Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

Bump Topic Add Reply RSS Feed

Outline · [ Standard ] · Linear+

 questions about power mac g4

views
     
wei
post Jan 3 2008, 11:15 AM

Get your Macs done right!
*******
Senior Member
6,496 posts

Joined: Jan 2003
From: Kota Damansara
QUOTE(banks @ Jan 2 2008, 11:29 PM)
recently my uncle gave me his power mac g4 with specs as follows:

power pc g4 500MHz
640MB SDRAM
(80 + 30)GB of HDD
DVD/CD-ROM
ATI Rage 128 with 16MB of VRAM
Mac OS 9
*
Looks like a PowerMac G4 Sawtooth to me. A nice Mac.

QUOTE(banks @ Jan 2 2008, 11:29 PM)
my questions as follows:
1. where can i upgrade the cpu?
*
I normally shop from eBay. You can also try some trusted online retailer like OWC, Sonnet or GigaDesigns. But those are more costly.

QUOTE(banks @ Jan 2 2008, 11:29 PM)
2. can i change the optical drive?
*

Yes you can, any IDE (aka ATA/PATA) CD-ROM/ DVD-ROM/ DVD-RW drive should work.

QUOTE(banks @ Jan 2 2008, 11:29 PM)
3. any agp card will do?
*

No, only specific card that have the Mac BIOS will work. You can get OEM/retail card or DIY flash a PC version into Mac compatible.

QUOTE(banks @ Jan 2 2008, 11:29 PM)
4. will any of my above actions render my g4 useless?
*

No, if you do it the right way. Makesure all part you purchased are working & compatible. The Mac might not boot or not stable if you put in the incompatible part, but my expereince tell me it's very unlikely to damage the Mac. It's a tough machine.
wei
post Jan 3 2008, 03:58 PM

Get your Macs done right!
*******
Senior Member
6,496 posts

Joined: Jan 2003
From: Kota Damansara
You can try, if without any upgrades, you will not have a smooth experience with Leopard. And you need to apply some mod to the Leopard installer to accept your system.
wei
post Jan 3 2008, 04:11 PM

Get your Macs done right!
*******
Senior Member
6,496 posts

Joined: Jan 2003
From: Kota Damansara
Tiger should be fine. But the stock graphic card does not support core image. Some transition will not appear. Like the ripple effects when dropping new widget in Dashboard. Also, FrontRow will not display properly.

This post has been edited by wei: Jan 3 2008, 04:12 PM
wei
post Jan 6 2008, 06:37 PM

Get your Macs done right!
*******
Senior Member
6,496 posts

Joined: Jan 2003
From: Kota Damansara
QUOTE(butthead @ Jan 6 2008, 03:15 PM)
3) Mac AGP cards are different... not only the software but also physically... the AGP slot on the logic board is practically further away from the slot on the chassis so trying to fit a PC AGP card is useless as it will not line up and slot in to the AGP>...
*
I think you better check on that. All AGP card are standard. That's why they're called AGP. There's no physical differences. That's why ppl able to flash PC card into Mac card. whistling.gif
wei
post Jan 6 2008, 11:15 PM

Get your Macs done right!
*******
Senior Member
6,496 posts

Joined: Jan 2003
From: Kota Damansara
Yeah, this mac might be old. Depends what you plan to do with it. You can still use it for many things.

I recently bought one 466 Digital Audio. Put in my extra 80GB HDD. Put in my flashed 9800Pro 128MB. Now it's in the living room as a media center. Next step is to get used 867Mhz proc & more RAM. Should last me for few more years. It's a good hobby machine.

This post has been edited by wei: Jan 7 2008, 09:51 AM
wei
post Jan 7 2008, 09:56 AM

Get your Macs done right!
*******
Senior Member
6,496 posts

Joined: Jan 2003
From: Kota Damansara
QUOTE(Bad Cyborg @ Jan 7 2008, 02:54 AM)
That may apply to the rich among us, but it's not viable for first time Mac switchers who are looking for value. Sure, you can jazz up a piece of ancient relic, but really it's strictly for Apple diehards. People who are looking to get a Mac "that just works" at a price competitive with Windows PCs wouldn't think twice about building a Hackintosh. Otherwise you wouldn't find such a growing number of users over at InsanelyMac. So good luck to your endeavers, banks, and do report back to inform us as to how your project turns out, and whether you feel it's worthwhile.
*
What's the issue there? I'm just giving an example of what's the possible usage for the Mac that was given (FREE) to TS. shakehead.gif
Yeah, Hackint0sh is great, but there's still choices, don't make it like whoever want a Mac should buy a PC.
wei
post Jan 7 2008, 09:24 PM

Get your Macs done right!
*******
Senior Member
6,496 posts

Joined: Jan 2003
From: Kota Damansara
Hey TS, if you think this Mac is useless to you, don't let it gather dust on the floor. I know someone that will gladly take it from you and make a good use of it.
« Next Oldest · Apple Byte · Next Newest »
 

Add ReplyOptions
 

Change to:
| Lo-Fi Version
 0.0765sec    0.83    6 queries    GZIP Disabled
Time is now: 19th December 2025 - 08:30 PM
All Rights Reserved © 2002- 2025 Vijandren Ramadass (~unite against racism~)
Removal Request
Powered by Invision Power Board © 2025  IPS, Inc.