Deals

Best Power Mac G5 Deals

Dan Knight - 2013.03.09
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Power Mac G5

The Power Mac G5 line included the most powerful PowerPC-based computer Apple ever sold, also making it a powerful line for Classic Mode – especially the last generation dual- and quad-core models, as Classic then has unfettered access to one of the Power Mac’s cores.

There were the first Power Macs with built-in USB 2.0 as well as SATA. Prior to the last generation, Apple used the same PCI slots found in previous Power Macs in the entry-level model and the newer PCI-X in the two faster versions of each generation; both PCI and PCI-X lines used 8x AGP for video cards.

With the final generation, Apple moved to dual-core CPUs and PCIe, the same expansion bus found in today’s Mac Pros. Although all G5 Power Macs use 150 Mbps SATA for their hard drives, they continue to use the older Ultra ATA/100 for their optical drives.

Unfortunately, reliability has been all over the board, with up to one-third of some versions requiring service in the first few years of use. 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 = 0-7%, B = 8-14%, C = 15-22%, D = 23-29%, and F = 30% or higher. We also note the components that failed most often.

  • G5/1.6 single (June 2003), D+ (24%, logic board, hard drive)
  • G5/1.8 single (June 2003), C (19%, logic board, video card)
  • G5/2.0 dual (June 2003), F (32%, video card, logic board)
  • G5/1.8 dual (Nov. 2003), D (27%, logic board, optical drive)
  • G5/1.8 dual (June 2004), C (19%, logic board, optical drive)
  • G5/2.0 dual (June 2004), C+ (17%, logic board, hard or optical drive)
  • G5/2.5 dual (June 2004), D (26%, logic board, hard drive)
  • G5/1.8 single (Oct. 2004), C (19%, hard drive, logic board)
  • G5/2.3 dual (April 2005), B (11%, logic board, power supply)
  • G5/2.7 dual (April 2005), C- (22%, logic board, power supply)
  • G5/2.0 dual-core (Oct. 2005), C (18%, power supply, logic board)
  • G5/2.3 dual-core (Oct. 2005), C (18%, power supply, logic board or optical drive)
  • G5/2.5 quad-core (Oct. 2005), C+ (17%, logic board, 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, with the 2.3 GHz dual G5 from April 2005 being the most reliable of the bunch (the Late 2005 models were also just 8 months old when MacInTouch did its survey). Logic boards 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.

All that said, by this time these problems have probably been resolved, so if the Power Mac G5 you’re buying works, it’s likely to work well for years.

The Power Mac line was displaced by the Intel-based Mac Pro, which has evolved from using two or four dual-core CPUs in 2006 to using one or two 4-core or 6-core CPUs today. Even the “consumer” Core 2 Duo iMacs from 2006 outperform G5 Power Macs in terms of overall processing power, and today’s Macs are far more powerful. You lose expandability and Classic mode when you go Intel (try SheepShaver to replace Classic Mode) while gaining an all-in-one solution and Intel power.

Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, the first version of OS X with no support for Classic Mode, is supported on all G5 Macs.

Used G5 Power Macs range from 1.6 GHz single processor to 2.5 GHz quad processor models. For our take on the value of last generation G5 Power Macs, see The October 2005 Power Mac G5 Value Equation. Also see What’s the Better Value at the Same Price, a 2.7 GHz Dual CPU or 2.3 GHz Dual Core?

Used Macs typically include a 90 day warranty. Memory and drive size reported as RAM/hard drive size. All Power Mac G5 models normally ship with a SuperDrive, although 1.6 GHz G5s configured with Combo drives are not uncommon (listed models have SuperDrive unless otherwise noted). Note that RAM for the dual-core models is about 40% cheaper than for earlier G5 Power Macs.

Models are sorted by CPU speed, with the exception of the 2.5 GHz Quad. Prices may be limited to quantity on hand. Not responsible for typos. Please email any corrections or additional sources with competitive prices to .

We try to factor in shipping costs and configuration when selecting the best values. Your best value depends on whether you need or want extra RAM, a larger hard drive, a better video card, etc. AGP video cards are listed in our Best Power Mac G4 and AGP Video Card Deals.

