[iamnotmad]

Hello, I need some help determining which cpu upgrade to get.

I have a QS dual 800 right now.

1) Powerlogix dual 1.3 with 7457 procs
2) giga designs 1.2 (tested, designed and guaranteed to) run at 1.33 - 7455b procs

The giga designs sounds nice, it comes with it's own cooling - so I can sell my dual 800s for more, but uses the older (but directly compatable) 7455b's.

The powerlogix uses the newer 7457's that run native at 1.3, but requires a firmware update to be fully compatable. Also, the 7457's can be replaced on the card if new faster ones become available (just the cpu's not the whole card). Does not come with own cooling, would need to sell my dual 800's without heat sinks.

Honestly I'd prob go for the powerlogix if it were not for the firmware update requirement. What if apple updates the firmware on my machine, then powerlogix would have to make a new firmware update based on apples latest right?

So right now I am leaning toward the giga designs, for greater direct compatability, and adjustable clock, so I could attempt to overclock (even more than the standard 1.2-1.33), if I get so brave. Plus Giga encourages that, which I like.


L2 and L3 caches on both cards are the same. <edit> looks like the powerlogix might have 512 per proc and the giga has 256 per proc. not positive, as giga says per proc, powerlogix just says 512 (not specified per proc).


Any info to help me pick the right one is appreciated.

[iamnotmad]

Well, after reading some reviews at accerlate your mac on these two options, simply based on those - there is not contest. most of PL's are bad, all giga's are good. hmm...

leaning more toward giga.

[Lateralus]

I'd go for the Giga. Wait... I did!

I opted for the Giga over the PowerLogix because of four reasons:

1) Direct compatibility, as you said. No risky firmware update required.
2) Overclock ability, which is warrantied by Giga.
3) Price.
4) PowerLogix sucks.

I bought the 1.2GHz Dual upgrade, not feeling a need to spring for the 1.33 tested version since both it and the 1.2 use 1.25 rated G4s. I have been running mine at 1.4GHz since I got it with 100% CPU use 24/7 and have not had a single problem.

[Tyler McAdams]

I have a DP533 G4 Digital Audio that I'm upgrading to a PL Dual 7457 1.33... I just bought it yesterday and I'm waiting for it to be shipped... I picked this over giga designs bc the PL uses the 7457 which has lower power consumption and twice the L2 cache. What bad have you heard about power logix? I did not see anything thaty said there are issues with the upgrades at accelerate your mac...?

[iamnotmad]

Originally posted by Tyler McAdams:
<cropped> What bad have you heard about power logix? I did not see anything thaty said there are issues with the upgrades at accelerate your mac...?

Tyler, I did a search for "Apple G4 Dual CPU" and "Powerlogix G4". Looks like jusst about all but the first comment are negative.

Anyone else have any comments on these two products?

[Macola]

I stayed away from PowerLogix too, because of the negative comments. I have a GigaDesigns Dual 1.467 on order and will post back when it arrives.

[iamnotmad]

Originally posted by Macola:
I stayed away from PowerLogix too, because of the negative comments. I have a GigaDesigns Dual 1.467 on order and will post back when it arrives.

Hey Macola - that 1.467 I guess is for a 100mhz bus, ya? There's not a dual 1.467 for 133mhz bus right? Not that I could find!
Thanks!

[Lateralus]

All of GigaDesigns' higher-end upgrades are based off of the Motorola MPC74551250s, in other words, a 1250MHz rated and Motorola-verified @ 1250MHz G4. On paper, they should all have the same potential for overclocking, but they never do because high clock speed stability will depend on the yield.

GigaDesigns tests all 1250s at high clock speeds. A select few will run at 1.467GHz(133FSB) or 1.5GHz (100FSB). Those are reserved for the top of the line single processor upgrades that Giga offers.

The two high end duals that Giga offers now (the low end is based off of 1GHz 7455As), as far as I know, are not tested for high clock speeds. Which is why the overclock ability you get with a dual upgrade is something much more random. Not only does Giga not test the 1250s they use in the duals for high speeds, but in order to acheive a high overclock with a dual, both of the processors would have to be capable of the overclocked speed. And with Giga reserving pretty much all of their high overclockers for their single processor upgrades, duals don't overclock as well, which is why there are no 'guaranteed' 1.467 duals.

I am one of the lucky ones. I am solid at 1.40GHz (running at now). At 1.467 I can run for around 15 minutes @ 100% CPU use before the system goes down. I have written Giga and given them my prognosis of why 1.467 is so sensetive, which is that the chips are capable of 1.467, but they are not getting enough power. They agreed. I asked for the voltage settings, since I am almost positive that the jump to 1.7v from 1.6v would give me my overclock, and heat is not a concern since I have migrated to a PC case with excellent cooling, but they refused to hand over the voltage chart. So for now, I'll have to live without my 67MHz.

[Macola]

My mistake, it's guaranteed to run at 1.4 GHz, not 1.467. So, iamnotmad, you're right--the highest "guaranteed" speed for your QS would be the older 1.33 GHz dual.

[Tyler McAdams]

Originally posted by iamnotmad:
Tyler, I did a search for "Apple G4 Dual CPU" and "Powerlogix G4". Looks like jusst about all but the first comment are negative.

Anyone else have any comments on these two products?

As long as it's from motorola and co there's only so much they can screw up.... but I'll be sure to post once I've got it installed.

[desertfox]

i really have nothing to add productively ...sorry as i am new to the mac scene. However, if you are going to sell your dual 800s i would definately be interested in buying them.


dropping you a pm now

good luck in your choice
Dave