My G5 or new MacBook Pro?

[14choirs]

Hello, I have a Mac G5 Dual 2 GHz with 5 GB of ram installed
and my question is which one is faster?
Can I get more performance on the MacBook pro?
I'm using virtual instruments like Ivory, XPand, Strike,
Structure and I have them on separate external hard drives.
Thank you for your comments.

[citi]

Your G5 is faster mainly because of the ram.

[A2D D2A]

Your G5 is faster mainly because of the ram.

Aren't we over simplifying things a bit ?

[citi]

yes you are right, I didn't mention buss architecture and throughput, hard drive access sspeed/standard 7200 rpm vs 5400rpm/multiple internal sata drives vs external 400/800 firewire, but ultimately, the question was answered correctly.

[14choirs]

In that case I'm just going to buy more ram, I can have up to 8GB
and an SATA controller card for the Hard Drives.
Thank you for your comments.

[lwilliam]

Unless you are using large sample libraries, the likelihood of RAM above 5GB improving performance isn't high. Sample libraries will often make use of it, but most VI's just require lots of CPU power and a modest amount of RAM.

I only have 2.5GB and haven't had any significant performance issues. Another GB for me might help, but I've seen too many articles on the minimal benefits of more than about 4GB of RAM - UNLESS you are using big sample libraries.

The difference between 5400RPM and 7200RPM drives is also a big performance factor. 10K RPM drives will improve streaming performance even more.

[docscholl]

Can I get more performance on the MacBook pro?

Well, now, the MBP starts at 2.4GHz, so one would conclude that it would be able to process algorhythms a lot faster than the G5.
However, I understand that more RAM allows for more plug-in usage.

You really haven't told us what you plan to do with all that muscle.

And, a lot of us are able to do a lot with less than what you have/need/want.

At the end of the day, it is still the creativity of the producer, not the power of the PC.

[A2D D2A]

However, I understand that more RAM allows for more plug-in usage.

Plugs eat up CPU.

[CoryCooper]

Well, I can tell you that my MBP is MUCH faster than my G5.

MBP
2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
800MHz Bus Speed
4GB PC5300 667MHz RAM
160GB 7200rpm SATA HD

G5
Dual 2GHz PowerPC G5
1GHz Bus Speed
4GB PC3200 400MHz RAM
160GB 7200rpm SATA HD

Both using an external 250GB 7200rpm FireWire 800 HD as well.

C

[A2D D2A]

Well, I can tell you that my MBP is MUCH faster than my G5.

As it should be.