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The SpeedZone: Mac Pro vs Power Mac ... Performance Comparison Of The August 2006 Mac Pros To October 2005 Power Macs
Saturday, September 30, 2006

Processor Performance
Multitasking Performance
Graphics Performance
Game Performance
Drive Performance
Application Performance
Previous Machine Performance ...

Below you will find performance results for most of the currently shipping machines. This will, hopefully, give you an feel for the relative performances. We will be adding new machines on an on-going basis ... so check back once in a while.

Don't see performance information on the Mac you are interested in? Send a request for a performance comparison between any two Macs.


"Real World" Tests

For timed scores, lower numbers are better. For the CineBench & Game scores higher numbers are better. Of course the higher the percentage, the better the performance.


Processor

Machine Score Points Percentage
of Base
Base Machine - Power Mac G4/1 GHz Dual Processor - M8667LL/A 116 100%
     
Mac Pro Two 3GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5100 - Z0D8-3GHZ250GB - August 2006 493 425%
Mac Pro Two 2.66GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5100 - MA356LL/A - August 2006 440 379%
Mac Pro Two 2GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5100 - Z0D8-2GHZ250GB - August 2006 332 286%
Power Mac 2X G5/2.5 GHz Dual Core - M9592LL/A
- October 2005
382 309%
Power Mac G5/2.3 GHz Dual Core - M9591LL/A
- October 2005
350 302%
Power Mac G5/2.0 GHz Dual Core - M9590LL/A
- October 2005
303 261%

CineBench 9.5 consists of a series of tests. This one, tests basic single CPU processing performance. . You can download the CineBench program to run on your own machine and compare scores. We used the 9.5 version of CineBench. The scores above are actual scores ... not timed tests. Higher numbers are better

Processor - Multiple
Machine Score Points Percentage
of Base
Base Machine - Power Mac G4/1 GHz Dual Processor - M8667LL/A 182 100%
     
Mac Pro Two 3GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5100 - Z0D8-3GHZ250GB - August 2006 1563 859%
Mac Pro Two 2.66GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5100 - MA356LL/A - August 2006 1384 760%
Mac Pro Two 2GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5100 - Z0D8-2GHZ250GB - August 2006 1042 573%
Power Mac 2X G5/2.5 GHz Dual Core - M9592LL/A
- October 2005
1158 636%
Power Mac G5/2.3 GHz Dual Core - M9591LL/A
- October 2005
633 348%
Power Mac G5/2.0 GHz Dual Core - M9590LL/A
- October 2005
548 301%

This is the same test as above, however it will take advantage of Multiple processors if they are present. The scores above are actual scores ... not timed tests. Higher numbers are better

Processor MultiTasking
Machine Score
Seconds
Percentage
of Base
Base Machine - Power Mac G4/1 GHz Dual Processor - M8667LL/A 235.84 100%
     
Mac Pro Two 3GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5100 - Z0D8-3GHZ250GB - August 2006 55.52 425%
Mac Pro Two 2.66GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5100 - MA356LL/A - August 2006 60.49 390%
Mac Pro Two 2GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5100 - Z0D8-2GHZ250GB - August 2006 76.56 308%
Power Mac 2X G5/2.5 GHz Dual Core - M9592LL/A
- October 2005
90.24 261%
Power Mac G5/2.3 GHz Dual Core - M9591LL/A
- October 2005
163.05 145%
Power Mac G5/2.0 GHz Dual Core - M9590LL/A
- October 2005
189.53 124%

Two QuickTime encodes are run at the same time.

Graphics Card
Machine Score Points Percentage
of Base
Base Machine - Power Mac G4/1 GHz Dual Processor - M8667LL/A 194 100%
     
Mac Pro Two 3GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5100 - Z0D8-3GHZ250GB - August 2006 4661 2403%
Mac Pro Two 2.66GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5100 - MA356LL/A - August 2006 4112 2120%
Mac Pro Two 2GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5100 - Z0D8-2GHZ250GB - August 2006 3616 1864%
Power Mac 2X G5/2.5 GHz Dual Core - M9592LL/A
- October 2005
1523 785%
Power Mac G5/2.3 GHz Dual Core - M9591LL/A
- October 2005
1497 772%
Power Mac G5/2.0 GHz Dual Core - M9590LL/A
- October 2005
1356 699%

This part of the CineBench program relies on the graphics card for graphics rendering. Download the program and run your own test. This test is highly sensitive to improvements in the software that drives the graphics card.

