Processor upgrades?

[Don Z]

I'm running a Digi001 system (PTLE 5.1.1, OS9) on a G4 500MHz with 640MB RAM, with an Alesis AI-3 plugged into the optical ports to give me 16 analog I/O's. The system has been performing flawlessly, as I make the transition from analog tape, but the other day I hit the limit on plug-ins.

I regained some resources by using auxes instead of inserts, but I can see I'm going to need more horsepower, or resort to using outboard hardware. Has anybody tried a processor upgrade on a Mac/PTLE system, such as the ones made by Giga Designs and the like?

Thanks - Don Z.
[email protected]

[mindnoise]

hi go here

http://www.xlr8yourmac.com and check out the cpu upgrade user database.

sonnet, gigadesigns and powerlogic are fine,

On OS9 there is no need to go Dual CPU, since OS9 does not really support that, as ProTools doesn´t, too.

A totally different thing for OS X here: GO dual if you can afford it, that is if do do not have the first AGP G4 series (2000), as those do not support Dual CPU because of a ASIC UNINORTH below REV.7. GIGABIT G4 models will be fine however.

also do a search on that topic here!

regs

[cwhite771]

Yup. Quite happy with my Giga G-celerator which I've been running @ 1.4 GHz for a couple months now. No problems at all. One thing to note, and I informed Giga of this, the upgrade seems to run MUCH warmer on OS9 than on OSX for some reason.

I had purchased the upgrade for 2 different machines (of the same model)-- one was running 9 and the other OSX. Even after adjusting voltage settings and even lowering the clock rate-- the OS9 machine was running much warmer than my OSX machine.

I was planning on upgrading the 9 machine to X anyway, so once I did that it was running as cool as the other. Never received an explanation from Giga, though they were quite responsive and helpful when I was troubleshooting.

The only thing I can think of is that X handles some functions differently such as the fan control/cooling of the processor-- though the fan pitch didn't seem much different. So, this may not be just a Giga upgrade issue.
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[joejackson]

I use a Gigadesigns 800 mhz update and it's worked well for me in 9 and X. I'd rather have a G5 though!

[Don Z]

Thanks for the responses, guys!

Anyone use the Sonnet Technologies Encore/ST G4?

Cheers - Don Z.
[email protected]

[sdelsolray]

Thanks for the responses, guys!

Anyone use the Sonnet Technologies Encore/ST G4?

Cheers - Don Z.
[email protected]

I upgraded a Sawtooth G4 (450Mhz) to a Sonnet 1 GHz. Using Digi001, OS 9.2.2 w/ PTLE 5.1.1 AND OS 10.3.2 (Panther) with PTLE 6.2.2. No problems whatsoever.

[mindnoise]

Yes I do use a sonnet ST 1.2ghz in a AGP/400 G4 Model

works rock solid since october 2003 in os9.2.2/PT5.2.1beta (32track)and osx 10.2.8 and PTLE 6.1.2

I additionally removed the apple thermopad from the heatsink and applied some Arctic silver III.

best.

[lazymits]

Yep, G4 400 'sawtooth' upgraded with Giga-celerator 1.2 running @ 1.4 .
Both PTLE 5.3.2 in OS9 and PTLE 6.2.2 in OSX work with no probs (touch wood) with my 001
A big improvement at the time of mixing power and soft synths.
I think i can run this machine for a year more and make the jump to...... G5 PB? If i produce enough money !!!
For now i can say i did the in-famous Dave C test:

400 - 10 traks
Giga- 20 tracks (23 in OSX)
and althoug not very impressive, for real world tracking-mixing i'm very happy.
The fact that u don´t have to go thru reinstalling every bit of soft is a blessing.
Salu2

[Don Z]

Thanks much, all. This is what I wanted to hear. I think I'm going to try doubling my 500 to a 1.0GHz, with the thinking that that ought to satisfy my plug-in needs without generating too much heat. The only question now is, are there any pros and cons on the Giga vs. Sonnet choice?

Thanks again for your help - Don Z.
[email protected]

[cwhite771]

The only question now is, are there any pros and cons on the Giga vs. Sonnet choice?

The Giga includes it's own copper heatsink (already attached) w/ a cooling fan mounted to it (this adds a slight bit of noise, but not much more than the existing fans and internal HD for me). You can also adjust the clock speed up to 1.467MHz (depending on your mac model) by moving some jumpers, which is pretty easy to do.

The Sonnets are not clock adjustable, and I they reuse the clunky (and less efficient) heatsink from your existing processor. You have to attach the old sink to the new processor. You'll definitely want to use some contact solution between the processor and the heatsink as mentioned previously in this thread too. I'd also probably wet sand/buff the contact side of the heatsink down to a mirror fininsh-- this will greatly improve cooling efficiency.

Don't let my earlier comments about the Giga running warmer in OS 9 discourage you-- at 1.2GHz, it was still cooler than my original 450 processor ran. It was jst noticeably warmer compared to the same upgrade running in OSX.

Both are very good companies with quality products-- I don't think you can really go wrong wither way-- it just depends on what you're most comfortable with.

Good luck.
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