branch of a product line (Aluminum PowerBooks, PowerMac G5s, etc.) is called Revision A. Updates to that branch are called Revision B, C, D, etc. When a significant change is made to a product line (for example, Titanium PowerBooks to Aluminum PowerBooks), a new branch is started at Revision A all over again.

So if you go to the Apple Store online right now, click on the PowerMac image and then select the second one from the right -- that would be a G5 2.0 DP Rev B.



It would also be about £350 cheaper, and a couple dB quieter!

 

[monogee]

Is the G5 2.0 really quieter?

 

[grebo]

Is the G5 2.0 really quieter?

Well, I don't have mine yet -- but if you scour the discussions forums at Apple Support itself, you'll see numerous threads about just that. On this thread alone I know of at least three who traded 'down' to a 2.0.

I'm sincerely tempted. Then again, the January Macworld is just around the bend... maybe they'll have a bigger carrot to dangle from the stick?

Seriously though, I've been through an emotional wringer on this one. I am not going to splurge again until I get a clerk who will take the time to demo me a machine in a QUIET room, and I will buy THAT machine (not one from a shelf).

Now that they're opening an Apple Store in London, I'm hoping to get that opportunity soon!

 

[~Shard~]

Thanks, so does that mean Rev.B is now available if I were to purchase a Powermac G5?

Yes, the Rev Bs technically came out when the 2.5 GHz G5 machines were released. As an aside, some people prefer to buy Rev Bs instead of brand spanking new machines the day they're released, as Rev As can potentially have more issues or problems, since they are new. Some people consider Rev Bs to be more stable, as all the bugs of the Rev As have been worked out.

 

[KaiMac]

Music and my G5 2.0 Rev. B

Well, I don't have mine yet -- but if you scour the discussions forums at Apple Support itself, you'll see numerous threads about just that. On this thread alone I know of at least three who traded 'down' to a 2.0.

Grebo,

I also spend much time dealing with a DOA 2.5 and Apple. I eventually rolled back to a 2.0 Rev. B. I use Logic Pro and play my Fender Stratocaster into the G5 while mixing in other backing tracks. I have been nothing but happy with the G5 and the fan noise. With the G5 under my desk and the Microphone on top, I have had no noticable interfernce in my tracks. I know this is a big concern for you. I have been happy. The speed of the 2.0 Rev. B has been outstanding and a non-issue on making my music.

Good Luck to you and thanks for your contributions to this board. If anyone deserves a functional box it's you.

Regards,

Mike

 

[grebo]

A scholar and a gentleman

Grebo,

Good Luck to you and thanks for your contributions to this board. If anyone deserves a functional box it's you.

Regards,

Mike

Cheers Mike,

What a kind thing to say. Many thanks for a positive review of the 'downgrade' process. I am thinking I may downgrade to a 23" monitor too -- the 30" is beautiful yes, but maybe a bit excessive for my needs (and definitely makes a bold statement in my tiny bedroom!).

If I do that, I'll save quite a bit of dosh from the first time around, and maybe I can splash out on the Pro Application bundle and some new musical kit.

Grebo

 

[wdlove]

Hi Wdlove, I don't think there are that many problems with the 2.5, at least compared to the amount of production units already in use.
Mine is perfect, my friends as well, and now that they seem to have ramped up production to supply even best buy - buyers (weird word!) I don't think the issues are that widespread.

Good luck to all of you!

cu guys

Just like with anything else, it's those that are having problems that tend to post more. Still very difficult to ignore those posts. It just causes a depressed feeling.

 

[Bro]

Is the G5 2.0 really quieter?

Being a former MDD owner, then Cube owner, does that qualify me as an expert on noise . Here are my comments about noise in my G5 2.0:

As far as noise. The fans are quiet, especially the ones cooling the cpu's. But... one fan, and I haven't isolated it yet, generates an annoying pitch, tone, whine or whatever you want to call it. It's not loud though. During the day I don't notice it, but late at night, when all is quiet, it is noticable.

To grebo: For your quiet test, here is my suggestion. Don't just listen for 5 minutes and decide. Work on the machine for 20-30 minutes, the turn it OFF. How do you feel when it goes silent? Anxious? Relieved? No different?

