[dwd3885]

So I'm in the market for a Power Mac Dual G5, either the new ones that came out or the Revision B ones with 8GB max RAM (The good revision). I was wondering if I should get the new Dual Core 2ghz with educational discount for 1799 or should I get a refurbed Dual CPU 2ghz at the Apple Store for 1499. I know the differences between the two, PCI express, 16gb max RAM, etc. But what would be the better deal? 1500 is kind of my budget, but if I can get a lot better computer for a few hundred more, I might just be able to swing it for Christmas. I don't really want to wait for MWSF so please don't say to wait until then. I do a lot of audio work, web design, photo and video editing, etc. But from what I've read, the performance difference isn't all that different between the two computers. Thanks for the help.

[monyx]

Well I went the value-for-dollar route initially - got a refurb 2ghz PCI-X from an Apple reseller $1700. It was chirpy, had kernel panics with extra ram (fine without), unuseable noise on the analogue audio out -- I took it back, added another $660 to upgrade to a refurb 2.7ghz, when I got it home no DVI->VGA for my Studio display and it was a 2.5Ghz ;-(

I ended up with the machine in my sig - spent a load more than I planned but after perusing the Apple discussions about problematic G5s plus the experience I had with my first G5 suddenly the sweet taste of a bargain didn't matter compared to peace of mind. The new Dual Cores are very quiet in operation - I've never heard the fans revs up - leads me to believe Apple have well and truly got the PMac G5 sorted out in these perhaps last of the line PPC units.

Prices are high because we pay a premium for our Macs DownUnder (USD prices quoted after converting from AUD) My DC 2.3 was bought at Educ pricing and it cost me $2992 for the machine in my sig.

[Big Mac]

I love my DP 2.0 - it's a terrific Mac. On the other hand, the new dual cores have more future-proof value. Yet, on the third hand (?) that point is probably moot anyway since the Mac is being phased out in favor of Intel PCs. There is some good buying advice concerning DP 2.0 vs. DC 2.0 over at barefeats.

[Madrag]

I agree with Big Mac.

BTW, the "old" DP 2.0 can also have up to 16GB of RAM!

[mduell]

Originally Posted by Madrag

BTW, the "old" DP 2.0 can also have up to 16GB of RAM!

Except its unofficial (and probably unsupported), and good luck finding 2GB non-Registered PC3200 DIMMs.

To the OP: I lean toward the DP, but the answer depends on what you do and when you plan on retiring this computer. Will you need a video card better than the 6800U/X850XT? If so buy the DC, since I doubt we'll ever see a faster AGP card.

[Lateralus]

The RAM ceilings of most Macs have been 'unofficial' so I don't see why it makes a difference. Apple still lists the G4 AGPs as having a 1.5GB ceiling, but they take 2GBs fine. The old Power Mac 9500s and 9600s are listed as having a ceiling of 768MBs, but they can take 1.5GBs. And there's many other Power Macs that also have higher than 'official' ceilings, not to mention notebooks.

Not sure why somebody should take any stock in whether or not Apple supports a configuration when the hardware itself supports it regardless.

[NordicMan]

Originally Posted by monyx

Well I went the value-for-dollar route initially - got a refurb 2ghz PCI-X from an Apple reseller $1700. It was chirpy, had kernel panics with extra ram (fine without), unuseable noise on the analogue audio out -- I took it back, added another $660 to upgrade to a refurb 2.7ghz, when I got it home no DVI->VGA for my Studio display and it was a 2.5Ghz ;-(

I ended up with the machine in my sig - spent a load more than I planned but after perusing the Apple discussions about problematic G5s plus the experience I had with my first G5 suddenly the sweet taste of a bargain didn't matter compared to peace of mind. The new Dual Cores are very quiet in operation - I've never heard the fans revs up - leads me to believe Apple have well and truly got the PMac G5 sorted out in these perhaps last of the line PPC units.

Prices are high because we pay a premium for our Macs DownUnder (USD prices quoted after converting from AUD) My DC 2.3 was bought at Educ pricing and it cost me $2992 for the machine in my sig.

Is this something that has happened much with G5s of the PCI X type, that with additional RAM they have trouble with kernel panics?

[mduell]

Originally Posted by NordicMan

Is this something that has happened much with G5s of the PCI X type, that with additional RAM they have trouble with kernel panics?

No; many of them run great with extra RAM.
If adding extra RAM causes kernel panics and removing it stops them, I'd guess it was bad RAM, not a bad Mac (although the other complaints he mentions are a bad Mac).

[monyx]

Originally Posted by mduell

No; many of them run great with extra RAM.
If adding extra RAM causes kernel panics and removing it stops them, I'd guess it was bad RAM, not a bad Mac (although the other complaints he mentions are a bad Mac).

Definitely a faulty unit - the kernel panics remained even after replacing the RAM, I suspected a faulty logic board or similar but wasn't interested in it even if was going to be fixed under warranty.

[Todd Madson]

I'm running 2.5 GB on my PCI-X DP 2.5 - no problems.