Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Looking for clarification on Dual Core?

R

reefdad

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 3, 2012
7
0
I am considering buying a desktop computer for the family. My wife and I have always had and still have laptops. When shopping I am understanding all the specs of a computer but I don't think I am understanding the Dual Core concept on the power mac's, can Someone please explain it to me. I would like to buy a used power mac for the family desktop computer. I will probably use it for pictures, video games, homework all internet activities and well as a central unit for our home network. I have been looking at dual 2GHz systems. I guess my question is will a dual 2GHz power mac be a big upgrade from 2.66GHz macbook pro's?

Thanks
Erik
 
Dual core means that there is two CPU cores. Some Mac Pros are dual core and some PowerMac G4 and G5's are dual core. Then there are the quad core Mac Pros and PowerMac G5s and the eight core Mac Pros. All Mac Pros have at least two core and there are some PowerMac G5's that have only one core.

Going from a Mac Pro to a PowerMac G5 is going to be a downgrade unless you have the last generation PowerMac G5 and it is fully upgraded.
 
Intell said:
Dual core means that there is two CPU cores. Some Mac Pros are dual core and some PowerMac G4 and G5's are dual core. Then there are the quad core Mac Pros and PowerMac G5s and the eight core Mac Pros. All Mac Pros have at least two core and there are some PowerMac G5's that have only one core.

Going from a Mac Pro to a PowerMac G5 is going to be a downgrade unless you have the last generation PowerMac G5 and it is fully upgraded.
Click to expand...

So a Dual Core 2GHz power PC G5 porcessor dosent have the potential to run a 4GHz? I am misunderstanding? And it will be slower that a 2.66 Mac book Pro Laptop?
 
Last edited:
Both cores run at 2Ghz, not a combined speed of 4Ghz. Most PPC Macs, like a PowerMac G5, will be slower than most Intell based Macs.
 
Intell said:
Both cores run at 2Ghz, not a combined speed of 4Ghz. Most PPC Macs, like a PowerMac G5, will be slower than most Intell based Macs.
Click to expand...

If I am looking for the next step up from my laptops, (keeping in mind that this is only a family computer) what should I be looking for?
 
robbie12345 said:
any mac boom pro ever made is dual core, it is a dual core c2duo most likely

that is about double as pod as that mac
Click to expand...
If I am looking for the next step up from my laptops, (keeping in mind that this is only a family computer) what should I be looking for?
 
reefdad said:
If I am looking for the next step up from my laptops, (keeping in mind that this is only a family computer) what should I be looking for?
Click to expand...

For a family computer, any Intell based Core2Duo or better Mac will be fine. Even a lowly Mac Mini will be adequate. While not a speed demon like your Macbook Pro, it will be faster than any PPC Mac.
 
Is this worth $500? This is what I am looking at!

4gb ram (can take 16)
4gb of used untested Ram.
Extra Nvidia video card (not compatible with latest leopard but works great with Tiger)
4x 2.5 ghz quad G5 powerhouse processor.
 
reefdad said:
Is this worth $500? This is what I am looking at!

4gb ram (can take 16)
4gb of used untested Ram.
Extra Nvidia video card (not compatible with latest leopard but works great with Tiger)
4x 2.5 ghz quad G5 powerhouse processor.
Click to expand...

It may have been a "powerhouse" in 2005...

2.66GHz MBP: 3500
2.5GHz Quad G5: 3280

Still slower than your current Macbook Pro if it is core 2 duo. If it is 2.66 i7 the laptop destroys the G5 at geekbench @5500. Also those Quads suck a tremendous amount of power to run and have the added bonus of possible leaking liquid cooling. I wouldn't spend anything on it. EOL.
 
IMO investing any money on a powerpc machine is a waste of money in 2012 and you won't be able to play any modern game with it. Your macbook pro will run circles around it...which is presumably dual core.
 
derbothaus said:
It may have been a "powerhouse" in 2005...

