upgrade cpu 450MHz G4 AGP Mbox LE 6.7 OS X.3.8

[dim]

Hi,
I was wondering if anybody could help me out. I have been searching but haven't found exactly what I need.

What I have (not sure what is relevent)

G4 450mhz powerpc AGP graphics
768MB SDram
bus 100MHz

I want to stay on LE 6.7 and osx panther 10.3.8

Now, I'd like to go faster. Maybe 1.x GHz or even a dual 1.66 cpu upgrade.
The more I get the more $, so I only want to go as much as I'd need to.
My machine did improve with putting in more ram but I figure (from what I've read) the cpu upgrade will be a big help.

I want to run reason and ableton (not together) with Protools through Rewire. At the moment the machine is choking when I just get started (adding reverbs and samples etc).
I do a little video editing on iMovie and Finalcut Pro also.

Is anyone doing the same thing on the same machine?
Can anyone suggest what maybe the best way to go?
Do these programs take advantage of dual processing?
If I'm asking in the wrong thread I do apologise. Where should I be?

Any help would be fantastic. Thanks.

Dim



edit. I got a g5 dual 1.8 1 gig ram. i can get significantly more out of it (seems obvious but I did think the g4 would do it and it didn't so i wasn't that confident).
I figure saving the money to buy something more powerful will let the enjoyment start sooner without unwanted (cpu) hassles and not having the money will soon be forgotten. Cheers again

[Park Seward]

I upgraded a 400 MHz G4 to 1 GHz and got some performance improvement but you will hit a hard stop as the internal buss will not be fast enough to get all the performance of a CPU upgrade. Many parts are changed in a faster computer, including the RAM speed, buss speed and disk access speed, as I am sure you are aware.

I can run Rewire so if that is your goal, a 1 GHz should do it. It won't be twice as fast but will give you more "juice".

Don't know about dual processing on an upgrade.

[lamp]

I have the same machine with a Gigadesign 1k cpu installed and running at 1.2K.

Most of my sessions are 28-32 tracks and the machine will not keep up if Reason is running also. Slow graphics and sometimes a freeze.

The Giga was a nice upgrade if just running PT. But Reason 3 is even more cpu intensive than 2.5. Max out your ram if you upgrade the cpu but don't expect PT to fly with Reason and other soft synths.

That is the reason Im going to get a whole new system.

[dim]

Thanks very much for getting back so soon.
Thinking about what you both say I'm inclined to go with a another machine but for the money I'm not sure it's going to be much better. And now that I have thought a bit more about it, a lot more effort.


1=============

Upgrading cpu and ram
$ 819 (au) 2x1.66
$ 668 4x512MB
=$1487
I would think this should be OK??

I believe with the g4 i can get 2 monitors some how...not with these other machines


2=============

Mac Mini Core Duo (1.67GHz)"an inexpensive and useful entertainment-room computer"(not exactly what I need)

$1630 1gb ram 160gb HD added burner


3=============

iMac 17" 1.83 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 1.2gb ram

$1825 1.2gb ram 160gb HD (max internal) added burner

neither burns dvds internally

Keeping LE 6.7/os x.3.8 in mind

Have you heard about these machines or an alternative? (lamp, what are you going to get?)

Did you both get less "your cpu is weak" pop ups during recording and mixing sessions?

I really appreciate your help. Thanks.
dim

[M.Brane]

I believe you can run a second display on an iMac.

My DA G4 has a Giga dual 1.6, 1.5GB, and a Raptor boot drive/Hitachi audio drive on a SeriTek SATA card. I also did some cooling/airflow mods to get it quiet without running hot. I'm pretty happy with it, but I don't mess with any MIDI or VI just audio. I get a full track count with as many plugs as I need, and it's very stable.

[dim]

That sounds more like it. How'd you go about the mods? The fan hum does bother me. That was something that might make a new machine advantageous.
And could you possibly tell me about the sata card. Is that a simple process?
Thanks

[M.Brane]

The SeriTek card is plug-and-play. No drivers required.

You can check out my mods here.

[dim]

Hey M.Brane
Thanks again.
I saw what you did. I have no ability to do any of that.
Will I still able to put in a dual drive without the mods? Or will it be too hot?
BTW it was most impressive.

[gracejames]

Hi Dim. I've been doing the same thing for a while now
with an upgraded OWC 1.4 on my G4-400. Its been flawless running
apps in 10.3.9 and 9.2. I agree, if you go with a dual, there is a point
of diminishing returns. You can get the cheapest Mac-mini
for cheap and the processor is very good. Single not dual core duo
but it should smoke a dual 1.4 Ghz. Thats why i bought the single 1.4.
As far iMovie has been fine. Final Cut in a very limited way. Maxing out your Ram
will enable you to do some work there and in Reason/Live. This machine has been
so solid...in a way, i don't want to upgrade.

[M.Brane]

Hey M.Brane
Thanks again.
I saw what you did. I have no ability to do any of that.
Will I still able to put in a dual drive without the mods? Or will it be too hot?
BTW it was most impressive.

My G4 ran cool enough without the mods, but it was a bit noisey. The worst offender in the noise dept. was the stock Giga fan setup. Those two 50mm fans have an annoying whine which gets gradually worse as the fans age. I've heard plenty of boxes that are louder though like most PCs.

If you have an iso box or can put the Mac in another room then it's a non-issue. Since mine sits just below the desk I wanted it quiet so I swapped out the stock fans for quieter ones, and improved the airflow to keep it cool.

Keeping a tower clean inside will help with cooling. You don't ever want to let it get this bad.