Processor Upgrades

[arn]

CubeZone (http://www.cube-zone.com/) expects dual 1Ghz processor upgrades coming sometime this week.

MacOSRumors (http://www.macosrumors.com) also hints at dual processor updates in "a few days" for PowerMacs but offers no speeds for these upgrades. They do, however, mention a possibility of upgrading older CRT iMacs.

[rice_web]

Woohoo! Maybe my PowerMac 400 is due for an upgrade...

[skunk]

Dual 800 in my Cube sounds good :) :)

[daRAT]

Originally posted by skunk
Dual 800 in my Cube sounds good :) :)

Damn right it does! :D Just upgraded the HD and installed Jag on the Cube, this would make my week!

[vniow]

I'd love a Dual 800 or more in my future Cube, but I wonder if it would be too hot for the little thing. :( :confused:

[reyesmac]

Does anyone out there know if there has ever been any news about buying a processor upgrade card for a Blue and White G3 that from on of the surviving upgrade makers that is faster than the 550mhz G4's? I can't understand why the gig or 800's are only for upgrading G4's. Any rumours on that?:confused:

[scem0]

I have a 450 MHZ AGP g4, if I installed the dual 1 GHz processor upgrade, would it run just as fast as the old dual 1 gigs from apple - since i dont have DDR. :confused: Or would it be a tiny bit slower. Will there ever be a g5 upgrade for an AGP powermac? Sorry for me not knowing anything :D.

[cr2sh]

I'll second that notion, dual 800s would be amazing! Did you guys see the benchmark comparisons of the new Imac 700 and 800 g4s compared to the Powerlogix 800 and 1000mHz upgrade for the cube?

For $400 that is a pretty substantial powerboost.. 2meg L3... yummy.

http://eshop.macsales.com/Reviews/Framework.cfm?page=/benchmarks/series100/page1.html

Considering the source you might have t take the results with some sugar.. but still...

[mymemory]

I had a dual 500 in a cube just for one night, the cube was so anoying and so fragile that I give it back next morning. I use to plug and unplug things all the time and the cube wasn't made for that, I had it naked (without the cover) and on one of the sides, let me tell you that naked looks cooler. So, I got my old G4 400 AGP back and transfer the dual 500 of the cube to the AGP and is what I have now. About the speed? I do not see the difference really, there wasn't a speed bumb from single 400 to dual 500, I have to drop some more memory now to see then.

[cr2sh]

mymemory - What type of applications were you running that you saw no speed increase from a 400 to a dual 500 upgrade? What os were you operating in? 7200rpm harddrive? thanks!

Ive always been speculative of nothing more than a multiplier increase, I question the overall yield... but doubling the processors and adding an additional meg of L3 cache to both.. it might be worth the change.

[cr2sh]

Originally posted by scem0
I have a 450 MHZ AGP g4, if I installed the dual 1 GHz processor upgrade, would it run just as fast as the old dual 1 gigs from apple - since i dont have DDR. :confused: Or would it be a tiny bit slower. Will there ever be a g5 upgrade for an AGP powermac? Sorry for me not knowing anything :D.

cr2sh grabs this question and lobs it underhanded at the plate... knowing full well someone will knock it out of the park.

If a 'tiny bit' equals 33megahertz on the front side and 2full megs less of L3... than yes.

[zulgand04]

any one know where u can find a used g4 cube?

if anyone knows email me at zulgand04@aol.com

[vniow]

From xlr8yourmac:


Note that the Powerlogix cards are designed to allow for a 2nd CPU (in future models)

[rice_web]

One could have guessed it was PowerLogix...

but what about this iMac stuff? Will the old iMacs be able to hit 700MHz or, I dare say, higher? Maybe even a G4? Or maybe upgrade cards for the DV iMacs? Eh, I won't be too optimistic. Sounds promising, though.

[Rocketman]

I want a dual G5 motherboard upgrade for my Mac+. Sleeper system :)

[cr2sh]

Originally posted by Rocketman
I want a dual G5 motherboard upgrade for my Mac+. Sleeper system :)

its going, going... gone.

[Mr. Anderson]

dual 800s or 1GHz would be a great upgrade for my Sawtooth - I hope its supported - that way I won't have to worry so much about the next gen processor - which is when I'll get a new computer. Any one have any idea what the prices might be?

