MacComparisonZone: 17" iMac G4/1.25GHz vs Power Mac G5/1.6 GHz

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MacComparisonZone: 17" iMac G4/1.25GHz vs Power Mac G5/1.6 GHz - Performance And Specifications Review

Specially prepared for Pierluigi ... Request your own Custom Comparison

Power Mac G5 - June 2003 Created: 4/3/04

Introduction

This Guide compares the 17" iMac G4/1.25GHz which has the SuperDrive, to the Power Mac G5/1.6 GHz, also with a SuperDrive. 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.

How could this Guide be improved? ... Give us your feedback. Tell your friends about our service!

Specifications & Features

Model/Mhz

17" iMac G4/1.25GHz
(#M9168LL/A )
Single Processor
L2 Cache: 256K @ 1.25GHz
L3 Cache: None
Release Date: Sept, 2003

Power Mac G5/1.6 GHz
(#M9020LL/A )
Single Processor
L2 Cache: 512K @ 1.6 GHz
L3 Cache: None
Release Date: June, 2003

Price Information

MSRP: $1,799
Apple Store
DealZone

Bus Speed
(Mhz)

167 MHz

800 MHZ Frontside bus

RAM
(MAX)

256MB of PC2700 (333MHz) DDR SDRAM
1GB Max

256MB PC2700
333MHz DDR SDRAM
4 GB max

Graphics Support

NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200
Ultra with 64MB of DDR SDRAM
AGP 4X

NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra
64MB DDR SDRAM
AGP Pro 8X

Expansion
Slots

AirPort Extreme Slot
Optional internal Bluetooth adapter

Two hard drive bays (one filled)
One optical drive bay (filled)
Three open full-length 33MHz, 64-bit PCI slots
One AGP Pro 8X (filled)
AirPort Extreme Slot

Hard Drive

80GB Ultra ATA/100
7200-rpm

80GB Serial ATA
7200 rpm

Optical Drive

Tray loading SuperDrive
(DVD-R/CD-RW)
Writes DVD-R at 4x
Reads DVDs at 8x
Writes CD-R at 16x
Writes CD-RW at 8x
Reads CDs at 32x

Tray loading SuperDrive
(DVD-R/CD-RW)
Writes DVD-R at 4x
Reads DVDs at 8x
Writes CD-R at 16x
Writes CD-RW at 10x
Reads CDs at 32x

Connectivity & Communication

56k V.92 modem
Optional 54-Mbps AirPort Extreme Card (based on 802.11g standard; 802.11b Wi-Fi certified)

10/100 BT Ethernet

3 USB 2.0 Ports (480 Mbps)
2 FireWire Port (400 Mbps)

audio line-in jack

Optional Bluetooth 1.1 module and antenna

56k V.92 modem
Optional 54-Mbps AirPort Extreme Card (based on 802.11g standard; 802.11b Wi-Fi certified)

10/100/1000 BT Ethernet

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

17-inch display resolutions: 1440 by 900 (native)

VGA output port - Requires adapter, sold separately.

S-video and composite video output to connect directly to a TV or projector - Requires adapter, sold separately.

Dual display support for VGA video mirroring

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

Built-in flat-panel display

Weight: 22.8 pounds (10.4 kilos)

Weight: 39.2 pounds (17.8 kilos)

Can take 4 times the amount of RAM of the iMac

Performance

Machine

17" iMac G4/1.25GHz

Power Mac G5/1.6 GHz

Processor

107 Points

166 Points- - 55% Faster

Graphics

550 Points

838 Points - - 52% Faster

Graphics Gaming

16.7 frames per second

28 frames per second - - 68% Faster

Drive

164.77 seconds

146.64 seconds - - 12% Faster

General - Interface

24 seconds

19.87 seconds - - 21% Faster

Photoshop Filters

104.14 seconds

68.20 seconds - - 53% Faster

iMovie Encode

126.95 seconds

96.11 seconds - - 32% Faster

QuickTime Encode

38.81 seconds

23.38 seconds - - 66% Faster

Multitasking

301.90 seconds

184.72 seconds - - 63% Faster

Notes

The Power Mac clocks in at just about 28% higher in processor speed, but turns in from 50% to 60% better raw processor performance.

Features that make a difference to performance numbers above

	17" iMac G4/1.25GHz	Power Mac G5/1.6 GHz
Processor Clock Speed	1.25 GHz	1.6 GHz
Processor Cache	256K	512K
Bus Speed	167 MHz	800 MHZ
Graphics Slot	AGP 4X	AGP Pro 8X

The 'Processor' score and the 'Graphics' score are based on the program Cinebench 2003 which you can freely download and run on your own machine

The 'General Interface' test is based on Let1kWindowsBloom, which is also freely available

For more detailed performance results see this page

Links To Further Information

Machine

17" iMac G4/1.25GHz

Power Mac G5/1.6 GHz

Reviews

MacHome
SF Gate

iMac G4/1.25GHz 20-inch

Sydney Morning Herald

PC Magazine

MacUserUK

MacSpeedZone
MacSpeedZone
NewsFactor
BareFeats
Vunet
BareFeats
Macworld
MacUser
Macworld Lab
BareFeats
BareFeats
Vnunet
Chaosmint

Links to additional information

Additional Resources:
iMac InfoZone
iMac Performance
iMac Performance vs Other Models
iMac Buyer's Guide
Apple's iMac Page
iMac Reviews
iMac Specs & Features
iMac Discussion Forum

Additional Resources:
Power Mac InfoZone
Power Mac Performance
Tower Performance Compared To Others
Power Mac Buyer's Guide
Apple's Power Mac Page
Tower Specifications and Reviews Page
PowerMac Discussion Forum

Price & Bundle Comparisons

Note

We receive a small commission on computers purchased using the links below. Though this adds no cost to your purchase price, it does help us defray the cost of running MacReviewZone and MacSpeedZone. Your support is appreciated! As always check your tax status at these merchants so that you don't get a nasty shock at checkout time.

