MacComparisonZone: Single G4/867 MHz vs Dual G5/2.0 GHz
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Created: 3/27/04
Introduction
This Guide compares the Single G4/867 Power Mac which has the SuperDrive, to the Dual G5/2.0 GHz. At the time of its manufacture, the 867MHz machine was the mid-level Power Mac in a family that included a single processor 733 MHz Tower and a Dual 800 MHz Tower Dual G5/2.0 GHz. The G5 Towers now top out at a Dual 2.0 GHz, and include a Dual 1.8 GHz and Single 1.6 GHz model.
Below you will find specifications and features, performance, and price comparisons. We also provide further links where you can do additional research, should you so wish.
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Specifications & Features
Model/Mhz
Power Mac G4/867 MHz (#M8360LL/A )
Single Processor
L2 Cache: 256K @ 867 MHz
L3 Cache: 2MB @ 217 MHz
Release Date: July, 2001
Power Mac G5/2.0 GHz (#M9032LL/A )
Dual Processor
L2 Cache: 512K @ 2.0GHz
L3 Cache: None
Release Date: June, 2003
ATI RADEON 9600 Pro
64MB DDR SDRAM
AGP Pro 8X slot
Expansion
Slots
Three hard drive expansion bays. (one filled)
Two optical drive bays (one filled)
Four full-length 64-bit, 33-MHz PCI slots
One AGP 4X (filled)
AirPort Slot
Two hard drive bays (one filled)
One optical drive bay filled)
One 133MHz, 64-bit PCI-X slot
Two 100MHz, 64-bit PCI-X slot
One AGP Pro 8X (filled)
AirPort Extreme Slot
3 USB 2.0 Ports (480 Mbps)
2 FireWire Port (400 Mbps)
1 FireWire 800 Port
Optical digital audio in and out Toslink connectors
Analog Stereo audio in and out minijacks
Optional Bluetooth 1.1 module and antenna
Video
Support for up to 1920-by-1200-pixel resolution at
32 bits per pixel (millions of colors)
Apple Display Connector (ADC)
15-pin VGA connector
Support for digital resolutions up to 1920 by 1200 pixels
ADC and DVI connectors
DVI to VGA adapter included
Dual display support for extended desktop and video mirroring modes
Specification Notes
The G5 machine weighs 39.2 pounds (17.8 kg). The G4 weighs 31 pounds (14.1 kg). The height of the G5 is 20.1 inches (51.1 cm). The height of the G4 Height: 17.0 inches (43.2 cm).
Unfortunately we did not have perfomance data for 867 MHz in the areas of your prime interest: Photoshop & iMovie. The processor test above will give you a rough comparison for Photoshop filters/functions that are optimized for the G4/G5, and that can make good use of dual processors. You should see a similar raw performance improvement in certain processor intensive tasks in iMovie. As a general rule, in fundamental processing capability you should find the G5 machine 2 to 3 times as fast as the 867 MHz.
It is worth noting , that if you don't have enough RAM and you are paging your images in Photoshop out to the hard drive, the best immediate investment you can make is for more memory. Paging out the hard drive brings Photoshop to a crawl.
Above, where we have provided an estimate, this is an 'in the ballpark' number, and may not be spot on. Estimates are based on real data, but because our testing methods have changed over time, we were not able to make a direct comparison.
For more detailed performance results see this page
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For Latest up-to-date prices check the online Buyer's Guides
Base Machine Epson Stylus Color C84 Inkjet Printer, free after mail-in rebate ($99 up front) Epson Stylus CX5400 All-in-One, $50 after mail-in rebate ($149 up front) Epson Stylus CX6400 All-in-One, $100 after mail-in rebate ($199 up front) Epson Stylus Photo 1280 Inkjet Printer, $300 after mail-in rebate ($399 up front) Epson Stylus Photo 2200 Color Inkjet Printer, $600 after mail-in rebate ($699 up front)
Shipping charges are to California - your mileage may vary. Also prices quoted are for the bare machine and do not reflect RAM installation charges (usually $40), nor the in-store prices of add-on products for which there is a rebate. Shipping charges (if any) for bundled products , also are not reflected in the prices above.
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Base Machine
Epson Stylus Color C84 Inkjet Printer, free after mail-in rebate ($99 up front)
Epson Stylus CX6400 All-in-One, $100 after mail-in rebate ($199 up front)
