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G5 processor upgrade?
- Thread starter DickBastardly
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i had a dual 1.25 MDD and it was pretty dismal for todays uses, most notably the 1.0 usb is what frustrated me most, that, and the noise!!!
the G5 on the otherhand still has some life left in it
the G5 on the otherhand still has some life left in it
I don't believe so, I have a PowerMac G4 1.42Ghz dual FW800 and it still smokes a 1.8GHz single G5...
Got Leopard in it, and the latest addition, an ATI Radeon 9700 Pro BTO, original card powering my 22" Acrylic ACD with all the QE/CI glory...
Sweet!
Got Leopard in it, and the latest addition, an ATI Radeon 9700 Pro BTO, original card powering my 22" Acrylic ACD with all the QE/CI glory...
Sweet!
You should also upgrade to a video card with significantly more RAM. Your 5200 only has 64mb of RAM onboard.
Search this forum and look online, the Radeon X850, 9650 and GeForce 6800 will all work with your G5 and have 256mb of RAM.
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If you're still using the original hard drive, then replace that. Make it a storage drive. I have a 500GB Western Digital Caviar Green as my boot drive (planning on upgrading to a 1TB Black) and am using the original 160GB as a storage drive. If you're still using the original GeForceFX 5200, then you really need to upgrade the video card. This can be rather costly since it seems like all Mac graphics cards are expensive. If you are living in an area with an independently owned computer store that services Macs, you may be able to get a new GPU for rather cheap as many of these places tend to salvage parts from dead systems. Also, since you have the lowest-end version of the G5, you are limited to a maximum of 4GB PC-2700 DDR. There is hope for you to still breathe life into your G5, but it will come at a cost. I personally recommend that you just buy one of the new Mac minis that just came out. I plan on doing so myself.
I did upgrade the HD and now use the original as the backup and the new drive as the boot, but no change. So, I will just keep using the G5 as is until I can afford a new Mini as my desktop. I will certainly keep the G5 around tho as I do like it. Thanks all for the advice!
If you're not opposed to Macs that have been refurbished by third parties, you may want to check out Mac of All Trades and DV Warehouse. I've gotten systems from both companies and have had no problems at all. Though I should note that the only thing I've gotten from DV Warehouse is my G5 and that came in about a week ago.
Amazingly enough, DV Warehouse is where I got my G5 about a year ago when my IMac G4 croaked. I am never opposed to buying used. I will check out Mac of all Trades. Thanks for the info.
Checking out their Geekbench scores, a 1.6 G5 averaged a 922 score, while a 1.6 Intel Mini averaged 2148, so yes. A 1.5 Mac Mini Intel single core averaged 1387.
Geekbench Mac scores
Keep in mind though that those scores are averages based on individual users' scores. Some of those have maxed out RAM and larger hard drives than they were shipped with, so the scores are a little higher than a stock configuration Mac would get, but it's still a good way to compare performance.
Very interesting that the Intel processor is so much more efficient than the PPC of the same clocked speed. Thanks for the info!
...when something seems too far fetched to be true, it usually is. Geekbench is worthless. Most benchmark suites are, but Geekbench is even more moody than most.
If you want to directly compare the power of two machines, load them up with the same software and have them execute the same task. An encode, for example.
A 1.6GHz Core Solo is not 2.5x faster than a 1.6GHz G5. Well, except maybe at executing x86 code.
If you want to directly compare the power of two machines, load them up with the same software and have them execute the same task. An encode, for example.
A 1.6GHz Core Solo is not 2.5x faster than a 1.6GHz G5. Well, except maybe at executing x86 code.
Are there any sites that do comparisons that are accurate? I do not want to get a used 1.6 Intel Mini for cheap if it is not much better than my 1.6 PPC G5. I do not have the opportunity to test them side by side, although I agree that would be the best way to judge for sure.
BareFeats used to and the test pages are probably still on the site, but I don't think anybody has cared enough about PowerPC hardware to bench it against the newer Intel stuff for several years.
Also, I just remembered that the 1.66GHz Intel mini is a dual-core, so that adds some credence to the Geekbench results; of course 2x 1.66GHz is going to be faster than 1x 1.6GHz.
Geekbench is still silly though.
All that said, I don't understand the logic in going from any Power Mac G5 to an early generation mini. You're not going to get a huge performance jump, particularly when taking into account the crap integrated graphics of the first minis. So you'll be sacrificing the build quality and expandability of the G5 for... another old machine that isn't anywhere near as expandable, anywhere near as well built/engineered/thought-out, and is also on the edge of being nearly as obsolete as the G5?
Also, I just remembered that the 1.66GHz Intel mini is a dual-core, so that adds some credence to the Geekbench results; of course 2x 1.66GHz is going to be faster than 1x 1.6GHz.
Geekbench is still silly though.
