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Upgrade Potential of the PowerMac G5?

Re: Re: Thermal is probably not the issue

Originally posted by illumin8
I predict that when the G5 hits stores and lusers start buying them left and right, this pairing RAM sticks thing is going to be lost on most people, and since most people buy aftermarket memory and upgrade themselves, they are not going to be running in an optimal configuration.

If you don't pair your DIMMs properly, your computer is crippled and only operating half as fast as it should on some tasks.
Click to expand...

Actually, I'm sure that there will be instructions on the proper installation of DRAM. Also, if you don't pair your DIMMs properly, you either will have no recognized DRAM, or you will not see all of the memory you thought you have installed.

So, are you saying that only the 'enlightened' computer people should be allowed to service computers for the unwashed masses? Thats a pretty elitist viewpoint. ;)
 
Re: Re: Re: Thermal is probably not the issue

Originally posted by Frohickey
Actually, I'm sure that there will be instructions on the proper installation of DRAM.
Click to expand...

All the instructions on replacing everything that usually replaceable (ram/hd), are printed on the inside of the door. Ives gleefully pointed this out to Wired, IIRC, in their little mini-interview...
 
Re: 9 fans...

Originally posted by jayscheuerle Just additional moving parts to break down...:(
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Which is why all the fans are monitored and give user feedback.

Based on information posted on Ars by someone at a hardware discussion at WWDC, the G5 also idles at 2/3 peak speed under light loads. This let's them cut heat output by 60-83% and run the CPU area almost fanless. If the system starts to overheat (something they noted was only likely if you run it in an environment likely to cause it to), it also cuts back on the CPU throttle to try and cool things down and throws it into a sleep state if that fails.

This system is seriously designed around disipating the heat generated by the 970 and, depending on the tolerances and the ability to tweak the settings in the hardware, the Apple engineer is quite likely right because a faster 970 (at the same process size), will generate more heat and is almost certain to trip the overheat alarm sooner than the processor the system was geared for eventually and the slow down gearing might not be low enough to let the system cool properly.

Thus, instant sleep state.
 
Re: Re: Re: Re: Thermal is probably not the issue

Originally posted by Dave K
All the instructions on replacing everything that usually replaceable (ram/hd), are printed on the inside of the door. Ives gleefully pointed this out to Wired, IIRC, in their little mini-interview...
Click to expand...

Nuh-uh. We were talking about the mandatory pairing of DRAM sticks. The door instructions I saw only has one DRAM with an arrow, and not specific about which slot it goes into.
 
Upgrade...

I don't think this paired ram is going to be that bad or confussing. Now keep in mind I've used PCs all my life, and this is my first switch to a Mac. (So I was on my own for hardware support) But from what I have seen it looks fairly painless. The real confusing part I find is the different specs PC3200, PC2700, etc. Then you have CL2, CL3, etc. ECC, Non-ECC, etc. I find all those details more confusing then if I need to add in matched pairs or singles.

As for upgrading the processor, it sounds like they did some real "magic" with the noise levels on these boxes. But nothing is impossible, if an upgrade is released it might just include a new fan controller firmware tweaked for the new CPU. I doubt I'll ever do this though, even with my PCs I ussually just sold old hardware and bought newer hardware.

As a side note, check out those heat sinks! Holy cow! I don't know if that is a very good sign for a G5 Powerbook.
 
is this a 12" pb?

is this a 12" powerbook? I have one, and the al powerbook in this pic on the airport extreme homepage [http://www.apple.com/airport/hotspots.html
looks way bigger than mine, but its definitely not a 17"
if you look closely at the picture, it appears that the power, ethernet, and 56k are not where they should be-on the users left side, close to the hinge.
 
Re: Re: Re: Re: So what else is new with Apple?

Originally posted by sedarby
What features of OS X has XP borrowed?
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Fast user switching and context sensitive info button *are* features OSX has borrowed from XP.

