Should i change my Dual 1.8 for a Dual Core 2.0 or wait?

I have both a Dual 1.8 and a Dual 2.7... the only upgrade I would consider is the Quad. I don't think you will see a real world performance increase between a Dual 1.8 and a Dual Core 2.3. Unless you need the speed for video rendering or compression. I use Photoshop on both and the 2.7 feels snappier... but I wouldn't switch from the D1.8 to the D2.7 for that alone. Now the Quad would be another story. I am hoping that by the time the Intel PowerMacs are released that more software (read Adobe & Office) are UB. I also think the Intel Macs will be blazing fast. An associate hacked Windows XP onto a MacBook Pro (this was prior to bootcamp) and he said it was the fastest Windows computer he ever owned! So, I am waiting. I would like to have a Quad, but the whole PCI-e thing is a bother. And my Dual 1.8 holds up very well against my 2.7... except in rendering/compression!

Mike

Hi Mark;

I have to concur with Mike. If you are going to upgrade go for the Quad. I have one and I really find it to be great. I got one with a 7800 GT video card in it. If you do anything that is video intensive it make a difference. My 7800 GT doesn't have any problems with fan noise.

Allan

Get a Quad now while you can get good money for your unit yet. Keep the Quad a couple of years. By then, all the bugs should be worked out with the conversion to Intel and you can upgrade to an Intel Power Mac.

- Bmer
Mac Owners Support Group
Join Us @ MacOSG.com
 An Apple User Group 
ITMS: MacOSG Podcast >>

Hi Mark,
I sold my Dual 1.8 and bougth a Dual 2.7 a few months ago. It makes a difference when you are doing a lot of video stuff and those things, but you don't really "feel" the difference.

Where u sell your Dual 1.8 ??????????

Beavis2084

I have had my dual 1.8ghz for 18 months or so now and i am wondering wether to change it for a re-furb Dual 2.0/2.3ghz (previous model) or either a Dual Core 2.0ghz or 2.3 ghz?

I doubt your going to see any tremendous performance increase for your trouble.

The reason i am attracted to the previous models (rather than the Dual Core) is so i can use my existing ram and high end graphics card, neither of which will work with the Dual Core machines

Neither will most of those work in the Quad, especially the graphics card as there is no AGP slot.

Most game engines use just one CPU, a few will throw some sound or other things on the second CPU, but not enough usually to max the second one. Also most 3D games are video card performance dependent, not CPU.

So basically your suggesting upgrading your CPU's for just a few Ghz that you might not even see any great performance benefit.

You might want to consider adding more RAM, a 10,000 RPM 74GB Western Digital Raptor (not the RaptorX!!) as a fresh installed boot drive and keeping your documents, pictures, movies and homegrown music files in new folders on a second internal drive. You should see Mac OS X zip along very nicely with that Raptor, slimmed down below 50% filled with a fresh install of Mac OS X. (always Erase w/Zero a new blank drive)

Since your not going for the Quad, and your a gamer, you should be saving your money for the QuadMacTel box that will be rolling around near the holidays.

With Leopard's virtualization ability or dual boot Windows XP, you'll be able to game with all the titles from both platforms.

With Windows Vista and all the new games coming for that OS next year, the cards are still up in the air if a Mac will run a M$ DirectX video card, but at least you'll have the processing power and CPU compatibility already.

So upgrading your CPU, even to a Quad, isn't such a hot idea with the recent "Boot Camp" announcement.

Should i change my Dual 1.8 for a Dual Core 2.0 or wait?

I forgot to add that a Dual 1.8 might be just as equal performance wise because it's two independant processors. Not two cores on one chip sharing a bus and memory controller.

So if you throw in the slight .4 Ghz (400 Mhz) against the missing memory controller and bus, these two machines might be just about equal.

Not worthy of your time IMHO.

Yea the Dual 2.5 is a really hot bugger anyway.

Did you get Quake IV yet?

I hear it's shipping now.