The case for a G5 to a Mac Pro owner

[MrCheeto]

It's 2023. I'm editing photos and gaming on my 2009 Mac Pro and the experience is grand. Leopard, Aperture, my PowerPC games run faster than on my fastest G5. Wait what?

Yeah. I have found myself in a situation where I believe I have a few too many Macs. My goal was merely to be able to essentially run any piece of software that I want to. I've accomplished it with this setup:

System 7 68k
OS 8 68k
OS 9 PPC
OS 10.4 PPC
OS 10.5 PPC/Intel
OS 12 AS

Plus I'm running Win2k and Win7.

My Macs that accomplish this:

Quadra 610
G4 Mini 1.5Ghz
Mac Pro 2.26
M1 MacBook Air

For what reason should I keep this loud space heater around? What can it do that my Mac Pro and Mini couldn't do? To be entirely transparent, I only want to keep the G4 over the G5 because the G4 Mini boots OS 9.

So where does the G5 fit in? Keep or sell?

 

[ww2_1943]

I love my G5, but it is mostly a novelty to play old games on and use Adobe CS 4 and some other programs. Still, I don't have to do this on a G5. If you don't see a use for it and the novelty of using a G5 isn't there or it doesn't fit into your collection, than I don't see anything wrong with letting it go.

 

[eyoungren]

I stopped using my G5s in May 2020 when I fully converted to Intel Mac. On occasion I have need for CS4, but already have several older Macs or Macs running older versions of OS that I can leverage.

I have one PowerMac G4 left in operation as a file server.

If your G5 no longer meets the need, pass it on.

 

[arw]

IF you sell it, mention the keywords "hackintosh, case" because unfortunately, that's probably where the most remaining value lies.
Or upcycling projects:
I bought a 2nd G5 and put a large glass plate on top of them > makes for a nerdy table. The working one is still used for the occasional CD ripping.
And I always liked the bench approach:

 

[fuchsdh]

IF you sell it, mention the keywords "hackintosh, case" because unfortunately, that's probably where the most remaining value lies.
Or upcycling projects:
I bought a 2nd G5 and put a glass plate on it > makes for a nerdy table. The one working is still used for the occasional CD ripping.
And I always liked the bench approach:

The way that wood is sanded to match the curves of the handles...

 

[barracuda156]

It's 2023. I'm editing photos and gaming on my 2009 Mac Pro and the experience is grand. Leopard, Aperture, my PowerPC games run faster than on my fastest G5. Wait what?

Yeah. I have found myself in a situation where I believe I have a few too many Macs. My goal was merely to be able to essentially run any piece of software that I want to. I've accomplished it with this setup:

System 7 68k
OS 8 68k
OS 9 PPC
OS 10.4 PPC
OS 10.5 PPC/Intel
OS 12 AS

Plus I'm running Win2k and Win7.

My Macs that accomplish this:

Quadra 610
G4 Mini 1.5Ghz
Mac Pro 2.26
M1 MacBook Air

For what reason should I keep this loud space heater around? What can it do that my Mac Pro and Mini couldn't do? To be entirely transparent, I only want to keep the G4 over the G5 because the G4 Mini boots OS 9.

So where does the G5 fit in? Keep or sell?

View attachment 2157676

As a matter of fact, G5 2005 were the best PowerPC Macs. Whether you need one or not is a matter of personal preferences
I would keep G5 Quad over MacPro any time.

 

[MrCheeto]

AFAIK the Pro can do anything the G5 can do but not the other way around. I know there are like two apps that have G5-specific code but realistically…

Trying to become aware of the benefits before I mark them for sale. I thought the G5 would run my PowerPC games better natively but the Pro emulates them faster!

So the G4 is here because of OS 9 and just so I have “an” PPC version of OS X. The Pro is here to run Leopard-era software etc. and basically be the fastest Leopard machine possible. What role does the G5 play? I mean what gap is created by its absence?

2.3Ghz DC.

 

[barracuda156]

AFAIK the Pro can do anything the G5 can do but not the other way around. I know there are like two apps that have G5-specific code but realistically…

Trying to become aware of the benefits before I mark them for sale. I thought the G5 would run my PowerPC games better natively but the Pro emulates them faster!

So the G4 is here because of OS 9 and just so I have “an” PPC version of OS X. The Pro is here to run Leopard-era software etc. and basically be the fastest Leopard machine possible. What role does the G5 play? I mean what gap is created by its absence?

