Xserve G5/2.0 (PCI-X) Specs (Xserve G5, ML/9216A*, RackMac3,1, A1068, 1994): EveryMac.com

Apple Xserve G5/2.0 (PCI-X) Specs

Identifiers: Xserve G5 - ML/9216A* - RackMac3,1 - A1068 - 1994

All Xserve Models | All 2004 Models | Dynamically Compare This Mac to Others

The Apple Xserve G5/2.0, along with the Xserve G5/2.0 DP and Xserve G5/2.0 DP (Cluster Node), is a member of the first rackmount Mac series to use the 64-bit PowerPC 970fx (G5) processor. In addition to higher clock speeds, the PowerPC 970fx (G5) has a "new execution core that features massively parallel computation for an unprecedented 215 in-flight instructions", and the Xserve G5 uses a new system architecture as well. Together this combination results in major speed gains compared to earlier Apple systems.

The Apple Xserve G5/2.0 features a 2.0 GHz PowerPC 970fx (G5) processor with the AltiVec "Velocity Engine" vector processing unit and 512k "on chip" level 2 cache, 512 MB or 1 GB of PC3200 EEC SDRAM, an 80 GB (7200 RPM) Serial ATA hard drive, a 24X CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM/CD-RW "Combo" drive (with an optional DVD-R/CD-RW SuperDrive available after January 4, 2005), and dual Gigabit Ethernet in a 1U case that fits in an industry-standard 19" rack. It shipped without a video card.

Connectivity includes USB 2.0, Firewire "800", and dual PCI-X slots. Due to the cooling requirements of the processor, the Xserve G5 models only support three "hot swappable" Apple Drive Modules compared to four in the Xserve G4 models replaced.

There are two versions of this model (ML/9216A), which shipped from January 6, 2004 to January 4, 2005 with 512 MB of RAM and a CD-ROM drive, and M9743LL/A, which shipped from January 4, 2005 to August 7, 2006 with 1 GB of RAM, a DVD-ROM/CD-RW "Combo" drive, and a maximum RAM capacity of 16 GB (up from 8 GB in the first configuration).

The Xserve G5/2.0 shipped with 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.

Tech Specs
Ports
Global Original Prices
Popular Q&As

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.

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Introduction Date:

January 6, 2004*

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.

There are two versions of this model (ML/9216A), which shipped from January 6, 2004 to January 4, 2005 with 512 MB of RAM and a CD-ROM drive, and M9743LL/A, which shipped from January 4, 2005 to August 7, 2006 with 1 GB of RAM, a DVD-ROM/CD-RW "Combo" drive, and a maximum of 16 GB of RAM (up from 8 GB in the first configuration).

Also see: All Macs introduced in 2004.

Processors:

Architecture:

64-Bit

Details:

Also see: All models with a 64-Bit processor courtesy of EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Sort.

Geekbench 2 (32):

1217

Geekbench 2 (64):

1351

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:

2.0 GHz

Processor Type:

PowerPC 970fx (G5)

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

Details:

N/A

Processor Upgrade:

N/A

FPU:

Integrated

Details:

N/A

System Bus Speed:

1 GHz

Cache Bus Speed:

2.0 GHz (Built-in*)

Details:

This model has a 1 GHz frontside bus and a 512k "on chip" level 2 cache that runs at processor speed.

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, 1 GB*

Maximum RAM:

8 GB, 16 GB**

Details:

*ML/9216A shipped from January 6, 2004 to January 4, 2005 with 512 MB of RAM and a CD-ROM drive, and M9743LL/A shipped from January 4, 2005 to August 7, 2006 with 1 GB of RAM and a DVD-ROM/CD-RW "Combo" drive.

**ML/9216A is capable of supporting 8 GB of RAM, and M9743LL/A is capable of supporting 16 GB of RAM. For more information, please refer to this archive of the Apple Support Site.

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

In Germany, site sponsor CompuRAM sells RAM and other upgrades for this Xserve.

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

Motherboard RAM:

None

RAM Slots:

Details:

This system has eight RAM slots supporting a maximum of 16 GB of memory.

Video Card:

None

VRAM Type:

None

Details:

N/A

Standard VRAM:

None

Maximum VRAM:

None

Details:

N/A

Display Support:

N/A

Resolution Support:

N/A

Details:

N/A

2nd Display Support:

None

2nd Max. Resolution:

N/A

Details:

N/A

Standard Storage:

80 GB HDD

Std. Storage Speed:

7200 RPM

Details:

In the default configuration, this model has one 80 GB 7200 RPM hard drive.

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

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

Storage Dimensions:

3.5" (25.4 mm)

Storage Interface:

Serial ATA

Details:

This model supports three "hot plug" 3.5" hard drives (Apple Drive Modules) each on an independent Serial ATA (SATA) bus.

