Apple Xserve G5/2.3 DP Cluster Node (PCI-X) Specs
Identifiers: Early 2005 - M9742LL/A - RackMac3,1 - N/A - N/A
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The Apple Xserve G5/2.3 DP Cluster Node features dual 2.3 GHz PowerPC 970fx (G5) processors each with the AltiVec "Velocity Engine" vector processing unit and 512k "on chip" level 2 cache. It shipped configured with 512 MB of PC3200 EEC SDRAM, an 80 GB (7200 RPM) Serial ATA hard drive, and dual Gigabit Ethernet in a 1U case that fits in an industry-standard 19" rack.
Designed to be "clustered" in quantity with a standard Xserve G5 as a "head node", the Xserve G5/2.3 DP Cluster Node allows multiple systems to be used together for intensive computing tasks, but has a single drive bay (instead of three) and no optical drive to cut costs. Like the "head node" Xserve G5, the "Cluster Node" includes USB 2.0, Firewire "800", and dual PCI-X slots.
The Xserve G5/2.3 DP Cluster Node shipped with a ten user version -- instead of an unlimited user version -- of MacOS X Server 10.3 upon release and MacOS X Server 10.4 "Tiger" after September 13, 2005. Custom configurations also were available.
Despite the age of this system, site sponsor Other World Computing has RAM, hard drives, SSDs, and other upgrades available for this specific Mac while supplies last.
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Click on a category for related details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important. Asterisks (*) reference data in details fields.
Introduction Date: |
January 4, 2005 |
Discontinued Date: |
August 7, 2006 |
Details: |
The "Introduction Date" refers to the date a model was introduced via press release. The "Discontinued Date" refers to the date a model either was replaced by a subsequent system or production otherwise ended.
Also see: All Macs introduced in 2005. |
Processors: |
2 |
Architecture: |
64-Bit |
Geekbench 2 (32): |
2063 |
Geekbench 2 (64): |
2190 |
Details: |
Geekbench 2 benchmarks are in 32-bit and 64-bit modes, respectively. These numbers reflect an average of user provided 32-bit and 64-bit results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better.
You also might be interested in reviewing all 32-bit and 64-bit Geekbench 2 user submissions for Macs with the RackMac3,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.
To dynamically compare Geekbench 2 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison. |
Geekbench 3 (32): |
N/A |
Geekbench 3 (32): |
N/A |
Details: |
The Geekbench 3 benchmark does not support this model. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better.
You also might be interested in reviewing all 32-bit single core and multicore Geekbench 3 user submissions for Macs with the RackMac3,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.
To dynamically compare 32-bit Geekbench 3 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison. |
Geekbench 3 (64): |
N/A |
Geekbench 3 (64): |
N/A |
Details: |
The Geekbench 3 benchmark does not support this model. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better.
You also might be interested in reviewing all 64-bit single core and multicore Geekbench 3 user submissions for Macs with the RackMac3,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.
To dynamically compare 64-bit Geekbench 3 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison. |
Geekbench 4 (SC): |
N/A |
Geekbench 4 (MC): |
N/A |
Details: |
N/A Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better.
You also might be interested in reviewing all single core and multicore Geekbench 4 user submissions for Macs with the RackMac3,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.
To dynamically compare Geekbench 4 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison. |
Geekbench 5 (SC): |
N/A |
Geekbench 5 (MC): |
N/A |
Details: |
The Geekbench 5 benchmark does not support this Mac. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better.
You also might be interested in reviewing all single core and multicore Geekbench 5 user submissions for Macs with the RackMac3,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.
To dynamically compare Geekbench 5 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison. |
Processor Speed: |
2.3 GHz |
Processor Type: |
PowerPC 970fx (G5) x2 |
Details: |
The PowerPC 970fx "G5" has 64-bit data paths and registers with native support for 32-bit application code. Apple also reports that it includes a "parallel data structure supporting up to 215 simultaneous in-flight instructions, [and] simultaneous issue of up to 10 out-of-order operations." It likewise has a "dual-pipeline Velocity Engine for 128-bit single-instruction, multiple-data (SIMD) processing, two independent double-precision floating-point units, [and] advanced three-stage branch-prediction logic." |
Turbo Boost: |
N/A |
Custom Speeds: |
N/A |
Processor Upgrade: |
N/A |
FPU: |
Integrated |
