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smelias · Jun 18, 2004, 01:24 PM

Ok, Apple finally updated the refurb PowerMac G5's and I got myself a dual 2Gz. Now, what do people recommend as far as upgrading? I think I will start with Crucial memory, then a second HD. After that I am stumped. What else should I put on my wish list?

Secret__Police · Jun 18, 2004, 02:09 PM

PB Ti/667
iMac/800 FP
Lombard/400
Wallstreet/250
PowerPC/75
PB 520c
Centris 610
Classic II
Newton 120
Apple IIe

I suggest a Garage sale

djohnson · Jun 18, 2004, 04:08 PM

If you have to ask...

Briareus · Jun 18, 2004, 07:03 PM

deja vu

My order of 1GB Crucial RAM shows up Monday. The second SATA drive (120GB) is already installed.

You could hold out for the rumored new displays or grab the new 256MB Radeon 9800 video card...

Glad you managed to snag a dual 2Ghz - welcome to the club!

OzarkMtn · Jun 18, 2004, 07:23 PM

Definetley get the Radeon 9800 PRO SE.

I would also get a good set of speakers that utilize the optical(toslink) output. I have always used basic computer speakers like Bose or my Apple PRO speakers.

I just bought a pair of Edirol MA-20D speakers to take advantage of the optical(Toslink) out on my Dual 2.0 GHz G5. These things are absolutely unbelievable in audio reproduction, considering that I was upgrading from the Apple PRO speakers.

http://www.edirol.com/products/info/ma20d.html

Using the optical out to drive the speakers eliminates any hum, buzz, or skipping that USB has a tendency to introduce into the sound stream.

I also use a XMPCR with optical(Toslink). If you are a fan of XM radio, you need to get one of these.

http://store.myradiostore.com/xmwitoopdiou.html

Enjoy the G5!!

stuffedmonkey · Jun 18, 2004, 11:59 PM

ooh - get one of those 10,000 rpm Raptor sata hard drives. The 74 gig one is the fastest sata or ide drive out there. Make that your boot drive and you can boot up wicked fast.

JCT · Jun 19, 2004, 07:58 AM

Originally posted by OzarkMtn:

I just bought a pair of Edirol MA-20D speakers to take advantage of the optical(Toslink) out on my Dual 2.0 GHz G5. These things are absolutely unbelievable in audio reproduction, considering that I was upgrading from the Apple PRO speakers.

http://www.edirol.com/products/info/ma20d.html

Using the optical out to drive the speakers eliminates any hum, buzz, or skipping that USB has a tendency to introduce into the sound stream.

These are supposed to be spectacular for the price.

I also use a XMPCR with optical(Toslink). If you are a fan of XM radio, you need to get one of these.

http://store.myradiostore.com/xmwitoopdiou.html

I second this recommendation, I bought this back when you had to solder the toslink in yourself

, hadn't realized how poor my eyesight had become before that little project! Also, there is a Mac version of the XMPCR software that hammers the included Win version.

regards,

JT

The Placid Casual · Jun 19, 2004, 08:07 AM

Originally posted by OzarkMtn:
Definetley get the Radeon 9800 PRO SE.

I would also get a good set of speakers that utilize the optical(toslink) output. I have always used basic computer speakers like Bose or my Apple PRO speakers.

I just bought a pair of Edirol MA-20D speakers to take advantage of the optical(Toslink) out on my Dual 2.0 GHz G5. These things are absolutely unbelievable in audio reproduction, considering that I was upgrading from the Apple PRO speakers.

http://www.edirol.com/products/info/ma20d.html

Using the optical out to drive the speakers eliminates any hum, buzz, or skipping that USB has a tendency to introduce into the sound stream.

Very interesting indeed... can these be plugged straight into a G5?

I am sick of my USB Yamaha setup and am looking for something new...

How would they compare to something like a 5.1 set up that is available on the Applestore?

The Placid Casual · Jun 19, 2004, 08:12 AM

Originally posted by The Placid Casual:
Very interesting indeed... can these be plugged straight into a G5?

I am sick of my USB Yamaha setup and am looking for something new...

How would they compare to something like a 5.1 set up that is available on the Applestore?

Also, would you happen to know if the MA-10A would work too as I have seen a new set for very, very cheap...

southtdi · Jun 19, 2004, 09:03 AM

Originally posted by smelias:
Ok, Apple finally updated the refurb PowerMac G5's and I got myself a dual 2Gz. Now, what do people recommend as far as upgrading? I think I will start with Crucial memory, then a second HD. After that I am stumped. What else should I put on my wish list?

Smelias, glad you finally got it ordered. What items can i think of. Many that were already mentioned (Crucial memory, ATI 9800 Pro Mac SE, Speakers that make use of the toslink output). One thing I added to mine was an Adaptec DuoConnnect card. I don't like to use USB huns too much and this gave me 3 extra USB 2.0 ports and 2 Firewire 400 ports. I made the Firewire ports powered (plug on the card) by tapping into the power on teh DVD/RW drive with a y-connector. Anyway, enjoy it!!

chrisutley · Jun 19, 2004, 02:43 PM

Upgrades for the sake of upgrading, just start under "A" at MacMall and work your way through to "Z".

