New G5s announced at DVinfo.net

Jeff Price · June 9th, 2004, 10:28 AM

Apple unveiled their new line of G5s today. Max power is now dual 2.5 GHz with liquid cooling. Other than the equivalently faster front-side bus there seem to be no other major changes. Of course the dual 2 just dropped in price.

On the rumor side of things comes a report to not look for 3 GHz processors or G5 laptops anytime soon.

Ken Tanaka · June 9th, 2004, 10:39 AM

The 3GHz "no time soon" is not a rumor; it's a quote. It looks like Steve just got a bit ahead of himself (and his company) again. <shrug>

Mark Sloan · June 9th, 2004, 02:27 PM

Well, maybe that and EVERYONE is having problems with the move to 90nm processors. Intel, AMD, Motorola, and IBM are all having issues. At the smaller size they're having current leakage issues and that makes all sorts of problems...

Jeff Donald · June 9th, 2004, 04:17 PM

It should be noted that the 2.5 GHz G5 processor is built on 90 nm technology. The real issue is more on IBM's end in manufacturing the chips. In a conference call back in April, IBM revealed they were having "issues" with manufacturing the new chips. IBM felt confident they would get things improved this fall. So, perhaps new G5's by the holidays or at MacWorld.

Ken Tanaka · June 9th, 2004, 07:06 PM

It should also be noted that the price of the dual 2GHz Macs has significantly dropped with the new model introduction.

Jeff Donald · June 9th, 2004, 07:18 PM

Some minor improvements, along with the price drop, too.

Ray Echevers · June 10th, 2004, 12:18 PM

The 1.8 dual also dropped $500 in price.
Dual 1.8 - $1999
Dual 2.0 - $2499
Dual 2.5 - $2999

I should've waited.....

Jim Shields · June 11th, 2004, 01:42 PM

...I understand the new 1.8 doesn't have PCI-X, while yours (the older model) does. So you have more options for expansion.

Harrison Murchison · June 11th, 2004, 02:09 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Jim Shields : ...I understand the new 1.8 doesn't have PCI-X, while yours (the older model) does. So you have more options for expansion. -->>>

Yes the new dual 1.8 is great for those who have no plans to add in high bandwidth cards.

If I had purchased a 1.8 previously I wouldn't be remorseful especially in a environement where I need that extra bandwidth that PCI-X provides.

Ray Echevers · June 11th, 2004, 02:25 PM

I just noticed all the differnces the "new" dual 1.8 has.

80GB HD instead of 160GB
256MB Memory instead of 512MB
Up to 4GB of Memory instead of 8GB
PCI slots instead of PCI-X slots

Now I don't feel bad at all!

I'm not sure if my SuperDrive is 4x, but I heard the new ones are 8x.

Jeff Donald · June 11th, 2004, 02:31 PM

All three new G5's have 8x SuperDrives. I believe yours is 4x. slight improvement, but I would still rather have your "older" model. Faster DVD burners are on the horizon.

Deniz Turkmen · June 11th, 2004, 03:04 PM

Will there be a huge speed difference between the 2.0 and the 2.5?

Since I'm editing wedding videos and feature films with final cut hd and authoring on dvd studio 3, I was thinking about getting the 2.5.

The liquid cooling system in the 2.5 sounds cool, but since it's the first time apple has integrated it into one of thier systems, I'm afraid there could be problems with it. From what I hear, apple let's it's customers be thier beta testers.

Harrison Murchison · June 11th, 2004, 03:28 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Deniz Turkmen : Will there be a huge speed difference between the 2.0 and the 2.5?

Since I'm editing wedding videos and feature films with final cut hd and authoring on dvd studio 3, I was thinking about getting the 2.5.

The liquid cooling system in the 2.5 sounds cool, but since it's the first time apple has integrated it into one of thier systems, I'm afraid there could be problems with it. From what I hear, apple let's it's customers be thier beta testers. -->>>

I think so. The design of the processors is the same so a %25 increase in clock is going to translate into a real world 5-10% increase in productivity.

I don't think Apple will have any problem with the cooling system. It's not like some extreme methods where there are external tanks.

The 2.5 duallie would have you set for some time.

Boyd Ostroff · June 11th, 2004, 03:33 PM

I think it goes without saying that you pay a big premium to get the latest and greatest new Mac, and of course there is no track record yet for a new product. Generally speaking, you get a lot more bang for the buck on the slightly slower machines. But if you absolutely need the speed increase, can afford it, and are willing to take a chance then go for it. Just don't get upset when they release a new model 6 months later that is faster, cheaper, and has all the bugs fixed.

Or at least this is the pattern I've observed - and participated in - during the past 20 years that I've owned Macs...

Harrison Murchison · June 11th, 2004, 04:02 PM

Normally that's the case. The initial launch of the G5 Powermacs had only a 200Mhz per processor delta between the midrange system and the top end.

Now we have a 500mhz delta. I'm afraid that's just too much to give up for $500. I really don't expect the new dual 2Ghz to sell that much.

