Restoring a PowerMac MDD

[MatthewLTL]

Several months ago I retired my PowerMac due to many contributing factors. One of the problems is the Graphics card. The GeForce 4 MX card i got for it has a problem. It now no longer works with DVI but DOES work with VGA via DVI to VGA adaptor.

here is what i want to make a list of what i need to get for this computer:

NEW Video card. I would like to know of the CHEAPEST card i can get that supports Core Image. Preferbably one that has atleast 128MB Video RAM.
Bigger HDD. I have a SATA HDD i can use in this computer. I want to know of a cheap BOOTABLE SATA card i can get for this system.

I will get a Wireless card for it so i can get that easy.

I want to max out the RAM any eBay has them cheap.

EDIT: Currently on eBay there is a GeForce FX 6200. This is a good card on Windows. But downfall is its PCI based.

 

[bunnspecial]

A Radeon 9600xt for a g5 is probably your cheapest/most available and convenient option to get Core Image and 128mb of VRAM. You will need to tape pins 3 and 11, but otherwise is plug and play unless you want to power and ADC display. That modification is not too bad either.

These cards are regularly ~$30 on EBay. I have one in my Quicksilver and have been extremely happy with it.

 

[Greffe]

So you're bringing the G4 back out of retirement, as I understand it. This guy has a lot of info about graphics card options for PowerPC Macs--a lot of them require flashing: https://discussions.apple.com/people/japamac

 

[harrymatic]

+1 for the Radeon 9600XT. Modifying them is very easy and they provide a very nice graphical upgrade for little money.

As for the SATA card, you can flash certain PC cards with Mac comparable firmware. See my guide at https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1690231/

 

[MatthewLTL]

So you're bringing the G4 back out of retirement, as I understand it. This guy has a lot of info about graphics card options for PowerPC Macs--a lot of them require flashing: https://discussions.apple.com/people/japamac

I Tried to flash a Radeon 9550 to a MAC 9600 and the flash failed and bricked the card. So I won't be trying that again

 

[Intell]

It failed because those two cards are not compatible. Don't use the GeForce 6200 in your MDD. Those cards don't work very well or at all in MDDs.

 

[MatthewLTL]

It failed because those two cards are not compatible. Don't use the GeForce 6200 in your MDD. Those cards don't work very well or at all in MDDs.

I assumed it was compatible because when i used the card in a Hackintosh the system detected it as a 9600

EDIT: Being that the 6200 is PCI based its said to work in all G3 G4 and G5 PowerMacs, And according to the images, supports Core Image. I dont expect a high end card. I DO have another 9550 (bought 2) what IS the closest MAC compatible card? Also is it possible to un-brick the card?

 

[Surrat]

A really nice card that works in the MDD without any mods or hacks, is the ATI 9600 Pro PC & Mac Edition.

They have double the ram of the apple cards, (256) and dual dvi, with one of them being dual link.

2 are on ebay now for very cheap:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LOT-OF-2-AT...303?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f45628997

 

[Altemose]

I agree fully about the 9600 XT. Quite a nice card at an affordable price.