Best Used Power Mac G5 Deals

PCI

  • 1.8 GHz dual, $79, Mac of All Trades
  • VERY HOT 2.0 GHz dual, $99, Mac of All Trades

PCI-X

  • 2.0 GHz dual, $150, UsedMacs.us
  • HOT 2.3 GHz dual, $175, UsedMacs.us
  • 2.7 GHz dual, $369, DV Warehouse

PCIe

  • VERY HOT 2.5 GHz Quad-Core, $249, Mac in the Box

Recent Memory Prices (per pair of modules)

Modules should be installed in matched pairs.

  • Single CPU: 1 GB kit, $23.99; 2 GB, $43.99 – $88 for 4 GB max
  • Dual CPU: 1 GB kit, $23.99; 2 GB, $43.99 – $176 for 8 GB max
  • Dual-core CPU: 1 GB kit, $27.99; 2 GB, $29.97; 4 GB, $57.99 – $232 for 16 GB max

Mac OS X and OS X Server Prices

There should be no surcharge for credit card purchases, and shipping is often (but not always) included. Vendors are listed in alphabetical order. Be sure to visit their sites for full details.

Buying through some of these links benefits Low End Mac. Buying at these prices benefits you.

Profiles

For a quick overview of the 14 different Power Mac G5 models, see our Power Mac G5 Guide.

  • 1.6 single, 1.8 & 2.0 dual (2003): GeForce FX5200 or Radeon 9600 Pro graphics, Combo or 4x SD. 1.6 GHz model has PCI slots, 4 GB max memory (vs. PCI-X, 8 GB in faster models), OS X 10.2 through 10.5.
  • 1.8, 2.0, & 2.5 dual (2004): GeForce FX5200 Ultra or Radeon 9600 XT graphics, 8x SD. 1.8 GHz model has PCI slots, 4 GB max memory (vs. PCI-X, 8 GB in faster models), OS X 10.3 through 10.5.
  • 1.8 single (2004): GeForce FX5200 Ultra graphics. PCI expansions slots. 4 GB maximum RAM. 600 MHz system bus – one-third of CPU speed vs. memory running at half CPU speed in all other G5 Power Macs, OS X 10.4 through 10.5.
  • 2.0, 2.3, & 2.7 dual (2005): Radeon 9600 or 9650 graphics, dual-layer 16x SD. Radeon 9600 standard on 2.0 and 2.3 GHz models, 9650 on 2.7 GHz. 2.0 GHz model has PCI slots, 4 GB memory ceiling (vs. PCI-X, 8 GB in faster models), OS X 10.4 through 10.5.
  • 2.0, 2.3, & 2.5 Dual, 2.5 Quad: Dual-core processors, PCI Express (PCIe) expansion slots, dual-layer 16x SD, Nvidia GeForce 6600 graphics, up to 16 GB of DDR2 memory. The Quad has a pair of dual-core CPUs and is the most powerful PowerPC Mac ever built, OS X 10.4 through 10.5.

DV Warehouse

OS X 10.5 Leopard installed. Shipping may add $65 or more.

  • 1.6 GHz single (PCI), 512/80/Combo, GeForce 5200, $148
  • 1.8 GHz dual (PCI), 1 GB/80/SD, $188
  • 2.0 GHz dual (PCI-X), 1 GB/80/SD, Radeon 9600, $209
  • 2.0 GHz Dual-Core (PCIe), 2 GB/160/SD, GeForce 6600, $299
  • 2.3 GHz Dual-Core (PCIe), 2/160/SD, GeForce 6600, $388
  • 2.7 GHz dual (PCI-X), 2 GB/160/SD, Radeon 9600, $369
  • 2.5 GHz Quad-Core (PCIe), 2 GB/160/SD, GeForce 6600, $399

Mac in the Box

No additional details such as slot type (PCI vs. PCI-X). Shipping may add $35 or more. Mac in the Box uses PayPal exclusively for payments.

  • 2.5 GHz Quad-Core (PCIe), 2 GB/250/SD, $249
  • 2.5 GHz Quad-Core (PCIe), 8 GB/250/SD, $349
  • 2.5 GHz Quad-Core (PCIe), 16 GB/750/SD, $449

Mac of All Trades

OS X 10.5 Leopard installed. Ground shipping averages $50. Mac of All Trades has the highest product turnover of any used Mac dealer we track.

  • 1.8 GHz dual (PCI), 1 GB/160/SD, GeForce 5200, $79
  • 2.0 GHz dual (PCI), 2 GB/160/SD, Radeon 9600, $99

MegaMacs

30 day warranty. Keyboard and mouse not included. Ground shipping may add $41 or more.