D

[rice_web]

Well, if the prices are in the $700 - $1000 range, PowerMac sales might plummet.

[macsurfer]

ummmm. how can you upgrade the processor in an iMac? I thought this was impossible? I have an iMac DVSE 500mhz (Summer 2000).

[Kethoticus]

There are CPU upgrades for iMacs. Check out Sonnet (www.sonnettech.com, I think). I'm not sure of Powerlogix, tho.

As for B&W upgrades, they are supposed to be coming out, but not for another month or so, according to Powerlogix. I too am waiting for these and am getting a little impatient myself. In fact, I felt that these new G4s should've been out for older Macs, first. This is kinda ridiculous. Oh well, another month or so, I guess.

[groovebuster]

I don't really get what the sense will be to put a DP1GHz in your old Mac, when it costs you probably more than 1,000$??? I mean... selling the old puppy and buying a new one would be probably smarter, since you also get a better/faster graphics card and other components that are "better" and newer...

For about 600$ I would think about it, but these prizes are just way too high... It's just a processor card!

Just my 0.02€. :D

groovebuster

[Kethoticus]

"For about 600$ I would think about it, but these prizes are just way too high... It's just a processor card!"

I agree--almost. $1,000 vs. $3,000 for a new dual-GHz Mac? I don't think that's too bad a comparison, altho I agree that they are too expensive as processor upgrades.

One thing: I think a dual-GHz G4 upgrade wouldn't go for $1,000. Knowing these CPU upgrade guys, they'll likely start off at more like $1,500, making it that much more attractive to just buy a new machine.

[MacBandit]

Originally posted by Kethoticus
"For about 600$ I would think about it, but these prizes are just way too high... It's just a processor card!"

I agree--almost. $1,000 vs. $3,000 for a new dual-GHz Mac? I don't think that's too bad a comparison, altho I agree that they are too expensive as processor upgrades.

One thing: I think a dual-GHz G4 upgrade wouldn't go for $1,000. Knowing these CPU upgrade guys, they'll likely start off at more like $1,500, making it that much more attractive to just buy a new machine.

$3,000 for a new dual-Ghz? Where? I just checked the Apple store and they're only $2,499.

The upgrade card is a joke. For $1,699 you can get a new Dual 867Mhz machine with 4 open pci slots and AGP 4x slot that will take or has a much faster graphics card then you can put in any older machine. It also has 4 DDR 266 Ram Slots and an ATA 100, 66, and 33 busses all built in.

If anyone out there is willing to pay a $1,000 for a dual/Ghz upgrade over the Dual 867 let me be the first one to say they are completely Nucking Futz.

[groovebuster]

Originally posted by Kethoticus
I agree--almost. $1,000 vs. $3,000 for a new dual-GHz Mac? I don't think that's too bad a comparison, altho I agree that they are too expensive as processor upgrades.

Hmmm... well, not really! I doubt if the processor upgrades will let you play in the same league as the new PMs, except you are upgrading a Quicksilver. Older machines have only 100MHz bus speed. So comparing it to the DP867MHz would be probably closer to reality. And that one you get already for way less than 2,000$ (inluding more memory). Add a SuperDrive for 200$ more and there you go.

One thing: I think a dual-GHz G4 upgrade wouldn't go for $1,000. Knowing these CPU upgrade guys, they'll likely start off at more like $1,500, making it that much more attractive to just buy a new machine.

If they really start at 1,500$ people would be nuts to upgrade their machines. For just 200$ more you get the the basic DP PowerMac in the US Apple store. 200$ more for an enclosure, motherboard, keyboard, mouse, memory, graphic card, hd and optical drive doesn't sound bad to me at all! PLUS you can even keep your old machine. I am really curious how the pricing will be. The SP cards are already pretty expensive, so we shouldn't expect too much.

Here in Germany the SP 1GHz Sonnet card costs around 950$ including sales tax. So I expect the DP card to be around 1,300$. If that turns out to be true they will have a hard time to sell these puppies...

groovebuster

[Uragon]

Originally posted by reyesmac
Does anyone out there know if there has ever been any news about buying a processor upgrade card for a Blue and White G3 that from on of the surviving upgrade makers that is faster than the 550mhz G4's? I can't understand why the gig or 800's are only for upgrading G4's. Any rumours on that?:confused:


try www.xlr8yourmac.com they have good informations

[FattyMembrane]

the prospect of an upgrade card with dual processors for the later generation of g3 imacs is music to my ears. i'd settle for a dual 667, no problem, but the only way i'm buying one of these is if it's an entire mobo with a radeon mobility chipset (or better) for around $500, otherwise i'd just as soon trade up for an emac. what's the point of a pricey upgrade if i still dont have quartzextreme?