All that said, I don't understand the logic in going from any Power Mac G5 to an early generation mini. You're not going to get a huge performance jump, particularly when taking into account the crap integrated graphics of the first minis. So you'll be sacrificing the build quality and expandability of the G5 for... another old machine that isn't anywhere near as expandable, anywhere near as well built/engineered/thought-out, and is also on the edge of being nearly as obsolete as the G5?
Good points. I agree, I really do not want to just slightly upgrade in order to save some money. My intent is to save some $$ so I can get the newest Mini sometime in the next few months.
Good plan. I never recommend old minis to anybody. Their resale value is so much higher than the hardware in the machines is worth, and when compared to the new generation mini the old ones are also much more difficult to upgrade.
I have a hard time looking down on the new mini, though. It really is a beautiful piece of hardware. It may not be the fastest machine $700 can buy, but the cleverness of the design and the ease with which memory and such can be accessed.... I love it. And if I had a reason to get one, I would.
I've pushed a friend in that direction, except he's coming from an old Dual 450MHz G4 with 832MBs of RAM. That will be a night and day experience when he first gets a chance to use his the mini.
I have a hard time looking down on the new mini, though. It really is a beautiful piece of hardware. It may not be the fastest machine $700 can buy, but the cleverness of the design and the ease with which memory and such can be accessed.... I love it. And if I had a reason to get one, I would.
I've pushed a friend in that direction, except he's coming from an old Dual 450MHz G4 with 832MBs of RAM. That will be a night and day experience when he first gets a chance to use his the mini.
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Dual G5 CPU Upgrade
Let's dig it up one more time. Dual 2.0GHz G5 processors can be had in pairs on eBay for $75 or Best Offer. Figure it might be worth a try. I have a Dual 1.8GHz G5 PowerMac that has changes already: 4GB RAM, ATI 256MB Dual DVI AGP Video, Twin 500GB HDD, Pioneer DL DVD-RW+/-, and Leopard.
System died during the three hurricanes that went through Central Florida in 2004. PowerMac, bought in second half of 2003, was on UPS and line conditioner while we had no power for 11 days. After 10 days in the store the $900+ service charge was covered under warranty and they change the motherboard; some kind of sensor went. Since then, using S/N (Serial Number (system): RM431Z61QES) on Apple's site does not show a Dual 1.8GHz G5 as an option (Single 1.6, Single 1.8, and Dual 2.0 only). So figuring Dual 2.0GHz drop in might be something this replacement motherboard could handle.
Not much speed increase to justify the cost before now, but, with Apple going intel, Motorola CPU prices have been dropping. Am figuring should get a set before they're gone.
Going up to 2.5GHz would probably be less than $200 for the CPU pair, but I figure they'd be liquid cooled (right) and require a logic board change (MO MONEY)? Am thinking I should be able to get away with dropping in a pair of 2.0GHz G5 processors for around $50 to $75 on an eBay.
Opinions? Ideas? Step-by-Step CPU replacement?
Let's dig it up one more time. Dual 2.0GHz G5 processors can be had in pairs on eBay for $75 or Best Offer. Figure it might be worth a try. I have a Dual 1.8GHz G5 PowerMac that has changes already: 4GB RAM, ATI 256MB Dual DVI AGP Video, Twin 500GB HDD, Pioneer DL DVD-RW+/-, and Leopard.
System died during the three hurricanes that went through Central Florida in 2004. PowerMac, bought in second half of 2003, was on UPS and line conditioner while we had no power for 11 days. After 10 days in the store the $900+ service charge was covered under warranty and they change the motherboard; some kind of sensor went. Since then, using S/N (Serial Number (system): RM431Z61QES) on Apple's site does not show a Dual 1.8GHz G5 as an option (Single 1.6, Single 1.8, and Dual 2.0 only). So figuring Dual 2.0GHz drop in might be something this replacement motherboard could handle.
Not much speed increase to justify the cost before now, but, with Apple going intel, Motorola CPU prices have been dropping. Am figuring should get a set before they're gone.
Going up to 2.5GHz would probably be less than $200 for the CPU pair, but I figure they'd be liquid cooled (right) and require a logic board change (MO MONEY)? Am thinking I should be able to get away with dropping in a pair of 2.0GHz G5 processors for around $50 to $75 on an eBay.
Opinions? Ideas? Step-by-Step CPU replacement?
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you will not notice a change in performance, going from dual 1.8 to dual 2.0..
if its free, sure do it, otherwise don't bother. I actually really liked my dual 1.8ghz, was way quieter than the dual 2.0/2.3 that replaced it...
anyways, hope your all having fun.
I do just love the PM G5, there still a great box... esp in the hands of someone who knows what they are doing.. (just a shame WoW doesnt ply ball anymore )
in regards to upgrading to a Mac mini 1.66 from the 1.6ghz.. be very careful what you get as the included GMA 950 in the early core mini's suck hard!! they suck much, much harder than the older PPC mac mini with dedicated video..
I had both as the lure of the Core cpu led me to buy a mini to swap out with my older PPC (media centre purposes)(Oced to 1.5ghz) mini... I used it for 5 days than went back to my old PPC mini as the colour reproduction on the intel mini was atrocious.
