[irockdabari]

I was wondering... how much of a preformance boost do you get from a Dual Processor G5 thana SP G5. And, would it be worth it to instead get an iMac G5 instead of a PM SP G5?

[Big Mac]

I'll be gentle here. The answer to your question is YES, there is a considerable performance boost from the second processor. Past DP Macs had bottlenecks that reduced the efficiency of the second processor, but the G5 is done right. Just look at the benchmarks - go to macspeedzone.com for example. Secondly, the iMac G5, according to what I have read, has a front-side bus that is only 1/3 the processor speed, as opposed to 1/2 in the Power Macs. That may not make a world of difference, but the iMac G5 certainly is slower than a SP G5. It really depends on what you're prepared to spend. I love my DP 2.0, and most others here swear by DP. I personally don't think SP G5s are a good value.

[SilentEchoes]

Not only that but if your the type that does not go out and by a new machine every year, the dual machine will last you significantly longer too. I had a choice of a 733 or a dual 533 when I got this box, I can tell you now that the dual was by far a better buy.

[macaddict0001]

dp machines offer an impressive speed boost.

[tooki]

If you're going single-processor, I'd get an iMac. But the dual processor machines remain viable for MUCH longer. Mac OS X thrives on dual processors. The second CPU helps the system stay even more responsive during heavy operations.

tooki

[jcadam]

Generally it is better to have 2 of something rather than 1 of something.

Dual processors
Dual memory channels
Dual Displays
Dual Kidneys
Dual overhead cams
Dual Girlfriends

[irockdabari]

well... that thoroughly answered my question. the reason i asked is because my G4 FP iMac wont be in too good of shape 3 years from now (which will make it 5 years old), especially with 20 GB free on the HD (and an every growing music collection adn desire for more processor intensive apps like Logic).

[Todd Madson]

Originally posted by jcadam:
Generally it is better to have 2 of something rather than 1 of something.

Dual processors
Dual memory channels
Dual Displays
Dual Kidneys
Dual overhead cams
Dual Girlfriends

Although the dual CPUs, dual memory channels, dual displays, dual kidneys,
and dual overhead cams work together to provide an impressive speed boost,
the dual girlfriends don't work together well at all and usually end up with
an impressive fistfight.

Or, if they do end up working well together it usually fares worse for the
operator - they work together and defeat/destroy the operator. Caveat emptor!

That being said - yes indeed, a dual CPU G5 tower would be a better deal
than the equivalent iMac G5. I tested a G5 tower with a large Garage Band
track with tons of live instruments and stereo effects and tried the same
track on an iMac G5 and the iMac was straining noticeably to play all of
the tracks where the towers dual' cpus and faster bus not only allowed the
track to play but it was obvious I could run more applications if I needed to
beyond it.

That's my experience anyway. For me doing audio and video stuff, the faster
bus, dual cpus and operating system to utilize them make it the right solution
for me. It may not for you where space considerations, aesthetic considerations
or other non performance related issues come into play.

[GSixZero]

Originally posted by Big Mac:
Secondly, the iMac G5, according to what I have read, has a front-side bus that is only 1/3 the processor speed, as opposed to 1/2 in the Power Macs. That may not make a world of difference, but the iMac G5 certainly is slower than a SP G5. It really depends on what you're prepared to spend. I love my DP 2.0, and most others here swear by DP. I personally don't think SP G5s are a good value.

Just in the spirit of accuracy, the new single 1.8 Power Mac has a 1/3 clock speed, 600Mhz, the same as the 1.8 iMac G5. While I don't know how they compare speed-wise, I just wanted to clarify that point.

[driven]

My DP 5.0 is amazingly fast. (Aside from iDVD rendering ...)

I can't imagine going back to a single processor machine. :-)

[Cadaver]

Originally posted by driven:
My DP 5.0 is amazingly fast. (Aside from iDVD rendering ...)

Wow. That's a speedy machine. Mine just runs at 2GHz. Yours runs at 5!

[driven]

Originally posted by Cadaver:
Wow. That's a speedy machine. Mine just runs at 2GHz. Yours runs at 5!

Sorry ... must have been multi-tasking at the time I typed that ... not sure what I was thinking at the time. DOH!