MDD with DDR-RAM not faster than same CPU speed Quicksilver (SDRAM)?

[Cox Orange]

Hello,

just stumbled upon this article, it claims/says that a Dual 1GHz Quicksilver's SDRAM works (faster or) equal to a Dual 1GHz MDD's DDR-RAM.

The main reason seems, that the CPU can't make use of the faster offered data (per architecture), as they explain.

http://www.barefeats.com/pmddr.html

Just thought it might serve some of you for a discussion as an amusement.

 

[Lil Chillbil]

I am not surprised by this the mdds are bad apples

 

[Zotaccian]

With PC's there has been differences with the same type of memory between different chipsets so maybe G4's new chipset had something similar at the time. Those CPU's on QS seem to have more L3 cache also.... And even with AMD Athlon at the time there wasn't always huge difference between DDR and SDRAM, Athlon's FSB was running at 200 or 266MHz so it was capable of making use of the extra bandwith, 33MHZ speed bump with G4's was maybe not enough, especially since two CPU's had to share it.

 

[seveej]

Hello,

just stumbled upon this article, it claims/says that a Dual 1GHz Quicksilver's SDRAM works (faster or) equal to a Dual 1GHz MDD's DDR-RAM.

The main reason seems, that the CPU can't make use of the faster offered data (per architecture), as they explain.

http://www.barefeats.com/pmddr.html

Just thought it might serve some of you for a discussion as an amusement.

Well,
In the form of geekbench scores, the MDD just barely beats the QS2002, so I'd have to say there is some truth to that the memory does not work as it should. OTOH, the MDD has some distinct advantages:
- more internal storage slots
- a decidedly special PSU design
- you can use it as a hair dryer
- it drowns out the sounds made by annoying family members

I would not go as far as to call the MDD a lemon, but clearly the "design decisions" made in the MDD were not the finest hour of jobs and ive. Nevertheless, I like my MDD (especially after I changed its sound profile 180 degrees), and you'd have to offer me a dual core (or quad) G5 before I'd upgrade to that (although honestly I'm looking for a reasonably priced MP)

RGDS,

 

[rabidz7]

It could be that it has a faster memory controller.

 

[wobegong]

If its like the late PBG4's (and I'm 90% sure it is) then it doesn't have a DDR memory controller so the DDR benefit over SDR is hardly used at all.
DDR memory was used as that was the current memory type and was easier to source as SDR RAM was becoming obsolete (of course synics might say it was used so it would show "DDR" on the spec list which would indicate it was a true DDR machine when it wasn't)...

 

[Cox Orange]

(...) distinct advantages:
- more internal storage slots

(...) (especially after I changed its sound profile 180 degrees) (...)

I don't remember, yet, but didn't the QS have room for 6 Drives (laying on the bottom of the case), just like the earlier ones and the MDD has only 4? Two drives left side under the optical Drive Bays and two at the right standing upwards under the PSU? (or do you count the opt. Bays as 5th and 6th?)

What fans did you use?

 

[seveej]

I don't remember, yet, but didn't the QS have room for 6 Drives (laying on the bottom of the case), just like the earlier ones and the MDD has only 4? Two drives left side under the optical Drive Bays and two at the right standing upwards under the PSU? (or do you count the opt. Bays as 5th and 6th?)

What fans did you use?

Oh yeah right.
The MDD has two 5,25" bays, (improvement), but the 4 "internal" 3,5" bays are more problematically located.
According to Everymac, the QS has the same 4 "internal" bays, + the "external" 3,5 bay, usable either for a zip drive or another HDD.
Somehow my thoughts stuck on the two opticals...

Fans:
Main fan: Scythe Ultra Kaze 120mm / 3000 rpm (main)
PSU fans:2 X Fractal Design Silent Series 60MM / 3000 rpm
No change to optical fan, as it was quite ok.

IMHO, the PSU fans made the biggest change, but I went on to isolate all fans from their respective metal parts to lessen noise transfer.
The day after I had it finished, my wide came home, came into the den and asked me if I had given up the project (as she did not hear the machine). You can imagine the grin on my face.

RGDS,