Power Macintosh G5 Dual Core (2.3) Specs (Late 2005, M9591LL/A, PowerMac11,2, A1117/A1177*, 2023): EveryMac.com

Apple Power Macintosh G5 Dual Core (2.3) Specs

Identifiers: Late 2005 - M9591LL/A - PowerMac11,2 - A1117/A1177* - 2023

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Apple Power Mac G5 The Power Macintosh G5 Dual Core (2.3), along with the Power Macintosh G5 Dual Core (2.0) and Power Macintosh G5 "Quad Core" (2.5), are the first and last Power Macintosh G5 models to use dual core PowerPC 970MP (G5) processors, which have two independent processor "cores" on a single silicon chip.

The Power Macintosh G5 Dual Core (2.3) is powered by a single "dual core" 2.3 GHz PowerPC 970MP (G5) processor with dual optimized AltiVec "Velocity Engine" vector processing units (one per core), four double-precision FPUs (two per core), 1 MB of on-chip level 2 cache on each core, and a 1.15 GHz frontside system bus. It shipped configured with 512 MB or 1 GB of 533 MHz PC2-4200 DDR2 SDRAM, a 250 GB (7200 RPM) Serial ATA hard drive, a reported "16X" dual-layer "SuperDrive", and a NVIDIA GeForce 6600 video card with 256 MB of GDDR SDRAM.

Connectivity includes USB 2.0, FireWire "400" and "800", a single-link DVI and a dual-link DVI port, optical digital audio in/out, two independent Gigabit Ethernet ports, and support for AirPort Extreme (802.11g) and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR.

All of the "multiple core" equipped Power Macintosh G5 models have three open PCI-Express (PCIe) expansion slots. The Power Macintosh G5 Dual Core (2.3) uses the same easy-to-upgrade "anodized aluminum alloy" case as all other Power Macintosh G5 models with the same removable side panel for easy access to internal components. Likewise, it is divided into four different thermal zones with nine computer-controlled fans for optimum cooling.

Also see: What are the primary differences between the "Late 2005" or "Dual Core" Power Mac G5 models?

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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Introduction Date:

October 19, 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:

1 (2 Cores)

Geekbench 2:

2082

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 Geekbench 2 user submissions for Macs with the PowerMac11,2 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.

To dynamically compare Geekbench results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.

Processor Speed:

2.3 GHz

Processor Type:

PowerPC 970MP (G5)

Details:

The PowerPC 970MP "G5" has two independent 2.3 GHz processor "cores" on a single silicon chip. It also includes dual optimized AltiVec "Velocity Engine" vector processing units (one per core), four double-precision FPUs (two per core), and on chip level 2 cache on each core.

Like all PowerPC "G5" processors, the PowerPC 970MP "G5" has 64-bit data paths and registers with native support for 32-bit application code. Apple also reports that each core of the 970MP has a "parallel data structure supporting up to 215 simultaneous in-flight instructions, [and] simultaneous issue of up to 10 out-of-order operations." Each core likewise has a "dual-pipeline Velocity Engine for 128-bit single-instruction, multiple-data (SIMD) processing [and] advanced three-stage branch-prediction logic."

Also see: How fast are the "Dual" and "Quad" Core Power Mac G5 models compared to earlier ones?

Processor Upgrade:

G5 Daughtercard

FPU:

Integrated

Details:

The Power Macintosh G5 models have the processor(s) mounted on a custom 300-pin daughtercard, but it is not feasible to upgrade the processor.

Also see: Is the CPU on the Power Mac G5 upgradable? How is it mounted?

System Bus Speed:

1.15 GHz (2:1)

Cache Bus Speed:

2.3 GHz (Built-in)

Details:

Apple notes that the system has a "single 1.15 GHz 64-bit DDR bidirectional frontside bus".

ROM/Firmware Type:

Open Firmware

ROM/Firmware Size:

1 MB

Details:

Boot ROM and around 1 MB, other instructions are loaded into RAM (NewWorld).

L1 Cache:

32k/64k

L2/L3 Cache:

1 MB

Details:

32k level 1 data cache, 64k level 1 instructional cache. The 1 MB on-chip level 2 cache runs at processor speed.