Originally posted by smelias:
Ok, Apple finally updated the refurb PowerMac G5's and I got myself a dual 2Gz. Now, what do people recommend as far as upgrading? I think I will start with Crucial memory, then a second HD. After that I am stumped. What else should I put on my wish list?

smelias · Jun 20, 2004, 08:32 AM

I hate to sound ignorant, but am I to assume that the stock G5 comes with optical outputs? Also, I do have XM in my car and I love it so this kit sounds interesting. Add to that the new Aiport Express and you could technically link you home to that XM radio, no?

Originally posted by OzarkMtn:
Definetley get the Radeon 9800 PRO SE.

I would also get a good set of speakers that utilize the optical(toslink) output. I have always used basic computer speakers like Bose or my Apple PRO speakers.

I just bought a pair of Edirol MA-20D speakers to take advantage of the optical(Toslink) out on my Dual 2.0 GHz G5. These things are absolutely unbelievable in audio reproduction, considering that I was upgrading from the Apple PRO speakers.

http://www.edirol.com/products/info/ma20d.html

Using the optical out to drive the speakers eliminates any hum, buzz, or skipping that USB has a tendency to introduce into the sound stream.

I also use a XMPCR with optical(Toslink). If you are a fan of XM radio, you need to get one of these.

http://store.myradiostore.com/xmwitoopdiou.html

Enjoy the G5!!

smelias · Jun 20, 2004, 08:35 AM

Originally posted by southtdi:
Smelias, glad you finally got it ordered. What items can i think of. Many that were already mentioned (Crucial memory, ATI 9800 Pro Mac SE, Speakers that make use of the toslink output). One thing I added to mine was an Adaptec DuoConnnect card. I don't like to use USB huns too much and this gave me 3 extra USB 2.0 ports and 2 Firewire 400 ports. I made the Firewire ports powered (plug on the card) by tapping into the power on teh DVD/RW drive with a y-connector. Anyway, enjoy it!!

Thank's! I am very happy about my purchase. What you said sounds very useful, however, does the addition of power to the firewire ports require some technical skill or does the card come with all that is required to power it up?

smelias · Jun 20, 2004, 08:36 AM

Originally posted by chrisutley:
Upgrades for the sake of upgrading, just start under "A" at MacMall and work your way through to "Z".

I would, but whose got the time, or the money.

smelias · Jun 20, 2004, 08:40 AM

Originally posted by Secret__Police:
PB Ti/667
iMac/800 FP
Lombard/400
Wallstreet/250
PowerPC/75
PB 520c
Centris 610
Classic II
Newton 120
Apple IIe

I suggest a Garage sale

The only items I still have is the Newton and the PowerBook 520c. Would you believe that they still work! I actually installed OS 9 on the 520c. As far as the rest, I donated the the IIe to my high school and the rest I sold on ebay. I actually updated the list to include my 17" PB, which is now also being sold on ebay.

I think that the G5 is a keeper

Briareus · Jun 20, 2004, 10:50 AM

Yes, the G5s have optical audio in/out. I'm not using them just yet - my flat Monsoon speakers work fine through the analog port, and I'm running a MOTU 828mkII FireWire audio interface into Mackie HR824 powered monitors for audio recording.

Powering a FireWire card via a Y doesn't sound too tough. I believe one of the high end Radeon cards comes with a Y to tap into the power supply instead of the AGP bus (or in addition to - I don't have one). Anything that needs it should come with the Y in the box.

It looks like it might be possible to do the XM -> interface -> optical in on G5 thing, from the above link. It would at least be fun to try

johnnydr87 · Jun 20, 2004, 06:33 PM

Originally posted by OzarkMtn:
Definetley get the Radeon 9800 PRO SE.

I would also get a good set of speakers that utilize the optical(toslink) output. I have always used basic computer speakers like Bose or my Apple PRO speakers.

I just bought a pair of Edirol MA-20D speakers to take advantage of the optical(Toslink) out on my Dual 2.0 GHz G5. These things are absolutely unbelievable in audio reproduction, considering that I was upgrading from the Apple PRO speakers.

http://www.edirol.com/products/info/ma20d.html

Using the optical out to drive the speakers eliminates any hum, buzz, or skipping that USB has a tendency to introduce into the sound stream.

I also use a XMPCR with optical(Toslink). If you are a fan of XM radio, you need to get one of these.

http://store.myradiostore.com/xmwitoopdiou.html

Enjoy the G5!!

just wanted to say i'm from hot springs, AR.....

oh, and congrats on getting a refurbed dual 2 ghz!

Eriamjh · Jun 20, 2004, 08:46 PM

I'll tell ya what's next, FedEx will lose it.

http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.p...hreadid=217326

smelias · Jun 21, 2004, 10:09 AM

Originally posted by Eriamjh:
I'll tell ya what's next, FedEx will lose it.

http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.p...hreadid=217326

I am tracking it right now! It is in Sacramento CA. On a FedEx truck. Hopefully it is on it's way here