2.3Ghz DC.

The fastest Leopard machine is likely G5 Quad. Running from SSD. Of course comparing 2.3 dual core against quad core MacPro is not a fair game. (I do not find 2.3 particularly fast.)

However if the question is rather is there an app which can run only on G5 – I guess no. If anything, then maybe ppc64-related. But this may matter for development, not casual usage, IMO.

 

[Amethyst1]

What role does the G5 play? I mean what gap is created by its absence?

It’s a fast machine capable of running Tiger. Is that relevant to you?

 

[PowerHarryG4]

I absolutely loved my quad G5 and the rest of the G5s for that matter. Only problem I have with them is reliability (which tbf isn't a fault of the G5s they are old), I've bought ones where i've had to replace CPUs, then bought another where I had to repaste the U3-Bridge. The quad I bought worked for a bit and then the water cooler clogged up, went down the air cooling road which worked well for a bit, until I tried to repaste and accidentally knocked off a tiny chip. It can probably be fixed but it's just such a hassle. They're really fun and great machines, but just so annoying to get working perfectly at least IMO.

 

[MrCheeto]

It’s a fast machine capable of running Tiger. Is that relevant to you?

It isn’t. The Mini is a fast enough Tiger machine for my needs.

I see a lot of people like these things so in the end it may be a good sell. Since mine are in PERFECT working condition, I hope they do really get a good home.

 

[netsrot39]

I absolutely loved my quad G5 and the rest of the G5s for that matter. Only problem I have with them is reliability (which tbf isn't a fault of the G5s they are old), I've bought ones where i've had to replace CPUs, then bought another where I had to repaste the U3-Bridge. The quad I bought worked for a bit and then the water cooler clogged up, went down the air cooling road which worked well for a bit, until I tried to repaste and accidentally knocked off a tiny chip. It can probably be fixed but it's just such a hassle. They're really fun and great machines, but just so annoying to get working perfectly at least IMO.

I also love my G5s (I have 3x Late 2005 models, 1x 2.5 GHz DC and 2x 2.3 GHz DC). The water cooling reliability (i.e. the lack of) made me not choose a quad core model and frankly for my needs the Dual Core models suffice. I too have Mac Pros, a 2007 3 GHz 8-Core and a 2008 2.8 GHz 8-Core). I think I don't have to mention that those two machines obliterate even the best G5 out there but I still think the G5 makes a cool and unique machine. Neither is it power efficient nor massively powerful but it is just a joy to use. It is still elegant, features somewhat modern standards (SATA, PCIe, etc.) and has the potential to run lots of legacy software which can to this day still be used in a productive manner on Tiger and Leopard. I wouldn't want to ditch mine even though I only use it like 3 times a month but when I use it I really enjoy it (maybe because I tore down all my G5s completely, cleaned them, rebuilt them, upgraded them (max. RAM & SSDs), flashed better graphic cards for them and applied various other mods). All the effort and time I put into them in order to get productive legacy work stations makes me value them even more. I'd say keep it but in the end it all comes down to personal preference I guess.

 

[MrCheeto]

Apparently the G5’s have some SERIOUS fans (admirers/enthusiasts).

The craziest part is just how efficient the Pro is. The G5’s are always ramping up and down fan speed. I’ll agree they’re quick and they handle Leopard completely fluidly. I really wish I had a need for a G5 and part of that is due to the novelty of this pic.



Ignore the HD display. I just don’t have any other place for it.

Anyway, the 2.0GHz DP is obviously slower in a lot of ways than the 2.3GHz DC. It also seems to use an older boot loader and firmware that’s a classic hold-over. PCI-X and one Ethernet? Strange external ports for breaking-out radio signals for WiFi and Bluetooth? Slower RAM? The 2.0 DP is going for sure.

Then there’s the 2.5GHz DC. It runs SW:Battlefront at max settings and max resolution but not exactly fluidly. Impressively, not perfectly. It boots quickly, has room to expand, both of my G5’s had no problem booting with a SATA III SSD… but it is all better on the Pro.

Battlefront (PPC code) plays at max settings and max resolution flawlessly on the Pro. The fans never ramp up. I’ve tried all I can to push this thing but the fans will not increase in speed except for the Radeon HD cooler during the most intense games it can run. Running Leopard, I’m able to execute every bit of PPC software and do so faster than natively. Sure there might be a handful of drivers that haven’t been ported from PPC but nothing that doesn’t have an adequate alternative. I can’t even remember what those drivers or plugins are. Maybe the WebKit mods to be modern web-standards compliant but wouldn’t those exist on Intel?

