G5 Quad tested/reviewed

Macaholic · Dec 19th, 2005, 05:18 PM

In a word?

FAST!!

Lots of pro rendering tests -- some versus killer PCs. The Quad is using the Nvidia Quadro FX 4500 512MB in this review:
http://www.creativemac.com/articles/...e.jsp?id=36312

A Mac gaming site puts it -- and the nVidia 7800 card 256MB-- through the virtual hoops of fire:
http://www.insidemacgames.com/features/view.php?ID=404

ArtistSeries · Dec 19th, 2005, 07:03 PM

No doubt about it - very fast.

I think that for everyday use is may not be necessary for everyone. The MacWord review has a slightly different take:

	Quote:
	The value of the Power Mac G5/Quad-2.5GHz depends on what you do with it. With many applications, it’s merely the fastest Mac yet, but not by much, and the difference might not be enough to justify the expense. For users of many high-end media-processing and scientific applications, the Quad adds up to a tremendous advance in Mac power, one well worth the price. Pros: Two dual-core processors deliver substantial performance gains in many applications; speedy video card; huge memory capacity; PCI Express expansion slots; dual Gigabit Ethernet jacks support advanced networking options. Cons: Limited performance gains in many routine office and even Photoshop tasks; cooling fans noisy when system is under heavy load.

http://www.macworld.com/products/app...78_detail1.php

Macaholic · Dec 19th, 2005, 07:13 PM

Very true, ArtistSeries. The tests at barefeats of the quad are really interesting, particularilly the graph showing the amount of processors various apps actually use:

Pretty funny to see iMovie actually hit its OWN WALL:

Talk about a hobbled app!

Makes me wonder how much of this beast Logic Pro would actually use??

ArtistSeries · Dec 19th, 2005, 07:18 PM

My point is that people should not feel bad if they don't buy the Quad - your everyday use may not take advantage of it. Just buy the mac you can afford and enjoy it.

CanadaRAM · Dec 19th, 2005, 07:31 PM

> Lots of pro rendering tests -- some versus killer PCs. The Quad is using the Nvidia Quadro FX 4500 512MB in this review:

Meh. I would be much more interested in a review of the machine without the $1980 video card add on. Does it hold up for production studio work WITHOUT the card that costs as much as a good used Mazda?

Macaholic · Dec 19th, 2005, 07:36 PM

Ask and ye shall recieve:

http://www.barefeats.com/quad02.html

ArtistSeries · Dec 19th, 2005, 07:40 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by Macaholic
	Ask and ye shall recieve: http://www.barefeats.com/quad02.html

On the ball this evening....

Macaholic · Dec 19th, 2005, 07:43 PM

Actually, not quite, because I should have posted that URL in my PREVIOUS post with the speed test pictures; it's where I got those in the first place. I just plum fergot!

ArtistSeries · Dec 19th, 2005, 07:44 PM

Shhhh.... I won't tell anyone.....

CanadaRAM · Dec 19th, 2005, 07:54 PM

OK, so for non-gamers, the 7800 card is a better deal than the Quadro

Also highlights just how useless XBench is for assessing real life memory performance

Dec 19th, 2005, 05:18 PM	#1
Macaholic Honourable Citizen Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Toronto Posts: 8,754	G5 Quad tested/reviewed In a word? FAST!! Lots of pro rendering tests -- some versus killer PCs. The Quad is using the Nvidia Quadro FX 4500 512MB in this review: http://www.creativemac.com/articles/...e.jsp?id=36312 A Mac gaming site puts it -- and the nVidia 7800 card 256MB-- through the virtual hoops of fire: http://www.insidemacgames.com/features/view.php?ID=404 __________________ 32GB iPad WiFi. 15" MacBook Pro 2.4GHz Core2 Duo/6GB/200GB/GeForce 8600M GT 256MB GPU/DL-DVDRW/24" BenQ LCD. MacBook 2.4GHz Core2 Duo/2GB/200GB/DL-DVDRW >3TB of FW drives, 16GB iPod Touch, 8GB 5th gen Nano, Canon HV20 HD-DV cam, Kodak digicam, Canon scanner, Canon iP5400 printer, Jailbroken 8GB iPhone 3G. In memoriam: my Sawtooth "Frankenmac" with dual 1.3GHz G4/2GB/360GB striped RAID/DVDRW/ATI Radeon 9000 Pro

