Upgrading your G4 processor - recommendations

[Ustad Khan Ali]

I have a G4 466 MHz Digital Audio with 133 MHz bus system (OS 9.2.2, Pro Tools LE 5.1). I am interested in upgrading to a faster processor. The processor that I am interested in (OWC Mercury Extreme G4/1.467-1.5GHz
Processor Upgrade):
http://eshop.macsales.com/AddToBaske...=OWCME41450L2D

It seems to be highly regarded.

So, I have two questions:
1. Are jumper settings easy to set (see below for OWC jumper settings)?
2. Does anyone have any other suggestions for processor upgrades? No, I will not purchase a G5 right now...<g>


(IGNORE THIS QUESTION - COVERED IN OTHER THREAD! I found a dual processor made by PowerLogix. When running PT LE 5.1, is there any advantage to be gained by a dual processor? And yes, I know, the dual processor is made for a Quicksilver, not for my particular G4 - this is more of a general question!!!)

Here's what I've found so far:
G4 Dual 1.2 GHz for Quicksilver
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Additional references to this, in case it helps in any way!!

The processor that I am interested in (OWC Mercury Extreme G4/1.467-1.5GHz
Processor Upgrade):
http://eshop.macsales.com/AddToBaske...=OWCME41450L2D

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS:
http://eshop.macsales.com/Tech/manua...ME41330L2D.pdf

JUMPER SETTINGS
http://eshop.macsales.com/Tech/Load_...esettings.html

[Ustad Khan Ali]

Please ignore the third question - the one about dual processing. That was covered satisfactorily in this thread by Dave M. Apologies, I missed it while searching for this subject. I'm leaving the original post intact because it has a link to PowerLogix which may be helpful for some people.

Thanks for answering my other two questions, though!

Ustad Khan Ali

[cwhite771]

I'm quite happy with my Gigadesigns upgrade. I've run at 1.4GHz (the guaranteed max for my 100MHz bus-- your 133 bus will run it at 1.467) for about 4 months now with no problems. Quick and easy install with good directions -- I was up and running in less than 10 minutes. The jumpers are not a prob if you haven't completely chewed down your finger nails.

The OWC model that you're looking at seems to be quite a bit more expensive for the performance gain (?). Going from 1.467 to 1.5GHz -- how much more noticeable can .033MHz be? I would think not worth $100 more. The performance seems to be pretty close between the Giga and the Mercury with each edging the other out in different tests.

Be sure to check out the user reviews at xlr8yourmac.com if you haven't already. Good luck.
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c

[Ustad Khan Ali]

Cwhite, thanks for your reply and information. I wanted to clarify what you meant by a $100 difference.

If you are comparing OWC to OWC, isn't it far less than a $100 difference? The one I'm looking at is $529, and these are $499 and $469 click here for the slightly slower OWCs).

'Course, then again, he Giga is shown here, at $469 (GigaDesigns G4/1.25GHz Upgrade). The OWC is 1.5 MHz and $529. But I did notice that the Giga's 1.25GHz Processor apparently clocks out at 1.467GHz...(tested at 1.467GHz in 133MHz bus systems, 1.4GHz in 100MHz bus systems). Maybe this is what you are referring to?

Thanks for the clarification!!!

[cwhite771]

Yeah, sorry, my comparison was between the Giga and the OWC. There is a $439 version of the Giga (which is the one I have). I'm not exactly sure what the difference is (other than $30) between the $439 and $469 versions-- the descriptions are identical.

Also, just to note, you can overclocek the Giga to 1.53GHz (in the case of your 133 bus), but it's not "guaranteed", meaning that if you cook it at that setting, they won't replace it. If you scroll down to the bottom of this page it'll show you all of the different settings possible.
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c

[mindnoise]

don´t forget an Arctic Silver III thermal compound. reduces the heat on the CPU a few more degrees.
great investment!

regs

[AverageJoe]

Check out Arctic Silver CERAMIQUE compound... in my tests with my Pismo laptop, upgraded to G3/900, I've found it to be a better alternative, it also specs out better.

[mindnoise]

COOL

regs

[GORILLA]

Watch out for the daulies...there's been dilemmas'.
The OWC Kicks butt and yep the Giga is great too!
And as mentioned earlier..(((((be careful overclocking!!)))) Your already tripling your power by going from a 466 to a 1.46...what's an extra 300m gonna do? Possibly FRY your rig!!
An extra internal fan really wouldn't hurt none...I have one and it's not noisy, and it helps keep things cooled down in the box.
As for jumpers...just get some needle nose pliers.
Maybe max out your memory while your upgrading too!
And it may look difficult to some.....but I think it took longer for me to change strings on my guitar, than it did to install the processor upgrade, memory sticks and fan!

[Ustad Khan Ali]

It takes me longer to change strings on my guitar than it does to do most things! <g> Thanks for all the tips! I definitely appreciate it. And yeah, I'm not gonna overclock really. Just as you say, that little bit ain't gonna make much of a difference.