PowerMacG5 Early 2005

The Power Macintosh G5/2.0 DP (PCI) was equipped with dual 2.0 GHz PowerPC 970fx (G5) processors, each featuring a dedicated, optimized AltiVec \"Velocity Engine\" vector processing unit and an individual 512k level 2 on-chip cache. The standard factory configuration included 512 MB of 400 MHz PC3200 DDR SDRAM, a 160.0 GB Serial ATA hard drive operating at 7200 RPM, and a 16X dual-layer \"SuperDrive\" (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW). For graphics, it was fitted with an ATI Radeon 9600 (AGP 8X Pro) video card that had 128 MB of DDR SDRAM.\n\nIn terms of connectivity, the machine offered USB 2.0, FireWire \"400\" and \"800\", and optical digital audio in/out. A notable change in this model was the inclusion of two single-link DVI ports, omitting the Apple Display Connector (ADC) found on earlier versions. It also came with integrated support for AirPort Extreme (802.11g) and Bluetooth 1.1. A key differentiator for this model was its lack of PCI-X support, featuring standard PCI slots instead.\n\nLike its predecessors, the Power Macintosh G5/2.0 DP (PCI) utilized the signature \"anodized aluminum alloy\" case. This enclosure was engineered with four distinct thermal zones and nine computer-controlled fans to ensure optimal cooling performance. Easy access to the internal components was maintained through its characteristic removable side panel. Custom configuration options were also available for purchase.

The Early 2005 dual 2.0 GHz Power Mac G5 was positioned as the new entry-point for Apple's dual-processor tower lineup. It delivered strong performance, proving to be significantly faster than high-end Pentium 4 systems in professional application benchmarks. However, its defining characteristic was the use of standard PCI slots instead of the faster PCI-X found in the higher-end 2.3 and 2.7 GHz models. This made it a compromise: while it provided the raw computational power of two G5 processors, it lacked the high-speed expansion capabilities required by some professionals, particularly in video and audio production. The machine was praised for its robust build and long-term reliability, with many units remaining functional for years. It was a solid, powerful machine for users who needed strong CPU performance for tasks like software development or graphic design, but did not require the specialized bandwidth of PCI-X peripherals, making it a cost-effective entry into the world of dual-processor Macs.