SHOOTOUT: iMac G5/2.1 and 1.9 versus previous iMac G5/2.0 and Dual Core G5/2.0 Power Mac PAGE TWO - GRAPHICS

Originally posted November 5th, 2005, by rob-ART morgan, mad scientist iMac G5/1.9GHz game results added on November 10th, 2005 As I said on PAGE ONE (CPU TESTS), the fun begins when you run graphics intensive apps on the new iMac G5s: ANALYSIS OF GRAPHICS INTENSITY These are impressive gains by the iMac G5/2.1 with Radeon X600 XT over the previous iMac G5/2.0 with Radeon 9600. The 3D Games were as much as 46% faster. iMaginator, our Core Image tester, ran 108% faster! What startled us was that it beat the Dual Core G5/2.0 Power Mac (GeForce 6600LE) running iMaginator and Halo. It tied it running Motion 2. HARD DRIVE HEAT? During the running of all our tests, the iMac G5/2.1's hard drive never went over 50 degrees C. That's safely UNDER the factory recommended maximum. Whether it's because of the reshaped back cover or redesigned logic board, the cooling is improved. In fact, during all our testing at the HIGHEST performance setting, the fans never sped up. FIREWIRE POWER LACKING I know I keep harping on this, but I wish Apple would offer FireWire 800 in the iMac like they do in the Power Mac and PowerBooks. To add insult to injury, we found that the FireWire 400 port did not produce enough "juice" to run our bus powered external drive. MEMORY MODULE CAUTION Before you order just any old memory module for your iMac G5, keep in mind that not all brands work. One Apple dealer reported that their 1GB modules didn't work in the new iMac G5. That's why I often refer you to Other World Computing (MacSales.com) and TransIntl.com for memory. They test their memory in each model of Mac before shipping it to you. OTHER FEATURES We were so busy performance testing that we haven't played with the built-in iSight camera or remote control. Unless you move your iSight camera from comptuer to computer, it certainly is convenient having it built-in. OLD IMAC OR NEW? Even if you can get a deal on a closeout iMac G5/2.0, we recommend the new iMac because of its far superior graphics performance and other key improvements. iMAC OR POWER MAC? If you can afford the low end Dual-Core G5/2.0 Power Mac and have desk space, we think it's a better buy if only because better upgrade options. You can increase the memory up to 16GB (vs 2.5GB), add a second drive, and upgrade the graphics card. It also has FireWire 800 support. But if you want a space saving, all-in-one Mac, the new iMac G5 deserves strong consideration. (IF YOU MISSED THE CPU CRUNCH TESTS, GO TO PAGE ONE.) WHERE TO ORDER YOUR G5 iMAC Ordering products from Apple USA? Please click THIS TEXT LINK or the Apple display ads to help support Bare Feats. (DON'T LIVE in the USA? See links for other countries.) You can do the same if you order from Small Dog Electronics. For refurbished, reconditioned, open box (as well as new) G5 Power Macs, check with Small Dog and Power Max. If you live in the San Diego area, visit my good friends at CryWolf. They not only do special orders but have great training events. Has Bare Feats helped you? How about helping Bare Feats?