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ringos · Oct 12, 2004, 05:11 PM

Assuming everything else is configured the same, which would be the faster system? Custom configured through Apple, there is about $30 difference. Speed differences btw the processors should be minimal (8% according to Macworld). Would the 2 GB Ram in the latest Dual 1.8 yield better performance than 1 G in the Dual 2.0? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Catfish_Man · Oct 12, 2004, 05:14 PM

Depends on the app

CatOne · Oct 12, 2004, 06:00 PM

Originally posted by ringos:
Assuming everything else is configured the same, which would be the faster system? Custom configured through Apple, there is about $30 difference. Speed differences btw the processors should be minimal (8% according to Macworld). Would the 2 GB Ram in the latest Dual 1.8 yield better performance than 1 G in the Dual 2.0? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

The only time more RAM makes your machine faster is... when you run out of sufficient RAM to keep your working apps in memory.

If you're running 3-5 apps, it won't affect anything. Thus, most of the time, the dual 2.0 will be faster.

If you run Photoshop and are working with very large documents (20 layers, say 150 MB images), then the machine with 2 GB of RAM could easily well be 10x faster than the one with 1 GB of RAM. But most of the time, the dual 2.0 will be faster.

There is such a thing as "enough" RAM... more doesn't mean faster, UNLESS you need it and you don't have it. And these cases are typically obvious, the hard drive starts going CRAZY as stuff is swapped on and off disk (memory is about 10,000 times faster than disk to access data).

macaddict0001 · Oct 12, 2004, 07:23 PM

depends what you're doing personally I'd choose the 1.8.

Mafia · Oct 12, 2004, 08:58 PM

what would you be doing with this machine? like cat said unless you are working with very ram heavy applications the 2.0 will almost always be faster. i would go with the dual 2 ghz and then upgrade ram later from crucial. unless you absolutely need the ram now.

ringos · Oct 12, 2004, 08:59 PM

I'm an art director at an advertising agency and do a lot of print work. Use quark, freehand, acrobat/distiller and lots of photoshop. Will also start using InDesign. Generally keep email/browser open, quark, and photoshop as constants, and occasionally freehand/illustrator. So with that said, which do you think would be the preferrable setup? thanks.

Mafia · Oct 12, 2004, 09:07 PM

i have the 1.8 with 2 gigs of ram and use a lot of the same software. its lightning fast and i see no slow downs during the usage of any of these programs. i mean i think the 1.8 is plenty fast for what you want to do and the 2 gigs will def. be beneficial for your usage, but for long range the 2.0 will be better because u can always upgrade ram, and as of now you can't upgrade processors.

ringos · Oct 12, 2004, 09:22 PM

mafia,

You obviously don't work for my boss!! Upgrade later, ha!

All kidding aside, i would almost rather get the ram now and not have to deal with it later. We are just now upgrading to the G5 from 3 year old Quicksilver 933s, so I want to get the most bang for the buck from the start. I realize upgrading later is easy, but purchasing RAM in pairs would mean I would have to ask $300-400 per machine from money people-they are account execs by history and driven by cost, not creative-for no real perceived value on their part. As much value as they place on money, they seem oblivious to the efficiency gains such upgrades would created. So, if the 2G of ram speeds up photoshop as much as someone else stated, it seems like a better choice for my situation. Thanks all for your responses so far.

BTW, I will probably order the machines tomorrow, so any more input would be greatly appreciated.

Mafia · Oct 12, 2004, 11:39 PM

heh sorry didn't know u were buying these for work, i thought it was for personal but u'd be doing work on it. i'd go with the dual 1.8 cuz the ram will be nice for work now. like i said earlier this machine is awesome and it will be plenty fast for you and your coworkers.

Big Mac · Oct 13, 2004, 06:20 AM

Originally posted by CatOne:
The only time more RAM makes your machine faster is... when you run out of sufficient RAM to keep your working apps in memory.

If you're running 3-5 apps, it won't affect anything. Thus, most of the time, the dual 2.0 will be faster.

If you run Photoshop and are working with very large documents (20 layers, say 150 MB images), then the machine with 2 GB of RAM could easily well be 10x faster than the one with 1 GB of RAM. But most of the time, the dual 2.0 will be faster.