Graphics Card Gaming
Machine Score
FPS
Percentage
of Base
Base Machine - Power Mac G4/1 GHz Dual Processor - M8667LL/A 19 100%
     
Mac Pro Two 3GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5100 - Z0D8-3GHZ250GB - August 2006 59 311%
Mac Pro Two 2.66GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5100 - MA356LL/A - August 2006 53 279%
Mac Pro Two 2GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5100 - Z0D8-2GHZ250GB - August 2006 42 221%
Power Mac 2X G5/2.5 GHz Dual Core - M9592LL/A
- October 2005
67 353%
Power Mac G5/2.3 GHz Dual Core - M9591LL/A
- October 2005
67 353%
Power Mac G5/2.0 GHz Dual Core - M9590LL/A
- October 2005
67 353%

4x4 EVO2 is a demanding racing game. It appears that this game is much more graphics card dependent than processor dependent. The scores above are actual scores (frames per second) ... not timed tests. Higher numbers are better. The game has not been updated to run native on the Intel processor.

Hard Drive Performance - Multi-File

Machine Score
Seconds
Percentage
of Base
Base Machine - Power Mac G4/1 GHz Dual Processor - M8667LL/A 204.91 100%
     
Mac Pro Two 3GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5100 - Z0D8-3GHZ250GB - August 2006 71.37 287%
Mac Pro Two 2.66GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5100 - MA356LL/A - August 2006 70.52 291%
Mac Pro Two 2GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5100 - Z0D8-2GHZ250GB - August 2006 68.51 299%
Power Mac 2X G5/2.5 GHz Dual Core - M9592LL/A
- October 2005
83.10 247%
Power Mac G5/2.3 GHz Dual Core - M9591LL/A
- October 2005
79.78 257%
Power Mac G5/2.0 GHz Dual Core - M9590LL/A
- October 2005
87.48 234%

The copy folder test not only stresses drive performance but also takes advantage of faster processing capability & caching schemes.

Hard Drive Performance Single File
Machine Score
Seconds
Percentage
of Base
Base Machine - Power Mac G4/1 GHz Dual Processor - M8667LL/A 134.12 100%
     
Mac Pro Two 3GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5100 - Z0D8-3GHZ250GB - August 2006 46.70 287%
Mac Pro Two 2.66GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5100 - MA356LL/A - August 2006 43.27 310%
Mac Pro Two 2GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5100 - Z0D8-2GHZ250GB - August 2006 39.98 335%
Power Mac 2X G5/2.5 GHz Dual Core - M9592LL/A
- October 2005
74.22 181%
Power Mac G5/2.3 GHz Dual Core - M9591LL/A
- October 2005
76.92 174%
Power Mac G5/2.0 GHz Dual Core - M9590LL/A
- October 2005
72.86 184%

In the single file test the processor & caching capability of the machine are less of a factor.

iMovie Render

Machine Score
Seconds
Percentage
of Base
Base Machine - Power Mac G4/1 GHz Dual Processor - M8667LL/A 622.77 100%
     
Mac Pro Two 3GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5100 - Z0D8-3GHZ250GB - August 2006 193.70 322%
Mac Pro Two 2.66GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5100 - MA356LL/A - August 2006 208.98 298%
Mac Pro Two 2GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5100 - Z0D8-2GHZ250GB - August 2006 260.19 239%
Power Mac 2X G5/2.5 GHz Dual Core - M9592LL/A
- October 2005
224.51 277%
Power Mac G5/2.3 GHz Dual Core - M9591LL/A
- October 2005
271.57 229%
Power Mac G5/2.0 GHz Dual Core - M9590LL/A
- October 2005
296.47 210%

Aged Effect is run on a 1.2GB file

iDVD Import

Machine Score
Seconds
Percentage
of Base
Base Machine - Power Mac G4/1 GHz Dual Processor - M8667LL/A 392.53 100%
     
Mac Pro Two 3GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5100 - Z0D8-3GHZ250GB - August 2006 114.7 342%
Mac Pro Two 2.66GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5100 - MA356LL/A - August 2006 116.21 338%
Mac Pro Two 2GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5100 - Z0D8-2GHZ250GB - August 2006 113.72 345%
Power Mac 2X G5/2.5 GHz Dual Core - M9592LL/A
- October 2005
195.63 201%
Power Mac G5/2.3 GHz Dual Core - M9591LL/A
- October 2005
253.65 155%
Power Mac G5/2.0 GHz Dual Core - M9590LL/A
- October 2005
303.18 130%

A 1.2GB file is imported into iDVD


Don't see performance information on the Mac you are interested in? Send a request for a performance comparison between any two Macs. If you have a question regarding the results here, shoot us and email using this address

