Hey macintosh guys, I have a question...

necrosynthesis · Post by **necrosynthesis** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 2:38 pm

ok, I recently got my old g4 out of storage to sell on ebay, and discovered it's not worth diddly squat now. So I'd like to upgrade the thing and make it a Protools machine. The most I know about it is it's a "sawtooth" AGP graphics model running at 500mhz with a single processor. I've been looking at cpu upgrades like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/1-0-1-2-GHz-G4-CPU-FastMac-Processor-Upgrade_W0QQitemZ5869548767QQcategoryZ80031QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Anyone know anything about these third-party units? Which company is best? Is it worth it at all?

Post by **DarkVader** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 3:29 pm

Well, I'm running a Sawtooth with a 1.2GHz upgrade.

I'd have to say results are mixed. The performance upgrade is good, but I'm on the 4th card - from DOA to dead after a few months. I got mine from Other World, and it's one of their Mercury Extreme models.

Tech support was reasonably responsive at getting me RMAs, and the warranty is 3 years.

That being said, the Sawtooth is 5 years old now, and uses 100MHz RAM, a 2x AGP bus, and even with a new 1.4GHz processor, will not perform as well as a Mac mini.

But, if you're going to use an old ProTools card, you'll need slots - so it would be better for your needs than a mini. If you're using an external firewire ProTools box, consider the mini. If you're looking at getting new ProTools HD hardware, get a new G5 (it looks like they've got the PCI Express cards ready now.)

Nephilim · Post by **Nephilim** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 3:47 pm

Well, the processor upgrades can definitely boost performance greatly. Brands I'd look at are Sonnet Technologies or Powerlogix. I've heard good things about both of those companies.

But, if you're going to use an old ProTools card, you'll need slots - so it would be better for your needs than a mini. If you're using an external firewire ProTools box, consider the mini. If you're looking at getting new ProTools HD hardware, get a new G5 (it looks like they've got the PCI Express cards ready now.)

This is good advice.

necrosynthesis · Post by **necrosynthesis** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 5:32 pm

What's with admins using macs? Are you guys in a cult?

Seriously though, thanks for the perspective.

I'll probably be using the new m-powered protools since I already have a spare m-audio card that meets the specs. So yea, I'll need slots. Problem is, m-powered protools requires 966(?)mhz to run on a mac. That's why I'm having the upgrade dilemna. Otherwise, the machine has enough power already to run a respectable amout of audio tracks; and I have a dsp card for audio fx. I now regret selling my 001 unit years ago.

Maybe I'll just sell both my pc's and get a G5.....naaa.

If money weren't an issue, and macs could run my favorite pc apps, I'd grab a g5 in a heartbeat. I'll definately be looking into the new intel-macs a year or so from now.

Nephilim · Post by **Nephilim** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 6:11 pm

Mr Clock wrote:What's with admins using macs? Are you guys in a cult?

Yes, and soon you will be one of us.......one of us!

Seriously though...

Both Sonnet and Powerlogix make single cpu and dual (if you're feeling randy) cpu upgrades for your machine. You can check out both of their lines here.

I'm currently sitting on:

1 clamshell iBook
2 Dual USB iBooks
1 PowerMac G4 Cube
1 Powermac 9500

I need to consolidate. I've been wanting to upgrade and get rid of some of these old machines.....but alas, money...