As much as I like to collect, I just haven’t found compelling reason to keep these. Watching the lights dim whenever I start it up and feeling the bedroom temps climb beyond comfortable and always hearing the chorus of fans is sounding like it isn’t worth it.

I really enjoy the experience with the G4 Mini and the charm of its size and simplicity. One monitor output….ok that’s going to hobble it considerably but otherwise it is exactly what I need. Hell, I’m just running it on an old 1280 res 4:3 CRT and using a spinning platter drive because that’s what I consider part of the experience. It really takes me back to the good ole days. When I was looking for an OS 9 machine, I ruled out any and all towers. I just didn’t want the noise and clutter and power draw of an MDD for instance. With the Mini living comfortably and quietly beside my Quadra 610, I think I’ve accomplished what I set out for all along. IMO, Mini wins but I still keep an open mind in case somebody points out something I’d miss.

 

[Amethyst1]

I really enjoy the experience with the G4 Mini […] One monitor output….

No problemo

 

[MrCheeto]

No problemo

Haha, I had no doubt somebody made it work. As for the Dock, TinkerTools allows you to move it off-center 😉

Staring into two CRT’s might finally do me in. Something about directly aiming a particle gun into my eye holes tends to wear me out after some time. Plus, the unsynchronized beams throw my eye blinking out of sync. My left eyelid is still a little behind.

 

[Amethyst1]

Staring into two CRT’s might finally do me in.

If money is no object…

 

[MrCheeto]

Wow I love this. I always thought the Apple monochrome displays were gorgeous and top-notch but this looks like it’s a modern equivalent. Today I learnt…

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

Apparently the G5’s have some SERIOUS fans (admirers/enthusiasts).

The craziest part is just how efficient the Pro is. The G5’s are always ramping up and down fan speed. I’ll agree they’re quick and they handle Leopard completely fluidly. I really wish I had a need for a G5 and part of that is due to the novelty of this pic.

View attachment 2157903

@arw's recommendation seems completely purpose built for this space and reason enough to keep the G5.

I always envisioned something like this so the bench is not stationary.

 

[MrCheeto]

Don’t forget I have two G5’s I guess I’m selling. Maybe I should glue it all together then charge freight. It’ll be insured as it inevitably disintegrates in transit.

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

In regards to shipping them, the best non-original packaging I saw executed was a guy who double boxed with foam peanuts in between and put wood pine blocks that fit perfectly inside the legs to help protect/support them when the inevitable freight monkeys played football with it. That is the only way I would consider shipping one of mine if I sold it to someone who was not local to me - which is 99% what I'd do just to not have to ship lol. Shipping one of these is such a complete PITA.

 

[ww2_1943]

In regards to shipping them, the best non-original packaging I saw executed was a guy who double boxed with foam peanuts in between and put wood pine blocks that fit perfectly inside the legs to help protect/support them when the inevitable freight monkeys played football with it. That is the only way I would consider shipping one of mine if I sold it to someone who was not local to me - which is 99% what I'd do just to not have to ship lol. Shipping one of these is such a complete PITA.

Mine came in deformed and buckled. Luckily it works fine but it doesn’t look pretty

 

[orionquest]

Meh sell it. I always thought the G5 was one of Apple's worst products. Not really a great performer over the G4's, and the case wasn't all that expandable. Very reminisant of some of the lame Mac II's. Also the intel replacement was way faster and had a better case design, even if externally it was almost the same.

 

[MrCheeto]

I always thought the G5 was one of Apple's worst products.

On the PPC forum, no less

 

[barracuda156]

However if the question is rather is there an app which can run only on G5 – I guess no. If anything, then maybe ppc64-related. But this may matter for development, not casual usage, IMO.

I remembered two, which atm require 64-bit platform and therefore G5: kokkos and oneTBB. You will need my patches to build these, however (or write your own).

 

[m1maverick]

If you have to ask for reasons why you should keep something then, IMO, you shouldn't. It sounds as if the other systems in your collection meet your software requirements and that you have no nostalgia for the G5. Therefore get rid of them. Turn them into beer money or give them to someone who has a want for a G5.