Dec 19th, 2005, 07:13 PM	#3
Macaholic Honourable Citizen Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Toronto Posts: 8,754	Very true, ArtistSeries. The tests at barefeats of the quad are really interesting, particularilly the graph showing the amount of processors various apps actually use: Pretty funny to see iMovie actually hit its OWN WALL: Talk about a hobbled app! Makes me wonder how much of this beast Logic Pro would actually use?? __________________ 32GB iPad WiFi. 15" MacBook Pro 2.4GHz Core2 Duo/6GB/200GB/GeForce 8600M GT 256MB GPU/DL-DVDRW/24" BenQ LCD. MacBook 2.4GHz Core2 Duo/2GB/200GB/DL-DVDRW >3TB of FW drives, 16GB iPod Touch, 8GB 5th gen Nano, Canon HV20 HD-DV cam, Kodak digicam, Canon scanner, Canon iP5400 printer, Jailbroken 8GB iPhone 3G. In memoriam: my Sawtooth "Frankenmac" with dual 1.3GHz G4/2GB/360GB striped RAID/DVDRW/ATI Radeon 9000 Pro

Dec 19th, 2005, 07:36 PM	#6
Macaholic Honourable Citizen Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Toronto Posts: 8,754	Ask and ye shall recieve: http://www.barefeats.com/quad02.html __________________ 32GB iPad WiFi. 15" MacBook Pro 2.4GHz Core2 Duo/6GB/200GB/GeForce 8600M GT 256MB GPU/DL-DVDRW/24" BenQ LCD. MacBook 2.4GHz Core2 Duo/2GB/200GB/DL-DVDRW >3TB of FW drives, 16GB iPod Touch, 8GB 5th gen Nano, Canon HV20 HD-DV cam, Kodak digicam, Canon scanner, Canon iP5400 printer, Jailbroken 8GB iPhone 3G. In memoriam: my Sawtooth "Frankenmac" with dual 1.3GHz G4/2GB/360GB striped RAID/DVDRW/ATI Radeon 9000 Pro

Dec 19th, 2005, 07:43 PM	#8
Macaholic Honourable Citizen Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Toronto Posts: 8,754	Actually, not quite, because I should have posted that URL in my PREVIOUS post with the speed test pictures; it's where I got those in the first place. I just plum fergot! __________________ 32GB iPad WiFi. 15" MacBook Pro 2.4GHz Core2 Duo/6GB/200GB/GeForce 8600M GT 256MB GPU/DL-DVDRW/24" BenQ LCD. MacBook 2.4GHz Core2 Duo/2GB/200GB/DL-DVDRW >3TB of FW drives, 16GB iPod Touch, 8GB 5th gen Nano, Canon HV20 HD-DV cam, Kodak digicam, Canon scanner, Canon iP5400 printer, Jailbroken 8GB iPhone 3G. In memoriam: my Sawtooth "Frankenmac" with dual 1.3GHz G4/2GB/360GB striped RAID/DVDRW/ATI Radeon 9000 Pro

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Dec 19th, 2005, 07:18 PM	#4
ArtistSeries On Vacation Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Montreal Posts: 7,966	My point is that people should not feel bad if they don't buy the Quad - your everyday use may not take advantage of it. Just buy the mac you can afford and enjoy it.

Dec 19th, 2005, 07:31 PM	#5
CanadaRAM Honourable Citizen Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Victoria BC Posts: 3,155	> Lots of pro rendering tests -- some versus killer PCs. The Quad is using the Nvidia Quadro FX 4500 512MB in this review: Meh. I would be much more interested in a review of the machine without the $1980 video card add on. Does it hold up for production studio work WITHOUT the card that costs as much as a good used Mazda?

Dec 19th, 2005, 07:44 PM	#9
ArtistSeries On Vacation Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Montreal Posts: 7,966	Shhhh.... I won't tell anyone.....

Dec 19th, 2005, 07:54 PM	#10
CanadaRAM Honourable Citizen Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Victoria BC Posts: 3,155	OK, so for non-gamers, the 7800 card is a better deal than the Quadro Also highlights just how useless XBench is for assessing real life memory performance

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