RAM Type:

PC2-4200 DDR2

Min. RAM Speed:

533 MHz

Details:

Supports 533 MHz PC2-4200 DDR2 SDRAM.

Also see: How do you upgrade the RAM in the Power Mac G5 models?

Standard RAM:

512 MB, 1 GB

Maximum RAM:

16 GB

Details:

Installed as two or four 256 MB modules. Memory must be installed in pairs.

In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells memory -- as well as other upgrades -- for this Power Macintosh G5.

In Germany, site sponsor CompuRAM sells memory and other upgrades for this Power Mac G5.

Also see: Actual Max RAM of All G3 & Later Macs.

Motherboard RAM:

None

RAM Slots:

Details:

Apple notes that the system features a "128-bit memory controller and data path".

Also see: How much RAM of what type does the Power Mac G5 support? Which models have four RAM slots and which models have eight RAM slots?

Video Card:

GeForce 6600

VRAM Type:

GDDR SDRAM

Details:

The NVIDIA GeForce 6600 with 256 MB of GDDR SDRAM occupies a 16-lane PCI Express slot.

Also see: What graphics cards are provided by the Power Mac G5? Which have ADC ports and which have DVI ports?

Standard VRAM:

256 MB

Maximum VRAM:

256 MB

Details:

NVIDIA GeForce 7800 GT with 256 MB of GDDR3 SDRAM, and NVIDIA Quadro FX 4500 with 512 MB of GDDR3 SDRAM were available at the time of purchase via build-to-order. Other graphics cards could be pre-installed at the time of purchase or installed later.

Display Support:

Dual Displays*

Resolution Support:

2560x1600

Details:

Apple advertised that this system can support "two Apple flat-panel displays for each graphics card installed". The default graphics card can support "up to 2560 by 1600 pixels" with the dual-link DVI port and "up to 1920 by 1200 pixels" with the single-link DVI port. It also can support analog resolutions "up to 2048 by 1536 pixels".

2nd Display Support:

Dual/Mirroring

2nd Max. Resolution:

1920x1200

Details:

The default graphics card can support a second display with a maximum resolution of 1920x1200 using the single-link DVI port (assuming the dual-link DVI port is being used for the primary display). The build-to-order NVIDIA Quadro FX 4500 graphics card with 512 MB of GDDR3 SDRAM has two dual-link DVI ports and is capable of powering two 2560x1600 displays, like the 30-inch Apple Cinema Display models.

Standard Storage:

250 GB HDD

Std. Storage Speed:

7200 RPM

Details:

One hard drive installed by default.

Also see: How many hard drives of what type are supported in the Power Mac G5? How do you replace the drive or add another one? Are there third-party products to use more drives than are "officially" supported?

In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells storage upgrades for this Power Mac G5.

Also see: SSD Compatibility Guide for All G3 & Later Macs.

Storage Dimensions:

3.5" (26.10 mm)

Storage Interface:

Serial ATA (1.5 Gb/s)

Details:

Officially holds two 3.5" hard drives -- drives larger than 128 GB are supported. Not compatible with Ultra ATA drives without an adapter.

Standard Optical:

6X DL "SuperDrive"

Standard Disk:

None

Details:

Apple reports that this "16X" DVD+R DL/DVD�RW/CD-RW SuperDrive "writes DVD-R discs at 16x speed, writes DVD+R DL discs at up to 6x speed, reads DVDs at up to 16x speed, writes CD-R and CD-RW discs at up to 24x speed, [and] reads CDs at up to 32x speed." It uses an Ultra ATA/100 bus.

Also see: What are the capabilities of the "SuperDrive" provided by the Power Mac G5? How do you upgrade or replace the optical drive?

Standard Modem:

None

Standard Ethernet:

Gigabit (x2)

Details:

External USB modem optional. The system has "two independent 10/100/1000BASE-T [Gigabit] Ethernet (RJ-45) interfaces with support for jumbo frames."

Standard AirPort:

802.11b/g (Optional)

Standard Bluetooth:

2.0+EDR (Optional)

Details:

Expansion slots for AirPort Extreme (802.11g) card and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR module. Both optional at the time of purchase.

