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pinkoos · Jul 13, 2003, 01:53 AM

Hi,

I currently have a FP iMac 700, 640 MB RAM, 40 GB HDD, CDRW, running 10.2.6.

I have the opportunity to purchase a Powermac Dual 500, 384 MB RAM, 40 GB HDD, DVD for a reasonable price locally.

I'm just wondering if the dual processors will increase the speed even though the actual clock speed is less than my iMac's? I, of course, would bump up the RAM in the Powemac to as much as possible (read, affordable). Also, I believe the dual 500 only has 16 MB of VRAM, so it would not be optimized for Quartz Extreme. I would consider upgrading the video card to one with 32 MB.

I've gotten dual fever and would like to move to a dual processor machine to take advantage of OS X's SMP. However, I'm not sure I want to shell out the big bucks for a new dual 1.25 or refurb/used duals ranging in the 800 to 867 speed, as these machines seem to be priced very close to new dual 1.25s.

I don't do anything hardcore on my computer. Basically, email, web, iPhoto, iTunes, word processing, spreadsheet, etc.

I know the iMac would probably continue to suit my needs, but I'd like to have the experience of a "duallie."

Thanks in advance.