RAM, Hard Drive, Processor, or Graphics Card?

cubedude

I'd like to upgrade my G4 Cube, but I'd like to know what the best upgrade for my money is.



Here is what I've narrowed it down to:

• RAM - OSX loves it, and it would be the cheapest


• HDD - I'm running low on space, but I do have an external 120GB FW hard drive


• Processor - Most expensive, would squeze the most life out of my computer


• Graphics Card - Semi-expensive, would enable Quartz Extreme

Any ideas?

ghost_user_name

Quote:

Originally posted by CubeDude

I'd like to upgrade my G4 Cube, but I'd like to know what the best upgrade for my money is.

Well, let us analyze this predicament, shall we?



(AI: Service with a smile )

• RAM: How much do you currently have? RAM is going to allow you to keep more applications that are open loaded into physical memory at once. Alternately, additional RAM is going to allow you to run RAM-intensive applications without forcing it or other applications to page in/out. Do you currently experience any of these problems? If so, buy RAM.


• Hard Drive: You flat out said you have additional drive space. I don't think the hard disk is the best place to put your money currently.


• Processor: A CPU upgrade is going to give you the biggest speed increase. There are also some good deals to be had on CPU upgrades over at OWC. I would recommend this over the other options.


• Graphics Card: Well, if your primary motivation is to get something that supports Quartz Extreme, go locate an AGP Radeon. If you play a lot of 3D intensive games and need the faster GPU and additional VRAM, consider going after a newer card. Again, if you were only pondering upgrading the GPU for Quartz Extreme, get a Radeon 32MB or don't bother.

Survey says... Processor Upgrade!

cubedude

Thanks, I'll probably save some more money and get the 1.2Ghz upgrade.



Now I have another question: Is the speed difference between the 800Mhz and 1.2Ghz worth $260? If it means waiting three or four months more to gather the extra money, I'm willing to do it.

ghost_user_name

Well, it is a measurable increase in speed. Ask yourself what you use your computer for the most. Also, how many more years were you hoping to squeeze out of it? If you weren't planning on upgrading to a new box anytime soon, I'd buy the 1.2GHz. If you're like me, and you're holding out until second or third generation G5s, I'd say the 800MHz or 1GHz upgrades are totally acceptable.

ryaxnb

Quote:

Originally posted by CubeDude

I'd like to upgrade my G4 Cube, but I'd like to know what the best upgrade for my money is.



Here is what I've narrowed it down to:

RAM - OSX loves it, and it would be the cheapest
HDD - I'm running low on space, but I do have an external 120GB FW hard drive
Processor - Most expensive, would squeze the most life out of my computer
Graphics Card - Semi-expensive, would enable Quartz Extreme


Any ideas?

If you have less than 256MB RAM and run X, run, don't walk, to the memory store. Even if you have 256MB RAM, it's a good idea to upgrade (to 576 Megs costs about $64, I believe). The Graphics Card should already support Quartz Extreme, so no real need to upgrade here. Also I think you have enough HD space. But processor upgrade might be good. It depends on what you do with it. During 2002 Dan Knight managed Low End Mac using a 400 Mhz G4 as his main computer. But if you're into heavy Photoshop, Quark, or gaming, then a CPU upgrade might be a good idea. Here are 3 sample prices:

1.2 Ghz: $470-490

1.4 Ghz: $580-600

Fan kit (required): $8-12

cubedude

Quote:

Originally posted by ryaxnb

If you have less than 256MB RAM and run X, run, don't walk, to the memory store. Even if you have 256MB RAM, it's a good idea to upgrade (to 576 Megs costs about $64, I believe). The Graphics Card should already support Quartz Extreme, so no real need to upgrade here. Also I think you have enough HD space. But processor upgrade might be good. It depends on what you do with it. During 2002 Dan Knight managed Low End Mac using a 400 Mhz G4 as his main computer. But if you're into heavy Photoshop, Quark, or gaming, then a CPU upgrade might be a good idea. Here are 3 sample prices:

1.2 Ghz: $470-490

1.4 Ghz: $580-600

Fan kit (required): $8-12

I have 384 megs of RAM.



The graphics card that came preinstalled in my paticular Cube only had 16 megs of VRAM, so it doesn't support QE. I have a Radeon card, but it's screwed, so I decided I'd rather use a slower card but have fewer problems.



I think I'd have to go with the 800Mhz upgrade, since I don't really have any way to raise the money(just found some of this stuff out) for the faster upgrades. I'm too young for a job, so that pretty much rules everything out.



I think I'll just hold out until I have enough money for a new Mac. Does anyone know what the minumum age to have a job is here in California?

ryaxnb

Quote:

Originally posted by CubeDude

I have 384 megs of RAM.



The graphics card that came preinstalled in my paticular Cube only had 16 megs of VRAM, so it doesn't support QE. I have a Radeon card, but it's screwed, so I decided I'd rather use a slower card but have fewer problems.



I think I'd have to go with the 800Mhz upgrade, since I don't really have any way to raise the money(just found some of this stuff out) for the faster upgrades. I'm too young for a job, so that pretty much rules everything out.



I think I'll just hold out until I have enough money for a new Mac. Does anyone know what the minumum age to have a job is here in California?

Ahh... But 16 Megs of VRAM does support QE (barely, according to Apple!)

ghost_user_name

Quote:

Originally posted by CubeDude

I think I'll just hold out until I have enough money for a new Mac. Does anyone know what the minumum age to have a job is here in California?

I don't know about california, but in Georgia, the minimum age was 13. But you had to have all sorts of permission, including a letter from your school principal, and the employer was not allowed to work you more than x number of hours a week, since you were obligated by law to be in school as well. Even during the summer, there were restrictions on hours, but my employer then got around it for me.



Man, memories. My first job was working in a lighting and grip rental warehouse... moving all sorts of heavy film and television equipment on and off of trucks. I hated that damn job, but I'm glad I had it.



Before that, I put up flyers offering to mow lawns, wash cars, take care of pets, etceteras. There are a lot of little jobs like that you can get. When you need money, you can get pretty innovative

luca

Quote:

Originally posted by ryaxnb

Ahh... But 16 Megs of VRAM does support QE (barely, according to Apple!)

Only if it's a Radeon (or better) or a GeForce 2 (or better). The original graphics card that came with the Cube was a 16 MB Rage 128.



You could conceivably put the hard drive from the external Firewire case into the Cube, and put the smaller internal hard drive into the external case, therefore making it more convenient. However, since it's a desktop not a laptop, it wouldn't make as much sense.



You might also pick up another 256 MB of RAM for like $30 or so. That'll give you a healthy amount (I would like to have at least 512 MB) for not too much money.



And if you get a GeForce 2MX in addition to shunting the hard drives and getting a little more RAM, you'll probably only spend about $150 for all that, which will improve performance significantly. Having a good graphics card helps a lot. Although the GeForce 2MX isn't great, it's good enough if you're not doing any gaming, and it's certainly better than the Rage 128. You could also go for another Radeon, one that isn't messed up.

cubedude

I've tried switching the drives, but I can't open the external case. It's all one piece, so there is nothing to open without breaking the plastic, which could break the drive, which leaves me with only 20 gigs of space.



I'm going to do what Luca Rescigno said, minus the drive switching, and I'll get a gig of RAM.