PowerMac G5, iMac G5, eMac Specs

Cool, just need dual core info

HERE WE GO

Revealed: New Power Mac G5, iMac G5, eMac Specs


By Ryan Katz, Senior Editor
April 14, 2005 - Highly reliable sources have confirmed the specifications of Apple's forthcoming revisions to its Power Mac G5, iMac G5 and eMac systems, expected to start shipping within a few days of Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger's April 29th release.

New Power Mac G5 systems, code-named Q87, will top out at 2.7GHz, sources said, while video cards are being upgraded with double the SDRAM. All models will feature SuperDrives offering dual-layer DVD+R support, as well as DVD±RW/CD-RW compatibility.

Three primary configurations will be offered with the following specifications:
Dual-2GHz
512K L2 cache per processor
Dual 1GHz frontside buses
512MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM (4GB max.)
160GB Serial ATA Hard Drive
128MB DDR SDRAM ATI Radeon 9600 video card

Dual-2.3GHz
512K L2 cache per processor
Dual 1.15GHz frontside buses
512MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM (8GB max.)
250GB Serial ATA Hard Drive
128MB DDR SDRAM ATI Radeon 9600 video card

Dual-2.7GHz
512K L2 cache per processor
Dual 1.35GHz frontside buses
512MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM (8GB max.)
250GB Serial ATA Hard Drive
256MB DDR SDRAM ATI Radeon 9650 video card

Sources were unable to confirm at this time whether the systems will sport the dual-core PowerPC 970MP processor or the single-core PowerPC 970GX, although unconfirmed notes point to the PowerPC 970MP. The second core would deliver performance gains far greater than the 200-300MHz bumps each processor is receiving alone with the update.

Also uncertain is whether a more affordable single-processor Power Mac G5 system will continue to be offered. After axing the model with last June's Power Mac G5 revision, Apple re-introduced the less expensive 1.8GHz single-processor system in October 2004.

iMac G5, eMac

As first reported over a month ago, the updated iMac G5, code-named Q45 C/D, will reach 2GHz, while video memory is doubled to 128MB and the card itself upgraded to ATI's Radeon 9600. All models will also feature Bluetooth 2.0 and will ship pre-installed with Tiger and iLife '05.

Two 17-inch and one 20-inch model will continue to be offered in the following configurations:

"Good" 17-inch, 1.8GHz
512K L2 cache
512MB DDR SDRAM
160GB Serial ATA Hard Drive
Combo Drive (CD-RW/DVD-ROM)

"Better" 17-inch, 2GHz
512K L2 cache
512MB DDR SDRAM
160GB Serial ATA Hard Drive
SuperDrive (supporting dual-layer as well as DVD±RW/CD-RW burning)

"Best" 20-inch, 2GHz
512K L2 cache
512MB DDR SDRAM
250GB Serial ATA Hard Drive

SuperDrive (supporting dual-layer as well as DVD±RW/CD-RW burning)
Other specifications will remain unchanged; pricing is expected to remain in line with current models.

Two eMac models, code-named Q86J, will continue to be available and will have their G4 processors bumped from 1.25GHz to 1.42GHz. The eMacs will also see their 32MB ATI Radeon 9200 video card upgraded to a 64MB ATI Radeon 9600 card, to take full advantage of new graphics capabilities found in Tiger's Core Image technology.

The low-end, Combo Drive eMac will feature 256MB of DDR SDRAM and an 80MB hard drive, while the SuperDrive eMac will pack 512MB of DDR SDRAM and a 160GB hard drive. Like the Power Mac G5 and iMac G5, the SuperDrive eMac will be capable of burning to dual-layer DVD+R media, as well as DVD±RW and CD-RW. It's unclear whether prices will be shaved slightly or remain the same.

When will they hit three

hm. for how many money.. that ist the question for me.

ThinkSecret cites "highly reliable" source to provide us with detailed specs about upcoming hardware releases.

The new PowerMacs are said to top out at 2.7GHz in the following configurations:

Dual 2.0GHz, Dual 2.3GHz and Dual 2.7GHz with 512MB RAM featuring SuperDrives with dual-layer DVD+R support. No reliable info if the new processors will offer the multi-core 970MP or not.

The iMac G5 will reach 2GHz with two 17" and one 20" configuration, while the eMac will come with 1.25 and 1.42 GHz G4 processors as well an upgraded video card (64MB ATI Radeon 9600) to take advantage of Tiger's Core Image.

While the upgrades for iMacs and eMacs are great (except for the 256 MB RAM at the low-end), the value of the PM upgrades depends on the CPU. While a dual 2.7 GHz 970MP would be amazing (it would probably be faster than a dual 3.0 GHz 970FX/GX system), a dual 2.7 GHz FX/GX system wouldn't be a huge improvement, given the time since the last update. ONTH, better GPUs and better SuperDrives along with lower prices could still improve the value of such a system even if it's "only" a FX/GX CPU.

Not a huge increase in the top end. They must be struggling with those G5's.

512 MB standard is much better but should of been done a while ago.

iMac hitting 2 GHz is cool, that's what I've been waiting for.

With these upgrades, I also hope the price comes down.

i sent that story in, too...woot. Very dissapointing about the Power Macs not reaching 3ghz though. iMacs sound awesome though, they will sell a ton... :)

Pretty disappointing that they didn't make 3GHz on the PM. Doesn't the Intel Pentium 4 Extreme 840 go at 4GHz?

I was super sure I wanted to upgrade my 2003 Dual 2.0 but will have to wait and see now.

Hey all,

I'm quite happy with my 3month old Dual 2.0GHz powermac - however i would love to get hold of one of those new DVD+RW DL drives (featured in the possible PM update) on its own. Where would i be able to find the actual model number of those drives and get a gold of a Mac compatible one?

How easy would it be to get hold of and install? Would Tiger (pre-ordered) just 'work' with it?

Thanks,

FireArse

About time they're doing something with the GPUs. It's a nice upgrade from the 5200 and 9200s. Dual Layer capability on the burner is nice too.

I do wonder what they're going to do with the single CPU PM. It's the most likely option for me if I ever buy a desktop Mac. The duals are too expensive for me...