New G4 Memory Bandwidth Tests

xlr8yourmac.com posted the results of some in-depth memory bandwidth tests of the new G4 7450 rev 2.1 versus the older rev 2.0 units. Does this new chip revision offer notable bandwidth improvements over the rev 2.0?


Andrew's 2.1 rev 7450 showed more than 100MB/sec higher GaugePro memory test rates than a 2.0 rev CPU, but still not that impressive when compared to results from 7400/7410 G4s - even my G4/400 Powerbook (100mhz bus) had rates near the 867mhz (133mhz bus) rev 2.1 system.


Wow. Certainly the perceived advantage of the new G4's is not what one might first imagine, given other architectural bottlenecks (memory, hard drives, system buses, etc.) that come to bear on overall system throughput--but it definitely makes one want a rev 2.1 in their Mac! It would seem that this increased bandwidth might approach the performance increase that the inclusion of DDR memory would have offered--a feature whose absence has been much lamented on the message boards since MWNY.


It appears that some QuickSilver units are shipping with the 2.0 G4's and some with 2.1. Pretty much a crap shoot. So, if you've got one on order, keep your fingers crossed--nothing wrong with a little more bandwidth...


UPDATE: xlr8's added additional STREAM benchmarks, some of which show an almost 200MB/sec performance advantage on the side of the v2.1 G4's on some operations. Effect on video throughput is also covered (basically no effect).

Popular Stories

Apple CarPlay Ultra instrument cluster themes 01

Apple's CarPlay Ultra Is Here – Does Your iPhone Support It?

Thursday May 15, 2025 5:17 am PDT by
Apple's recently announced CarPlay Ultra promises a deeply integrated in-car experience, but not all iPhone users will be able to take advantage of the new feature. According to Apple's press release, CarPlay Ultra requires an iPhone 12 or later running iOS 18.5 or later. This means if you're using an iPhone 11, iPhone XR, or any older model, you'll need to upgrade your device to access...
Apple CarPlay Ultra instrument cluster themes 01

Apple's 'CarPlay Ultra' Experience Now Available

Thursday May 15, 2025 5:07 am PDT by
Apple today announced that its next-generation CarPlay experience, now dubbed "CarPlay Ultra" begins rolling out today, starting with Aston Martin vehicles. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. CarPlay Ultra is now available with new Aston Martin vehicle orders in the U.S. and Canada. It will also be available for existing models that feature the brand's next-generation ...
CarPlay Ultra Climate Controls

Apple Says These Vehicle Brands Plan to Offer All-New CarPlay Ultra

Thursday May 15, 2025 8:13 am PDT by
Apple today announced the launch of CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. CarPlay Ultra features deep integration with a vehicle's instrument cluster and systems, built-in Radio and Climate apps, customizable widgets, and more. The interface is tailored to each vehicle model and automaker's identity, and drivers can also adjust...
vision pro video recording

WSJ: Some Apple Vision Pro Buyers 'Feel Total Regret'

Friday May 16, 2025 7:43 am PDT by
Apple's Vision Pro headset has left many early adopters expressing dissatisfaction over its weight, limited use cases, and sparse software ecosystem, according to a new article from The Wall Street Journal. In the year following the device's launch, user feedback suggests that it has failed to meet expectations for comfort, software support, and social acceptance. In interviews conducted by T...
iPhone 17 Air Pastel Feature

iPhone 17 Air Could Debut Advanced Silicon Battery Tech

Friday May 16, 2025 8:00 am PDT by
The upcoming all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air could become the first Apple smartphone to adopt advanced battery technology, with Japanese supplier TDK preparing to ship its new generation of silicon-anode batteries by the end of June. According to DigiTimes, TDK CEO Noboru Saito revealed in a recent interview that the Apple supplier has accelerated its production timeline, moving shipments...
iPhone 17 Air Pastel Feature

iPhone 17 Air Battery Capacity and Weight Allegedly Revealed

Monday May 19, 2025 2:22 am PDT by
Apple is expected to launch an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air later this year, and while there have been plenty of rumors about the camera's overall design and thinness, we haven't heard any details about the device's weight and battery capacity until now. According to the leaker going by the account name "yeux1122" on the Korean-langauge Naver blog, the 6.6-inch iPhone 17 Air has a weight ...