The difference was night and day..
if its free, sure do it, otherwise don't bother. I actually really liked my dual 1.8ghz, was way quieter than the dual 2.0/2.3 that replaced it...
anyways, hope your all having fun.
I do just love the PM G5, there still a great box... esp in the hands of someone who knows what they are doing.. (just a shame WoW doesnt ply ball anymore )
in regards to upgrading to a Mac mini 1.66 from the 1.6ghz.. be very careful what you get as the included GMA 950 in the early core mini's suck hard!! they suck much, much harder than the older PPC mac mini with dedicated video..
I had both as the lure of the Core cpu led me to buy a mini to swap out with my older PPC (media centre purposes)(Oced to 1.5ghz) mini... I used it for 5 days than went back to my old PPC mini as the colour reproduction on the intel mini was atrocious.
The difference was night and day..
Support for PPC macs is basically dead except for security updates, most actively developed mac software is going from the Universal Binary to the Intel only route.
At this point PPC is truly a dead end, buy a Mac Mini.
The current mac minis are significantly more powerful and use a lot less energy than those aging G5 towers. The mac minis are honestly, hardly cutting edge themselves, but this is what happens over the course of seven or eight years of technological innovation.
At this point PPC is truly a dead end, buy a Mac Mini.
The current mac minis are significantly more powerful and use a lot less energy than those aging G5 towers. The mac minis are honestly, hardly cutting edge themselves, but this is what happens over the course of seven or eight years of technological innovation.
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No it isn't.
Only the highest end Quad G5 towers are neck and neck with the base 2.4ghz mac mini in terms of performance.
https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/10797916/
Furthermore, Apple now offers a faster 2.6ghz model Mac Mini.
The G5s also consume substantially more energy.
That is false information.
That is false information. Both the Dual CPU and Dual Core 2.3 are well matched to the mini. Then the Dual CPU 2.5, Dual CPU 2.7 and Quad 2.5 well surpass it in power.
Which leaves only the Dual CPU 2.5, Dual CPU 2.7 and Quad 2.5 as being more powerful. Hence the reason these 5-6 year old computers still command a higher price than a brand new mini.
Which has no noteworthy impact on cost of ownership. The power consumption difference between a Mini and a G5 is less than $35/year. If such a low amount is a strain on your budget, you shouldn't even be considering buying a new computer.
I disagree, only the Quad G5 is going to compare favorably to the 2.4ghz mac mini.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/3843/apple-mac-mini-review-mid-2010/8
The mini is much more reliable, nearly silent, and an order of magnitude better in terms of energy efficiency. The difference in terms of real dollars is closer to $50 and although it isn't that much in terms of real money, it still represents the difference between running an additional large, energy hungry appliance such as a 50' flat screen TV and running something that is much more reasonable.
If you only want to compare the relative power demands in terms of operating cost, thats fine but the difference in terms of heat dissipation is dramatic. A G5 tower will turn any room into a hot house in the absence of good air flow, while the heat contributed a mini to any indoor space is virtually negligible.
The highest end G5 towers still command a healthy price for two primary reasons and their relative performance to Intel macs isn't one of them. If this were a rational market that was based around performance and overall usability instead of nostalgia and collectibility, the fact that PPC macs are at a relative dead end in terms of software support and are about to hit the EOL phase, which will only accelerate now that developers are transitioning to the Intel-only Mac App Store, would factor much more heavily into their pricing.
Their value is due to to their relative rarity. Not that many Quad 2.5ghz and Dual 2.7ghz configurations were sold to begin with and a significant amount of them have either been lost to time, or have died due to issues with their liquid cooling systems. The other is that there are a sufficient amount of suitably nostalgic people who wish to collect these machines.
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Sorry to hijack this thread, but I've seen people talking about upgrading their hard drives on their G5s.
I've seen on the technical specs page of the apple website for the G5, the hard drive used is of the SATA type, my question is, is there a difference between SATA and SATAII. If so what are the differences and can I use a SATAII such as this one, keeping my original 160gb hard drive for storge?
Many thanks in advance for any advice given.
I've seen on the technical specs page of the apple website for the G5, the hard drive used is of the SATA type, my question is, is there a difference between SATA and SATAII. If so what are the differences and can I use a SATAII such as this one, keeping my original 160gb hard drive for storge?
Many thanks in advance for any advice given.
(1) Post a new thread over hijacking/reusing one from 6 months ago, your more likely to gain responses by doing this.
(2) In general most SATA II drives can be told to run at SATA I speeds (which is the only difference between the 2, SATA 1 is half the speed of SATA 2, but over the same connector) by use of a jumper. The WD Blue in my Mac Pro used to be in a G5 before I upgraded, and it ran fine in SATA 1 mode. Just google the drive model and SATA I Compatibility if it isnt already listed on the site - the manufacturers site will definitely tell you.