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Power Macintosh G5 (2004)
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Overview
Low End Mac Reader Specials
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Less than a year after unveiling the original Power Mac G5, Apple released a new line of G5 models, each with dual processors and an 8x SuperDrive.
As before, the entry level model uses 64-bit PCI slots and only supports up to 4 GB of RAM vs. PCI-X slots and an 8 GB RAM ceiling in the faster G5s.
The motherboard architecture uses HyperTransport technology. System memory is so fast (400 MHz on a 900 MHz to 1.25 GHz bus) 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.
The G5 uses an aluminum enclosure that's vented in the front and back. The case includes four thermal zones and 9 fans to handle cooling, each independently controlled for speed. The 2.5 GHz model incorporates a liquid cooling system to keep the CPU from overheating.
Note that the 1.8 GHz model is one of Apple's entry-level G5s, which means it uses 33 MHz PCI slots instead of 100/133 MHz PCI-X, has 4 memory slots instead of 8, and uses a 450W power supply instead of 600W.
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.
- G5/1.8 dual (June 2004), D+ (19%, logicboard, optical drive)
- G5/2.0 dual (June 2004), C- (17%, logicboard, hard or optical drive)
- G5/2.5 dual (June 2004), F (26%, logicboard, hard drive)
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
- 1.8 GHz dual 256/80 introduced 2004.06.09 at $1,999
2.0 GHz dual 512/160 introduced 2004.06.09 at $2,499
2.5 GHz dual 512/160 introduced 2004.06.09 at $2,999; shipped in August shipment; replaced by faster model 2005.04.27 - requires Mac OS X 10.3 or later
- CPU: 1.8/2.0/2.5 GHz PowerPC 970
- bus: 900 MHz/1.0 GHz/1.25 GHz (half CPU speed)
- performance:
- Geekbench 2 (Leopard): 2083 (2.5 GHz), 1704 (2.0 GHz), 1553 (1.8 GHz)
- Geekbench 2 (Tiger): 2105 (2.5 GHz), 1688 (2.0 GHz), 1582 (1.8 GHz)
- L2 cache: 512 KB on-chip L2 cache
- L3 cache: none
- RAM, 1.8 GHz: 256 MB, expandable to 4 GB using pairs of 400 MHz
PC3200 DDR RAM
RAM, 2.0 and 2.5 GHz: 512 MB, expandable to 8 GB using pairs of 400 MHz PC3200 DDR RAM - Video: AGP 8x
- 1.8/2.0 GHz: nVidia GeForce FX5200 Ultra
- 2.5 GHz: ATI Radeon 9600 XT
- ATI Radeon 9800 XT with 256 MB optional
- VRAM: 64 MB (nVidia) or 128 MB (Radeon 9600)
- hard drive: 80/160 Serial ATA 7200 rpm
- 8x SuperDrive standard on all models
- 3 33 MHz 64-bit PCI slots on 1.8 GHz model
3 64-bit PCI-X slots on faster models (two 100 MHz, one 133 MHz) - modem: internal 56k v.92
- 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: 3 USB 2.0 ports (1 on front)
- ethernet: 10/100/gigabit
- WiFi: antenna and connector for 802.11g AirPort Extreme card
- Bluetooth: built in, optional antenna
- PRAM battery: 3V CR2032 lithium
- size (HxWxD): 20.1" x 8.1" x 18.7" (51.1 x 20.6 x 47.5 cm)
- weight: 39.2 lb. (17.8 kg)
- Gestalt ID: n/a
- model number: M9393 (1.8 GHz), M9455 (2.0 GHz), M9457 (2.5 GHz)
- PRAM battery: 3.6V half-AA
- upgrade path: none
- Part no.: M9454 (1.8 GHz), M9455 (2.0 GHz)
Accelerators & Upgrades
- none likely
Online Resources
- Low End Mac's best Power Mac G5 deals
- Best classic Mac OS deals. Best online prices for System 6, 7.1, 7.5.x, Mac OS 7.6, 8.0, 8.1, 8.5, 9.0, 9.2.2, and other versions.
- Best Mac OS X 10.0-10.3 deals. Best online prices for Mac OS X 10.0, 10.1, 10.2, and 10.3.
- Best Mac OS X 10.4 'Tiger' deals. Best online prices for Mac OS X 10.4.
- Best Mac OS X 10.5 'Leopard' deals. Best online prices for Mac OS X 10.5.
- What's the best version of OS X for my Mac?, Ian R Campbell, The Sensible Mac, 2008.02.28. Which version of Mac OS X is best for your hardware depends on several factors.
- Mac Pro overclocking, Windependence with Darwine, Blu-ray for Macs, and more, Mac News Review, 2008.07.04. Also more on running Leopard on non-Apple hardware, Ubuntu on a Mac mini, the first autofocus webcam with Zeiss optics for Macs, and more.