Previous Machine Performance ...
Compare These Results To Others ...
Mac Pro Two 3GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5100 - Originally: $3,299
This Section Updated: Tuesday, February 17, 2009



Price - Condition - Warranty - Store

Used Apple Tower Computers
As Low As $99

$2,899 - Used- 90 day - PowerMax unavailable

$2,299 - Refurbished  - 1yr - Apple Refurbished unavailable
Free Shipping

$2,399 - Refurbished  - 1yr - Apple Canada Refurbished unavailable
Free Shipping

$2,399 - OpenBox- 90day   - ClubMacunavailableZ0D8-3GHZBTO
mail-in printer rebates
$2,399 - OpenBox- 90day - MacMall unavailableZ0D8-3GHZBTO
mail-in printer rebates

$2,899 - Closeout - 1yr  - ClubMacunavailableZ0D8-3GHZBTO
mail-in printer rebates
$2,899 - Closeout - 1yr - MacMall unavailableZ0D8-3GHZBTO
mail-in printer rebates
$3,249 - Closeout - 1 year - PowerMax unavailable
$4,100 - Closeout - 1yr - Amazonunavailable

Can't Find It? Search store on Z0D8


unavailable = Unavailable
unknown = Unknown/Delay
= Installation Fee ($20 to $40)
Extras
= Canadian Dollars
New, Closeout, OpenBox, Refurbished and Used

Note
We receive a small commission on computers purchased using the links above. 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

 


Basic Stats

Mac Pro
Two 3GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5100
4MB shared L2 cache per processor
1.33GHz, 64-bit dual independent buses
1GB memory - 667MHz DDR2
NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT
256MB Graphics Memory
250GB Hard Drive 7200 rpm
16x SuperDrive
(DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Released 8/06
More Stats ...


Performance
Score
%
Processor Multi CB
1563
+759%
Processor Single CB
493
+325%
Graphics Card CB
4661
+2303%
Graphics Games fps
59
+211%
Hard Drive sec.
46.70
+187%
QuickTime sec.
55.52
+325%
CB = CineBench 9.5 Score
% = Performance compared to Power Mac Dual G4/1.0GHz
More performance results ...

Reviews
Quad Core Intel Xeon 3.0GHz
Associated Press
MacInTouch
MacsimumNews pt 1
MacsimumNews pt 2
MacsimumNews pt 3
MacsimumNews pt 4
Macworld
Macworld
PDNonline
MacInTouch
MacInTouch
MacInTouch
SpeedZone
SpeedZone
SpeedZone
BareFeats
BareFeats
BareFeats
Geek Patrol
Geek Patrol
Network Computing
BareFeats
HardMac

2X Dual Core 3.0GHz- Z0D8 vs ...
Mac Pro Two 2.66GHz Dual-Core Xeon
Mac Pro Two 2.66GHz Dual-Core Xeon
Mac Pro Two 2GHz Dual-Core Xeon


Going Shopping?



Mac Pro Two 2.66GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5100 - MA356LL/A - Originally: $2,499
This Section Updated: Tuesday, February 17, 2009

User Reviews @ Amazon

Price - Condition - Warranty - Store

Used Apple Tower Computers
As Low As $99

$2,588 - Used- 90 day - PowerMax unavailable
$1,888 - Used - Amazonunavailable

$1,888 -
Refurbished- - Amazonunavailable
$1,899 -
Refurbished- 1yr - PowerMax unavailable
$1,999 -
Refurbished  - 1yr - Apple Refurbished unavailable
Free Shipping

$2,099 - Refurbished  - 1yr - Apple Canada Refurbished unavailable
Free Shipping

$1,929 -
OpenBox  - ClubMacunavailable
mail-in printer rebates
$1,929 - OpenBox - MacMall unavailable
mail-in printer rebates

$2,099 -
Closeout - 1yr  - ClubMacunavailable
$150 mail-in rebate
mail-in printer rebates

Windows options

Parallels software mail-in rebate
$2,099 - Closeout - 1yr - MacMall unavailable
$150 mail-in rebate
mail-in printer rebates

Windows options

Parallels software mail-in rebate
$2,199 -
Closeout - 1 year - PowerMax unavailable
$2,640 -
Closeout - 1yr - Amazon unavailable
Free Shipping
$1,999 - OpenBox- 1yr - PowerMax unavailable

Can't Find It? Search store on MA356LL


unavailable = Unavailable
unknown = Unknown/Delay
= Installation Fee ($20 to $40)
Extras
= Canadian Dollars
New, Closeout, OpenBox, Refurbished and Used

Note
We receive a small commission on computers purchased using the links above. 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!

