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Best Video/Graphics Card for PowerMac G4

AJKing

AJKing

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 24, 2008
41
0
So, I'm trying to get a bit more life out of my PowerMac G4 before I splurge on a new computer - one thing that I believe could make a great improvement would be a better graphics/video card. I've maxed out the RAM, installed a brand new LightScribe DVD+R drive, and not spending hundreds on upgrading the hard-drive to GHz. Only other thing besides a graphics card that I'm willing to spend on is more disk space (only have 80gb), so you're welcome to help me out with that too, if you know some good prices on reasonable product. Anyways, back to the graphics card... I've located a RADEON 9200 128MB card on OWC (www.macsales.com) but it's retailing at 119.99 USD - that'll end up being nearly 200$ CDN with currency exchange and the price of shipping. Anyone know of other options (preferably under 100$)?

PS. cannot be PCI-E
 
AJKing said:
So, I'm trying to get a bit more life out of my PowerMac G4 before I splurge on a new computer - one thing that I believe could make a great improvement would be a better graphics/video card. I've maxed out the RAM, installed a brand new LightScribe DVD+R drive, and not spending hundreds on upgrading the hard-drive to GHz. Only other thing besides a graphics card that I'm willing to spend on is more disk space (only have 80gb), so you're welcome to help me out with that too, if you know some good prices on reasonable product. Anyways, back to the graphics card... I've located a RADEON 9200 128MB card on OWC (www.macsales.com) but it's retailing at 119.99 USD - that'll end up being nearly 200$ CDN with currency exchange and the price of shipping. Anyone know of other options (preferably under 100$)?

PS. cannot be PCI-E
Click to expand...

First of all, which PowerMac G4 to you have exactly? The choice of GPU depends on it. I don't understand what you mean by "hard-drive to GHz".

A good source for any technical information regarding any Mac is this application. It will also list supported GPUs. Since your machine is quite old, you may pay premium price for new GPUs. Second hand though might get you more lucky.

For hard drives, check OWC as well or your local store. Make sure to get the right ATA drive. Earlier models only support the slower versions although most modern ATA drives are backwards compatible.
 
Sorry, I should've mentioned which PowerMac G4. It's listed in my signature (Dual 867MHz Mirrored Drive), and I meant to say 'processor' not 'hard-drive' in regards to the MHz/GHz upgrade. Which seem to range from $400-$600 for Dual 1.6-1.8GHz, might as well spend another $500 and get a new iMac. Mainly wondering if anyone knows any cheaper places for old upgrades like this.

Thanks again.
 
Occasionally you can find PowerMac G4s on sale for ebay for "parts", if you can get a cheap one with a working graphics card, that would be an easy route.
 
If you have a spare PC and don't mind flashing a PC video card, you can get a much better deal that way. Check out the chart here to see which cards are compatible with your MDD:

http://themacelite.wikidot.com/compatibility

Most of those cards can be had for under $50 on ebay. If I were you I would look for a Radeon 9600/9800, or a Nvidia 6600/6800. Don't bother with anything slower than that.
 
How do you think a Radeon 9200 Mac Edition would do?
 
the best oem video card for the MDD & Quicksilver G4 is the Nvidia GeForce Ti aka Titanium. It's 128mb with ADC/DVI ports. I've seen them go for less than $200 on ebay. goodluck.
 
What are you wanting to be improved with a better ancient video card? Upgrading the video card to something compatible with that machine will do VERY little in todays world, spending anything more than 10 bucks (including shipping) for those old video cards is crazy.

Think of upgrading an old computer like that the same as fixing a dent in an old car, the cost of fixing it is more than its total worth. Let nature run its course and save your money for something new, dont throw any more money into it.
 
I upgraded an old 400 Mhz Sawtooth G4 from a 16mb Rage 128 to an ATI Radeon 9000 64MB a few years ago. Even though the Radeon was obsolete it made the computer run a whole lot better…some games like Age Of Mythology could run (just) …even got Leopard running on there at one stage.

Look out for a Radeon 9800 PRO (Note there are a few versions, some exclusively for the G5 and one that works with both.

The extra boost will make Leopard more smoother but don't expect to be running high end stuff on it.
 
stainlessliquid said:
What are you wanting to be improved with a better ancient video card? Upgrading the video card to something compatible with that machine will do VERY little in todays world, spending anything more than 10 bucks (including shipping) for those old video cards is crazy.

Think of upgrading an old computer like that the same as fixing a dent in an old car, the cost of fixing it is more than its total worth. Let nature run its course and save your money for something new, dont throw any more money into it.
Click to expand...

If someone likes to drive his old car and has a sentimental attachment to it, fixing the dent may be the perfect answer .. don't knock this guy for wanting to do the same for his G4.
 
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I had a 466MHz Digital Audio which I put a Radeon 9600 XT 128MB in (from a G5, which got a flashed ATI FireGL X3.)
 
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