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Dual CPU in iMac G3?

MacintoshMaster

MacintoshMaster

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jan 16, 2010
259
1
Britain
Hi there,
What would happen if I get two iMac G3 processors and soldered them together?
Would it make it a dual core? If you can't solder them how would you use two processors together?
Thanks,
John.
 
Even if you had magical hands that could solder a CPU without melting or otherwise damaging it, this wouldn't work. To run dual CPUs requires a considerable amount of specialized communication between the two chips. The iMac motherboard doesn't include such circuitry and logic, and indeed I don't think the G3 chip itself is even capable of running in a dual-processor configuration--the necessary foundation isn't there. That capability wasn't added until the G4.
 
Makosuke said:
Even if you had magical hands that could solder a CPU without melting or otherwise damaging it, this wouldn't work. To run dual CPUs requires a considerable amount of specialized communication between the two chips. The iMac motherboard doesn't include such circuitry and logic, and indeed I don't think the G3 chip itself is even capable of running in a dual-processor configuration--the necessary foundation isn't there. That capability wasn't added until the G4.
Click to expand...

NOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! Could I put a dual core intel inside it?
 
I'm going to assume this is a joke now, but assuming you're serious and your goal is to do a modding project to get a G3 iMac to be a usable modern machine:

What you'd actually want to do is buy a Mac Mini and a ~15" LCD screen with the approximate dimensions of the iMac's screen, then gut the iMac G3 and cobble it together in the iMac case. Alternately you could probably do the same with a 14" G4 iBook, 13" MacBook, or maybe a 15" G4 PowerBook or MBP. Depending on the machine you start with, you could end up with a relatively modern Intel CPU in there.

Any of which would be expensive and require considerable skill at dismantling and reassembling delicate electronics without breaking them. It's been done before:

http://www.macmod.com/internal-mods/imac/414-the-eyemac-g3-lcd

Incidentally, don't get carried away poking around inside something with a CRT and kill yourself--CRTs can store enough charge at very high voltage to easily kill a human, even if they've been off for a very long time.
 
Hilmi Hamidi said:
Haha this thread is irrelevant at all.
G3 is obsolete, give it up man.
Click to expand...


2 Questions:

1. How can a computer thats just 8 years old be obsolete? That means when I'm 23 my new macbook pro will be obsolete! Whatever...

2. If it's obsolete why are you on the PPC section?
 
Hilmi Hamidi said:
Haha this thread is irrelevant at all.
G3 is obsolete, give it up man.
Click to expand...

The white G3 iMac was one of the best designed machines Apple has ever made in my opinion, if OP (in another thread) want's to use the case design to house a better machine, it's not up to anyone to say that just because the G3 is old, the project should be scrapped.
 
Schtumple said:
The white G3 iMac was one of the best designed machines Apple has ever made in my opinion, if OP (in another thread) want's to use the case design to house a better machine, it's not up to anyone to say that just because the G3 is old, the project should be scrapped.
Click to expand...


I have just bought the white 600Mhz of ebay for £26 and will be picking it up from Cambridge on Monday! I also have the blue 350 Mhz but the plastic thing behind the front fascia has broken - does anybody have one I could buy?
Thanks,
John.
 
MacintoshMaster said:
I have just bought the white 600Mhz of ebay and will be picking it up from Cambridge on Monday! I also have the blue 350 Mhz but the plastic thing behind the front fascia has broken - does anybody have one I could buy?
Thanks,
John.
Click to expand...

Ahhh nice, the white ones were beautiful designs, I have a blue iMac G3 sitting up in my loft, haven't had a use for it, used to be my mums Mac but I gave her my C2D one. I'd be more than happy to sell it to you if you're UK based?
 
Doesn't the iMac G3 has an ADC connector inside to connect the Monitor? And a G4,G5 or Intel Mac Mini without it's case should fit in there somehow instead of the logic board assembly and the power supply. Just use a DisplayPort-to-ADC adapter, and some USB externders and glue them in place where the logic board assembly had theirs.
 
Schtumple said:
Ahhh nice, the white ones were beautiful designs, I have a blue iMac G3 sitting up in my loft, haven't had a use for it, used to be my mums Mac but I gave her my C2D one. I'd be more than happy to sell it to you if you're UK based?
Click to expand...

Hi there,
Thankyou very much!
I would love to buy it off you - is it the full computer or just the plastic part? Which ever it is I am interested - I am UK based. How much would you sell it for?
Thanks,
John.

(ps. how to you get your avatar on your posts?)
 
MacintoshMaster said:
Hi there,
Thankyou very much!
I would love to buy it off you - is it the full computer or just the plastic part? Which ever it is I am interested - I am UK based. How much would you sell it for?
Thanks,
John.

(ps. how to you get your avatar on your posts?)
Click to expand...

It is the full computer, well they sell for about £20 and upwards, so call it £15? Dunno how much postage will be, but it'll probably be about £10, as the G3s are so large and heavy. I would be selling it through ebay, but I'll send you the link to buy it instantly on a buy it now.

You can only have an avatar after about 500 posts I believe.
 
Schtumple said:
It is the full computer, well they sell for about £20 and upwards, so call it £15? Dunno how much postage will be, but it'll probably be about £10, as the G3s are so large and heavy. I would be selling it through ebay, but I'll send you the link to buy it instantly on a buy it now.

You can only have an avatar after about 500 posts I believe.
Click to expand...

£15? Not bad! Where about do you live - I might be able to pick it up from you. Whats the spec?
Thanks,
John.
 
I'm from south Somerset, but I'll be travelling back to Portsmouth on Sunday, if that's closer?

I can't remember the spec off the top of my head, but I believe its a 400mhz one like the one you have, I'll go check a bit later, it's up in the attic behind a few boxes :p
 
MacintoshMaster said:
1. How can a computer thats just 8 years old be obsolete? That means when I'm 23 my new macbook pro will be obsolete! Whatever...
Click to expand...

A computer isn't "just" 8 years old... it's ancient ;)

Kidding aside, if you want to know how an 8 year old computer is obsolete, try doing anything made for a modern computer. Try installing software that was made in the past year or two, games that were made even in the last 5 years, anything to do with Flash online, etc. You'll find your computer can't do any of those things, or at least can't do them well.

Not saying you shouldn't use your computer, but it's definitely obsolete. They still work and as long as you're not doing anything that requires the increased power (and everything else) of modern machines, you'll be set!

Also, yes your MBP will be obsolete in 8 years... doesn't preclude you from using it, but it'll be obsolete.
 
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