- PowerPC's last chance: The Mac's history with the G5 CPU, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2008.06.24. The introduction of the G5 Power Mac in June 2003 promised a bright 3 GHz future, and failure to achieve that paved the way to today's Intel Macs.
- 'Snow Leopard' and the death of PowerPC support, Carl Nygren, Classic Macs in the Intel Age, 2008.06.23. It looks like Mac OS X 10.6 will only support Intel Macs - and possibly only 64-bit ones at that. Should G4 and G5 owners start looking at Linux?
- Virtual PC works with Leopard, Intel vs. PowerPC performance, beyond the Mac mini, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.05.20. Also upgrading Intel iMacs, Compact Flash in a PowerBook 2400, and thoughts on low-end Macs.
- Power Mac G5 vs. Intel Mac mini, video thumbnails lost in migration, OCR software, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.03.17. Also HARMONi compatibility with Mac OS X 10.4, a dual processor G4 auction, Internet access by digital phone, and more.
- 2.6 GHz MacBook Pro worth it?, iBook video fixed, Compact Flash vs. SSD, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.03.13. Also buying a used Power Mac G4, a Power Mac 7600 still in daily use, OCR software for modern Macs, and Leopard on a Blue and White G3.
- Leopard on a Cube, G4 CPU swap limitations, Power Mac G5 a good choice?, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2008.03.06. Also looking for a scanner that works with Panther and the hsitory of expansion slots in low-cost Macs.
- Safari 3.1 will be 'crazy fast', OS X 10.5.2 update, 20x SuperDrive from $35, and more, Mac News Review, 2008.02.15. Also Security Update for Tiger, Graphics Update for Leopard, Mac mini "as powerful as a larger desktop", TechTool Deluxe update, and more.
- Restore stability to a troubled Mac with a clean system install, Keith Winston, Linux to Mac, 2008.01.15. If your Mac is misbehaving, the best fix just might be a fresh reinstallation of Mac OS X - don't forget to backup first.
- Leopard pales before Mac OS 8.5 for Macs left behind, dual processor benefits, and more, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.10.23. Mac users may not remember that Mac OS 8.5 left behind some Macs just over two years old. Compared to that, Leopard users have it made.
- How to Upgrade a G5's Optical Drive, Rob Griffiths, Macworld, 2007.10.17. How to replace the older, slower optical drive in a Power Mac G5 with a newer, faster, dual-layer mechanism.
- Leopard on G4 Power Macs, Quicksilver and big drives, and pros and cons of schools leasing computers, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Mailbag, 2007.10.10. Thoughts on the Mac OS X 10.5 installer, big drive support in the 2001 Quicksilver, differences between 2 GHz G5 Power Macs, and whether schools should lease computers or not.
- External $100 Sony DVD burner likes Macs, Brian Gray, Fruitful Editing, 2007.10.10. The box and manual say nothing about Mac compatibility, but this 18x USB 2.0 DVD burner is plug-and-play (at least with Tiger).
- APG Card Compatibility, The Mac Elite, 2007.08.09. Guide to which ATI and nVidia AGP video cards are compatible with which AGP Power Macs.
- Allegro USB 2.0 a great way to add several USB 2.0 ports to your Power Mac, Dan Knight, Low End Mac Reviews, 2007.03.28. You can never have too many USB ports. Whether your Power Mac has no USB 2.0 ports or too few, this $30 card is a great way to add the ports you need.
- 11 ways to optimize your Mac's performance, Ed Eubanks Jr, The Efficient Mac User, 2007.03.12. If your Mac is getting sluggish, here are 11 tips that can help restore its original performance.
- Region free DVD viewing options for Intel and PowerPC Macs, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 2006.09.12. Several hardware and software options that will let your view 'wrong region' DVDs on your PowerPC or Intel Mac.
- Power Mac G5 Reliability, Robert Mohns, Macintouch, 2006.07.06. On average, 17% of Power Mac G5 units require repair within their first year of use. That drops to 9% for the second year.
- Macs take away Microsoft pain, Macs revive James Bond, iMac king of all media, iWoofer, and more, Mac News Review, 2006.06.16. Also Windows users guide to switching to the Mac, Bluetooth firmware update for PPC Macs, universal USB 2.0 drive adapter, waterproof case for video iPod, and more.
- 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?
- Power Mac G5 Uniprocessor Firmware Update, Apple, 2004.09.13. "The Power Mac G5 Uniprocessor Firmware Update improves general system reliability and restores sleep functionality."
- The June 2004 Power Mac G5 value equation, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2004.06.09. The newest G5s offer better values than the old ones, but which one comes in as the best value just might surprise you.
- Sonata SD, Sonnet Tech, 2004.06.01. First new PCI video card for the Mac in ages sells for just US$99, supports OS 7.5.3 and later plus OS X 10.1.5 and later, works with VGA or old Mac monitors, 16 MB VRAM. Also compatible with PCI-X slots in G5.
- Apple Specs: Power Macintosh G5
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