I'm gonna build my own G4
Well, I've decided that I'm gonna do something fun and build my own G4. The purpose of this machine will to be replace my beige G3 I have at home. As most of you probably know, I have a DP GHz Q, but I can't lug it back and forth between college and home. So I decided it would be cool to have a nice G4 system at home using some of the parts from my G3.
Proposal purchase list:
Sonnet/Powerlogix 800 G4 (o/c it to 1 GHz)-I'm considering dual processors like DP 500 depending on cost, but I really want RAW speed on this computer
Digital Audio G4 motherboard (AGP4x, PC133, Gigabit)
at least 512 MB RAM
Radeon 8500 - flash a PC version
PSU supply
PC case
fans
USB/Firewire card - I have one on the G3
I have the Lite-On 24x CD-RW, zip drive, and floppy from the beige G3 that I plan on using in there. I also plan to switch out an Audiophile 2496 card that I use on my G4.
I knkow I've seen them before, but for the case I wanna use one of those shiny black aluminum cases. I think something like what Voodoo PC uses for their custom machines.
As far as keyboard and mouse, I've got a spare pro keyboard and 2 pro mice that Apple overnight shipped me.
Anyone got any advice?
Proposal purchase list:
Sonnet/Powerlogix 800 G4 (o/c it to 1 GHz)-I'm considering dual processors like DP 500 depending on cost, but I really want RAW speed on this computer
Digital Audio G4 motherboard (AGP4x, PC133, Gigabit)
at least 512 MB RAM
Radeon 8500 - flash a PC version
PSU supply
PC case
fans
USB/Firewire card - I have one on the G3
I have the Lite-On 24x CD-RW, zip drive, and floppy from the beige G3 that I plan on using in there. I also plan to switch out an Audiophile 2496 card that I use on my G4.
I knkow I've seen them before, but for the case I wanna use one of those shiny black aluminum cases. I think something like what Voodoo PC uses for their custom machines.
As far as keyboard and mouse, I've got a spare pro keyboard and 2 pro mice that Apple overnight shipped me.
Anyone got any advice?
Comments
Here's your motherboard. (And other stuff)
I'm gonna need a hard drive since the beige one is only an 8 GB, so I'm all ears on recommendations. I say I'll go 40 GB and want something that will be quiet. If anything, I'll even go 20 GB right now to bring down costs.
Biggest problem I see is getting the mobo. That site lists a G4 one at $249, which is pretty pricey. I think I've seen them for more like $150.Plus, I have no way of knowing if thats a Gigabit mobo, Digital Audio, or what. I want the DA G4 mobo for AGP4x and 133 MHz bus.
I'll also need to know a good place to get fans and other cooling supplies.
I'm wondering what CPU I should try to get. I wanna keep this thing in the $700-800 range, so I can't spend TOO much on the G4 itself. A dual 500 will run $500 I think, and I've seen a single 700 G4 for around $335. I could honestly do fine probably with a 533 G4 or something and clock it up to 600 or maybe 700 if I'm lucky. Also, if I decide to shell out a bit more there is the 800 G4, which is $400 something. I looked at OWC but they only seem to have the 100 MHz bus versions.
The case. What I want is one of those shiny black aluminum/metal cases that they use for the Voodoo PCs, or something similar. Anyone know where I can find these online and how much they are going to run me?
[ 10-24-2002: Message edited by: TigerWoods99 ]</p>
I'd really like a box to sit in flush with my stereo on it to keep a large MP3 library on connected to the stereo, also I use a 15" Apple TFT Studio Display (the first dark blue one) as a TV as it has composite and s-video inputs, so I could also make it a set-top style box for net access with a wireless kb and mouse.
Forgot about shreve...might just try and pick up and old biege G3 though and cannabilize it.
Anyhow! If you do this project be sure to post pics etc I would really be interested in seing the end result!
Good lucK!
Apple makes the whole widget. So, when you buy a motherboard, you're either going to be geting a used one from another Mac or if you're very lucky you can find a surplus one that Apple sent somewhere as a replacement but didn't get used. Apple is usually very strict about sending out extra motherboards.
PC folk can build computers FAR easier because they can walk right into any decent computer store, choose from a dozen different motherboards by half a dozen different manufacturers and pick from a variety of AMD and Intel chips. For Apple parts, it's NOWHERE near as easy as this.
[ 10-25-2002: Message edited by: Brad ]</p>
i suggest reading through this ars thread. And if you look around you'll find a page where someone did build a G4 system. Except they used a sawtooth logicboard.
<a href="http://arstechnica.infopop.net/OpenTopic/page?a=tpc&s=50009562&f=8300945231&m=4820959925" target="_blank">http://arstechnica.infopop.net/OpenTopic/page?a=tpc&s=50009562&f=8300945231&m=4820959925</a>
good luck. Keep us posted
[ 10-27-2002: Message edited by: PowerPC ]</p>
I'm looking at what case to get and checking out if I can get a big enough power supply.What I want is a pretty big black aluminum case but I don't know where to find one at. I'm going to make it a really nice finish and possibly customize it with flames on the side and stuff. Then I might make a sticker that says "Altivec Inside" or something.
<strong>No it doesnt. Tell me where I can ge ta n 800 Mhz G4 (or dual 500) w/24x cd-rw, dvd-rom, zip, floppy, Radeon 8500, USB2/Firewire etc. for 600-700.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
show me how you're gonna build one for that price and I'll agree with you... until then it doesn't make sense
Radeon 8500 64 MB retail - $81 shipped
512 MB PC133 - $40 shipped (might be able to go lower from somewhere)
Sonnet Crescendo G4 800- $381.95
OR
ENCORE/ST G4 DUET 500
Hydraulic Mid ATX Black 300W Case w/Window & Neno- $159
cooling fan- $30
IBM 20GB Deskstar 120GXP Bare ATA/100 Hard Drive-$63
zip drive- free from G3
floppy drive- free from G3
Lite On 24x12x40x CD-RW- free from G3
USB/Firewire card- free from G3
Audiophile 2496- switch out from my Quicksilver
The mobo I'm going to find from a friend and might not have to pay that much if anything.
Total = $754.95
I'm sure I can go lower.
Point is this is going to be fun!
best of luck.... I had though about doing this with a 9600 a while ago to make a BeOS rig but BeOS well... yea... we all know what happened.... my dual 9500 does BeOS justice though
Oh wait, we did win the Boston Society's of Architects award. And we did it all with 4 persons and Power Mac G3's.
[ 10-28-2002: Message edited by: danielb0101 ]</p>