G5 2.7 vs. dual-core 2.3

[pablodo]

ok, in a follow up to my post from yesterday with a more specific question:

The apple store is currently selling refurbished Dual-Core 2.3ghz G5s and Dual Processor 2.7ghz for the same price. Using these machines strictly for print graphic design work, are the newer dual cores going to be better than the older 2.7 machines?

I'm not needing any PCI expansion so the PCIe bus doesn't mean much to me, but am unsure if the newer architecture and faster ram will make a difference.

And if a few hundred Mhz's in processing power doesn't make too much of a difference, would buying a dual core 2.0ghz and making up the difference in RAM be a better idea? I'd plan on expanding RAM in the other model too, but would probably be able to do like 4gb if i went with a cheaper model vs. 2gb in a more expensive model.

Opinions greatly appreciated.

 

[generik]

The Quad definitely, even if the Quad has only 3 cpus it is still way faster than the dual..

PS: Unless you are using a single threaded application

 

[pablodo]

not quad

I would love a quad, but that is definitely out of the price range....

 

[dabirdwell]

I have no idea what the quad response means...

Barefeats has some fairly conclusive benchmarking of both the dual core architecture machines and the earlier dual single core. In a nutshell, the older dual 2.7 is the fastest powermac ever, as far as raw processing goes (unless you're running something like Modo that can use all four cores of the quad to their fullest). The newer architecture of the dual core machines still can't eclipse the raw horsepower of the 2.7.

Further, I don't know of any graphics apps that use more than 2 cores, so another vote for the 2.7.

Someone else might want to comment on the potential impact of having an older-gen graphics card in the 2.7, but in my opinion, it shouldn't make the difference for you.

Another potential consideration, though, is that the 2.7 is essentially an overclocked 2.5, which was a heater, so I don't know if that could present any longevity problems because of the incredible heat dissipation.

Good luck in your choice, any one of them will be about five times as fast as the PowerMac G4 I have been using for graphic design for years.

 

[Porshuh944turbo]

Sweet... I was always wondering how my Dual Processor 2.7ghz matched up to the other powermac with dualcore chips. I say go with the 2.7!

How much were they asking them for btw? I always like to keep an eye on the market for my machines in case I need to sell. Mine has 3GB of RAM (still 2 slots open too), two 250GB SATA drives and everything else factory. It came with the ATI 9650 card which has 256MB VRAM.

One thing though, don't the dualcore powermacs have PCI-E vs. the 2.7 has AGP? Not sure about that, might check as it might be a factor for you.

 

[eXan]

The Quad definitely, even if the Quad has only 3 cpus it is still way faster than the dual..

PS: Unless you are using a single threaded application

?

Did he say anything about the Quad?

P.S: if he uses a single-threaded app even dual wound help

EDIT: as for dual-core 2.3 vs dual 2.7... I'd get 2.3. It has so much more goodies that dual 2.7 like dual ethernet, PCI-E, it also works much cooler and thus quieter. PLus, the performace of the two is comparable, as thos extra 400 MHz 2.7 offers is easily achieved by faster RAM, more cache ect in dc 2.3.

 

[dmw007]

I would go for the 2.7GHz DP Power Mac G5 pablodo.

 

[Obsidian6]

i had this same dilemma in january of this year. only at the time the DC 2.3 was not being offered refurbished.

I chose the dual 2.7 mostly because of cost. and the fact that because of the money i saved i got to add 6gigs of ram to this beast. i will be honest. it does get kinda noisy when all those fans kick in. and it does run pretty hot. but ever since apple replaced the processors and powersupply ( somtimes refurbs have hiccups, they still did it for free ) the heat has never become an issue. for my purpose. which is photoshop. it is just beautiful. plus i got to opt for the 23" cinema instead of the 20" from my savings

i think either computer is fantastic. but at the time of my purchase. the 2.7 was a better deal. i have 0 regret whatsoever. but, as with anything YMMV. in a general sense. newer technology is always better.

but money dictates my purchases thankfully, my desires do not.

 

[dualcore]

even if the Quad has only 3 cpus

did no one else catch this

 

[BakedBeans]

I chose the DC2.3 and it is really fast. It has PCI-E slots, fast ram, and comes pretty close the quad in photoshop speed test that is in my signature.

I would get the newest personally.

 

[eXan]

did no one else catch this

I did.

 

[pablodo]

results

So I ended up getting an apple refurbished 2.7 from a resller for about $1,900. It's running perfectly, though sometimes loud and sometimes hot, but I was able to buy a couple of gigs of RAM and a Dell 2005fpw as well.

thanks for the input.