Inside iPod Video, iMac G5, and PowerMac G5
Arstechnica provides an extensive review of the new 5G (Video) iPod. The review covers form factor, video playback, applications, and a dissection of the video iPod:
Meanwhile, Kodawarisan has posted images from an iMac G5 dissection. The iMac G5 was introduced during the October 12th media event alongside the Video iPod. The new iMac features a thinner case and built in iSight.
Finally, the first benchmarks comparing the new Dual Core PowerMacs (2.0 and 2.3) to the old Dual Processor 2.5GHz PowerMac. Note: benchmarks numbers from the Quad (Dual Dual-Core) PowerMac are not yet available. The benchmarks show that the Dual-Core processor (970MP) Macs have have comparable performance to the old Dual Processor (970) PowerMac even at lower gigahertz speeds. The Dual-Core 2.3GHz slightly edges out the Dual-Processor 2.5GHz PowerMac in the performance score totals.
Taking this unit apart is a little bit different than previous models due to the changes in the housing design. Opening it was more akin to the nano and can be accomplished using a flat, hard tool like a screwdriver.
Meanwhile, Kodawarisan has posted images from an iMac G5 dissection. The iMac G5 was introduced during the October 12th media event alongside the Video iPod. The new iMac features a thinner case and built in iSight.
Finally, the first benchmarks comparing the new Dual Core PowerMacs (2.0 and 2.3) to the old Dual Processor 2.5GHz PowerMac. Note: benchmarks numbers from the Quad (Dual Dual-Core) PowerMac are not yet available. The benchmarks show that the Dual-Core processor (970MP) Macs have have comparable performance to the old Dual Processor (970) PowerMac even at lower gigahertz speeds. The Dual-Core 2.3GHz slightly edges out the Dual-Processor 2.5GHz PowerMac in the performance score totals.
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83 months ago
Always nice to dee details from Ars.
What's with apple and "flat hard tools"? It's like caveman-style hardware service :D
Lack of screws sure looks slick, though.
What's with apple and "flat hard tools"? It's like caveman-style hardware service :D
Lack of screws sure looks slick, though.
83 months ago
The benchmarks show that the Dual-Core processor (970MP) Macs have have comparable performance to the old Dual Processor (970) PowerMac even at lower gigahertz speeds. The Dual-Core 2.3GHz slightly edges out the Dual-Processor 2.5GHz PowerMac in the performance score totals.
Makes sense. As I have posted previously, dual-core can actually be better than dual-processor because of the benefits of cache-snooping, etc. Also, system architecture improvements such as DDR2 and PCI-e probably doesn't hurt ;)
Edit: After a close look at the benchmarks, it appears as though the dual-core systems only beat out the 2.5Ghz dual-proc system because of memory-intensive tasks. The thread/CPU intensive tasks were won by the 2.5 Ghz model. So, cache-snooping might not add quite as much as I previously thought.
83 months ago
Am I reading Ars right... is the iPod videos battery replaceable? That’s the big thing I had against the nano.
I heard that DDR2 has a higher latency despite higher bandwidth.. how would this effect latency sensitive applications in comparison to older DDR Macs.
I heard that DDR2 has a higher latency despite higher bandwidth.. how would this effect latency sensitive applications in comparison to older DDR Macs.
83 months ago
Great to see this kind of information, it's the kind of stuff I was waiting to find out! The dissection is cool (better someone else's Mac than my own! ;)) and the initial benchmarks are great to see as well. Can't wait for the quad benchmarks to come in, just to see where that beast really stands in relation to the other systems.
83 months ago
New iPods, iMacs, Powerbooks, POWERMACS I dont want this month to end! I cant wait to get my iPod!!
83 months ago
Anyone else notice that ALL of Apple's benchmarks were related to PREVIOUS PPC systems?
Smart move. A) it gives a good incentive for people like me to upgrade. B) it isn't going to come bite them in the arse when they move to Intel probably next revision.
Smart move. A) it gives a good incentive for people like me to upgrade. B) it isn't going to come bite them in the arse when they move to Intel probably next revision.
83 months ago
What's up with the negative reviews of this story? These links are great; what could possibly make someone take the time to review them as "negative?" :confused: The Ars Technica review is as fine an example of tech journalism as I have ever seen.
83 months ago
What's up with the negative reviews of this story? These links are great; what could possibly make someone take the time to review them as "negative?" :confused: The Ars Technica review is as fine an example of tech journalism as I have ever seen.
Sometimes Ars does feel a little off but in general they do very good reviews!
Interesting though, wonder why Apple isnt/cant utilize the full capabilities of the Broadcom chip in the iPod?
83 months ago
Anandtech did a review a month or two back that came to the conclusion that the PowerMac's memory controller had high latency which was letting the system down.
I suspect that the new memory controller has significantly less latency in the design, so whilst it is using higher latency DDR2 memory, the overall performance is increased. Hence in memory intensive tasks the new PowerMacs perform better.
In fact, I'm sure I saw on Apples site last night a reference to 'lower latency memory controller' ... wonder if I can find it again.
I suspect that the new memory controller has significantly less latency in the design, so whilst it is using higher latency DDR2 memory, the overall performance is increased. Hence in memory intensive tasks the new PowerMacs perform better.
In fact, I'm sure I saw on Apples site last night a reference to 'lower latency memory controller' ... wonder if I can find it again.
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