[cr2sh]

Originally posted by groovebuster
I don't really get what the sense will be to put a DP1GHz in your old Mac, when it costs you probably more than 1,000$
groovebuster


These are cube upgrades. Hard-****ing-core.

An 8" cube (powder coated black) with dual 120gig 7200 harddrives, 1.5gigs of ram, dual processor 1gigs. All running via firewire into a pair of MOTU 828s.

Do you get it now?

Its not about having the best and the fastest, the newest the whitest.. its about getting EXACTLY what you want and chroming the hell out of it. Its about vision and creativity. Its about Macintosh. (and its never about the money)

[Kethoticus]

$3,000 for a new dual-Ghz? Where? I just checked the Apple store and they're only $2,499.

Actually, that's based on the ACTUAL amount that your credit or debit card is charged. Think about it: after you configure the system the way you'll actually need it (not the bare-bones config) plus delivery charges and sales tax, and you're talking at least US$3,000.

[Kethoticus]

Its not about having the best and the fastest, the newest the whitest.. its about getting EXACTLY what you want and chroming the hell out of it.

What if "exactly what I want" is the fastest??


Its about vision and creativity. Its about Macintosh.

Whoa. That was... beautiful.


(and its never about the money)

You're Apple's favorite kind of customer.

[synergy]

Originally posted by Kethoticus


Actually, that's based on the ACTUAL amount that your credit or debit card is charged. Think about it: after you configure the system the way you'll actually need it (not the bare-bones config) plus delivery charges and sales tax, and you're talking at least US$3,000.

If you configure anything other than the video card on it you are wasting your money. Buy the ram cheaper from elsewhere.

[MacBandit]

Originally posted by Kethoticus


Actually, that's based on the ACTUAL amount that your credit or debit card is charged. Think about it: after you configure the system the way you'll actually need it (not the bare-bones config) plus delivery charges and sales tax, and you're talking at least US$3,000.

I have one of the new Dual DDR/Dual Ghz and it was $2,443 (education discount) out the door with 512MB of Ram. Yes I did opt for the GF4MX because I'm waiting for the ATI 9700 but $2,443 is a long cry from $3,000. By the way I live in Oregon there is no Sales Tax.

[ClassicMac]

Heh, too bad these babies cant go in my 9600...

[Kethoticus]

...you scribed:

I have one of the new Dual DDR/Dual Ghz and it was $2,443 (educatrion discount) out the door with 512MB of Ram. Yes I did opt for the GF4MX because I'm waiting for the ATI 9700 but $2,443 is a long cry from $3,000. By the way I live in Oregon there is no Sales Tax.

That's what works for you, then. But I get no educational discount and I DO hafta pay sales tax.


Synergy wrote:

If you configure anything other than the video card on it you are wasting your money. Buy the ram cheaper from elsewhere.

This makes sense, only I've found myself always going at least $500 above the base config price no matter what I did.

[cr2sh]

Originally posted by Kethoticus

You're Apple's favorite kind of customer.

Apple's favorite customers are those who don't buy new computers but instead buy 3rd party upgrades and mod their machine?

[groovebuster]

Originally posted by Kethoticus
That's what works for you, then. But I get no educational discount and I DO hafta pay sales tax.

Bu then you also have to pay sales tax on the upgrade card, which makes it even more expensive... Whart was your point again?

groovebuster

[MacBandit]

Originally posted by groovebuster


Bu then you also have to pay sales tax on the upgrade card, which makes it even more expensive... Whart was your point again?

groovebuster

In the land of inequalites.....

You can make anything good when you leave out half the facts.

[Kethoticus]

Cr2sh wrote:

Apple's favorite customers are those who don't buy new computers but instead buy 3rd party upgrades and mod their machine?

Just messin' with ya. There was no malicious intent in that post.


groovebuster wrote:

Bu then you also have to pay sales tax on the upgrade card, which makes it even more expensive... Whart was your point again?