 


Basic Stats

Mac Pro - MA356LL/A
Two 2.66GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5100
4MB shared L2 cache per processor
1.33GHz, 64-bit dual independent buses
1GB memory - 667MHz DDR2
NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT
256MB Graphics Memory
250GB Hard Drive 7200 rpm
16x SuperDrive
(DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Released 8/06
More Stats ...


Performance
Score
%
Processor Multi CB
1384
+660%
Processor Single CB
440
+279%
Graphics Card CB
4112
+2020%
Graphics Games fps
53
+179%
Hard Drive sec.
43.27
+210%
QuickTime sec.
60.49
+290%
CB = CineBench 9.5 Score
% = Performance compared to Power Mac Dual G4/1.0GHz
More performance results ...

Quad Core Intel Xeon 2.66GHz
Reviews

User Reviews @ Amazon
Macworld
ComputerWorld
MacInTouch
AnandTech
Ars Technica
MacsimumNews pt 1
MacsimumNews pt 2
MacsimumNews pt 3
MacsimumNews pt 4
Digit
Macworld
Macworld
Macworld
AMUG
SpeedZone
SpeedZone
SpeedZone
MacInTouch
MacInTouch
MacInTouch
BareFeats
Macworld (gamer)
Geek Patrol
eXtensions
System Shootout
BareFeats

Compared To ...
iMac Core 2 Duo 2.16

2X Dual Core 2.66GHz- MA356LL/A vs ...
iMac G4 1.0 GHz 17"
Mac Pro Quad-Core Intel Xeon 3GHz
Mac Pro Quad-Core Xeon 3GHz
Mac Pro Two 2GHz Dual-Core Xeon
Power Mac Dual G4/800 MHz


Going Shopping?



Mac Pro Two 2GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5100 - Z0D8-2GHZ250GB - Originally: $2,199
This Section Updated: Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Price - Condition - Warranty - Store

Used Apple Tower Computers
As Low As $99

$1,899 - Used- 90 day - PowerMax unavailable

$1,799 -
Refurbished  - 1yr - Apple Refurbished unavailable
Free Shipping

$1,899 -Refurbished - Apple Store Canada unavailable
Free Shipping

$2,699 - OpenBox  - ClubMacunavailable- Z0D8-2GHZ
mail-in printer rebates
$2,699 - OpenBox - MacMall unavailable- Z0D8-2GHZ
mail-in printer rebates
$2,124 -
OpenBox- 1yr - PowerMax unavailable
$75 mail-in rebate on RAM

Free MP3 sunglasses
Free Shipping mail-in rebate


$2,740 -
Closeout - 1yr  - ClubMacunavailable
2GB RAM

mail-in printer rebates
Windows options

Parallels software mail-in rebate
Free Shipping mail-in rebate
$2,740 - Closeout - 1yr - MacMall unavailable
2GB RAM

mail-in printer rebates
Windows options

Parallels software mail-in rebate
Free Shipping mail-in rebate
$2,149 - Closeout - 1 year - PowerMax unavailable

Can't Find It? Search store on Z0D8


unavailable = Unavailable
unknown = Unknown/Delay
= Installation Fee ($20 to $40)
Extras
= Canadian Dollars
New, Closeout, OpenBox, Refurbished and Used

Note
We receive a small commission on computers purchased using the links above. 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!

 


Basic Stats

Mac Pro - Z0D8-2GHZ250GB
Two 2GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon 5100
4MB shared L2 cache per processor
1.33GHz, 64-bit dual independent buses
1GB memory - 667MHz DDR2
NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT
256MB Graphics Memory
250GB Hard Drive 7200 rpm
16x SuperDrive
(DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Released 8/06
More Stats ...


Performance
Score
%
Processor Multi CB
1042
+473%
Processor Single CB
332
+186%
Graphics Card CB
3616
+1764%
Graphics Games fps
42
+121%
Hard Drive sec.
39.98
+235%
QuickTime sec.
76.56
+208%
CB = CineBench 9.5 Score
% = Performance compared to Power Mac Dual G4/1.0GHz
More performance results ...

Quad Core Intel Xeon 2GHz
Reviews

MacsimumNews pt 1
MacsimumNews pt 2
MacsimumNews pt 3
MacsimumNews pt 4
Macworld
Architosh
MacInTouch
SpeedZone
SpeedZone
SpeedZone
BareFeats

Compared To ...
iMac 2.33GHz Core 2 Duo

2X Dual Core 2GHz- Z0D8 vs ...
iMac 2.33GHz Core 2 Duo 24"
Mac Pro Two 3GHz Dual-Core Xeon
Mac Pro Two 2.66GHz Dual-Core Xeon

 

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