Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

samslaves · Jul 1, 2004, 11:11 AM

Hi all,

I'd like to buy a second dual 2Ghz G5 to build a mini-mini-cluster. Currently I'm the owner of a rev.A. rev.A and rev.B both sport the same processors but I don't know anything more; I'm interested to see result from public processor intensive apps like cinebench_g5, altivecfractal etc... on a rev.B. Could you help me?

Thanks in advance
Sam

Waragainstsleep · Jul 1, 2004, 02:08 PM

I don't think the dual 2 has changed. The specs haven't, so any difference will likely be down to amount of RAM, type of drives, and how clean the install is.

OzarkMtn · Jul 1, 2004, 08:01 PM

There will be no difference, same motherboard, same FSB, same everything. Only changes that may be different is brand/type of SuperDrive as well as the video card.

Ganesha · Jul 6, 2004, 04:17 AM

The rev B (2.0 and 2.5), also come with the U3H system controller (vs. the U3 in the rev A). The only obvious difference is improved bandwidth to the PCI-X Bridge (4.8 GBps in the U3H vs. 3.2 GBps in the U3)

Bandwidth to memory bus remain unchained.

This means nothing in terms of performance unless you have multiple PCI-X cards running at near their bandwidth limit on both PCI-X buses, with the PCI-X Bridge<-->K2 bus also running near it's bandwidth limit.

fps · Jul 6, 2004, 06:25 AM

Hi

Just bought a Rev.B dual 2.0 this morning from Computer Warehouse and they had 1 in stock which I'm going to pick up in the afternoon (really excited as it will be my 1st Mac!).
I also added 1Gb Ram, a bluetooth module and the ATI 9600 Xt 128Mb.

I just want to check a few things when I get home to ensure it's a Rev.B

The superdrive is a x8 and should be a Pioneer 107D but nothing stops anyone to install such a drive in a Rev.A so it doesn't prove anything.

So I can check as well it's using a U3H system controller (vs. the U3 in the rev A) by checking in the "About this mac".

What else?

Thanks for helping a new Mac user (after 5 years using Linux which I still plan to use @work).

OzarkMtn · 08:36 AM

The latter Rev. "A's" were receiving the U3H system controller from what I understand. They were also receiving the 8x Pioneer 107D Superdrive. The latter Rev "A's" are the exact same thing that are now shipping as Rev. "B's". This is the case for the Dual 2.0 GHz anyway. The only difference would be the brand of Superdrive and the change in the ATI 9600 video card.

The Developer's Tools I think will allow you to possibly identify the U3H system controller. The IORegistryExplorer might be of some help to do this.

Also, it looks like Apple is already opting to save money by installing a cheaper Superdrive. A few people have already reported that they are receiving the LG GWA-4082B Superdrive in their Rev. "B's". The LG drive is a cheaper drive for Apple to install.

d.fine · 08:28 AM

Rev B has different heatsinks as Rev A machines, if I'm not mistaken. The Rev B heatsinks go all the way to that back of the case, as opposed to the Rev A's where the heatsinks stopped a few cm short of the back of the case ...

edit : just made a little pic

fps · Jul 6, 2004, 08:34 AM

Hope I get a Pioneer 107D. I got one in my PC and it works extremely well.

fps · Jul 6, 2004, 08:37 AM

Thanks d.fine.
Do you know that for sure? Have you seen them? I thought maybe only the dual 2.5 has a different heatsink.

d.fine · Jul 6, 2004, 08:40 AM

The PowerMac line has these heatsinks since the 2.5 GHz came out ... so I'm pretty sure.

fps · Jul 6, 2004, 08:50 AM

Ok thanks I'll check tonight.
I want to make sure the salesman isn't trying to get rid of a Rev. A

OzarkMtn · Jul 6, 2004, 09:20 AM

Originally posted by fps:
Ok thanks I'll check tonight.
I want to make sure the salesman isn't trying to get rid of a Rev. A

There would be nothing wrong with a Dual 2.0 GHZ G5 Rev. "A", if it was manufactured in the past couple of months, because it is the same machine.

UnixMac · Jul 6, 2004, 10:26 AM

Does anyone have pics of the new 2.5's liquid cooling hardware? Or is that behind the G5 heat sinks where it cannot be seen? Seems like the Rev B picure above may be different to provide that extra space for it.

fps · Jul 6, 2004, 11:49 AM

I've just unpacked it and it's a Rev.B (according to the heatsink) but this case is such a piece of art, incredible crafmanshift, unbelievable! It brings tears to my eyes

I've been staring at the inside for a good 10 mins... How sad is that

OzarkMtn · Jul 6, 2004, 01:39 PM

The 1.8 GHz G5 has the U3 controller, the 2.0 and 2.5 have the U3H controller. The U3H controller is used in conjuction with the PCI-X bridge on Rev. A & Rev. B 2.0 GHz G5's.

fps · Jul 6, 2004, 04:00 PM

I also happened to have a Pioneer 107D in my Rev.B. Perfect.

OzarkMtn · Jul 6, 2004, 04:52 PM

Originally posted by fps:
I also happened to have a Pioneer 107D in my Rev.B. Perfect.

That's great! Definitely the Superdrive you wanted to have.

You will want to flash the Superdrive to update it with the 1.16 firmware that has been modified to region free as well as increasing the speed on ripping & burning DVD/CD's.

Ganesha · Jul 6, 2004, 05:54 PM

Originally posted by OzarkMtn:
That's great! Definitely the Superdrive you wanted to have.

You will want to flash the Superdrive to update it with the 1.16 firmware that has been modified to region free as well as increasing the speed on ripping & burning DVD/CD's.

Note, My New G5 came with A707 firmware.

OzarkMtn · Jul 6, 2004, 06:27 PM

Originally posted by Ganesha:
Note, My New G5 came with A707 firmware.

Ganesha,

Under the system profiler, under the ATA heading, what brand, model, and revision is your Superdrive?

Ganesha · Jul 6, 2004, 08:59 PM

PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-107D:

Manufacturer: PIONEER
Model: PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-107D
Revision: A707
Drive Type: CD-RW/DVD-RW
Disc Burning: Apple Supported/Shipped
Removable Media: Yes
Detachable Drive: No
Protocol: ATAPI
Unit Number: 0
Socket Type: Internal

fps · Jul 7, 2004, 04:06 AM

@OzarkMtn

You mean firmware upgrade from: Pioneer RPC1 firmware upgrade page

Code:
Latest news...
2004.06.28
   Ah, you want some update? I'll give you some update!
   o Pioneer DVR-107D & 107XL v1.16 RPC-1, 12xRip, nx4all

OzarkMtn · Jul 7, 2004, 06:26 AM

Originally posted by fps:
@OzarkMtn

You mean firmware upgrade from: Pioneer RPC1 firmware upgrade page

Code:
Latest news... 2004.06.28 Ah, you want some update? I'll give you some update! o Pioneer DVR-107D & 107XL v1.16 RPC-1, 12xRip, nx4all

That's the one. I am providing the link to xlr8yourmac.com that will help you through the process. Actually quite easy and no need for alarm in executing the process.

http://forums.xlr8yourmac.com/action...89&-search

fps · Jul 8, 2004, 02:25 AM

Done that yesterday, although I had to get a special DVDRFlash (which I found by searching the RPC1 forums) because with the one from the official download the drive would not switch to kernel mode.
The system profiler now shows the drive as having firmware 1.16 after a reboot. Seems to work alright so far although I haven't tried to burn any CD-Rs or DVD-Rs just yet.