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Navare

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 30, 2013
57
0
Stoke on Trent
Hello folks

First time poster here and pretty much a Mac novice, I bought a 533MHz (single CPU) G4 Digital audio desktop from a company I used to work for and got a little bored with it so loaned it to my parents to "Silver surf" and play with, is now been returned to me and I'm wondering what to do with it.....

I would like to use it as an Audio/Video Media box and I'm wondering about CPU upgrades, I'm seeing a fair few on eBay different models, Dual CPU and very powerful single CPU and I'm wondering what I can use with my motherboard?, is there a comp chart someone can list for me or advise? I don't wanna go to crazy on power or money as I'm out of work right now but I want to boost the box, I'm already ordering more memory to max out at 1.5GB (1.12GB right now)and a DVD Rom so I can buy/load Leopard (OS X 10.4.11 right now) and upgrade all software and I'm looking at a 64MB graphics card....so those are the easy bits...

What CPU can I use please?

Many thanks in advance

N.
 
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Intell

macrumors P6
Jan 24, 2010
18,955
509
Inside
You can use any G4 except for a Quicksilver or Mirror Drive Door (MDD) or XServe one. Basically any Sonnet, PowerLogix, or Apple OEM (except for those mentioned above) will work. For a quick powerful video card, I suggest the Nvidia GeForce 6200.
 

Navare

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 30, 2013
57
0
Stoke on Trent
Thanks Intell

Just a follow up how do I tell from those listed on eBay what's a Silver or MDD?
I've looked at the images and most look as if the will not fit compared to the size of my current daughter card and where the memory socket is

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1359603274.678960.jpg

Thanks again

N.
 
Last edited:

Intell

macrumors P6
Jan 24, 2010
18,955
509
Inside
MDD, Xserve, and Quicksilver G4's are not square or rectangular. They have a part of the CPU that sticks out. Here are some examples of various G4 CPUs you can look at:
A MDD/Xserve - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-820-1...ard-/380566592222?pt=CPUs&hash=item589b895ade
A Quicksilver - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-Power...4-A-/380562587294?pt=CPUs&hash=item589b4c3e9e
A square/rectangle one - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-G4-Pr...CPU-/270721374241?pt=CPUs&hash=item3f08405821

Of those three, only the square/rectangle ones are compatible with your machine. Most third party (about 90%) are the square/rectangle kinds that will work in your machine.
 

666sheep

macrumors 68040
Dec 7, 2009
3,686
291
Poland
You can use most of QS CPUs in DA without problems. Only problematic one I've found is dual 800 which doesn't activate L3 cache when used in some DA machines. Dual 1.0 and 933 single are safer choice. You need to supply additional power to the CPU and install CPU fan, like in QS or 667/733 DAs.
 

Jethryn Freyman

macrumors 68020
Aug 9, 2007
2,329
2
Australia
OWC [macsales.com] have single 1.8GHz or dual 1.6GHz G4 CPUs for DA models for $170-$340, new. I think they're made by Sonnet. That's what I'm looking at, one day, in the future, for my 466MHz DA G4.
 

Navare

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 30, 2013
57
0
Stoke on Trent
Hmm I see (I Think)

Is there anyway of back engineering Apple part numbers to be sure as contacting the sellers hasn't helped to clear up compatibility yet prior to purchase....would any of the following fit a G4 DA without issues?

630-4678
630-4531
820-1344

Respectfully

N.
 

666sheep

macrumors 68040
Dec 7, 2009
3,686
291
Poland
Hmm I see (I Think)

Is there anyway of back engineering Apple part numbers to be sure as contacting the sellers hasn't helped to clear up compatibility yet prior to purchase....would any of the following fit a G4 DA without issues?

630-4678
630-4531
820-1344

Respectfully

N.

Of above only 820-1344. Rest is for MDD and won't fit. 820-1344 is even overclockable to 1.07 GHz.
 

Navare

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 30, 2013
57
0
Stoke on Trent
Hmm thanks 666sheep

There is a 820-1344 800MHz on eVilbay for not too silly money....can I ask how easy/what's involved in over clocking as you eluded too my friend?

Kind regards

N.

----------

Gods now I'm really loosing it 820-1344 is listed as Quicksilver and Intell is saying above to avoid Quicksilver CPU's.....I'm loosing the plot now rapidly.....