System Bus Speed: |
1.15 GHz |
Cache Bus Speed: |
2.3 GHz (Built-in*) |
Details: |
This model has a 1.15 GHz frontside bus and a 512k "on chip" level 2 cache that runs at processor speed for each processor. |
ROM/Firmware Type: |
Open Firmware |
EFI Architecture: |
N/A |
Details: |
The Boot ROM is roughly 1 MB, other instructions are loaded into RAM. |
L1 Cache: |
32k/64k |
L2/L3 Cache: |
512k (on chip) |
Details: |
32k level 1 data cache, 64k level 1 instructional cache. The 512k on-chip level 2 cache runs at processor speed. |
RAM Type: |
PC3200 EEC SDRAM |
Min. RAM Speed: |
400 MHz |
Details: |
Uses 400 MHz PC3200 DDR SDRAM memory modules. |
Standard RAM: |
512 MB |
Maximum RAM: |
16 GB |
Motherboard RAM: |
None |
RAM Slots: |
8 |
Details: |
This system has eight RAM slots supporting a maximum of 16 GB of memory. |
Video Card: |
None |
VRAM Type: |
None |
Standard VRAM: |
None |
Maximum VRAM: |
None |
Display Support: |
N/A |
Resolution Support: |
N/A |
2nd Display Support: |
None |
2nd Max. Resolution: |
N/A |
Standard Storage: |
80 GB HDD |
Std. Storage Speed: |
7200 RPM |
Storage Dimensions: |
3.5" (25.4 mm) |
Storage Interface: |
Serial ATA |
Details: |
This model supports a single "hot plug" 3.5" hard drive (Apple Drive Module) on a Serial ATA (SATA) bus. |
Standard Optical: |
None |
Standard Disk: |
None |
Details: |
This model does not support an internal optical drive. |
Standard Modem: |
None |
Standard Ethernet: |
Gigabit (x2) |
Details: |
Two built-in Gigabit (10/100/1000Base-T) Ethernet ports. |
Standard AirPort: |
None |
Standard Bluetooth: |
None |
USB Ports: |
2 (2.0) |
Firewire Ports: |
1 (400), 2 (800) |
Details: |
Two USB 2.0 ports. One Firewire "400" port on the front, two Firewire "800" ports on the rear. |
Expansion Slots: |
2 PCI-X |
Expansion Bays: |
1 3.5" |
Details: |
Apple reports that this model has "two full-length 64-bit PCI-X slots [and] supports 1 card at 133 MHz or 2 at 100 MHz".
The single external 3.5" bay is occupied by an Apple Drive Module. |
Incl. Keyboard: |
None |
Incl. Input: |
None |
Case Type: |
Rack-Mountable |
Form Factor: |
Xserve Cluster Node |
Details: |
Fits "EIA-310-D-compliant industry-standard 19-inch wide racks, including four-post racks 24 inches, 26 inches, and from 29 to 36 inches deep [and] two-post telco racks (center mount brackets included)." |
Apple Order No: |
M9742LL/A |
Apple Subfamily: |
Early 2005 |
Details: |
The Apple order number should be unique to this system. |
Apple Model No: |
N/A (EMC N/A) |
Model ID: |
RackMac3,1 |
Details: |
Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model.
Also see: All Macs with the N/A Model Number, the N/A EMC Number, and the RackMac3,1 Model Identifier.
For more about these identifiers and how to locate them on each Mac, please refer to EveryMac.com's Mac Identification section. |
Battery Type: |
N/A |
Battery Life: |
N/A |
Pre-Installed MacOS: |
X Server 10.3 |
Maximum MacOS: |
X Server 10.5.8 |
Details: |
A ten client version of MacOS X Server 10.3 initially was pre-installed. MacOS X Server 10.4 "Tiger" was pre-installed starting September 13, 2005. This system cannot run versions of Mac OS X Server more recent than 10.5.8. |
Minimum Windows: |
N/A |
Maximum Windows: |
N/A |
MacOS 9 Support: |
None |
Windows Support: |
N/A |
Dimensions: |
1.73 x 17.6 x 28.0 |
Avg. Weight: |
33.0 lbs. (15.1 kg) |
Details: |
In inches - height by width by depth, (4.4 cm, 44.7 cm, 71.1 cm). 33.0 pounds (15.1 kg). |
Original Price (US): |
US$2999 |
Est. Current Retail: |
N/A |
Details: |
Please note that on average the estimated current retail pricing of used systems is updated twice a year (please refer to the date on the bottom of the page for the date last updated).
Photo Credit: Apple Computer. |
Global original prices for the Xserve G5/2.3 DP Cluster Node (PCI-X) in 34 different countries and territories follow; organized alphabetically by region.
For global original prices for Intel Macs in one particular country on a single page, please refer to EveryMac.com's Global Original Prices section.
Original Prices - North & South America
Canada: |
C$3799 |
Brazil: |
N/A |
Mexico: |
N/A |
United States: |
US$2999 |
Original Prices - Europe
Austria: |
N/A |
Belgium: |
€3249 |
Denmark: |
N/A |
Finland: |
N/A |
France: |
N/A |
Germany: |
€3199 |
Ireland: |
N/A |
Italy: |
€2682 |
Luxembourg: |
N/A |
Netherlands: |
€3199 |
Norway: |
N/A |
Portugal: |
N/A |
Switzerland: |
N/A |
United Kingdom: |
£2199 |
Original Prices - Asia
China: |
N/A |
Hong Kong: |
N/A |
India: |
N/A |
Indonesia: |
N/A |
Malaysia: |
N/A |
The Philippines: |
N/A |
Singapore: |
N/A |
Taiwan: |
N/A |
Thailand: |
N/A |
Vietnam: |
N/A |
Original Prices - Australia & New Zealand
Australia: |
N/A |
New Zealand: |
NZ$5985 |
If you have additional original prices for this model, please get in touch. Thank you.
Ten of the most popular Q&As about the Xserve models follow.
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