Power Mac G5 Early 2005 Explained

Power Mac G5 and Cinema Display
Source: apple.com – Power Mac G5 and Cinema Display

In the fast-paced world of technology, certain innovations stand the test of time, leaving an indelible mark on the industry. One such masterpiece is the Power Mac G5 Early 2005, a marvel that redefined computing standards upon its release in 2005.

In 2005, amidst eager anticipation, Apple launched the Power Mac G5 Early 2005, captivating the tech world with its unparalleled power and performance. Boasting dual 64-bit PowerPC G5 processors clocking up to 2.7 GHz, this desktop dynamo was a game-changer. Paired with Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, renowned for its cutting-edge features, the Power Mac G5 set new benchmarks in computing excellence.

What made the Power Mac G5 truly stand out were its groundbreaking features. With a 128-bit memory architecture and expansion capabilities of up to 8 GB of DDR SDRAM, it offered unparalleled speed and efficiency. The inclusion of ATI Radeon graphics cards with up to 256 MB of video memory ensured seamless multimedia experiences and enhanced productivity.

Power Mac G5
Source: apple.com – Power Mac G5

Apple’s commitment to innovation extended beyond hardware to display technology. The Power Mac G5 seamlessly integrated with the revolutionary 30-inch Cinema HD Display, providing users with unparalleled visual clarity and immersion. The option to add NVIDIA GeForce graphics cards enabled users to drive multiple displays, unlocking new levels of productivity and creativity.

Equipped with a faster 16X SuperDrive with double-layer support, the Power Mac G5 facilitated seamless multimedia creation and consumption. Its larger hard drives offered up to 800 GB of internal storage, ensuring users had ample space for their digital endeavors. Moreover, the aluminum enclosure with advanced cooling mechanisms ensured quiet operation, even during intense computing tasks.

The Power Mac G5 came bundled with Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, a testament to Apple’s commitment to delivering a seamless user experience. Tiger introduced over 200 new features, including Spotlight for instant desktop search and Dashboard for accessing vital information at a glance. These innovations revolutionized how users interacted with their computers, enhancing efficiency and convenience.

To complement the Power Mac G5, Apple offered a range of widescreen flat panel displays, including the renowned 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display. With its sleek aluminum design and industry-leading resolution, these displays provided the perfect canvas for creative professionals and enthusiasts alike, elevating the computing experience to new heights.

Power Mac G5
Source: apple.com – Power Mac G5

Despite its short lifespan, the Power Mac G5 Early 2005 left an enduring legacy in the world of computing. Its discontinuation in October 2005 marked the end of an era, but its impact resonates to this day. Even after 18 years remains a symbol of Apple’s relentless pursuit of innovation, the Power Mac G5 continues to inspire future generations of technology enthusiasts.

Power Mac G5
Source: apple.com – Power Mac G5

Power Mac G5 Early 2005 Details

IntroducedApril 27, 2005 – 18 years ago
DiscontinuedOctober 19, 2005 – 18 years ago
Time on the Market175 days (5 months)
Model IdentifierPowerMac7,2 (dual 2 GHz)
PowerMac7,3 (dual 2.3 and 2.7 GHz)
Model NumberA1047
EMC2061
Order NumberM9747LL/A (Dual 2 GHz)
M9748LL/A (Dual 2.3 GHz)
M9749LL/A (Dual 2.7 GHz)
Original Price$1,999
$2,499
$2,999
ColorsAluminum
Weight44.4 Ibs.
20.139 KG
Dimensions20.1” H x 8.1” W x 18.7” D
51.05 cm H x 20.57 cm W x 47.49 cm D

Power Mac G5 Tech Specs

Processor

ProcessorPowerPC 970fx G5
Processor SpeedDual 2 GHz
Dual 2.3 GHz
Dual 2.7 GHz
Architecture64-bit
Number of Cores2
System BusDual 1 GHz
Dual 1.15 GHz
Dual 1.35 GHz
Cache64 KB / 32 KB L1
512 KB L2