Well obviously you felt that I had a point to make, otherwise you wouldn't have written a response to it.

That being said, I have been rethinking this (after reading a good post over at Maccentral). If I bought a new dual-867, I would probably spend around $2,000, after all was said and done. Now, I could sell my B&W, which would get me about $600 (at least, possibly more, especially the way it's hooked up). That makes the total cost for me a max of $1,400. Subtract from that the fastest dual-processor upgrade from Powerlogix, which I think is around $1,200. Let's say $1,000, just to really push my argument. That leaves $400 extra that I lay out, for which I get AGP, a faster system bus and an additional PCI slot.

Is it worth it? Yeah, I think so.

[cr2sh]

Originally posted by Kethoticus
Just messin' with ya. There was no malicious intent in that post.


Cool yo. But you have to admit.. my vision of the ultimate cube, is pretty cool. Even of it is costly. :)

[groovebuster]

Originally posted by Kethoticus
Cr2sh wrote:
Well obviously you felt that I had a point to make, otherwise you wouldn't have written a response to it.

That being said, I have been rethinking this (after reading a good post over at Maccentral). If I bought a new dual-867, I would probably spend around $2,000, after all was said and done. Now, I could sell my B&W, which would get me about $600 (at least, possibly more, especially the way it's hooked up). That makes the total cost for me a max of $1,400. Subtract from that the fastest dual-processor upgrade from Powerlogix, which I think is around $1,200. Let's say $1,000, just to really push my argument. That leaves $400 extra that I lay out, for which I get AGP, a faster system bus and an additional PCI slot.

Is it worth it? Yeah, I think so.

If you mean that the new machine is worth it, I am totally with you! :)

Especially since the upgrade really costs 1,200$, which is the official pricing. Leaves only 200$ price difference...

groovebuster

[Kethoticus]

Cool yo. But you have to admit.. my vision of the ultimate cube, is pretty cool. Even of it is costly.

A dual-processor Cube? You're talking toaster, dude. But hey, if it can be done, that'd be one sweet little box. A lotta power in a little space.


If you mean that the new machine is worth it, I am totally with you!

Especially since the upgrade really costs 1,200$, which is the official pricing. Leaves only 200$ price difference...

Yeah, the point is made even more so when you take into account the fact that I could probably sell my 350MHz B&W, outfitted with a gig of RAM, 150GB total HD space, and a Radeon board, all for more than my conservative estimate of $600.

[MacBandit]

Originally posted by Kethoticus


A dual-processor Cube? You're talking toaster, dude. But hey, if it can be done, that'd be one sweet little box. A lotta power in a little space.




Yeah, the point is made even more so when you take into account the fact that I could probably sell my 350MHz B&W, outfitted with a gig of RAM, 150GB total HD space, and a Radeon board, all for more than my conservative estimate of $600.

So how much do you think my B/W G3 400Mhz, 768megs Ram, 45gig 7200rpm drive, 6gig OEM drive, Radeon PCI, SCSI card OEM, DVD, Zip, internal modem would be worth with 10.2 installed?

[kiwi_the_iwik]

I would be more than happy to put the new Powerlogix Dual-Gig. processor board in my Cube. I don't need 4 PCI slots, or a large computer footprint. I bought the Cube because it was streets ahead of it's time - and there was nothing out there that could compare when it came on the scene. If I had the gift of foresight, I'd STILL buy the Cube - it's design is an actual work of art.

With this upgrade, I'd give the Cube at least another 5 years of life (especially when paired with a GeForce 3 card, which fits in nicely too!).

:D

Quick sidenote:

www.cube-zone.com reports that Powerlogix currently only recommends the dual-800Mhz chips to be used with the Cubes, due to the big drain on the power supply. This will be addressed when Motorola pulls their finger out and releases a 1 Ghz chip with a lower power consumption - apparently, this quarter. This will also pave the way for even faster dual-processor upgrades...

[Kethoticus]

So how much do you think my B/W G3 400Mhz, 768megs Ram, 45gig 7200rpm drive, 6gig OEM drive, Radeon PCI, SCSI card OEM, DVD, Zip, internal modem would be worth with 10.2 installed?

I couldn't give you an accurate estimate, but if I had to guess, I'd conservatively estimate a figure of around $700. If you get a genuine offer, let me know how much it is.