The funny thing is that the PowerPC G5 processor architecture is simply better than the x86 processor architecture. RISC, an orthogonal setup, and a reasonably large register file are some of the characteristics of a modern CPU architecture - such as the PowerPC.

This better CPU architecture goes a very long way towards explaining the better performance/GHz ratio of the G5 Apples.

Then why did Apple switch to Intel? Simply because Intel has the financial power to switch to the most modern production techniques, like 90 nm, 65 nm, and in the near future 45 nm. Motorola couldn't afford (or didn't want to buy) the newest production technology, so they are stuck at producing chips at 130 nm technology. Which means a limited number of transistors per chip and limited maximum clock speed. The G5 has hit those limits.

And now for the really funny stuff. The original 8086 was a CISC machine. Intel has always maintained backwards compatibility with the original 8086. 
But RISC has proven to be a better way to make CPUs. So what did Intel do? Starting from the 80486 series, Intel CPUs are RISC, with an added CISC layer to provide 8086 compatibility. 
A true RISC processor doesn't have this kind of overhead, and will offer better performance at the same clock speed and transistor count.

The pen is mightier than the sword. But if you literally want to have some impact, use a typewriter

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