I have been in the process of getting a G5 system for about two weeks now and actually purchased an iMac G5 2.1 GHZ which was lost by amazon.com, but got a refund on. After that I started looking into getting a PM G5 since upgradeability is a plus for me since I still use a PM G4 FW800 which is great especially since I have been able to upgrade it. Extra RAM, PCI USB 2.0 card, FW cards...Extra HD..etc. The new iMac G5 was tough to resist purchasing despite not being able to upgrade anything, but the RAM. Since it didn't work out and now I want a PM G5, I was looking at Apple's Refurb deals for 2.3, 2.5 and 2.7 models at great prices. The overall opinion of everyone here at MR is that buy refurb is a great deal which I do believe as well. According to a lot of tests the 2.7 model beats out even the DC 2.3 which makes sense however is the 2.7 model already a bad deal as far as upgradeability goes? PCI-E is the future and DDR2 are great features bring more years to the system. Of course PCI-E cards are not in abundance right now and pricey. Any thoughts? Thanks.
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Refurb Dual G5 or New Dual Core G5?
- Thread starter asencif
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*shrug*
I'd get a dual 2.7.
Unless PCI-E is something you just have to have, which most people don't.
I'd get a dual 2.7.
Unless PCI-E is something you just have to have, which most people don't.
Thanks guys. I'm also wondering about how long is the future for DC G5's as opposed to the Dual's, since Intel PM's will probably be here early next year. The PM G5 2.7 might last for 2 years and then I would maybe get an Intel PM G5. It seems that the 2.7 model will be great for 3 years before it will be time to need an Intel PM. The Quad seems like the most interesting one, but out my price range.
My 8 year old 300 MHz G3 is still purring like an old alley cat.
The newer software may eventually leave you behind as time
goes on, but the system you buy today will still run the applications
you buy today, so 3-5 years is totally reasonable.
I would go for the dual core 2.3 if you can't afford the Quad, but a lot also depends on what you plan to do with your system.
For graphics go PCI-Express,
For audio, it's a tough call, because right now the audio cards are still mostly PCI or PCI-X AGP and the manufacturers are stuck with a ton of AGP expansion cards.
The newer software may eventually leave you behind as time
goes on, but the system you buy today will still run the applications
you buy today, so 3-5 years is totally reasonable.
I would go for the dual core 2.3 if you can't afford the Quad, but a lot also depends on what you plan to do with your system.
For graphics go PCI-Express,
For audio, it's a tough call, because right now the audio cards are still mostly PCI or PCI-X AGP and the manufacturers are stuck with a ton of AGP expansion cards.
I'd get the dual processor machine unless you must have, absolutely have to have PCI-Express.
Cheaper and still fast...
Cheaper and still fast...
Im in exactly the same position. Either a
Dual Processor 2.0GHZ 1GB Ram with 5200 Ultra (June 2004 Model) for £900 ($1600)
Or
Dual Core 2.0GHZ 512MB Ram with 6600LE (Latest with PCI-E) for £1286 ($2275) (Edu Discount)
What do you think. Is the dual core any faster than the dual proc? Is it worth the extra £385 ($675)?
Thanks
Dual Processor 2.0GHZ 1GB Ram with 5200 Ultra (June 2004 Model) for £900 ($1600)
Or
Dual Core 2.0GHZ 512MB Ram with 6600LE (Latest with PCI-E) for £1286 ($2275) (Edu Discount)
What do you think. Is the dual core any faster than the dual proc? Is it worth the extra £385 ($675)?
Thanks
I have narrowed my choices to 3 models....
Dual Core 2.0
Dual Core 2.3
Refurb Dual 2.7
This would be an easy choice normally as the 2.7 is a beast, but again it's hard to choose because of no PCI-E and DDR2 RAM. If it comes down to 2.0 vs 2.3 is the price difference worth the extra performance?
Dual Core 2.0
Dual Core 2.3
Refurb Dual 2.7
This would be an easy choice normally as the 2.7 is a beast, but again it's hard to choose because of no PCI-E and DDR2 RAM. If it comes down to 2.0 vs 2.3 is the price difference worth the extra performance?
majorp said:
The former, all the way. I picked up the Dual 2.0 (rev b) from Apple for $1369 USD, after a promo coupon and an extra discount for shipping delays. Then, I was pleasantly surprised to find an upgraded HD (250GB HD), more RAM (1GB) and an upgraded video card (ATI 9650 128MB vram), not to mention a machine that looks brand new.
Refurbs all the way. Don't waste your money on a dual core. Wait with a refurb until rev B intel's ....
i was in this exact same position a few weeks ago. i bought the refurb, found out about the chirping problems, returned it and then bought the dual core with no problems whatsoever.
dual core is faster and ddr2 ram will make you good to go when you upgrade to intel if you plan to do that.
just get the new
dual core is faster and ddr2 ram will make you good to go when you upgrade to intel if you plan to do that.
just get the new
dwd3885 said:
But you also paid $500-$700 more for it; the question is, given the intel transition, which "shorter" term investment is more worth the $$? Also ... $60 for 1 gig? that must be some nutty ram. No reputable dealer -- Datamem, OWC, Ramjet, Crucial -- sells 512MB pairs anywhere near that price.
I have no power supply problems, and trust me ... it is brand new.
But, to each his own ...