Xserve G5

Essentials

Family: Servers

Codename: Q42 (Chrysalis)

Gestalt ID: 406

Minimum OS: 10.3

Maximum OS: 10.5.8

Introduced: January 2004

Terminated: November 2006

Processor

CPU: PowerPC 970FX "G5"

CPU Speed: 2.0/2x2.0/2x2.3 GHz

FPU: integrated

Bus Speed: 1.0 GHz

Data Bus Width: 64-bit

Address Bus Width: 64-bit

Level 1 Cache: 32 kB data, 64 kB instruction

Level 2 Cache: 512 kB on-processor

ROM: 1 MB ROM + 3 MB toolbox ROM loaded into RAM

RAM Type: PC3200 DDR

Minimum RAM Speed: 400 MHz

Onboard RAM: 0 MB

RAM slots: 8

Maximum RAM: 8.0 GB

Expansion Slots: Two 64-bit, 133MHz PCI-X

Video

Video Out: VGA (with optional video card)

Storage

Hard Drive: 80 GB 7200 RPM (3 hot-pluggable bays, up to 750 GB)

ATA Bus: 3x Serial ATA

Optical Drive: CD-ROM or DVD-ROM/CD-RW

Input/Output

USB: 2 (2.0)

Serial: DB-9

Firewire: 1

Firewire800: 2

Speaker: mono

Networking

Ethernet: 2x 10/100/1000Base-T

Miscellaneous

Power: 400 Watts

Dimensions: 1.73" H x 17.6" W x 28" D

Weight: 33.1 lbs.

Announced in January 2004, the Xserve G5 brought the architectural improvements of the PowerMac G5 to the Xserve line. In addition to adding single or dual 2.0 GHz PowerPC 970FX processors, the Xserve G5 included dramatically faster data and memory buses, more and faster RAM, FireWire 800 and USB 2.0, Serial ATA and PCI-X support.

Perhaps the most obvious change to the Xserve G5 was the incorporation of the PowerMac G5's cooling system, which resulted in one less drive bay, removed for ventilation.

The Xserve G5 was available in two configurations: a single 2.0 GHz processor model with 512 MB of RAM for $2,999 and a dual 2.0 GHz processor model with 1 GB of RAM for $3,999. A Cluster Node configuration of the Xserve G5 was also available. In January 2005, the high-end model was speed-bumped to dual 2.3 GHz processors, and the low-end model was upgraded to 1 GB of RAM. Both models now shipped with Combo CD-RW/DVD-ROM drives, with a SuperDrive available BTO. It was replaced in November 2006 by the Intel-based Xserve (Late 2006).

The Xserve RAID also received an upgrade: it now had support for up to 14 250 GB drive modules, each on a separate ATA-100 bus, for a total of 3.5 TB of possible storage. Prices ranged from $5,999 to $10,999

Picture Credits:
Apple, Inc.