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I have a PowerMac G5 which I have recently succeeded in getting running with a Mac OS X 10.4. I was in for two big surprises: Firstly, the computer runs very fast, even with heavier software like an older version of Photoshop. The second surprise was when I opened the Activity Monitor. It would appear that this computer is either dual-cored or dual-threaded.

Did Apple indeed make dual-core (or dual-thread) PowerMacs?

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You should open the case, or check the "About this Mac" dialog in the Apple menu: there's a fair chance your G5 has two processors, as in two complete packages. All series of G5s were available in dual-socket variants; the very last series of G5s was available with a dual-core processor, resulting in up to four cores in total.

Wikipedia has the details:

  • June 2003 series: single 1.6GHz or 1.8GHz single-core processor, or dual 1.8GHz or 2.0GHz single-core processors;
  • June 2004 series: dual 1.8GHz, 2.0GHz or 2.5GHz single-core processors only;
  • Late 2004 series: single 1.8GHz single-core processor;
  • Early 2005 series: dual 2.0GHz, 2.3GHz or 2.7GHz single-core processors;
  • Late 2005 series: single 2.0GHz or 2.3GHz dual-core processor, or dual 2.5GHz dual-core processors.
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  • Thanks for the quick answer! Looks like you probably have it nailed. I'll look inside it to see if it's got two CPU's. – anonymous2 Nov 23 '16 at 21:31
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    There were also aftermarket kits to replace single socket main boards with dual CPU packages. – user12 Nov 23 '16 at 22:11
  • Okay, looks like it is truly a dual-core: only one CPU inside. Thanks again! – anonymous2 Nov 25 '16 at 19:03

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