[rhogue islander]

I currently have a Quicksilver Dual 1Ghz but find myself tempted by a Dual 1.42 at a local store for $2299

Looks like I can get $1500 for my Dual 1Ghz Quicksilver on ebay judging by recently completed auctions I've monitored.

So for $800 I would be getting a nice cpu upgrade plus firewire 800 and a faster system bus, plus twin inboard optical drive bays, albeit in an uglier case which I find nevertheless preferable to the new G5 case.

What to do?

-rhogue

[Flash2000]

If you are going to spend 2299 why not spend it on a G5 right now? They start at 1999, and if you can get the education discount its a even better deal. I never got this rev 2 stuff. I got a 17" iMac when it first came out, it didn't even have Jag on it, and its been fine, no dead pixels or problems.

[Arkham_c]

You'd be a fool to bank on getting the Rev 2 of a machine whose initial release has not even been released yet. Either you need/want a new machine or you don't. If not, wait.

Personally, I think you'll be disappointed with the jump from dual-1GHz to dual-1.4GHz. At best, you're looking at a 40% speed increase (2.8/2.0), and that's unlikely for anything but a pure-CPU application. Usability studies suggest that anything less than a 15% increase is undetectable by a human, so your perceived performance gain would be minor.

If I were you, I'd either hold on to what you have until there's something better out there (something announced or shipping), or pony up the cash for the high-end G5. Anything less will be a disappointment.

I had a hard time deciding if the jump from a single 450 G5 to a dual-2G G5 would be worth it, but finally decided to do it.

[Leonard]

Originally posted by Arkham_c:
I had a hard time deciding if the jump from a single 450 G5 to a dual-2G G5 would be worth it, but finally decided to do it.

You're joking right.

I wouldn't hesitate buying a DP 2Ghz G5 if I had a single 450 G4. I have a DP 800 G4 and I'm highly considering a DP 2GHz G5.

[Eug]

Single G4 450 --> dual G5 2.0? Definitely.

Dual G4 1 GHz --> dual G4 1.4? Waste of money. Not a huge jump, and the design is too old anyway. You'd still be on that pokey 167 MHz bus.

Dual G4 1 GHz --> dual G5 2.0? Depends on what you do. I'd probably just wait for a revision 2 dual 2.5 GHz or something.

[Mac Write]

Well I am on a MT 266 G3. But am waiting for the Rev B G5's.

[mikemako]

If you do decide on the dual G4 (which I believe would be worth it), you can get a re-conditioned 1.42GHz here for $1999..

Good Luck with whatever you decide on!

[awcopus]

Chiming in, I upgraded last week from a single processor Quicksilver 933 to a dual 1.42 for an effective cost of exactly $800. Maybe we're related?

But I'm a video editor with a taste (some here would say an unhealthy penchant ) for tons of internal storage, so the DP1.42 was appealing on all kinds of levels that the G5 isn't to me right now.

I'm blown away with my first dual machine. I spend the whole day in FCP4 apps, so I'm in heaven compared to where I was. Your Quicksilver, besides being aesthetically superior to my 1.42 duallie, is also a little quieter and it's so close in performance, I don't think I'd have spent the $800 if I were in your position.

Honestly, I think you should hold out for a rev2 G5 duallie that's more affordable. You've GOT to stick with dual processors, and we all know Apple's next PowerMacs will have a mid-range duallie, if not dual processors across the board (wouldn't that be SWEET!).

In the mean time, you're going to see a big, across-the-board speed boost once Panther comes out. That's something to get excited about, right?

P.S. If you do decide to spend $800 on the fastest, most expandable G4 ever made, you'll be happy you did if only because it's such a modest sum to pay for such a powerful machine. And it will make the next 12-18 months between now and your first G5 duallie fly by.

[rhogue islander]

I was hoping someone would come along and help me rationalize my prospective purchase!

It's true that I could wait and don't really need a new machine, but it's also true that I am an incorrigible hardware head and own 4 Pc's along with my beloved Dual 1ghz Powermac. I can't say I entirely care for the current G5 case and hope that Apple offers something less boxy and more expandable in the future. In the meantime I could get by with the fastest of El Capitan G4's.

In the past I've purchased entire motherboard/cpu/memory kits in the expectation of a 30-40% speed increase, so it isn't too much of a stretch for me to contemplate getting a new mac for the same reasons.

As a bonus I'll be getting an extra ide port and an additional onboard optical drive bay. All ATA of course so my existing drives can snap right in.

Honestly the only thing holding me back is whether to go refurb or new and the prospect of having to stare at those quad snorts (shiver!).

[BZ]

Going from 1 Ghz -> 1.4 will not blow your socks off..

Going from 1 Ghz -> 2 x 2Ghz G5 WILL blow your socks off. The G5 will be much more future proof and the RevB will be nice (I predict Feb/March 04)

BZ

[osiris]

Wait.

I'm on a G4 400 negating an upgrade card/waiting for rev B vs. a rev A G5.

But a dual 1ghz to dual 1.42 is almost a waste IMO. With Jaguar you should see a performance increase on what you have already.

I say wait for Rev B.

[rhogue islander]

If I don't get a dual 1.42 I can easily see myself buying a processor upgrade down the line while waiting for a rev2 G5

My guess is that a dual 1.42 processor upgrade or faster will cost at least $800, which is the difference btwn a new 1.42 Powermac and what I can get for my Dual 1Ghz on ebay.

By buying a 1.42 Dual Powermac I'll get the faster processor plus a more expandable case, faster system bus, extra ide port etc.

That's how I rationalize it anywho.

[DrBoar]

I would not spend money on a 1.42 if I had a dual 1.0. If the dual 1.0 is to slow so will the DP 1.42 be that as well. Do you want to pay 800 for the option of twin optical bays and 800 FW? It seems like a replacement for the sake of replacement

I am on a G4/400 and hestiate to spend 500 on a 1.2 GHz upgrade as that CPU will be to slow pretty soon anyhow, And your 1.0 to 1.42 step is like me going from 400 to 550 MHz something I would not spend more than 50 bucks on

Wait for the dual G5 rev 2

[Superchicken]

Wait for the Rev B G5s and stick it under your desk or wait for the case to grow on you. I've heard it looks better in person too. I was surprised at how much better the new iMac looked in person I orignally hated that case.

Give yourself time to let it grow on you. And by the way is half a terra byte really to little space for you? Cause I'm pretty sure you can fit that in a G5.

[Eriamjh]

Don't do it. Dual 1Ghz to dual 1.42 not worth the money.

There's a good chance the single 1.8GHz will do quite well when compared to the DP1.42 because of the increased memory bandwidth. I would at least wait until the machines are released and bechmarks are out.

Save your $800 for now.

[Cipher13]

You'll barely notice the jump from 2x1GHz to 2x1.42GHz.

Don't bother.

Wait for a rev 2 G5. Your current machine will easily last you until then. You'd just be buying for the sake of it, otherwise; never get a rev a machine, anyway.

[BrunoBruin]

Originally posted by Eriamjh:
There's a good chance the single 1.8GHz will do quite well when compared to the DP1.42 because of the increased memory bandwidth. I would at least wait until the machines are released and bechmarks are out.

I was going to say exactly this. Wait for benchmarks. With a 900MHz bus, the single 1.8 might surprise us all. You will have no trouble finding refurb G4s later, if you decide that's still the way you want to go.

Remember, too, that while you can keep your current storage, the RAM from your QS will not work in the MDD 1.42. RAM is relatively cheap, I know, but it's money you'd have to spend either way, G4 or G5.