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techster82 · Apr 7, 2006, 04:02 PM

I recently purchased a dual 2.0ghz Powermac that needs the logic board replaced. I have been looking around online and prices range from $450 for repair to $900 for replacement. Has anybody been through this? What did you find, and what should I do. I am trying to keep the price as low as humanly possible. Its hard for me because I am used to replacing PC motherboards that are actually affordable and readily available.

jamil5454 · Apr 8, 2006, 09:49 AM

The only place one can get a G5 logic board is from Apple, so Apple sets the prices on those. Since Apple also wants you to take it to them (and pay a premium) to fix it, you're not going to find low prices with hardly anyone else.

Depending on how much I needed the expandability and PPC compatibility of a PowerMac G5, I would most likely sell it like it is on eBay and get a 17" or 20" iMac Core Duo. You shouldn't have to pay much more for the iMac than if you used the money to repair the PowerMac.

P · Apr 9, 2006, 07:38 AM

It's cheaper to have the Mac repaired by someone who can actually order a replacement board from Apple. Apple charges less for the replacement if you return the broken board, you see - they don't want a black market in upgrades.

techster82 · Apr 9, 2006, 11:51 AM

Yeah, I have been seeing a much cheaper price if I have the board "repaired". It just makes me mad that Apple charges this much for a simple motherboard. Times like this make me really miss the world of DIY PC's.

roody · 01:17 PM

You should be aware, also , that Apple makes multiple logicc boards and processor combinations even within a particular model range. This means that you could easily order, for example, a "Rev A Dual 2.0GHz logic board" and find it incompatible with your "Rev A Dual 2.0GHz processors".

The only way to ensure compatibility is to order the logic board from the machine serial number. There are one or two places I have found who can do this but their prices are not any better than those you already have.

Think about the repair again. Providing you get a decent warranty on the repair, you will save money and you will also avoid any compatibility issues.

Don't forget that you will need the "Apple Service Diagnostic" disk for your model too. This disk must be run any time you remove/replace a logic board or processors on a PowermacG5. It is the only way to reset your fan/cooling system otherwise your computer will only run in full fan/half power mode. This disk, naturally, was only available to Apple Certified Professionals.

krillbee · Apr 10, 2006, 01:18 AM

dang, i didnt know replacing a motherboard on a powermac was this expensive and this complicated!

It kind of scares me now. how could they charge $450 for repair?? Thats highway robbery!!

techster82 · Apr 10, 2006, 07:33 PM

Apple's secret company motto is "screw our customer's out of every last cent."

krillbee · Apr 11, 2006, 12:10 AM

Originally Posted by techster82

Apple's secret company motto is "screw our customer's out of every last cent."

lol. yeah no kidding. PC motherboards arent anywhere NEAR that expensive.

Todd Madson · Apr 11, 2006, 01:20 PM

Maybe a more accurate question would be:

"Why did you buy a Powermac with a bad logic board" in the first place?

It's common knowledge on these boards that the G5 motherboards/parts are
very, very expensive (Apple trying to get reimbursed for all of that R&D that
IBM charged them for when they created the system).

Even if you were charged less than the original system price by the time the
repairs are done you'll be close to paying full retail.

krillbee · Apr 11, 2006, 11:03 PM

Originally Posted by Todd Madson

Maybe a more accurate question would be:

"Why did you buy a Powermac with a bad logic board" in the first place?

It's common knowledge on these boards that the G5 motherboards/parts are
very, very expensive (Apple trying to get reimbursed for all of that R&D that
IBM charged them for when they created the system).

Even if you were charged less than the original system price by the time the
repairs are done you'll be close to paying full retail.

they probably didnt do their research and realize how much the board would cost.

techster82 · Apr 12, 2006, 10:52 AM

Well to answer both of your questions, I did plenty of research before the item was purchased, and was well aware of how much they cost. Personally, it is my money so I will buy whatever I want with it. It is also common knowledge that Apple charges ridiculous prices for their non-premium hardware. If the company gave two sh""s about its customers it wouldn't do this. What is ridiculous is that I can get a PC motherboard for under $100 in most cases, but I guess Apple has to charge more because it is a "Logic" board.

Tuoder · Apr 12, 2006, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by techster82

Well to answer both of your questions, I did plenty of research before the item was purchased, and was well aware of how much they cost. Personally, it is my money so I will buy whatever I want with it. It is also common knowledge that Apple charges ridiculous prices for their non-premium hardware. If the company gave two sh""s about its customers it wouldn't do this. What is ridiculous is that I can get a PC motherboard for under $100 in most cases, but I guess Apple has to charge more because it is a "Logic" board.

Well, would you buy an illogical board?

svtcontour · Apr 14, 2006, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by techster82

Well to answer both of your questions, I did plenty of research before the item was purchased, and was well aware of how much they cost. Personally, it is my money so I will buy whatever I want with it. It is also common knowledge that Apple charges ridiculous prices for their non-premium hardware. If the company gave two sh""s about its customers it wouldn't do this. What is ridiculous is that I can get a PC motherboard for under $100 in most cases, but I guess Apple has to charge more because it is a "Logic" board.

Sounds to me like you didnt know how much it costs to replace the board (even though you say you do) and thats why you're upset because of the sticker shock. If you knew you'd have to spend 4-5x the price of a pc mainboard, I dont think you would have bothered to purchase the broken mac.

arocohunter · Jun 7, 2007, 09:29 AM

I know this is much later but thought I would post anyway. Depending what you paid for the Broken G5 will determine if replacing the logic board is a good investment. I also purchased a G5 with a bad logic board but also did my research before buying it. In my case even with the cost of repair I will have saved anywhere from 200 to 800 bucks on a refurbished or used G5. I agree that the cost of a logic board from apple is just plain stealing but with that said the Powermac G5 will still make the PC look and act like a turtle.

arocohunter