I'm not defending XP, just trying to keep the facts straight.
 
Context sensitive info button? Bah, that wasn't stolen from XP. That was stolen from Conkers Bad Fur Day :)
 
Re: is this a 12" pb?

Originally posted by favpseudonym
is this a 12" powerbook? I have one, and the al powerbook in this pic on the airport extreme homepage [http://www.apple.com/airport/hotspots.html
looks way bigger than mine, but its definitely not a 17"
if you look closely at the picture, it appears that the power, ethernet, and 56k are not where they should be-on the users left side, close to the hinge.
Click to expand...

It looks like a 12 incher to me.
 
Re: Re: Re: Re: G5 FSB

Originally posted by Phil Of Mac
It's an important distinction when it comes to processor upgrades. At any case, the mobo is likely stuck at a the 4x multiplier.
Click to expand...

This, along with a prior post talking about "binning" motherboards (just like how CPU clock speeds are already done) is what I suspect are probably the crux of the "no upgrade" rumblings: having a motherboard that can't run higher than 800MHz will effectively prevent CPU's faster than 1.6GHz.

Unless, of course, that the mobo is indeed stuck at a 4x multiplier. Overall, I find it somewhat suprising that Apple would take the risk that comes with how this "designs themself into a corner" with a short-lived motherboard design.

So I would suspect that if its not literally adjustable like a Jumper or DIP switch bank, that the component that determines the ratio is effectively some sort of component of some sort that is designed to make the task of changing multiplier ratio's to be an easy and low-cost manufacturing change. For example, it could be a soldered resister, like what was found on the original Mac Plus model for its RAM slots.


-hh
 
Re: Re: Re: Thermal is probably not the issue

Originally posted by Phil Of Mac
The Apple Store only sells RAM in properly paired configurations :)
Click to expand...
Who buys memory at the Apple store? I said aftermarket, but if you are stupid enough to pay Apple prices for your upgrade memory, it's a good thing they will only sell them to you in pairs.
 
Re: Re: Re: Thermal is probably not the issue

Originally posted by Frohickey
Actually, I'm sure that there will be instructions on the proper installation of DRAM. Also, if you don't pair your DIMMs properly, you either will have no recognized DRAM, or you will not see all of the memory you thought you have installed.

So, are you saying that only the 'enlightened' computer people should be allowed to service computers for the unwashed masses? Thats a pretty elitist viewpoint. ;)
Click to expand...
I'm just saying it helps to understand how two DDR400 sticks can be operated in a split bank configuration in order to get 800 mhz. effective memory bandwidth.

When PC motherboards first started supporting dual RAM banks there was the same learning curve involved for most PC enthusiasts as well.
 
Re: Re: Re: Re: Thermal is probably not the issue

You know- I used to think exactly the same way. I used to think that it was stupid to get Apple memory. When I bought my new 17" pb, I actually thought twice about going out and paying the 170 dollars for another 512 of kingston memory. The apple warranty says that it is not responsible for problems that are a result of improperly installed ram.
You have to remember that EVERYONE is not a power user. Many people would be better off having it installed by an apple authorized tech. Instead of screwing something up then having to dish out hundreds. On top of that-there would be no scrutiny of the installed ram if warranty issues come into play.
I actually got the computer preinstalled with a Gig. If it only came with 512, would I upgrade later- of course. Would I upgrade with Apple memory-no. But I would at least have the memory installed by an authorized tech, even though I could do a better job then him. Just so I could avoid warranty issues.
 
So why so easy?

Fair enough with the warranty rules concerning memory but why would Apple make their computer RAM slots so easilly accessible if only technicians are supposed to install the RAM? It is so easy anyone can do it, provided they read the instructions carefully.

S-ATA drives give internal hard drive instillations the simplicity IDE lacked. Every S-ATA drive has its own channel so there is no need to flip switches like older hard drives. In the G5 Powermacs hard drives can be slided in to their bays.
 
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