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ambush · May 30, 2002, 07:09 PM

Is there an EASY way to overclock my old and pitiful-on-osx-dont-even-think-of-quartz-extreme 400 G4 sawtooth????
I havent found anything after hours of searching....

thanks

climber · May 31, 2002, 12:43 AM

The short answer is no. At least not "easy"

It can be done, but it is not as straigtforward as it is on some computers. If you check this site, it will give you the details: <a href="http://www.xlr8yourmac.com" target="_blank">www.xlr8yourmac.com</a>

ambush · May 31, 2002, 02:43 PM

do you have a direct link???

climber · May 31, 2002, 04:26 PM

Yes

<a href="http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/G4ZONE/sawtooth/SawtoothCPUdesign.html" target="_blank">XLR8</a>

The problem with overclocking your board is instead of changing some software settings or some jumpers, It requires delicate soldering of very very tiny resisters directly on the board.

You can also search the forums at XLR8yourmac for sawtooth and find dozens of threads that explain it further. But before wasting any more time first keep in mind, one mistake with the soldering iron and you could toast it all.!

SirCastor · Jun 1, 2002, 11:39 AM

My solution for running Quartz Extreme has been turning toward <a href="http://forums.macnn.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=12;t=005422" target="_blank">this</a> thread.

Since QE is based off of your Video Card I figure I'll be in good shape with an 8500, Of course I don't get the full power of it because of my slower AGP 2x slot, but the Gamble apparently has really good odds (I actually haven't heard anyone fail at it as long as they have the right board)

Who knows how it'll turn out, but $150 is a better gamble than your entire computer..

climber · Jun 1, 2002, 01:36 PM

There is an easy way to upgrade a Sawtooth. But not by overclocking it.

<a href="http://www.xlr8.com" target="_blank">www.xlr8.com</a> has a trade up program for this computer. for $300 U.S. you can trade in a 400 for a 550mhz.

x user · Jun 1, 2002, 06:45 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by climber:
There is an easy way to upgrade a Sawtooth. But not by overclocking it.

<a href="http://www.xlr8.com" target="_blank">www.xlr8.com</a> has a trade up program for this computer. for $300 U.S. you can trade in a 400 for a 550mhz.<hr /></blockquote>I wonder if that would work in a Cube?

tr · Jun 1, 2002, 07:52 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by SirCastor:
My solution for running Quartz Extreme has been turning toward <a href="http://forums.macnn.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=12;t=005422" target="_blank">this</a> thread.

Since QE is based off of your Video Card I figure I'll be in good shape with an 8500, Of course I don't get the full power of it because of my slower AGP 2x slot, but the Gamble apparently has really good odds (I actually haven't heard anyone fail at it as long as they have the right board)

Who knows how it'll turn out, but $150 is a better gamble than your entire computer..<hr /></blockquote>as one of the few who actually flashed a PC 8500, i can say with confidence that the 8500, even in a 2x AGP machine (sawtooth 450) like mine, is well worth it. i've heard a lot of people saying that putting the 8500 in a 2x AGP was overkill, and that i wouldn't get much out of it. but for $140 i paid for it, i'm pretty happy. just playing the WolfMP demo, i can put it on the highest settings, and the card doesn't flinch. simply amazing, and a big improvement over my old 16MB Rage.

as for the xlr8 upgrade, i still think $300 is kinda steep, especially if you have a 400 or 450 mHz like i do. will i see much benefit from 100 mHz? until someone comes out with some decent upgrades for older G4's (and some better dual-upgrades, especially for us UNI-N 3 owners

) , i'd say a good upgrade for a G4 is to max out RAM and get a video card upgrade.

tr

[ 06-01-2002, 08:53 PM: Message edited by: tr ]

ambush · Jun 1, 2002, 09:45 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr /> as one of the few who actually flashed a PC 8500, i can say with confidence that the 8500, even in a 2x AGP machine (sawtooth 450) like mine, is well worth it. i've heard a lot of people saying that putting the 8500 in a 2x AGP was overkill, and that i wouldn't get much out of it. but for $140 i paid for it, i'm pretty happy. just playing the WolfMP demo, i can put it on the highest settings, and the card doesn't flinch. simply amazing, and a big improvement over my old 16MB Rage.
<hr /></blockquote>How do I flash it ?& What do I have to buy ? im interested because I was looking to buy a new imac with the cash I have and now.. after readgin your post . well.. I'm not sure.....

ambush · Jun 1, 2002, 09:50 PM

Actually I was soooo frustrated about the fact That I could not play Wolf ( no SP no MP ) on this machine i had paid 3000 bucks.

It ****es me me off litteraly
I WANT to play wolf.
Even on the lowest I can't

Todd Madson · Jun 2, 2002, 02:24 AM

There is a discussion thread on making an 8500 sit up and jump in the G4.

It's actually really easy, I did this today....

<a href="http://forums.macnn.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=12;t=005422;p=1" target="_blank">http://forums.macnn.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=12;t=005422;p=1</a>

I'm considering going from the 400 to 550 - it's a big enough jump to make it worthwhile.
It's $299. I wish it was a faster G4 chip but I'll take what I can get as far as speed increases
go. I'd rather have a faster bus (I'm at 100 mhz now, rather have 133).

My wife's getting a newer machine before I do so the 8500 I just installed plus the CPU
speed increase should help largely.

Evinyatar · Jun 2, 2002, 08:06 AM

For a good guide on how to overclock the Sawtooth go <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20011031083756/http://webusers.warwick.net/~u1034376/web/" target="_blank">here</a> (the link goes through archive.org as the original page vanished).
To upgrade your 400 to a 500 you'd just have to cut one resistor. You don't even have to use solder if you don't mind making this move irreversible.

x user · Jun 2, 2002, 10:26 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by ambush:
Actually I was soooo frustrated about the fact That I could not play Wolf ( no SP no MP ) on this machine i had paid 3000 bucks.

It ****es me me off litteraly
I WANT to play wolf.
Even on the lowest I can't<hr /></blockquote>Oh come on sir, I played wolf on my iBOOK 500. You i'm sure could manage on your G4.

ambush · Jun 2, 2002, 01:01 PM

it does not WORK.
No wolf.
Slow as hell man.. nothing to do.

dr.george · Jun 2, 2002, 01:59 PM

hi , i overclocked my sawtooth from 400 to 450 , tried 500 but it wont work good .. i have all the info necesary ...
mail me.

g3org3@mac.com

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

climber · Jun 2, 2002, 05:30 PM

The advantage to the upgrade is you WILL reach 550mhz. As others have found out the best a 400 will OC is 450, 500 requires a lot of luck and good cooling. You would also have to probably change the voltages.

You will never get a 400 to OC TO 550 and remain stable. Remember Motorolla cound not even do it back then.