Processor Upgrade?
Hey:
I'm currently running a PowerMac G4 466Mhz with 640 mbs of RAM. I've had this computer for some time now and I feel that it's falling far behind to Apple's other systems out there. It pisses me off that Apple doesn't offer processor upgrades for their computers. I guess they do that so that people have to buy a whole new system every 3-4 years.
I have been looking into OWC Mercury processors. Their 800Mhz processor upgrade is priced reasonable in the 200 dollar range. I was just wondering if anyone has one of these upgrades and how they like them. I'm currently running OS X 10.2.6 and will soon move up to 10.3 when it comes out. I want to know if Panther will be compatible with these processor upgrades.
Looking to hear your thoughts!
Wired Envisions
http://www.wiredenvisions.com
I'm currently running a PowerMac G4 466Mhz with 640 mbs of RAM. I've had this computer for some time now and I feel that it's falling far behind to Apple's other systems out there. It pisses me off that Apple doesn't offer processor upgrades for their computers. I guess they do that so that people have to buy a whole new system every 3-4 years.
I have been looking into OWC Mercury processors. Their 800Mhz processor upgrade is priced reasonable in the 200 dollar range. I was just wondering if anyone has one of these upgrades and how they like them. I'm currently running OS X 10.2.6 and will soon move up to 10.3 when it comes out. I want to know if Panther will be compatible with these processor upgrades.
Looking to hear your thoughts!
Wired Envisions
http://www.wiredenvisions.com
Comments
Now I guess they should have banned me rather than just shut off posting priviledges, because kickaha and Amorph definitely aren't going to like being called to task when they thought they had it all ignored *cough* *cough* I mean under control. Just a couple o' tools.
Don't worry, as soon as my work resetting my posts is done I'll disappear forever.
Don't give me a hard time on this stuff. Calm down and take a breath. I was just wondering if anyone is currently using a CPU that wasn't distributed by Apple and how is it working for them. Sorry if I got on your nerves...Don't reply if you don't like the topic.
Wired Envisions
Anyways, Apple has NEVER made any kind of upgrade promise. EVER. So don't get your panties in a bunch. Apple makes machines. Period. Not upgrades.
No other major manufacturers make upgrades, why should Apple?
As in PC manufacturers in the general sense? That's because x86 CPUs are dirt cheap and readily available compared to PowerPCs.
Edit: My 6400 uses a Sonnet Tech G3 upgrade (400MHz G3/iMB L2 cache). Good upgrade for extending the life of the Mac by a few more years for $150, great tech support.
Now I guess they should have banned me rather than just shut off posting priviledges, because kickaha and Amorph definitely aren't going to like being called to task when they thought they had it all ignored *cough* *cough* I mean under control. Just a couple o' tools.
Don't worry, as soon as my work resetting my posts is done I'll disappear forever.
The upgrade costs $599 now, and will most certainly add 3-5 years of use onto my already 3 year old computer, especially when my Dad and brother get it (they have a Bondi Blue iMac now). I get the new G5 when Rev. 2 comes out...
Blueflame
Originally posted by 709
Anyways, Apple has NEVER made any kind of upgrade promise. EVER. So don't get your panties in a bunch. Apple makes machines. Period. Not upgrades.
That's not true at all. When I purchased my Quadra 650, machines of that era were marked as "Ready for PPC Upgrade." And I believe Apple even sold upgrade cards at one point.
OWC doesn't have the greatest reputation. If you buy from them, ensure that the product they're selling carries a guarantee of some kind.
I took all of fifteen minutes to swap the 2 chips out, and it's just about exactly 3 times faster than it used to be. does a few things just a hair faster than my Quicksilver dual gig, I'd say. Boots faster, and launches some apps faster.
This is just a general "feel" kind of statement though, as I didn't sit there with a stopwatch, but I can say that it runs RC5 at 12.75 Mkeys/sec, which is pretty durn fast.
I'm very happy with it, so far.
CV
Do note that the G4/466 is the old G4 with a 4 stage pipeline while the faster ones has a 7 stage pipeline and is thus slower per clock cycle than the old one. So to get twise the CPU speed of the 466 you will need more than 932 MHz (2x466), perhaps 1.25 GHz. A 800 MHz CPU is really like a 600-640 MHz of the old G4. So if the 466 feels to slow it is quite possible that you pay more than 200 dollar for having a computer that is still to slow even if it is an improvement. The Giga Design 1.0 that has been tested at 1.2 for less than 400 dollar look like a decent deal.