Is G5 as fast as Core Duo?

[Dr.Pants]

Going from Xp x64 and Vista x64 on a 3.2 GHz dual core to the 2.5 quad and Leopard, the two systems have similar performance (in my opinion). However, it was an AMD processor - not that it matters.

 

[eXan]

I have a C2D at 2.2Ghz and 4GB RAM, would it be profitable for me to go (down?) to a Power Mac G5 (the latest one) and upgrade RAM to 4-6GB? Am I correct in assuming that the latest Power Mac G5 was a dual core x2?


Well yeah, mainly would it be better for me (Oh yeah, going from Vista to [Tiger?])

I mean, I'm getting it for free, so yeah, I'll keep the G5 anyways, but for my main machine...

Only the top model from the latest revision was dual core x2 (Quad).

 

[fireshot91]

Ah crap. So if I don't get the top model, it'd be a lot worse than my C2D right now?

 

[SkyBell]

Ah crap. So if I don't get the top model, it'd be a lot worse than my C2D right now?

Not exactly. There will be a performance decrease, and it will be noticeable. But it won't be terrible, even if you don't get the dual core model.

 

[fireshot91]

So what's better, 2 processors at 2Ghz each, or 1 processor (Dual Core) at 2.0Ghz for each?

For a G5..

 

[Hyernel]

wat?

remember that ppc support is likely to be dropped with 10.6

I really hope that's not true.

 

[QCassidy352]

So what's better, 2 processors at 2Ghz each, or 1 processor (Dual Core) at 2.0Ghz for each?

For a G5..

well, the dual core was the last one made, so it has the newest tech (and presumably the fewest years of wear). I seem to recall that tests at that time showed that the actual performance was pretty much equivalent.

 

[fireshot91]

Oh cool.

Also, one (hopefully last) question: What OS would run the fastest (Don't care if it's a Linux variant, OS-X, or XP) on a G5?

And I'm guessing if it's OS-X, it'd be Tiger?

 

[DoFoT9]

Oh cool.

Also, one (hopefully last) question: What OS would run the fastest (Don't care if it's a Linux variant, OS-X, or XP) on a G5?

And I'm guessing if it's OS-X, it'd be Tiger?

XP wont run on it.

 

[SkyBell]

XP wont run on it.

It will with Virtual PC; but it sure as hell won't be the fastest.

Lightweight Linux distro's will obviously run very fast on a machine like that, but OS X gives you more application choices. It's probably the best choice.

 

[McDughf]

To be perfectly honest, I'd take the geekbench scores with a pinch of salt; there's NO WAY my first gen Dual 2.0 G5 (1671 according to geekbench) is slower then my brand new MacBook Air 1.86 ( 2519 ).
Likewise, My first gen MacBook Core solo 2.0 ( 2464 ) Is NOT slower then The Macbook Air, and my MacBook Had Less Memory Then The Air did.

In Answer To Your Question Though, i still believe there is plenty of life left in the PowerMac G5 - I am a video editor running a first gen Dual 2.0 G5 System, And I still think it is a FANtastic machine.
Fair enough, if word be true it won't run Snow Leopard, but get a good graphics card in there ( I Have a GeForce 6800 Ultra - The Ultra Signifying How Difficult These Are To Find After market X-D )
And You'll have a dependable system hopefully for many years to come.

P.S. - It IS True About the Fans Though..... Who Said Jet Turbines? ;-)

 

[DoFoT9]

It will with Virtual PC; but it sure as hell won't be the fastest.

he said fastest so i presumed natively, virtual on a PPC is just disgusting from my experience - on my dads PPC it took overnight to even read the xp install disc

OP: noway will a G5 beat a CD.. unless its a 4/8 core of course haha. dual core there is no challenge.

 

[eXan]

To be perfectly honest, I'd take the geekbench scores with a pinch of salt; there's NO WAY my first gen Dual 2.0 G5 (1671 according to geekbench) is slower then my brand new MacBook Air 1.86 ( 2519 ).
Likewise, My first gen MacBook Core solo 2.0 ( 2464 ) Is NOT slower then The Macbook Air, and my MacBook Had Less Memory Then The Air did.

Well, in terms of CPU power, they are.

If you don't believe Geekbench (I don't like synthetic benchmarks too), just run Handbrake and see the results for yourself.