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MacsGalor · Sep 4, 2003, 07:50 PM

I am trying to help a friend get his Mac up and running again. He has a 867Mhz G4 Quicksilver. Apple has said that it was the processor and that it would cost $920. That cost is higher that what the machine is worth. So does anyone know where I could get a cheap processor? Or what would you suggest for him to do? Thanks

NYCFarmboy · 08:05 PM

This month's issue of Macworld (Oct 2003) talks about 1.42 gig G4 processor upgrade cards for less than 600 bucks that you can swap out on G4 towers.

They are available from several companies, all at or under $600.00:

www.gigadesigns.com

www.macsales.com

www.powerlogix.com

www.sonnettech.com

they all sell 1.42 G4 chip upgrade cards.

good luck! should fly at 1.42! You can get lower speed G4 cards for much less..but I'd go 1.4 if you can! Should last for a few more years with that fast of a processor!

mac freak · Sep 4, 2003, 08:03 PM

Really? Apple wants nearly a grand for an 867 MHz G4 chip? That's ridiculous.
Buy the upgrade card.

MacsGalor · Sep 4, 2003, 08:30 PM

Thank You I checked them out. The dual 933 is looking pretty good. One more question is compatability anything that I should have to worry about weather is be software or anything else? Thanks Again!

NYCFarmboy · Sep 4, 2003, 08:40 PM

Originally posted by MacsGalor:
Thank You I checked them out. The dual 933 is looking pretty good. One more question is compatability anything that I should have to worry about weather is be software or anything else? Thanks Again!

I would DEFINATELY recommend running out and getitng the Oct issue of Macworld.. it has complete step by step directions with diagrams and photographs and talks about compatibility etc.

MacsGalor · Sep 4, 2003, 08:56 PM

You can get the Oct 03 issue already? or was that a typo? thanks again

NYCFarmboy · Sep 4, 2003, 09:32 PM

Originally posted by MacsGalor:
You can get the Oct 03 issue already? or was that a typo? thanks again

I just got mine in the mail today.

Yes.. October 2003. It has two articles on upgrading older G4 towers with faster processors...one towards the front covers the upgrade chips, the article in back describes how to actually swap them out in detail.

October 2003 MacWorld

slider · Sep 4, 2003, 10:29 PM

Originally posted by NYCFarmboy:
I just got mine in the mail today.

Yes.. October 2003. It has two articles on upgrading older G4 towers with faster processors...one towards the front covers the upgrade chips, the article in back describes how to actually swap them out in detail.

October 2003 MacWorld

Yep, I plan on upgrading my 867 to a Dual 1Ghz. I'll need to pick up that issue. Figures they finally have something in MacWorld that I would find useful, since I did not renew this year.

Eriamjh · Sep 5, 2003, 06:12 AM

I just popped a single 1.2Ghz GigaDesigns G4 into my wife's Sawtooth 400 for $400. Xbench says all CPU related scores are 2-3 times faster (imagine that!

) and the overall score is 2X better. Even a few HD scores are higher (and a couple <1% slower, but that's Xbench for ya).

The upgrade is cake, just take a regular anti-static precautions.

Visit http://www.Xlr8yourmac.com for more info on upgrades and upgrading. Ironically, the Macworld that just came out is way out of date (at least on prices).

For a little more than $920 (about $1000) you can put in a dual 1.42GHz from Sonnet. Take your pick.

But won't you look the fool if you replace the proessor and it is not what is bad!

Patcarla · Sep 5, 2003, 07:28 AM

Originally posted by Eriamjh:
I just popped a single 1.2Ghz GigaDesigns G4 into my wife's Sawtooth 400 for $400. Xbench says all CPU related scores are 2-3 times faster (imagine that! ) and the overall score is 2X better. Even a few HD scores are higher (and a couple <1% slower, but that's Xbench for ya).

The upgrade is cake, just take a regular anti-static precautions.

Visit http://www.Xlr8yourmac.com for more info on upgrades and upgrading. Ironically, the Macworld that just came out is way out of date (at least on prices).

For a little more than $920 (about $1000) you can put in a dual 1.42GHz from Sonnet. Take your pick.

But won't you look the fool if you replace the proessor and it is not what is bad!

Where did you see the dual 1.4 at sonnet?
I could only find the single..
If you could post a link that would be great

Back up 15 and punt · Sep 5, 2003, 08:16 AM

Does anybody know if these CPU replacements are compatible with Panther (10.3)?

NYCFarmboy · Sep 5, 2003, 09:18 AM

My own opinion.. I'd be careful spending more than 500 or 600 dollars on an old G4 tower. I think the resale value of old G4 towers is going to tank over the next 2 years.

You can get a brand new 1.25 gig G4 today for 1,294.00, which would have a warranty/new os installed etc, and I think even a free year of .mac. And the new 1.25's run very quiet.

I have two G4 towers. A 400 mhz I use at my office and a 1.42 dual. Yes, the 1.42 is much faster, especially with video applications/photoshop filters. But other than that, the two towers in my own opinion are actually pretty similar. However the old G4 400 is very noisey. The 1.42 is very quiet.

If you do a lot of movies/ and it has a DVD burner then I'd definately get a dual card, otherwise a single would be just fine.