[GATTACA]

Hello.

I'm in the market for a new Mac. I work with Linux at work but after using my Titanium PB I find it hard to switch back. I'm on a budget so the debate is whether to get a dual G4 (1.25Ghz) or a single processor G5?
Here is the break up of how I use my computer:
Internet/Email (40%)
Word/Powerpoint (20%)
Programming* (30%)
Other (10%)

* For programming I do some heavy numerical computations. When I run these projects on my Titanium PB the processor use goes way up to ~90%.

Now I know from experience on Linux that multiple processors = less time waiting for my projects to run. So the question is: Given my use of the computer should I invest in a single G5 or a dual G4? I presume the G4 will be phased out and not supported much longer, on the other hand I might get more "bang for my buck" using a dual G4 over a single G5.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

[teh tenk]

Just buy the G5 so you will feel better about it.

[Maflynn]

Originally posted by GATTACA:
Hello.
I presume the G4 will be phased out and not supported much longer, on the other hand Thanks.

Scan throught this forum this question has been asked a number of times.

Apple will support you computer until you need to purchase a new one, unless of course you plan on holding onto it for more then 5 years. If you purchase applecare then you know you'll get 3 years of support.

OSX likes dual processors, so I would keep that in mind, even if applications aren't written to take advantage, the os balances the load between the cpus.

I've also read the low-end has less features then the two higher are closer to more bang for your buc. the 1.6g has pci (not pci-x) less memory, slower front side bus so if you can swing it go for the 1.8 (or dual).

All in all I would choose the 1.8g because most of the time you want be taxing both processors (in dual gig) and the single g5's speed should (hopefully) make up for the lack of a second cpu.

Good luck.
Mike

[GATTACA]

That's the thing, I can't swing the 1.8Ghz.
I can do the 1.6Ghz G5 or a Dual G4 at 1.25Ghz.
So to narrow down the selection list its either the G5 at 1.65Ghz or the Dual G4 at 1.25Ghz.

[Link]

That's a tough choice, dude.. I'm still thinking about it...

A while ago I came up with a system a while ago to figure out performance/speedwise how a dual machine would 'feel' compared to a single.. it goes like this...

CPU speed + 1/2 of cpu speed = single cpu equiv.

And so far it's been true. A single 1.2 g4 would feel similar to my dual 800.. I doubt I'd notice the difference.

That rule can be off by a few mhz but either way..

Dual 1.25 = 1.875ghz g4.. HOWEVER..

counting in that the g5 is more efficient per cpu cycle however (0.1225 xbench score per mhz on the 2ghz cpu vs 0.1184 on the 1.24 (estimated))

However this dosen't really mean much... except that a 2ghz g4 would score 236.8 vs a 2ghz g5 @ 245 or so...

So anyway, having taken that out of the way.. the g5 is only slightly better it seems. IF this is the case (after my speculated xbench scores.. anyone care to give me some.. I guessed 145).. then the dual 1.25 is a better machine.

The improvements on the 1.8 however totally knock it out of the water.

[Arkham_c]

Originally posted by GATTACA:
That's the thing, I can't swing the 1.8Ghz.
I can do the 1.6Ghz G5 or a Dual G4 at 1.25Ghz.
So to narrow down the selection list its either the G5 at 1.65Ghz or the Dual G4 at 1.25Ghz.

If you're that torn, I think the wise thing to do is wait until they are shipping and some people have done somecomparitive testing. We all suspect that the G5 will be faster due to the bus and memory bandwidth advantage, but there's really no way for us to know conclusively.

[awcopus]

Gattaca, here's a hardcore recommendation.

Don't let the hype play with your mind. Get the dual G4. You're buying the best, most refined version of the PowerMac G4 ever made. It's a solid machine. Cheaper to expand the RAM, easier to add HDs, yeah so it's not the bleeding edge Mac. It's still a very solid performer. And it's going to serve you for at least one to two years, at which point you can either pick up a rev2 G5 duallie for $1500 or, who knows, spring for the top of the line G6.

Comparing the number crunching capabilities of the chips is sort of beside the point. Put out of your mind the performance you saw at WWDC. The G5 you're considering won't match that performance, won't even be close. The dual 1.25 won't match it either, but it will be pretty damn close to a single 1.6. And so it's really about which system is more to your liking. The G5 is fugly. It has some nice audio features (the optical digital out for multichannel DVD playback) and the ports on the front are nice. But it's expensive to add RAM and you're stuck with one extra internal HD.

Good luck, Gattaca. And have fun on Saturn.

[saru boy]

Hey, I have a Quadra 840av I'd be willing to part with...it's the best, most refined Quadra ever made.

Seriously, don't plunk your money down until the G5s start shipping and you know for sure which one is faster. I wish I had done that way back when I bought my Quadra.

[teh tenk]

I chose the 1.8 G5 over dual G4s for two reasons.

The first being that the G5 is actually DDR aware, and it also runs in dual-channel mode (I'm assuming that is why you need pairs of sticks). DDR400 is quite tempting too.

The 160 GB SATA HD got me excited, but the 8MB cache on the drive made me even more excited. I had a Western Digital 80GB HD with an 8MB cache on my P4 before I sold it, and it was nice.

I mean, yeah. Dual processors and all, the G4 sounds nice. But you get a whole lot more with even the 1.6.

[Xaaron Swiftblade]

Since the 1.6 and 1.25 use the same type of ram (DDR 333/2700) the only price difference in adding ram is that the 1.6 needs sticks in pairs. Two sticks of 512mb is less than $150!

Right now I'm in the same situation and am leaning toward the g5. Psychologically I'll be dissapointed with the G4, and although the 1.6 is sorta the bastard stepchild of the g5 line, I feel it will still have more staying power as far as support and resellability (and other made up words).

Regardless, I gotta muster up the money for a mac in general, otherwise I'll have to get myself *gasp* a peecee

[videian28]

I just picked up a dual 1.42 over a g5 1.6 and could not be happier, I have yet to coming close to maxing out those processors

you can get one at smalldog.com for $2125

[OreoCookie]

It depends on your numerical calculation. When I do classical verlet simulations etc. everything fits in the L2 cache of my G3 (I know, it's not fast, but suffices my needs for now). Then, keep in mind if you program multicpu-aware or not (or simply start two processes with different parameters which gives you a maximal performance increase).

On the other hand, if the RAM-CPU bandwidth is crucial, the G5 destroys the G4, quadrupling the throughput. Plus the compiler development and optimizations for the G5 are in early development stages.

The G5 is a completely new architecture. Although concerns of upgradability are expresses in this forum, I would think that this new architecture will suit your needs better, because

1. Newer system + architecture --> higher price on the second-hand market (in case you sell it)
2. G5 accelerates every application, not just the multi-CPU aware ones.

[DBvader]

if you are student, check out developer.apple.com and look at the student develper program. one of the many perks are a one time purchase of a computer for insanely low prices. It makes the 1.8, and even the Dual 2 GhZ MUCH more affordable. email me if you have any questions

[krove]

You're right, those are some ultra-low prices! Yikes!