[iBook]

I am looking to put together a cheap G3 system and have been tinkering around with the following:

PowerMac 7300/200/64 (already have it)
17" NEC monitor (already have it)
Sonnet Tempo IDE controller PCI ($100)
Maxtor 30GB 7200RPM (already have it)
3DFX Voodoo3 3000 flashed Mac ($100)
Sonnet G3 400/512MB upgrade ($190)
Apple DVD-Rom drive (already have it)
PCI USB controller ($30)
64MB Dimm ($80)
Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer (have it)
Apple Pro Keyboard (have it)

Upgrading this 7300 would cost about $500 to be a decent system. So what I am wondering, would it be better to just buy a b/w G3 400 on eBay for about $900, or a G3 beige and upgrade, or would this be just about as good? Also I am not really wanting to do the Voodoo3, but it is the cheapest PCI card I could find; does anyone know where and how much I could get a cheaper, but comperable card?

Also, it will work, won't it? It has 3 PCI, and the CPU slot, but will the Apple DVD out of my G4 (replaced with a CD-RW) work?

Any input would be appreciated.

[COmie JOe]

Well I doubt that the DVD will do playback, because of the PCI data constraighants.

[davidflas]

If I was you I'd go with a rev.2 or higher B&W machine. That way you'll have onboard firewire,usb, and a faster bus speed which will make everything faster. You'll also have better stability and be able to use the power key on 3rd party usb keyboards. You'll also be able to use standard pc100 ram which is cheaper than the ram used by the 7300, OSX certification too, if that matters to you. Beware the latest firmware update though! That's just my $.02USD,hope that helps.

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"life is pain, Highness, anyone who tells you different is selling something."--The Man in Black from The Princess Bride



[This message has been edited by davidflas (edited 03-28-2001).]