“This article is a continuation of my series testing the speed of Mac OS X that stretches back to version 10.0. When I got my Dual Quad-core 2.8GHz Mac Pro running Mac OS X 10.5.2 with the upgraded graphics card, an Nvidia GeForce 8800 GT, I was disappointed in its graphics performance relative to my former MacBook Pro with much slower graphics, an Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT. But I was hopeful that a subsequent update of Mac OS X would improve the Mac Pro’s graphics performance but it has not happened. In fact, 10.5.5 was significantly slower on several graphics tests,” Bill Fox reports for Macs Only!
Fox reports, “Apple released Mac OS X 10.5.6 on Monday, 12/15, with new graphics drivers, among other things, so my hope of improved graphics performance was again renewed… 10.5.6 is 70% faster than previous releases of Leopard on my Mac Pro!”
“Mac OS X 10.5.6 recovers the graphics speed drops that occurred in 10.5.5 (Cinebench OpenGL, Xbench Quartz Graphics and Xbench User Interface Graphics),” Fox reports.
Full article, with benchmarks, here.
It’s so snappy, I couldn’t concentrate for the entire day.
Kachow!
That’s Snappy!
It’s so fast, I have typed this without using my fingers!
It’s about time they got the 8800GT’s drivers working properly.
Now, you see, I would update, but I’ve heard of problems, and my Mac is just out of the 1 year parts warranty, so I’d rather not risk it until well after Christmas. But I’m glad to hear the positive thoughts. I hope I can use 10.5.6 soon.
@Macintosher
Do as you wish, but you’re always going to hear about problems. Nothing is going to change between now and after Christmas. The update will be fine.
The snappiness even just jumped over onto my old forum/email eMac running Tiger…amazing.
It’s so fast my bra’s unhooked already! 😮
@Macintosher –
In or out of hardware warranty, the OS is not covered.
The OS, or the updates for it, is not going to do anything to the Machine. Wipe it and reinstall form the grey discs, as always, if there is a massive OS issue.
Apple will kindly do it for you for free anytime on any (non obsolete) mac at the Genius Bar.
Hardware ≠software.
@macintosher.
I’ve updated 6 so far, pretty wide range from Mac Mini’s to Powerbooks.
Not a hitch.
@girl in the cashmere sweater
That’s hot!
Three machines updated to 10.5.6 here (combo/safe mode/no attached peripherals/applejack first) . . . and absolutely no problems.
@macintosher,
Spreading FUD about Leopard updates. LOL
This is not your Windows computer you’re talking about.
I did have to fix permissions and then restart to get rid of some small issues, but since then no problems at all, and it IS noticeably faster.
I’ve updated 3 Macs to 10.5.6 (using the Combo pkg) and no problems. Two Macbook Pros and one Intel Mini.
Great to hear it. I bought a Leopard disk the week it came out, but have held off upgrading from Tiger until now.
“It’s so fast my bra’s unhooked already! :o”
Is that a front, or a rear clasp bra?
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That’s not a chick… THAT’S A MAN, BABY!!
@Macintosher
I always wait a couple of weeks to update my mission critical Macs, just in case. However, my 3 Macs at home I usually update as soon as I can (like Christmas several times a year).
@girl in the cashmere sweater
Thank you for that image to brighten my Christmas.
Now where was I… oh yes, on the bench, how fast actually IS Snappy??
Snap-tastic!