Power Mac G5 (Mid 2004)

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 RAM on a 900 MHz to 1.25 GHz bus) that Apple doesn’t bother with a level 3 cache.

A headphone jack, a USB 2.0 port, and a FireWire 400 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 nine 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 expansion slots instead of 133 MHz PCI-X andhas 4 memory slots instead of 8.

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.

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Details

introduced 2004.06.09 with 1.8 GHz 256 MB/80 GB at $1,999, 2.0 GHz 512 MB/160 GB at $2,499, and 2.5 GHz 512 MB/160 GB at $2,999; shipped in August; 1.8 GHz single model added 2004.10.19; replaced by 2005 Power Mac G5 on 2005.04.27
Support Mac OS Versions
- OS X 10.3 Jaguar
- OS X 10.4 Tiger
- OS X 10.5 Leopard
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 or 8 GB using pairs of 400 MHz PC3200 DDR RAM (4 RAM slots in 1.8 GHz model, 8 in faster ones)
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 bus: 1.5 Gbps SATA Rev. 1
Hard drive: 80/160 Serial ATA (SATA) 7200 rpm
Optical drive bus: ATA/100 bus
optical drive: 8x SuperDrive on Ultra ATA/100 bus
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
power supply: 600W 661-2904
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
PRAM battery: 3.6V half-AA
Part no.: M9454 (1.8 GHz), M9455 (2.0 GHz), M9457 (2.5 GHz)