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Rosetta Emulation Speed

Ktulu

Ktulu

macrumors regular
Original poster
I am going to be upgrading to a new iMac Intel some time this year. However I will have to use all of my PPC software till i can afford to replace it with UB versions. Titles include Photoshop 7, Illustrator 10, Flash MX 2004 Professional...you get the idea.

My question is what kind of speed increase/decrease will I see going from a G3 B/W 450Mhz running software natively to an iMac Core Duo 2Ghz running software under Rosetta.

I'm thinking it will be a speed increase for me, but I would like to know what the general concensis is on the whole Rosetta thing and speed.

Thank you in advance for your help.🙂
 
Rosetta tends to run large programs slowly (e.g. photoshop). However, from the computer you mentioned, I'm sure you will see a speed increase - at the very worst, it would be the same.
 
That's what I figured, but wasn't sure. Everyone says that it is about the equivilant of a mid-range G4. With a G3 right now I was hoping it would be a speed increase, even with emulation.

Thank you very much for your help.😀
 
I've heard it's about the same as a 1-1.5 GHz G4. However apps in Rosetta have double the memory footprint of one run natively on a Power PC processor, so say for example Photoshop in a normal session on your Power PC Mac took up 512MB of memory, it'd take up around 1 Gigabyte on your Intel Mac.

Stock up on memory if you're using professional grade apps, and you're going to have a machine that's double to triple the speed of your G3 - in emulation mode. In Intel native apps, it's going to be so much faster you probably won't be able to even estimate how much faster it is. 🙂
 
The Intel iMac would maxed out. RAM, HD, Video, etc.
So I'm won't worry about emulation speeds compaird to what I am used to.

You guys have been very helpful. My worries have been put to rest about any sort of performance issues with the switch.

Thanx again.
 
Nermal said:
The Intel will be way way way faster. No contest.
Click to expand...

I find my Photoshop to be OK, its not blazing but it is faster than my old emac 1ghz, It isnt as snappy as my 2.1 5 imac was but actions seem to complete just as fast.

I WILL be buying cs3 as soon as it comes out though
 
I went from using an iMac G5 (pre isight and pre BT/airport not sure what "Rev" that is)
it was a 17" 1.8Ghz with 1.5GB RAM

I am now using an intel iMac 17" 1.83Ghz with 1.5GB RAM
and I don't notice much of a difference.

I have been working on some marketing posters for Uni, which are A3 at 300dpi and I have to say the intel iMac really holds it's own.
I'm gutted that CS3 is months and months away, but after swallowing my fears and just getting the intel mac, I'm less worried, this thing still flies even under Rosetta
 
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