SonComet Posted February 10, 2004 Share Posted February 10, 2004 (edited) Alright so here's how it is. I'm really thinking about buying a power mac G5, but there is one thing that I don't really understand about Mac's. Does having dual processors have any effect on overall everyday system performance. I mean does it make OSX run smoother, or do only a select few programs utilize both cpus? I know that having dual xeons, athlon mps, or opterons does very little (if nothing at all) for any program not programmed for dual cpu's. Are all/most apple programs including the os programmed for a dualie? If so/not would it be better for me to buy a single cpu 1.8ghz G5 (I still see new boxed ones on ebay for about 1800). Or is it worth it to go for a dual 1.8ghz G5 (2500 in stores). Or my last choice would be a 20" iMac. Would the 1.25ghz iMac be a viable option for the long term? I have used a dual 2.0 ghz G5 and OSX ran wonderfully. Would a iMac be able to use current and future OSX versions smoothly? I ask this because a 15" powerbook that I used seemed to get a bit choppy after a few programs were opened simultaneously. I would be using my 17" samsung 172t with the G5. So the 20" widescreen monitor is what makes the iMac so interesting (But does it have enought power to last?). So which would be the best buy among these 3 choices? Also, any ideas as to how far off G5 based iMacs are (and would this be a better choice?) Ok, sorry to have rambled for so long, but this is alot of money and I don't know any thing about makes. I don't want to make a bad choice, hehe. Thanks for all the help. :D Edited February 10, 2004 by SonComet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Dorr Veteran Posted February 10, 2004 Veteran Share Posted February 10, 2004 Alright so here's how it is. I'm really thinking about buying a power mac G5, but there is one thing that I don't really understand about Mac's. Does having dual processors have any effect on overall everyday system performance. I mean does it make OSX run smoother, or do only a select few programs utilize both cpus? You would notice a HUGE dfference. OSX is great about spreading load accross multiple CPUs. You're always running multiple programs on a comptuer, so having 2 CPUs will always help out. If so/not would it be better for me to buy a single cpu 1.8ghz G5 (I still see new boxed ones on ebay for about 1800). Or is it worth it to go for a dual 1.8ghz G5 (2500 in stores).The extra CPU is totally worth it. I dunno if you're in school or anything, but if you can, get an educational discount. Or, if you wanna lie, you can say you work for the government and buy it from apple.com and get a discount :DOr my last choice would be a 20" iMac. Would the 1.25ghz iMac be a viable option for the long term? I have used a dual 2.0 ghz G5 and OSX ran wonderfully. Would a iMac be able to use current and future OSX versions smoothly? I ask this because a 15" powerbook that I used seemed to get a bit choppy after a few programs were opened simultaneously. I think the 20" iMac would be more than adequate, and long lasting. However, price/performance isn't all that good, so you're gonna get a better deal with the PM. I would be using my 17" samsung 172t with the G5. So the 20" widescreen monitor is what makes the iMac so interesting (But does it have enought power to last?). So which would be the best buy among these 3 choices? Also, any ideas as to how far off G5 based iMacs are (and would this be a better choice?) I think the DP 1.8Ghz G5 would be your best bet if you can get an educational or government discount. If not, I'd consider the Single 1.8 machine. You've already got a monitor, so you're pretty much all set. The DP would be the fastest, and I've that a lot of people say "once you go dual, you never go back" :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonComet Posted February 10, 2004 Author Share Posted February 10, 2004 Thanks for the fast reply. I guess I will seriously look into the dual 1.8. I am a student and so I can get the discount. I believe that it's a 10% discount. Thanks again. Hopefully I will join the Mac community within the next month or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Dorr Veteran Posted February 10, 2004 Veteran Share Posted February 10, 2004 If you go student, strip out the 56K modem, and the SuperDrive, you get it for $2,093.00 (about $200 off the normal price). If you're worred about the SuperDrive, trust me, the DVD-R isn't as useful as it may seem, and certainly not for the extra $200 it costs. And if you're morals aren't an issue, you can lie about being a government employee and get it for $2,044.00. From what I've heard, they don't do any checks to see if you're an actualy govt. employee when buying online ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aboi Posted February 10, 2004 Share Posted February 10, 2004 I think the DP 1.8Ghz G5 would be your best bet if you can get an educational or government discount. If not, I'd consider the Single 1.8 machine. You've already got a monitor, so you're pretty much all set. The DP would be the fastest, and I've that a lot of people say "once you go dual, you never go back" :) I thought the sayin was "once you go mac, you'll never go back" well just a thought :D but i say if you was to buy a mac i would go for the g5 with dp. im sure there will be a lot of cheap monitors out there thats can support the system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonComet Posted February 10, 2004 Author Share Posted February 10, 2004 My mom is actually a student and a government employee (a teacher), so maybe I won't have to be immoral to get that discount too :). I might be saving just a little longer though. I'm going to go ahead and get the 20" Cinema display aswell. Thanks again for all the very useful information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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