N.
 

666sheep

macrumors 68040
Dec 7, 2009
3,686
291
Poland
Hmm thanks 666sheep

There is a 820-1344 800MHz on eVilbay for not too silly money....can I ask how easy/what's involved in over clocking as you eluded too my friend?

Kind regards

N.

----------

Gods now I'm really loosing it 820-1344 is listed as Quicksilver and Intell is saying above to avoid Quicksilver CPU's.....I'm loosing the plot now rapidly.....

N.

To clarify things:
820-1344 933 MHz with 2MB L3 (from QS 2002) can be OC'ed to 1.07 (requires soldering). This is the best single QS CPU. Second one is 867 MHz w/ 2MB L3. This one doesn't OC that high.

I guess that Intell meant CPUs that will work plug'n'play.

QS CPUs do require some light mods to work in DA:
- supplying 12V power to the 4th hole of CPU daughtercard
- adding CPU fan (see 733 DA or any QS for instance)
- QS CPU heatsink
 

Navare

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 30, 2013
57
0
Stoke on Trent
Hi 666sheep

Thanks for the clarification....I'm not really that hands on to handle the mods you suggest....so will stick to standard or Sonnet upgrades rather than QS....but I'm allot wiser now....just trying to decide if I should bite the bullet and order a sonnet from China

Kind regards

N.
 

666sheep

macrumors 68040
Dec 7, 2009
3,686
291
Poland
I'm far from encouraging you to do these mods, but it's quite simple when you can solder. It would be perfect if you'd score 7448 single CPU card, but they are rare and pricey. For best bang for buck, look for 7455 based upgrade. These are usually clocked lower than 7447 ones but L3 cache does its job very well. 1.4 7455 will outperform 1.6 and even 1.8 7447 easily.

Edit: some CPU upgrades require firmware update. Ensure that one you'll buy will have needed updater included on a CD (if it needs it OFC). It's hard to obtain updater sotware for some CPUs these days.
 
Last edited:

Intell

macrumors P6
Jan 24, 2010
18,955
509
Inside
Sheep is right. The Quicksilver CPU's will work, but you'll need to do some extra work first.
 

Navare

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 30, 2013
57
0
Stoke on Trent
You can use any G4 except for a Quicksilver or Mirror Drive Door (MDD) or XServe one. Basically any Sonnet, PowerLogix, or Apple OEM (except for those mentioned above) will work. For a quick powerful video card, I suggest the Nvidia GeForce 6200.

Intell
Are all the Nvidia GeForce 6200 AGP cards powermac compatible my friend? Rookie question I know...

Many thanks

N.
 

Intell

macrumors P6
Jan 24, 2010
18,955
509
Inside
Intell
Are all the Nvidia GeForce 6200 AGP cards powermac compatible my friend? Rookie question I know...

Many thanks

N.

Yes, they are compatible with all PowerMac G4's expect the the first PCI only one and the MDD one. You'll have to flash your own or buy a pre-flashed one because no Mac version of this card ever existed. You'll also have to tape off two of the pins (easy to do, Google how). But in return you'll get one of the fastest video cards that your machine can use.
 

Intell

macrumors P6
Jan 24, 2010
18,955
509
Inside
That's a G4. There never was a G3 Digital Audio and Apple didn't make G3 PowerMacs in 2001 and there never was a G3 PowerMac with an AGP slot.
 

MisterKeeks

macrumors 68000
Nov 15, 2012
1,833
28
Ah crap....ill get the hang of this soon....lol

N.

As long as you know the serial number, you can find the specs of most any Apple product using everymac.com. Sometimes the data is spotty/incorrect, but you get the gist of what things are.
 

Navare

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 30, 2013
57
0
Stoke on Trent
Hello folks

Well just goes to show what hard work and good Karma can bring.....currently in transit to me now is a Sonnet Encore/ST 1.2GHz single CPU taken directly from a G4 DA machine...$60 shipping included

My Boot Rom is up to date and I've ordered my Heat sink thermal past remover/re applicator and an additional 2x 60mm cooling fans to improve casing ventilation.

So my first big upgrade begins.....thank for all the advice and I will post some pictures in due course

Warmest regards

Navare.
 
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