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Resolved Which of these PowerMac G5's should I buy?

Which PowerMac Should I Buy?

  • Cinema Display, Hard Drive Issue

    Votes: 17 89.5%

  • Low Spec, No Issue

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • High Specs, Fan Issue

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Mid Spec, No Issue

    Votes: 2 10.5%
  • Total voters
    19
KeegM480

KeegM480

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Aug 13, 2013
780
31
Nashville, TN
I am wanting a PowerMac G5, I have found two for the same price but are very different

Option 1:
Dual 2GHz PowerPC G5
2 HD's (80GB & 250GB)
1 GB RAM
Silver Cinema Display
Hard drives will not allways allow you to write on them

Option 2:
Dual 1.8GHz Power PC G5
80GB HD
2GB RAM
No issues, no monitor

Option 3:
Dual 2GHz PowerPC G5
400GB HD
4GB RAM
Fans do not turn off even when the power is off
No monitor

Option 4:
Dual 1.8GHz PowerPC G5
160GB HD
2GB RAM
No issue, no monitor

I'm really torn between 1 & 4 I really want the Cinema Display but I'm nervous about the Hard drive issue

I don't need people to be 100% accurate just looking for a bit of advise
 
Last edited:
Option 1 for the fact that it includes the display, fastest processors, and the HDs can be replaced and usually for very cheap. Could even throw in an SSD or two in there.
 
Go with #1 could be an issue with permissions since the drives don't allow writing, maybe a bad OS install or it could be something even worse (failing drives). You could always replace them.

With #3, it could be a power supply issue or something that can't by fixed by simple fan replacement or PRAM/SMC/CUDA/etc. resets.
 
zackkmac said:
Option 1 for the fact that it includes the display, fastest processors, and the HDs can be replaced and usually for very cheap. Could even throw in an SSD or two in there.
Click to expand...

I plan on getting an SSD or hybrid for my MBP so if it's a Hard Drive issue I will just put my 500GB from my MacBook Pro in that :)
Android4tw said:
option 1 all day just buy new HD's
Click to expand...

Sounds like a plan haha

mseth said:
Go with #1 could be an issue with permissions since the drives don't allow writing, maybe a bad OS install or it could be something even worse (failing drives). You could always replace them.

With #3, it could be a power supply issue or something that can't by fixed by simple fan replacement or PRAM/SMC/CUDA/etc. resets.
Click to expand...

Didn't think about the permissions or OS install... That would be really nice! That was my concern about #3 it sounded like a bigger issue
 
KeegM480 said:
Didn't think about the permissions or OS install... That would be really nice! That was my concern about #3 it sounded like a bigger issue
Click to expand...

Would be awesome if a fresh OS install would fix the HD issue. :) I also agree with your idea of throwing your MBP's old drive in there. That would work!
 
zackkmac said:
Would be awesome if a fresh OS install would fix the HD issue. :) I also agree with your idea of throwing your MBP's old drive in there. That would work!
Click to expand...

Cool, do you know if the PowerMac running Leopard (with 2GHz Dual Core0 runs netflix/youtube?
 
KeegM480 said:
Cool, do you know if the PowerMac running Leopard (with 2GHz Dual Core0 runs netflix/youtube?
Click to expand...

PowerPC can't run Netflix as Netflix uses Microsoft Silverlight, I have heard of some people getting an older beta of Silverlight to work, but it appears to be a huge pain in the ass.

Netflix is also moving to an HTML 5 based player, so depending on what support PPC browsers will have for HTML 5, Netflix may come back to PPC macs.
 
G51989 said:
PowerPC can't run Netflix as Netflix uses Microsoft Silverlight, I have heard of some people getting an older beta of Silverlight to work, but it appears to be a huge pain in the ass.

Netflix is also moving to an HTML 5 based player, so depending on what support PPC browsers will have for HTML 5, Netflix may come back to PPC macs.
Click to expand...

That "hack" doesn't work. It just tricks the installer but the app is still Intel-Only.
 
tampasteve said:
1 or 4...but 1 if you have the choice. HDD can be replaced for cheaper than a cinema display.
Click to expand...

I guarantee You I wouldn't buy the cinema display, I have on OK dell monitor I could use, I am meeting the person with the 2GHz G5 & Cinema Display tomorrow after I drop my MBP off at the Apple Store :)
 
Option 1 seems tempting, but if both hard drives don't always write, maybe the issue isn't the HDs themselves? So replacing them might not solve the issue.
 
Working on getting the airport to work and it actually had a 380 & 80 GB Hard Drive, it runs pretty good, I think the airport card is bad so I'm installing one from my iMac hopefully it works!
 

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Do you live near NJ by any chance? I have a quad 2.5ghz that was all cleaned up and checked out by myself (I am an ACMT) that I'd love to give away.
 
If you really want the cinema display go for it, replacing the hard drive would be cheaper than getting a cinema display display to go with one of the other ones.
 
ihuman:D said:
That "hack" doesn't work. It just tricks the installer but the app is still Intel-Only.
Click to expand...

Not a big deal, I can use my MacBook Pro... when it is actually working.
bizzle said:
Do you live near NJ by any chance? I have a quad 2.5ghz that was all cleaned up and checked out by myself (I am an ACMT) that I'd love to give away.
Click to expand...

Close..ish, Im in Michigan, I would have loved to pick yours up though, I would be surprised if it doesn't sell fast.

sucramdi said:
If you really want the cinema display go for it, replacing the hard drive would be cheaper than getting a cinema display display to go with one of the other ones.
Click to expand...

I haven't noticed any issues with the Hard Drive, about to install Windows 7 to the smaller one, but the big hard drive has been working flawlessly, a little loud but oh well.


So you guys can see, I got it all setup and running well :)
 

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