B&W G3 or G4?

[apunkrockmonk]

I'm looking for a low cost file server to replace all of my PCs. This file server will house 4 or 5 ATA drives (I am aware I'll need an ATA PCI card). I would also like this machine to run Tiger comfortably. The programs I will run on this computer will be safari and adium, maybe a few other programs, nothing intensive.

My question is, will a B&W G3 (350Mhz) be enough, or a low end G4 be better. Either machine will have at least 512MB of ram.

If Tiger is too much for these machines then Panther will suffice.


Thanks for your advice.

 

[CanadaRAM]

Define "enough"?
Given the choice, a Sawtooth G4 is a better choice than a B&W G3 or a Yikes (PCI Graphics) G4. The G3s have some issues with some PCI drive controller cards.

 

[generik]

Why not rig up a PeeCee and install Linux on it, sharing your files via Samba?

 

[QCassidy352]

I always advise against running Tiger on G3s... IMO it's not real pretty. I know there are many here who disagree with me, but I think that OS X, and especially Tiger, really needs a G4 or better to perform as it should. (and 350 Mhz isn't exactly a blazing G3 anyway)

 

[wmmk]

I always advise against running Tiger on G3s... IMO it's not real pretty. I know there are many here who disagree with me, but I think that OS X, and especially Tiger, really needs a G4 or better to perform as it should. (and 350 Mhz isn't exactly a blazing G3 anyway)

hmm...............
can samba also be an easy webserver?
i have an old peecee that i need to be a server, but it's only got 256 RAM. anybody know the cheapest (used or new) machine that's able to be a server and run apache, preferably mac or linux?
i really want to run my own webserver so i can have unlimited files!

 

[apunkrockmonk]

Well, I just want to get a Mac running. The only people using it will be my parents, who do not know much about computers. I am just so sick of troubleshooting windows every week with its new problem.

I want to keep the budget low, like, $200 or less. So thats why I chose those machines.

I myself use a Macbook Pro so I don't need the file server to be fast or anything. My parents won't notice the difference in speed.

 

[jamesi]

if you were really shopping on a budget you would just build a decent PC. if you really want the mac route, definately stick with a G4. G3s basically suck and wont stomach tiger very easily. i would try and get a dual 450 system b/c you have the oppourtunity to get a processor upgrade down the line and prolong its life. with PM sawtooth ram so cheap, i would get 1 gig and you wont regret it.

 

[jamesi]

going for 200 dollars or less is not going to happen. you will prolly overpay for the sawtooth b/c no one wants to part with their old mac for a fair price. is the 200 dollar estimate take into account all of the HDDs you wanna throw in there?

 

[apunkrockmonk]

No, I already have all the HDs and lots of PC-133 and some DDR ram. The IDE card is not included in the $200 budget.

I was actually thinking of grabbing this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=9714347143&fromMakeTrack=true

I already have optical drives, HDs, and ram, so thats no big deal. I could spend the money I saved on an upgrade card or more hard drives or anything for that matter.

Its just a possibility I was exploring.

 

[CanadaRAM]

No, I already have all the HDs and lots of PC-133 and some DDR ram. The IDE card is not included in the $200 budget.

I was actually thinking of grabbing this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=9714347143&fromMakeTrack=true

I already have optical drives, HDs, and ram, so thats no big deal. I could spend the money I saved on an upgrade card or more hard drives or anything for that matter.

Its just a possibility I was exploring.

THe DDR RAM's not gonna help with a Mac you can buy under $ 500...
Another reason to get the Sawtooth G4 over the Yikes or B&W - the PCI-graphics machines are not compatible with 512 Mb DIMMs, and require 16-chip 256 Mb DIMMs, so your existing PC133 is hit or miss for compatibility -- better chance on the Sawtooth.