For Latest up-to-date prices check the online Buyer's Guides

G5/1.6 GHz Single Processor #M9020LL/A
Store	Apple Store
Price & Shipping*	$1,799 .... Education Discount Price: $1,599 Free ground shipping
Sales Tax	All states with sales tax.
Deals & Bundles - Available - Unknown - Unavailable	Apple Promotions and Base Machine

Store	ClubMac ... Best Buy
Price & Shipping*	$1,794 $53 ground shipping after mail-in rebate
Sales Tax	CA, TN, WI
Deals & Bundles - Available - Unknown - Unavailable	Apple Promotions and any/all of the following: Base Machine 512MB RAM, free after rebate. $40 install $50 rebate on Epson C84 printer $20 rebate on Epson CX5400 multi-function printer $20 rebate on Epson CX6400 multi-function printer MYOB FirstEdge for $10

Store	MacConnection
Price & Shipping*	$1,794 $38 shipping
Sales Tax	MA, NC, OH, TN
Deals & Bundles - Available - Unknown - Unavailable	Apple Promotions and: Base machine 512 MB RAM, free after mail-in rebate ($40 install fee)

Store	MacMall
Price & Shipping*	$1,794 $44 ground shipping charge after mail-in rebate
Sales Tax	CA, TN, WI
Deals & Bundles - Available - Unknown - Unavailable	Apple Promotions and any/all of the following: Base Machine 512MB RAM, free after rebate. $40 install $50 rebate on Epson C84 printer $20 rebate on Epson CX5400 multi-function printer $20 rebate on Epson CX6400 multi-function printer MYOB FirstEdge for $10

Store	MacZone
Price & Shipping*	$1,795 Free shipping (up to $40) for a "limited time"
Sales Tax	CA, IL, MO, NV, OH, TN, WA
- Available - Unknown - Unavailable	Apple Promotions and: Base Machine 512 MB RAM, free after mail-in rebate ($40 installation fee)

Store	PowerMax ... Best Buy
Price & Shipping*	$1,794 $37 shipping charge
Sales Tax	None
Deals & Bundles - Available - Unknown/Delay - Unavailable	Apple Promotions and any/all of the following: Base Machine Free USB "Mega Memory" watch after mail-in rebate ($50 up front) $50 mail-in rebate on 17 " Studio Display $75 mail-in rebate on 20" Cinema Display $100 mail-in rebate on 23" Cinema Display plus $500 Apple rebate
iMac G4/1.25 GHz Super Drive, 17" Screen #M9168LL/A
Store	Apple Store
Price & Shipping*	$1,799 .... Education Discount Price: $1,699 Free Shipping
Sales Tax	All states with sales tax.
Deals & Bundles - Available - Unknown/Delay - Unavailable	Apple Promotions and: Base machine

Store	ClubMac ... Best Buy
Price & Shipping*	$1,794 $55 up front shipping charge. $30 mail in rebate.
Sales Tax	CA, TN, WI
Deals & Bundles - Available - Unknown/Delay - Unavailable	Apple Promotions and any/all of the following: Base Machine 512MB RAM, free after mail-in rebate ($40 install) Epson Stylus C84 Printer, free after rebate Epson CX5400 multi-function printer for $30 after mail-in rebates ($149 up front) Epson CX6400 multi-function printer for $100 after mail-in rebate ($199 up front) Lexmark P707, free after mail-in rebates Lexmark X1150 multi-function printer, free after mail-in rebates USB floppy, free after mail-in rebate MYOB FirstEdge for $10

Store	MacConnection
Price & Shipping*	$1,794 Free shipping through March 31
Sales Tax	MA, NC, OH, TN
Deals & Bundles - Available - Unknown/Delay - Unavailable	Base machine 512 MB RAM, free after mail-in rebate ($40 install fee) Epson Stylus Color C84 Inkjet Printer, free after mail-in rebates ($99 up front)

Store	MacMall ... Best Buy
Price & Shipping*	$1,794 $49 up front shipping charge. $30 mail in rebate.
Sales Tax	CA, TN, WI
Deals & Bundles - Available - Unknown/Delay - Unavailable	Apple Promotions and any/all of the following: Base Machine 512MB RAM, free after mail-in rebate ($40 install) Epson Stylus C84 Printer, free after rebate Epson CX5400 multi-function printer for $30 after mail-in rebates ($149 up front) Epson CX6400 multi-function printer for $100 after mail-in rebate ($199 up front) Lexmark P707, free after mail-in rebates Lexmark X1150 multi-function printer, free after mail-in rebates USB floppy, free after mail-in rebate MYOB FirstEdge for $10

Store	MacZone
Price & Shipping*	$1,795 Free shipping for a "limited time"
Sales Tax	CA, IL, MO, NV, OH, TN, WA
- Available - Unknown/Delay - Unavailable	Apple Promotions and: Base machine 512 MB RAM, free after mail-in rebate ($40 install)

Store