June 9th, 2004, 10:28 AM	#1
Jeff Price Major Player Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chico, California Posts: 357	New G5s announced Apple unveiled their new line of G5s today. Max power is now dual 2.5 GHz with liquid cooling. Other than the equivalently faster front-side bus there seem to be no other major changes. Of course the dual 2 just dropped in price. On the rumor side of things comes a report to not look for 3 GHz processors or G5 laptops anytime soon. __________________ Jeff Price Flickerflix Nature Videos flickerflix@yahoo.com

June 9th, 2004, 10:39 AM	#2
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	The 3GHz "no time soon" is not a rumor; it's a quote. It looks like Steve just got a bit ahead of himself (and his company) again. <shrug> __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

June 9th, 2004, 04:17 PM	#4
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	It should be noted that the 2.5 GHz G5 processor is built on 90 nm technology. The real issue is more on IBM's end in manufacturing the chips. In a conference call back in April, IBM revealed they were having "issues" with manufacturing the new chips. IBM felt confident they would get things improved this fall. So, perhaps new G5's by the holidays or at MacWorld. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

June 9th, 2004, 07:06 PM	#5
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	It should also be noted that the price of the dual 2GHz Macs has significantly dropped with the new model introduction. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

June 9th, 2004, 07:18 PM	#6
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Some minor improvements, along with the price drop, too. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

June 9th, 2004, 02:27 PM	#3
Mark Sloan Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 346	Well, maybe that and EVERYONE is having problems with the move to 90nm processors. Intel, AMD, Motorola, and IBM are all having issues. At the smaller size they're having current leakage issues and that makes all sorts of problems...

June 10th, 2004, 12:18 PM	#7
Ray Echevers Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 148	The 1.8 dual also dropped $500 in price. Dual 1.8 - $1999 Dual 2.0 - $2499 Dual 2.5 - $2999 I should've waited..... __________________ Sony VX-1000 G5 1.8 dual 91 Turbo MR2

June 11th, 2004, 01:42 PM	#8
Jim Shields New Boot Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Austin Posts: 19	Don't worry, ray... ...I understand the new 1.8 doesn't have PCI-X, while yours (the older model) does. So you have more options for expansion.

June 11th, 2004, 02:09 PM	#9
Harrison Murchison Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 243	Re: Don't worry, ray... <<<-- Originally posted by Jim Shields : ...I understand the new 1.8 doesn't have PCI-X, while yours (the older model) does. So you have more options for expansion. -->>> Yes the new dual 1.8 is great for those who have no plans to add in high bandwidth cards. If I had purchased a 1.8 previously I wouldn't be remorseful especially in a environement where I need that extra bandwidth that PCI-X provides.

June 11th, 2004, 02:25 PM	#10
Ray Echevers Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 148	I just noticed all the differnces the "new" dual 1.8 has. 80GB HD instead of 160GB 256MB Memory instead of 512MB Up to 4GB of Memory instead of 8GB PCI slots instead of PCI-X slots Now I don't feel bad at all! I'm not sure if my SuperDrive is 4x, but I heard the new ones are 8x. __________________ Sony VX-1000 G5 1.8 dual 91 Turbo MR2

June 11th, 2004, 02:31 PM	#11
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	All three new G5's have 8x SuperDrives. I believe yours is 4x. slight improvement, but I would still rather have your "older" model. Faster DVD burners are on the horizon. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

June 11th, 2004, 03:04 PM	#12
Deniz Turkmen Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: CA Posts: 166	Will there be a huge speed difference between the 2.0 and the 2.5? Since I'm editing wedding videos and feature films with final cut hd and authoring on dvd studio 3, I was thinking about getting the 2.5. The liquid cooling system in the 2.5 sounds cool, but since it's the first time apple has integrated it into one of thier systems, I'm afraid there could be problems with it. From what I hear, apple let's it's customers be thier beta testers.

June 11th, 2004, 03:28 PM	#13
Harrison Murchison Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 243	<<<-- Originally posted by Deniz Turkmen : Will there be a huge speed difference between the 2.0 and the 2.5? Since I'm editing wedding videos and feature films with final cut hd and authoring on dvd studio 3, I was thinking about getting the 2.5. The liquid cooling system in the 2.5 sounds cool, but since it's the first time apple has integrated it into one of thier systems, I'm afraid there could be problems with it. From what I hear, apple let's it's customers be thier beta testers. -->>> I think so. The design of the processors is the same so a %25 increase in clock is going to translate into a real world 5-10% increase in productivity. I don't think Apple will have any problem with the cooling system. It's not like some extreme methods where there are external tanks. The 2.5 duallie would have you set for some time.

June 11th, 2004, 03:33 PM	#14
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,787	I think it goes without saying that you pay a big premium to get the latest and greatest new Mac, and of course there is no track record yet for a new product. Generally speaking, you get a lot more bang for the buck on the slightly slower machines. But if you absolutely need the speed increase, can afford it, and are willing to take a chance then go for it. Just don't get upset when they release a new model 6 months later that is faster, cheaper, and has all the bugs fixed. Or at least this is the pattern I've observed - and participated in - during the past 20 years that I've owned Macs...

June 11th, 2004, 04:02 PM	#15
Harrison Murchison Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 243	Normally that's the case. The initial launch of the G5 Powermacs had only a 200Mhz per processor delta between the midrange system and the top end. Now we have a 500mhz delta. I'm afraid that's just too much to give up for $500. I really don't expect the new dual 2Ghz to sell that much.