2.66GHz MBP: 3500
2.5GHz Quad G5: 3280

Still slower than your current Macbook Pro if it is core 2 duo. If it is 2.66 i7 the laptop destroys the G5 at geekbench @5500. Also those Quads suck a tremendous amount of power to run and have the added bonus of possible leaking liquid cooling. I wouldn't spend anything on it. EOL.
Click to expand...

If I want to buy a Mac Pro what should I be looking for, and I would like to spend under $1000.00 since it will mostly be for the kids!
 
reefdad said:
If I want to buy a Mac Pro what should I be looking for, and I would like to spend under $1000.00 since it will mostly be for the kids!
Click to expand...

Get them an Intel Mac Mini. If you wait the new ones might have cheaper quad-core options.
 
I think a Mac mini would be a great idea! however you have to buy all the accessories. They are a nice little computer. If you are lucky you might be able to snag a refurbed one. However and this is just me, I would go for a iMac, seeing how the main use will be homework and gaming, a iMac is always good. I have a 2011 one and its quite impressive. Obviously from the sounds of it, you dont need a powerhouse computer, but u could check out amazon or even apple refurb to see what you can find

iMac

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/imac/21

Mac Mini

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/mac_mini

hope this helps!
 
since you were looking at used computers in the first place.
Look for a 2009 iMac with a Core 2 Duo (stay away from the one with the 9400M graphics card though) or a 2010 with an i3. They will be plenty fast for your needs. You can get those for under 800.
Or look at Mac minis. At least 2010 versions. they'll be at least 400. and thats without a screen, keyboard, mouse.
Best choice for a family computer is definitely a iMac.
 
reefdad said:
I am considering buying a desktop computer for the family. My wife and I have always had and still have laptops. When shopping I am understanding all the specs of a computer but I don't think I am understanding the Dual Core concept on the power mac's, can Someone please explain it to me. I would like to buy a used power mac for the family desktop computer. I will probably use it for pictures, video games, homework all internet activities and well as a central unit for our home network. I have been looking at dual 2GHz systems. I guess my question is will a dual 2GHz power mac be a big upgrade from 2.66GHz macbook pro's?

Thanks
Erik
Click to expand...

All Macbook Pros are already dual core.

This machine is slower than your Macbook Pro. It's not an upgrade, it's a downgrade.

Also don't buy anything with "Power" in the name. Those names were used for really old machines that aren't compatible with much. Avoid anything with a G5, G4, or G3. You'll be good with almost any machine with an Intel processor.

(The Mac Mini recommendation above is a good one. Even a used Intel Mac Mini isn't a pretty good idea.)
 
reefdad said:
If I want to buy a Mac Pro what should I be looking for, and I would like to spend under $1000.00 since it will mostly be for the kids!
Click to expand...

If its for kids I wouldn't get them a Mac Pro. It costs too much for what kids will use the machine for, even for something from 2008.

I second the idea of a mac mini. If your kids want to play graphics intensive games the base mini will be a pretty big disappointment with its Intel integrated HD graphics. Basic games, like flash games on Facebook or something will be fine, but not much more. Though if your kids are really into games, they probably want a PC.

I'm not sure I'd wait for the next Mac Mini if its just for your kids either. The ivy bridge processors for the Mac Mini probably won't be ready until into the summer. This is because the mobile processors usually lag the desktop ones. The intel integrated graphics should be substantially better with Ivy bridge, but in real life gaming, its probably not going to be enough if graphics intensive games are really a priority.

This mac mini might be a good option if you want to keep it comfortably under $1000 once you add a monitor/keyboard/mouse: http://www.powermax.com/parts/show/c-u75662.
 
I definitely recommend the 2.5ghz Mac Mini model. It will be perfect for your needs.
 
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A405 Safari/7534.48.3)

You guys are making it very confusing. Reefdad, get a 2011 refurbished iMac from the apple online store. You can geta student discount as well to save even more. Any of the 2011 models will provide loads of performance and will last you a few years.

Just my 2 cents.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back