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PeteWK · 03:55 AM

Hello all. It didn't occur to me until tonight to test XBench using all three of the CPU settings. My results were as follows.

REDUCED. . . . . . . .105.43

AUTOMATIC. . . . . .174.42

HIGHEST. . . . . . . . .185.30

This test includes the standard stuff on the new 20 inch iMac except for the wireless mouse and keyboard and an upgrade to 2 gigs of ram. It really makes me wonder what the computer reduces to drag the speed down that low (EDIT -stupid statement as I knew the CPU cycles down). Regards,

PeteWK

Eug Wanker · Jun 25, 2005, 12:24 AM

It reduces the CPU clock speed.

There is no reason to use the reduced setting, unless you keep your house at 35 Celsius or something.

jamil5454 · Jun 25, 2005, 01:51 AM

I use the reduced setting on my PowerMac G5, mainly because I don't need DP 2.0ghz yet. This way, the computer will draw less energy, stay a tad cooler, and when it comes time I feel like my computer is getting slow, BAM I set the processor to highest and it feels like an upgrade. I also have headroom for RAM, a better video card, and more/better hard drives, so I think if I span these upgrades over 4 years, my happiness factor will remain relatively high.

I'll admit I have no intensive important work to do with my Mac currently, so I'm punishing myself now in return for a better experience later on

I think I've gone insane.

PeteWK · Jun 25, 2005, 03:58 AM

I typically use the Automatic setting as it seems to be fast without running both fans all the time. To Jamil I have to say you've got more restraint than I do. The dual processors will help in other areas as well.

PeteWK

spreadlight · Jun 25, 2005, 08:05 AM

Originally Posted by jamil5454

I use the reduced setting on my PowerMac G5, mainly because I don't need DP 2.0ghz yet. This way, the computer will draw less energy, stay a tad cooler, and when it comes time I feel like my computer is getting slow, BAM I set the processor to highest and it feels like an upgrade. I also have headroom for RAM, a better video card, and more/better hard drives, so I think if I span these upgrades over 4 years, my happiness factor will remain relatively high.

I'll admit I have no intensive important work to do with my Mac currently, so I'm punishing myself now in return for a better experience later on

I think I've gone insane.

Right,
Now cover half of your keyboard with a shield (you will have to use the insert special character for "missing" letters), and put the highest neutral density filter you can find in front of your display. This should enxtend your "happiness factor" by another 4 years.

Yes, you ARE insane!!

icibaqu · Jun 25, 2005, 08:25 AM

Originally Posted by jamil5454

I use the reduced setting on my PowerMac G5, mainly because I don't need DP 2.0ghz yet. This way, the computer will draw less energy, stay a tad cooler, and when it comes time I feel like my computer is getting slow, BAM I set the processor to highest and it feels like an upgrade. I also have headroom for RAM, a better video card, and more/better hard drives, so I think if I span these upgrades over 4 years, my happiness factor will remain relatively high.

I'll admit I have no intensive important work to do with my Mac currently, so I'm punishing myself now in return for a better experience later on

I think I've gone insane.

that's an interesting theory of preserving your investment (i guess that's what you're doing). but if you set it to automatic, wouldn't whatever you didn't need while doing nonintensive activities just not really get used anyway?

jamil5454 · Jun 25, 2005, 09:11 AM

Originally Posted by icibaqu

that's an interesting theory of preserving your investment (i guess that's what you're doing). but if you set it to automatic, wouldn't whatever you didn't need while doing nonintensive activities just not really get used anyway?

Yeah, I guess. Automatic would be best. But see, I upgraded from an iBook G4 which was fine for me. I was perfectly happy with the speed (except for iMovie HD and GarageBand), so when it was time to let the iBook go, I decided to go all out on a new Dual Processor PowerMac. It's intent is to be a loyal slave through college (and possibly longer), so I wanted something that had a huge
"happiness factor" potential. The most intensive tasks I do with my machine are editing music here and there with GarageBand, maybe making some of my own loops, and occasionally using the iLife Applications for random projects here and there.

The speed of my machine still hasn't fully sunk in yet. This baby crunches through everything even with the processor mode on "Reduced". Sometimes I wonder if I should open up CHUD tools and disable the second processor as well, to further "protect my investment." HEH!

More coffee, please.

icibaqu · Jun 25, 2005, 01:05 PM

so you spent the money on a faster machine but you don't want to use the speed.

dude - you are WEIRD.

put it on automatic. happiness is now

andreas_g4 · Jun 26, 2005, 06:09 PM

Originally Posted by jamil5454

I use the reduced setting on my PowerMac G5, mainly because I don't need DP 2.0ghz yet. This way, the computer will draw less energy, stay a tad cooler, and when it comes time I feel like my computer is getting slow, BAM I set the processor to highest and it feels like an upgrade. I also have headroom for RAM, a better video card, and more/better hard drives, so I think if I span these upgrades over 4 years, my happiness factor will remain relatively high.

I'll admit I have no intensive important work to do with my Mac currently, so I'm punishing myself now in return for a better experience later on

I think I've gone insane.

I'm not buying it!

CreepDogg · Jun 26, 2005, 10:18 PM

I just bought a Porsche, but I don't need to drive fast yet, so to save the motor, I took it out and put in a Volkswagen motor instead. This way I'll be really happy later when I really want the Porsche motor. It still feels fast though, because I used to drive a Ford Escort!