USB Ports:

4 (2.0)

Firewire Ports:

2 (400), 1 (800)

Details:

The "Multiple Core" Power Mac G5 models have four USB 2.0 ports on the system (one on the front panel and three on the back), two Firewire "400" ports (one on the front and one on the back), and one Firewire "800" port on the back. Apple also advertised "two USB 1.1 ports on included keyboard".

Expansion Slots:

3 PCIe, AP/BL

Expansion Bays:

2 3.5", 1 5.25"

Details:

This model has "two open full-length four-lane PCI Express slots", "one open full-length eight-lane PCI Express slot", a 16-lane PCI Express slot that is occupied by the graphics card, as well as expansion slots for AirPort Extreme (802.11g) -- antenna internal -- and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR.

In the default configuration, one internal 3.5" bay is occupied by a hard drive and one is free, and the single external 5.25" bay is occupied by a "SuperDrive" optical drive.

Also see: Which Power Mac G5 models have PCI, PCI-X, and PCI Express slots? How many PCI slots of what speed does each Power Mac G5 have? How do you install a PCI card?

Incl. Keyboard:

Apple Keyboard

Incl. Input:

Apple Mighty Mouse

Details:

Also included a USB keyboard extension cable.

Case Type:

Tower

Form Factor:

Power Mac G5

Details:

Apple Order No:

M9591LL/A

Apple Subfamily:

Late 2005

Details:

The Apple order number should be unique to this system. Also see: What are the primary differences between the "Late 2005" or "Dual Core" Power Mac G5 models?

Apple Model No:

A1117/A1177* (EMC 2023)

Model ID:

PowerMac11,2

Details:

*Earlier systems are labeled model number A1117 whereas some, but not all, later systems are labeled model number A1177. Apart from minor configuration changes, systems with either model number seem to be identical, so the change may be a factory error. Please also note that these identifiers are shared by multiple systems.

Also see: All Macs with the A1117/A1177* Model Number, the 2023 EMC Number, and the PowerMac11,2 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

Details:

N/A

Pre-Installed MacOS:

X 10.4.2 (8E90)

Maximum MacOS:

X 10.5.8

Details:

This system cannot run versions of MacOS X more recent than 10.5.8.

MacOS 9 Support:

Classic Mode Only*

Windows Support:

Emulation Only

Details:

*This model is capable of using Mac OS 9 applications within the Mac OS X "Classic" environment provided with Mac OS X 10.4.11 "Tiger" and lower ("Classic" is not supported starting with Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard"). It cannot boot into Mac OS 9.

Dimensions:

20.1 x 8.1 x 18.7

Avg. Weight:

44.5-48.8 lbs.

Details:

In inches - height by width by depth, (51.1 cm, 20.6 cm, 47.5 cm). Weight in kilograms is 20.2-22.1 kg.

Original Price (US):

US$2499

Est. Current Retail:

US$250-US$350

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.

Click on a category for additional details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important. The icons correspond with the icons for each port on the computer.

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Video (Monitor):

2 (DVI)

Floppy (Ext.):

None

Details:

One single-link and one dual-link DVI (Digital Video Interface) port provided by default graphics card.

ADB:

None

SCSI:

None

Details:

N/A

Serial (Standard):

None

Serial (Geoport):

None

Details:

N/A

USB:

4 (2.0)

Firewire:

2 (400), 1 (800)

Details:

Modem:

None

Ethernet:

2 (RJ-45)

Details:

External USB modem optional. "Two independent 10/100/1000BASE-T [Gigabit] Ethernet (RJ-45) interfaces with support for jumbo frames" standard.

S-Video Input:

None

S-Video Output:

None

Details:

N/A

Microphone:

None

Sound In:

Details:

Includes a rear mounted "optical digital audio input Toslink connector" and a "stereo analog line level input" minijack.

Sound Out:

Headphone:

Details:

Includes a rear mounted "optical digital audio output Toslink connector" and a "stereo analog line level output" minijack. Also includes a front-mounted headphone jack.

Security (Lock):

Joystick (PC):

N/A

Details:

N/A

Power:

Power Adapter:

N/A

Details:

100V-125V AC or 200V-240V AC. System lacks a "soft power" port for an analog monitor.

Ten of the most popular Q&As about the Power Macintosh G5 models follow.

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