Storage & Media

Storage160 GB 7200 rpm
250 GB 7200 rpm
400 GB 7200 rpm
Media1 – 16x DVD-R/CD-RW “SuperDrive”

Memory

Built-in Memory256 MB
512 MB
Maximum Memory4 GB (dual 2 GHz)
8 GB (dual 2.3 GHz, dual 2.7 GHz)
Memory Slots4 – PC-3200 184-pin DDR SDRAM (dual 2 GHz)
8 – PC-3200 184-pin DDR SDRAM (dual 2.3 GHz, dual 2.7 GHz)
Interleaving SupportYes

Display

Built-in DisplayNone

Graphics

Graphics CardNVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra DDL
ATI Radeon 9600
ATI Radeon 9650
ATI Radeon X850 XT
Graphics Memory128 MB (ATI Radeon 9600)
256 MB (GeForce 6800 Ultra DDL, ATI Radeon 9650, and X850 XT)
Display Connection2 – DVI (ATI Radeon 9600)
1 – DVI and 1 – dual-link DVI (ATI Radeon 9650)
1 – dual-link DVI and 1 – ADC (ATI Radeon X850 XT)
2 – dual-link DVI (GeForce 6800 Ultra DDL)
Display ModesDual display extended and video mirroring

Expansion

Expansion Slots2 – 33 MHz 64-bit PCI (dual 2 GHz)
2 – 100 MHz 64-bit PCI-X (dual 2.3 GHz and dual 2.7 GHz)
1 – 133 MHz 64-bit PCX-X (dual 2.3 GHz and dual 2.7 GHz)
1 – 8x AGP Pro
Bays2 – Internal 3.5″ Serial ATA drive bays
1 – Optical drive bay
Hard Drive Interface2 – 1.5 Gbps Serial ATA (SATA) controllers
Optical Drive InterfaceUltra ATA/100

Connections

Ethernet10/100/1000BASE-T (RJ-45)
Modem56k (Optional)
Wi-FiAirPort Extreme Card 802.11b/g (Optional)
BluetoothBluetooth 1.1 (Optional)
ADBNone
USB3 – 480 Mbps (USB 2.0)
SerialNone
SCSINone
FireWire2 – 400 Mbps
1 – 800 Mbps
Audio In1 – 3.5-mm analog input jack
1 – optical S/PDIF (Toslink) input
Audio Out2 – 3.5-mm analog output jack
1 – optical S/PDIF (Toslink) output
1 – Built-in speaker
Display2 – DVI (ATI Radeon 9600)
1 – DVI and 1 – dual-link DVI (ATI Radeon 9650)
1 – dual-link DVI and 1 – ADC (ATI Radeon X850 XT)
2 – dual-link DVI (GeForce 6800 Ultra DDL)

Keyboard and Mouse

PeripheralsApple Keyboard
Apple Mouse

Software

Original OSMac OS X 10.4
Maximum OSMac OS X 10.5.8
FirmwareMac OS ROM
Bundled SoftwareMac OS X 10.4
Dashboard
Mail
Safari
iChat AV
Address Book
QuickTime
iLife (includes iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie HD, iDVD, and GarageBand)
iCal
DVD Player
Classic environment
Art Directors Toolkit X
GraphicConverter
Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac Test
DriQuickBooks New User Edition
Zinio Reader
Xcode Developer Tools

Power

Backup Battery3.6 V 850 mAh Lithium (922-4028)
Maximum Continuous Power450 W
600 W
Line Voltage100 – 125 V AC or 200 – 240 V AC
Liquid CoolingYes (dual 2.7 GHz)

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Further Reading and References

Disclaimer: The data presented in this article is under continuous development and has been manually collected from various sources based on their availability. The author of this article may revise this dataset as additional research is conducted and reviewed. Please note that the information is provided “as is” and “as available” without express or implied warranties. The author cannot be held responsible for any omissions, inaccuracies, or errors in the published information. Any warranties relating to this information are hereby disclaimed.