There is such a thing as "enough" RAM... more doesn't mean faster, UNLESS you need it and you don't have it. And these cases are typically obvious, the hard drive starts going CRAZY as stuff is swapped on and off disk (memory is about 10,000 times faster than disk to access data).

CatOne is right, you'll only get more speed from 2GBs if you have to page out. I would go with the DP 2.0 since it's a superior machine in more than just clock speed. But then again I'm biased since the 2.0 is my baby. For you the extra RAM probably would be a good investment, but if you really need it don't you think you could pay for it yourself and write it off at the end of the year?

ringos · Oct 13, 2004, 08:29 AM

Big Mac,

I realize it's more than clock speed that affects performance. Just curious, if the machines are configured exactly the same except RAM and clock speed, what makes the 2.0 a better machine? I haven't really examined specs on the 1.8 vs. 2.0. Are there differences in the hardware that I'm not aware of? I thought they were identical.

The more I think about it, though, I probably can get more $$ to buy 3rd party RAM, so it may not be a big issue. I usually opt for "better" in general anyway.

Mafia · Oct 13, 2004, 09:58 AM

Originally posted by ringos:
The more I think about it, though, I probably can get more $$ to buy 3rd party RAM, so it may not be a big issue. I usually opt for "better" in general anyway.

the dual 2 has 8 ram slots instead of 4. i believe it also has pci-x and the 1.8 does not. i think you'll be fine either way.

Big Mac · Oct 13, 2004, 10:02 AM

Originally posted by ringos:
Big Mac,

I realize it's more than clock speed that affects performance. Just curious, if the machines are configured exactly the same except RAM and clock speed, what makes the 2.0 a better machine? I haven't really examined specs on the 1.8 vs. 2.0. Are there differences in the hardware that I'm not aware of? I thought they were identical.

The more I think about it, though, I probably can get more $$ to buy 3rd party RAM, so it may not be a big issue. I usually opt for "better" in general anyway.

Additional advantages to DP 2.0 over DP 1.8:

- Eight RAM Slots (as opposed to four)
- PCI-X (as opposed to the older PCI)
- 100MHz faster bus speed (1GHz front-side bus as opposed to 900MHz FSB)

As I said before, I think the 2.0 is the way to go, but I also agree with the preceding poster: you'll be fine either way.

macaddict0001 · Oct 13, 2004, 10:03 AM

Originally posted by Mafia:
the dual 2 has 8 ram slots instead of 4. i believe it also has pci-x and the 1.8 does not. i think you'll be fine either way.

no they are exactly the same other than processor speed.

Mafia · Oct 13, 2004, 10:14 AM

Quoted from Apple's Website
The dual 2.0GHz and dual 2.5GHZ Power Mac G5 models come with three PCI-X slots,
The dual 2.0GHz supports 8 gb of ram, the dual 1.8GHz supports 4 gb of ram.

the machines are different. 1.8 has 4 ram slots and no pci-x, 2.0 has 8 ram slots and 3 pci-x slots. woot PowerMac G5 Specs

ringos · Oct 13, 2004, 11:00 AM

Thanks all for the info. I will be ordering the 2.0 today or tomorrow!

eddiecatflap · Oct 13, 2004, 11:15 AM

i checked out a single 1.6 today

wow!

FAST!!!!

my jaw hit the floor , screams after my 800mhz G4 imac

i was VERY impressed

imagine dual 1.8+ ghz ???

Big Mac · Oct 13, 2004, 11:45 AM

Originally posted by ringos:
Thanks all for the info. I will be ordering the 2.0 today or tomorrow!

Glad we could help; best of luck with your new G5.

Mafia · Oct 13, 2004, 02:06 PM

Originally posted by ringos:
Thanks all for the info. I will be ordering the 2.0 today or tomorrow!

congrats, keep us posted on how ultrafast it is.

macaddict0001 · Oct 13, 2004, 02:40 PM

Originally posted by Mafia:
the machines are different. 1.8 has 4 ram slots and no pci-x, 2.0 has 8 ram slots and 3 pci-x slots. woot PowerMac G5 Specs

I hadn't actually checked

Groovy · Oct 13, 2004, 02:49 PM

Originally posted by macaddict0001:
I hadn't actually checked

so then why did you post?