My 2.0 or 2.5 decision:

I went with the 2.0, because cpu noise was a big concern for me. My prevous machine was a cube (Giga fan kit installed, because of hd and video upgrade). At the bottom is my story how I ended up with a cube. Anyhow, I wanted a deal, so I bought a refurb from the Apple store for $2099 and a refurb AE card for $69. It came with 2 surprises. A 250GB harddrive and the software for ibook/emac installed, but it shipped with the G5 discs.

I plan on upgrading the video card to a ATI 9800 Mac Special Addition, which is comparable to the build to order 9800XT for about the same price. I will probably wait to see if an X800 will be anounced at MacWorld and make my decision then.

So far, I'm happy with my decision.

My G4 Noise story:
I had owned a 933 quicksilver for 7 months, then one day it wouldn't start up. After 2 months of trips to service, (Each turnaround took 1 week) They decided to replace my machine. They didn't make the 933 anymore, so the middle of the line machine was the dreadded MDD dual 1GHz. THAT, was loud. Everytime I used my MDD, I couldn't wait to shut it off. And when I did, I always sighed a deep breath of relief. I only lasted a week before I sold it to a friend (yes he's still my friend), for the same amount that I paid for the 933 a year earlier. I then bought my beautiful, silent cube.

bro

 

[si-valleyguy]

Re: 2.5 Fan Noise and the next generation

Yeah, we all thought the 2.5 would be so much quieter because of the liquid cooling, but i guess that apple was more concerned about heat dissipation than noise. Not only do the 2.5 need the same amount of air moving through them, but they need the liquid cooling as well.

I still find my machine to run very quiet though. A friend at work had a compaq notebook the other day, and i could hardly hear him over the fan in that thing. Other than the occasional rev up, I find the 2.5s to be pretty silent.

As earlier posted, putting the processor into "reduced" mode quiets the machine down. Whether that reduces it to a 2 GHz machine performance wise, I am not sure. I can't imagine the 2 GHz machine being quieter. In reduced mode, my 2.5 machine is litteraly whisper quiet no matter what I do. If you get into a speed need, you can always switch back to highest or automatic making it only occassionally noisy.

3 GHz is comming in the next generation IBM multi-core processor Q1 or Q2 2005. How hot or cool that will run, I haven't seen discussed anywhere.

 

[Mac-Xpert]

2.5 Ghz G5 CAN operate quietly!

As earlier posted, putting the processor into "reduced" mode quiets the machine down. Whether that reduces it to a 2 GHz machine performance wise, I am not sure.

Yes, that's right. I checked this with Adobe Acrobat (6.01). Converting a 123.2 Mb postscript file to PDF using the "press quality" setting gave me the following results.

G5 2x2.5 GHz, 2 Gb ram, OS-X 10.3.4:

Auto performance: 14 seconds
Fans rev-up noticeably for a couple of seconds (somewhere halfway through the conversion)

Highest performance: 14 seconds
Fans rev-up slightly but not as much as with the Auto performance setting.

Reduced performance: 17 seconds
Hardly any rev-up of the fans, machine stays very quiet.

These times are the fastest and after several takes remain very constant. Acrobat is quite useful as a test app, because of the stable results, and the high demand on processor speed. Although the hard-disk is involved, it is mostly the processor speed that influences the results.

Looking at the difference between the 17 seconds for the reduced mode and the 14 seconds for the Auto and Highest mode:
14 / 17 = 0.823529411765 * 2,5 GHz = 2,058823529412 GHz.

So that's pretty much as fast as a 2 Ghz machine.

I hope this clears thing up a bit..

 

[monogee]

What are some good internal hard drives for the G5?

Can anyone recommend a good internal hard drive for the Powermac G5 DP 2.5? I will be using it for recording audio. Thanks

 

[grebo]

Can anyone recommend a good internal hard drive for the Powermac G5 DP 2.5? I will be using it for recording audio. Thanks

Although I've no experience with the Raptor drives -- they ARE the fastest -- but with that, I assume there is more ambient noise as a result. I had no problems with Maxtor SATA drives (7200 RPM) being able to record and playback audio using Logic Pro.

My problem (as we all know) was with fan noise (and perhaps two disks spinning)... Am curious to hear reports from people who've implemented the solutions to allow five or six or TEN(!) internal drives?...