What should I look out for in getting a PowerMac G5?

[Bedaso]

I'm looking for a Dual Core G5 (so a early or late 2005 model) to swap for my 2003 MDD G4, as I may have made a mistake in hindsight getting it as I didn't do enough research, as I learned over time with it's design quirks it was something not for me 😔 But as the title says what should I look out for in this section of G5s? I'm not looking to get a Quad or anything older, as I wish to be able to use PCIe, and well a Quad goes for over 4x more which isn't something I wish to burn that kind of money on.

But then there's water cooling issue on some models (Quad, and higher clocked processors,) I'm only aware of one other bit and that's their memory cooling getting very hot, and it being very hard to disassemble in case of thermal solution drying out from what I read on the "is this already being discussed?" section.

(As well, I wonder if there's a ppc64le version [or whatever that would work] of Java for Linux, I had a hard time finding more than a few scraps of useful information)

Apologies if I left anything out, I'm fine elaborating.

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

For ease of maintenance, I prefer air cooling vs dealing with an aging LCS so I'd look at the fastest air cooled a1117 model I can find. That is my preference anyhow. Easier and cheaper to maintain IMHO. I'd repaste the CPUs and northbridge/U3 memory controller. Take the time to remove the lobo and repaste that. You can read up on the NB here. PCIE opens up some neat GPU options like x1900, 7800, Quadro, flashed 7800gt etc. I am currently running a geforce 6600le in my a1117 dc2ghz.

Aside from that, have fun. I dont have an opinion on linux and this Powermac. I am running Sorbet on it at the moment which is running well for me.

 

[davisdelo]

If you want Dual-core and PCIe you'll want the late 2005, none of the earlier models have those features. The 2.3Ghz is the fastest air-cooled PCIe model. I use this exact machine as my daily driver.

 

[Bedaso]

Thanks for the information, I found a 2.3GHz AC on ebay, and it's the only working [pcie] AC one too, though someone added it to their cart. It may be gone by the time I can get it.

 

[DearthnVader]

G5's only like their Endian BIG, they don't do little endian at all.

The DC 2.3Ghz is the best Mac G5 that fits your needs, your only other option without liquid cooling is the DC 2.0Ghz.

Facebook Marketplace local pickup is your friend, you do not want to pay to ship one of these beasts just to find when it arrives the seller did not pack it correct and the handles are bent all out of shape.

I had one I picked up a few years ago with a Quad local to me when I was in NC. An 80 mile drive, but I got two untested Mac's without power cords for $50 each. I fixed them booth, I think a dead video card in the Quad and I can't remember the Dual Core 2.3Ghz needing anything. I put some ram I had laying about in them, only thing I had to order was two $10 power cords as the DC/Quad use one that is non-standard.

I played with them and sold the DC local for $100, then the Quad for $350+shipping.

Point is if you look you can find deals on DC G5's local( within 100 miles ) and if you don't mind the drive you can save on shipping and risking the damage that comes from people who don't know how to package these proper.

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

I agree that shipping is rough on these. There are so many stories on here of folks buying online auctions just to be delivered with squashed, deformed feet from improper/inadequate packing - so sad to see/read. Local pickup absolutely is the best option if it IS an option. I realize shipped may be your only option. If that is the case & the original Apple packing box & inserts are MIA, I recommend to try and convince the seller to place plastic or wood shims/blocks inside the legs to support the case legs during shipping from drops, tumbles or impacts. These cases are really heavy and will eat their own legs from a decent drop if they are not properly supported when boxed. Below is a link to a squashed pmg5 from a poor pack job @ 10:08.

With the amount you’ll pay to have it shipped, if local pickup isn’t an option, be adamant that they pack it properly to prevent what happened in that vid. Firm packing foam to stop lateral movement and sturdy case leg support. None of that cheap flimsy bubble wrap & call it a day BS. That does absolutely nothing for the feet.

Good luck

 

[barracuda156]

Some marketplaces offer insurance, which may cover physical damage (like “item does not match photos, legs broken”). If it is offered, perhaps makes sense to get it. If the Mac gets damaged on the way, at least you get the money back (and damaged but perhaps fixable PowerMac).

And yes, go for 2.3 DC (Late 2005) if not the Quad.

 

[amishallin]

If your gonna get a quad make sure to look for liquid damage/corrosion in the images. Be sure to message the seller for more/better images if needed.

Mine showed no signs of leakage but the seller said it always overheated before it reached the desktop. Many hours were put into rebuilding the liquid cooling unit... and it runs perfect (famous last words). I think any liquid cooled model needs the LCU rebuilt at this point if it hasn't been done already.

 

[Doq]

That's if you even want to bother with maintaining a liquid cooler anyway. The wisdom in the thread is pretty on point-- if you want only basic maintenance and don't want to go super advanced, an air cooler model is the way to go. Even then, it's possible and documented that liquid cooled models (the Quad) can be modified to support air cooling, if that's a route that you want to take.

One thing to note about A1117s besides the sole PCIe support and the dual core air cooling is that they require a C19 power cable, as opposed to the C13 that's commonplace in computing (and even older G5s). If your unit doesn't come with a power cable, this knowledge will be helpful to look for a replacement.

Also, this is pretty basic, but if you're looking for a G5, try not to accidentally end up with a Mac Pro. Many sellers don't actually know what they have and will list a Mac Pro as a Power Mac G5 (or vice-versa; I've seen both). It's easy to tell though: G5s have only one optical drive bay, Mac Pros have two.

 

[Bedaso]

That's if you even want to bother with maintaining a liquid cooler anyway. The wisdom in the thread is pretty on point-- if you want only basic maintenance and don't want to go super advanced, an air cooler model is the way to go. Even then, it's possible and documented that liquid cooled models (the Quad) can be modified to support air cooling, if that's a route that you want to take.

One thing to note about A1117s besides the sole PCIe support and the dual core air cooling is that they require a C19 power cable, as opposed to the C13 that's commonplace in computing (and even older G5s). If your unit doesn't come with a power cable, this knowledge will be helpful to look for a replacement.

Also, this is pretty basic, but if you're looking for a G5, try not to accidentally end up with a Mac Pro. Many sellers don't actually know what they have and will list a Mac Pro as a Power Mac G5 (or vice-versa; I've seen both). It's easy to tell though: G5s have only one optical drive bay, Mac Pros have two.

Yeah I've seen that happen a lot so far on eBay, I think I'll hold off on a G5 for now due to possible shipping concerns and most of them going for 300ish for AGP models, and I think I might've clawed my G4 back to life. Thank you all for the help though.

As well it seems all those who own G5s on eBay really want to get rid of them, I keep waking up to offers on G5s.