[Commodus]

Yeah, I know what you're thinking - the first run of G5s is barely out the door and he's already starting a prediction thread.

Seriously, though, what do you expect? Keep in mind that there will very likely be video card updates and component price drops between then and now. Here's what I would like to see...


Fast

- 2.0 GHz G5
- 1 GHz frontside bus
- 256 MB of DDR400 memory (expandable to 8 GB)
- 120 GB Serial ATA hard drive
- 8X Superdrive
- 3 PCI slots
- 64 MB GeForce FX 5600 Ultra graphics
- $1899

Faster

- dual 2.2 GHz G5
- 1.1 GHz frontside bus
- 512 MB of DDR500 memory (expandable to 16 GB)
- 200 GB Serial ATA hard drive
- 8X Superdrive
- 3 PCI-X slots
- 64 MB GeForce FX 5600 Ultra graphics
- $2299

Fastest

- dual 2.5 GHz G5
- 1.25 GHz frontside bus
- 512 MB of DDR500 memory (expandable to 16 GB)
- 200 GB Serial ATA hard drive
- 8X Superdrive
- 3 PCI-X slots
- 128 MB Radeon 9800 graphics
- $2899


The reasoning behind this isn't entirely farfetched, I think. We all know that Apple and IBM want 3 GHz by the end of summer 2004, so 2.5 GHz is a good halfway point. It's also known that IBM had 2.5 GHz prototype G5s a few months ago.

The dual 2.2 model is there because of what we've seen with the first run: everyone and their mother wants a dual G5. Apple probably knows all too well that it will have to offer more than one dual-processor model if it wants to avoid straining the supply lines.

Everything else is based on things that either will come true (DDR500 has already been validated, for example) or is very likely. Serial ATA drives are likely to see a price drop as they become more common, and Apple themselves may be willing to drop G5 prices as the chips become more available and the kinks are sorted out of the production process for both CPUs and the cases.

[BZ]

I like it... and will be placing my order for the top of the line..

I don't think you will see a price drop though. They sold TONS of those $2,999 machines and I think that will remain the top of the line price.

I just want 5GHz (combined) of processing power!

BZ

[Catfish_Man]

I think the G5 will have to go to DDRII in the near future. AFAIK, JEDEC doesn't plan on making a DDR500 standard. I would guess DDRII533 across the line. I don't know whether that would be the 3GHz one, or an interim update. Oh, and I seriously hope they lose the shitty GeForce FX.

[mitchell_pgh]

Actually, I would guess 2.2 would be the top of the line... Perhaps 2.33 or something odd.

Dual has a TON of punch to it...

Not a bad prediction.

[mitchell_pgh]

Also...

Bluetooth standard...

[CIA]

How much of a motherboard change is required for the switch to DDRII? OS changes? Anything else? Could be a factor....

[Commodus]

I forget whether the DDR500 modules were DDR2 or just plain DDR, but that effective speed should be feasible by the time the G5 is ready to get an update. It may have been a company like Kingston that said they'd have modules at that speed.

Bluetooth standard? Probably not, in my opinion. You spend less time worrying about plugging things in on a desktop, and someone at home is more likely to worry about interference from other devices (cordless phones in particular). It also either hurts margins or raises prices.

[GeoMac]

DDR2 is a year+ way from being mass produced. Not going to happen in the next revision. I doubt there will be any changes to memory bus speeds, as DDR400 is going to the highest JEDEC standard for the near future, and apple isn't going to avdertise out of spec like some less reputable dealers do. I think the processor speeds though are right on target, though I wouldn't be surprised if they left one single at 1.8, a dual at 2.2, and a dual at 2.5.

[Catfish_Man]

Originally posted by Commodus:
I forget whether the DDR500 modules were DDR2 or just plain DDR, but that effective speed should be feasible by the time the G5 is ready to get an update. It may have been a company like Kingston that said they'd have modules at that speed.

They exist, but it's not an officially supported standard iirc.

[Eug]

Fastest

- dual 2.5 GHz G5
- 1.25 GHz frontside bus
- 512 MB of DDR500 memory (expandable to 16 GB)
- 200 GB Serial ATA hard drive
- 8X Superdrive
- 3 PCI-X slots
- 128 MB Radeon 9800 graphics
- $2899

Wild guess:

One of the video card options will be a 3Dlabs Wildcat. See here.

BTW, I'm still wondering if the new machines will have a 2X multiplier or 2.5X multiplier.

eg.
Dual 2.5 GHz G5 with 1 GHz bus
2.25 GHz G5 with 900 MHz bus
2.0 GHz G5 with 800 MHz bus

Oh and I think they'll have DDR400 not DDR500 or DDRII, and will have a 4X SuperDrive.

[willab]

Are 8x DVD burners available? If so where can I get one?

[Eug Wanker]

Originally posted by willab:
Are 8x DVD burners available? If so where can I get one?

+R has 8X. -R not yet.