Power Macintosh G5

Power Macintosh G5 Quad

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Sometimes a computer with a lower GHz rating can outperform one with a higher speed rating, and that's especially true for the 2.5 GHz Power Mac G5 Quad.

The first Macs to use IBM's new dual-core G5 CPUs, they also use a pair of them, which means Power Mac owners now have access to four cores. Not since the Daystar Genesis of 1996 have Mac owners had a four-processor option.

Each core has 1 MB of level 2 cache, twice as much as earlier G5s, which further boosts computing power. In addition to the 2.5 GHz Quad, Apple also offers 2.0 GHz and 2.3 GHz models with a single dual-core CPU.

There's a small price to pay for this power. The 2.7 GHz Power Mac remains available for those who need PCI-X slots or can't wait for the Quad to ship in November, but the quad core 2.5 GHz model is from 20% to 75% faster according to Apple's tests.

Other improvements include the adoption of PCI Express architecture and a 16-lane nVidia video card, 533 MHz DDR2 memory, and a 16x dual-layer SuperDrive. This is the first time Apple has included an nVidia card as a standard feature on their leading-edge model since the "Digital Audio" Power Mac G4 of January 2001. There isn't even an ATI option at present.

The motherboard architecture uses HyperTransport technology. System memory is so fast (533 MHz on a 1.25 GHz bus) and the level 2 cache so large that Apple doesn't bother with a level 3 cache.

A headphone jack, USB 2.0 port, and FireWire port are located on the front of the G5 for easy access.

Power Mac G5 Reliability

Reliability ratings are based on statistics compiled by MacInTouch in June 2006, at which time the dual-core Power Mac G5 models had only been on the market for 8 months. Letter grades are based on failure rate: A = 0-6%, B = 7-12%, C = 13-18%, D = 19-24%, and F = 25% or higher. We also note the two components that failed most often.

G5/2.0 dual-core (Oct. 2005), C- (18%, power supply, logicboard)
G5/2.3 dual-core (Oct. 2005), C- (18%, power supply, logicboard or optical drive)
G5/2.5 quad-core (Oct. 2005), C- (17%, logicboard, power supply)

In each generation, except for the final dual-core one, the fastest model is the least reliable, while the second-fastest is the most reliable. Logicboards are the most expensive component to repair, followed by the power supply. Hard drives, optical drives, video cards, and RAM can be replaced inexpensively using third-party components.

Details

2.5 GHz Quad announced 2005.10.19 at $3,299 with November delivery; replaced by Mac Pro 2006.08.07
requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later
CPU: 2.5 GHz dual-core G5
bus: 1.25 GHz (half CPU speed)
performance:

Geekbench 2 (Leopard): 3197
Geekbench 2 (Tiger): 3298

RAM: 512 MB, expandable to 16 GB using 533 MHz PC2-4200 DDR2 RAM
L2 cache: 1 MB on-chip L2 cache per core
L3 cache: none
Video GHz: nVidia GeForce 6600
nVidia 7800 GT with 256 MB and nVidia Quadro FX 4500 with 512 MB optional
VRAM: 256 MB
hard drive: 250 Serial ATA 7200 rpm
16x dual-layer SuperDrive standard
3 open PCI Express slots: two 4-lane slots, one 8-lane slot
optional external 56k v.92 modem
microphone: standard 3.5mm minijack, compatible with line-level input, not compatible with Apple's PlainTalk microphone
FireWire: 2 FW400 ports (1 on front), 1 FW800 port
USB: 4 USB 2.0 ports (1 on front)
ethernet: 2 independent 10/100/gigabit ports
WiFi: antenna and connector for 802.11g AirPort Extreme card
Bluetooth: built in, optional antenna
size (HxWxD): 20.1" x 8.1" x 18.7" (51.1 x 20.6 x 47.5 cm)
weight: 44.5-48.8 lb. (20.2-22.1 kg)
Gestalt ID: n/a
PRAM battery: 3V CR2032 lithium
upgrade path: none
Part no.: M9592

Accelerators & Upgrades

none likely

Online Resources

Low End Mac's best Power Mac G5 deals
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Drive matters, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2006.06.14. There's more to picking the right hard drive than size, spindle speed, buffer size, and price. But how can a 5400 rpm drive ever outperform a 7200 rpm drive?
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The October 2005 Power Mac G5 value equation, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2005.10.21. The newest Power Macs have dual-core CPUs, but how does value compare with the discontinued models?
Apple Specs: Power Macintosh G5

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