Formally, Apple supports "up to" 750 GB of storage with three 250 GB SATA hard drives.

Standard Optical:

24X CD-ROM*

Standard Disk:

None

Details:

From January 6, 2004 to January 4, 2005 (ML/9216A) this system shipped with a slot-loading 24X CD-ROM drive and could be custom configured with a DVD-ROM/CD-RW "Combo" drive of unspecified speed. From January 4, 2005 to August 7, 2006 (M9743LL/A) this system shipped with a DVD-ROM/CD-RW "Combo" drive standard and could be custom configured with a DVD-R/CD-RW "SuperDrive".

Standard Modem:

None

Standard Ethernet:

Gigabit (x2)

Details:

Two built-in Gigabit (10/100/1000Base-T) Ethernet ports.

Standard AirPort:

None

Standard Bluetooth:

None

Details:

N/A

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:

3 3.5"

Details:

For the ML/9216A configuration, Apple reported that the system has two full-length 64-bit 133 MHz PCI-X slots on independent buses. For the M9743LL/A configuration, Apple reported that it can support one card at 133 MHz or two at 100 MHz.

In the default configuration, one external 3.5" bay is occupied by an Apple Drive Module and two are free.

Incl. Keyboard:

None

Incl. Input:

None

Details:

N/A

Case Type:

Rack-Mountable

Form Factor:

Xserve G5

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:

ML/9216A*

Apple Subfamily:

Xserve G5

Details:

ML/9216A shipped from January 6, 2004 to January 4, 2005 with 512 MB of RAM and a CD-ROM drive, and M9743LL/A shipped from January 4, 2005 to August 7, 2006 with 1 GB of RAM, a DVD-ROM/CD-RW "Combo" drive, and a maximum of 16 GB of RAM (up from 8 GB in the first configuration).

Apple Model No:

A1068 (EMC 1994)

Model ID:

RackMac3,1

Details:

Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model.

Also see: All Macs with the A1068 Model Number, the 1994 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

Details:

N/A

Pre-Installed MacOS:

X Server 10.3*

Maximum MacOS:

X Server 10.5.8

Details:

An unlimited client version of Mac OS X Server 10.3 initially was pre-installed. Mac OS 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

Details:

MacOS 9 Support:

None

Windows Support:

N/A

Details:

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) with one drive installed. Apple reports that it weighs 37.0 pounds (16.6 kg) with three Apple Drive Modules installed.

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.

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.

Expand All Details | Contract All Details

Video (Monitor):

None

Floppy (Ext.):

None

Details:

N/A

ADB:

None

SCSI:

None*

Details:

*It could be configured with a dual channel 320 SCSI PCI-X card at the time of purchase.

Serial (Standard):

1 (DB-9)

Serial (Geoport):

None

Details:

This system has a single DB-9 serial port for accessing the server through a serial console session. This is not a "Mac serial" port.

USB:

2 (2.0)

Firewire:

1 (400), 2 (800)

Details:

Two USB 2.0 ports. One Firewire "400" port on the front, two Firewire "800" ports on the rear.

Modem:

None

Ethernet:

2 (RJ-45)

Details:

Dual built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T [Gigabit] Ethernet (RJ-45) ports.

S-Video Input:

None

S-Video Output:

None

Details:

N/A

Microphone:

None

Sound In:

None

Details:

N/A

Sound Out:

None

Headphone:

None

Details:

N/A

Security (Lock):

1 (Lock)

Joystick (PC):

None

Details:

N/A

Power:

Power Adapter:

N/A

Details:

Both configurations have a single 400W power supply, the line voltage is "universal input (90V to 264V AC), power factor corrected", and the single phase frequency is "47 Hz to 63 Hz".

Apple reports that the maximum input current for ML/9216A is 5.5A (90V to 132V) or 2.75A (180V to 264V) and the maximum input current for M9743LL/A is 4A (90V to 115V) or 2A (180V to 264V).

Global original prices for the Xserve G5/2.0 (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$3999

Brazil:

N/A

Mexico:

N/A

United States:

US$2999

Original Prices - Europe

Austria:

N/A

Belgium:

N/A

Denmark:

N/A

Finland:

N/A

France:

N/A

Germany:

N/A

Ireland:

N/A

Italy:

N/A

Luxembourg:

N/A

Netherlands:

N/A

Norway:

N/A

Portugal:

N/A

Spain:

€2999

Sweden:

N/A

Switzerland:

N/A

United Kingdom:

£2399

Original Prices - Asia

China:

N/A

Hong Kong:

N/A

India:

N/A

Indonesia:

N/A

Japan:

N/A

Korea:

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:

N/A

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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