  • 2.0 GHz Dual-Core (PCIe), 1 GB/160/SD, $579.99

Operator Headgap

Shipping included. Operator Headgap thoroughly refurbishes and tests every Mac they sell. When buying, please let them know you heard about them on Low End Mac when entering your shipping information. Thanks!

PowerMax

Free ground shipping. Mac OS X 10.4.11 and Classic installed. PowerMax has the broadest selection of used Macs of any dealer we track.

PCI models

  • 1.6 GHz single (PCI), 1 GB/250/SD, GeForce FX 5200, $239 shipped
  • 1.8 GHz single (PCI), 2.5 GB/160/SD, GeForce FX 5200, $3619 shipped
  • other configurations listed

PCI-X models

  • 1.8 GHz single (PCI-X), 4 GB/160/SD, GeForce FX 5200, $299 shipped
  • 2.0 GHz single (PCI-X), 4 GB/250/SD, Radeon 9600, $319 shipped
  • 1.8 GHz dual (PCI-X), 1.25 GB/250/SD, Radeon 9600, $299 shipped
  • 1.8 GHz dual (PCI-X), 1 GB/250/SD, GeForce FX 5200, $309 shipped
  • 2.0 GHz dual (PCI-X), 1 GB/250/SD, Radeon 9800, $349 shipped
  • 2.0 GHz dual (PCI-X), 4 GB/160/SD, GeForce FX 5200, $399 shipped
  • 2.5 GHz dual (PCI-X), 4 GB/250/SD, GeForce 6800 GT, $509 shipped
  • lots of other configurations listed

PCIe dual-core models

  • 2.5 GHz Dual-Core (PCIe), 1 GB/250/SD, GeForce 6600, $509 shipped
  • 2.5 GHz Quad-Core (PCIe), 4.5 GB/250/SD, GeForce 6600, $659 shipped
  • 2.5 GHz Quad-Core (PCIe), 16 GB/160/SD, GeForce 6600, $9919 shipped
  • lots of other configurations listed

Teksale

Shipping may add $56 or more. Used Power Macs include a new Macally iKey keyboard and optical USB mouse.

  • 1.8 GHz dual, 512/160/SD, GeForce 5200, $349
  • 2.0 GHz dual, 1 GB/160/SD, Radeon 9600 Pro, $369
  • 2.5 GHz dual (PCI-X), 2 GB/250/SD, Radeon 9600 Pro, $549
  • 2.7 GHz dual (PCI-X), 2 GB/250/SD, Radeon 9600, $579

UsedMacs.US

Local pickup available in West Hollywood, CA. Ground shipping may cost $50 or more. 30 day warranty. AirPort Extremeavailable at extra cost.

  • 2.0 GHz dual (PCI-X), 2 GB/250/SD, $149.95
  • 2.3 GHz dual (PCI-X), 2 GB/250/SD, $174.95
  • 2.3 GHz Dual-Core (PCIe), 2 GB/250/SD, $249.95

Wegener Media

Shipping may add $39.50 or more. Keyboard and mouse extra.

  • 2.0 GHz dual (PCI-X), 512/160/SD, $149.99

PCI Express (PCIe) Video Cards

The last generation of G5 Power Macs, the dual-core ones, were the only PowerPC Macs to use PCI Express (PCIe). Because of this, compatible video cards are relatively rare.

Applemacanix

Shipping adds $9.50. Applemacanix sells flashed PCI Express video cards.

  • Radeon X1900 GT, 256 MB, $109.75
  • Nvidia GeForce 7800 GT, 256 MB, $149.50

Mac-Pro

Shipping may add $38 or more.

  • GeForce 6600 LE, 256 MB, $117.77
  • GeForce 7800 GT, 256 MB, $277.77
  • Quadro FX 4500, 512 MB, $397.77

Operator Headgap

Shipping included. Operator Headgap thoroughly refurbishes and tests every Mac they sell. When buying, please let them know you heard about them on Low End Mac when entering your shipping information. Thanks!

  • Nvidia 6600LE PCIe, $179.77 shipped

Don’t need G5 power? Check out our Best Power Mac G4 Deals and Best Mac mini Deals. Don’t need all the expansion or can’t afford a G5 plus a display? Consider the iMac G5.

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