Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

User profile for user: Steve Kerr
Steve Kerr Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

Upgrading Cube G4 video card for use with Apple Display moniter

Hi,

I have a Mac G4 Cube.

I plan on attaching an Apple Display moniter to the Cube via a Belkin ADC to DVI Apple Monitor Adapter

I need to upgrade the Cube's video card.

Which would be the BETTER of the two standard Cube video card upgrades to use with an Apple Display moniter:

•ATI Radeon 7500 Mac Edition, Dual Monitor, ADC & BNGA 661-2581 ... with Bracket for Cube


•nVidia MX II 64MB Twin View for Mac G4/Cube ... to be used with a Spirica Cube bracket, Heatsink & Fan

I have heard ... of more advanced Radeon Video Cards (ATI 9000, 9200, 9800, etc.) ... which have been altered or 'flashed' ... to work with a Mac G4 Cube:

What is your advice on the advantages ... or disadvantages ... of using a 'flashed' video card on a Mac G4 Cube to run an Apple Display moniter?

What are the pros and cons of using 'flashed' video cards? The HONEST TRUTH!

Thanks for ANY help which ANYBODY can give me!

Steve

Mac G4 Cube, Mac OS 9.2.x

Posted on Sep 29, 2008 11:25 AM

Reply
3 replies
Sort By: 
User profile for user: Steve Kerr
Steve Kerr Author
User level: Level 1
0 points

Sep 29, 2008 12:49 PM in response to Steve Kerr

Having reviewed some of the earlier relevant 'posts' ... I am adding this addendum:

¿Would a 'flashed' ATI’s Radeon™ 9600 PRO PC & Mac® Edition ... be a feasible video card upgrade to use with a Mac G4 Cube?

If not, what other type of video card upgrade would be feasible for a Cube to run an Apple Cinema Display monitor?

In this connection, ... to what Mac Operating System ... should I upgrade my Cube for the Apple Cinema Display monitor? 'Tiger'? 'Leopard'?

I am more than ... just a bit 'at sea' ... about attempting to connect my Mac G4 Cube with an Apple Cinema Display monitor!

Thanks for your patience,

Steve
Reply
User profile for user: WinstonE
WinstonE
User level: Level 2
285 points

Oct 5, 2008 8:18 PM in response to Steve Kerr

We upgraded our Cube to this in January 2007:

XFX PVT44AWANG GeForce 6200 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 AGP 8X Video Card - Retail

The card was flashed to use in a Mac for us by by nvflash. See here (you have to join the forum to see the discussion):

http://strangedogs.proboards40.com/index.cgi?board=sale&action=display&thread=11 61084173&page=1

You might want to send a message to nvflash to ask if he has a more recent recommendation. You also might want to look on the Cube specific sites like cubeowner.com, or on xlr8yourmac.com.

Our card came from Newegg, which no longer has them. However a Google search for "XFX PVT44AWANG" found it several places. The card's ports do not fit the holes in the base of the Cube perfectly, but well enough to work OK. Video performance is great. It's a DVI card, not ADC.

FYI, we also put in a 1.8 GHz Powerlogix processor from OWC. (They have slightly different models now.)
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/accelerators/PowerLogix/PowerForce-G4-Cube/

Our Cube runs OS 10.5 well. Don't forget to bump the memory to at least 1 GB. The Cube can use up to three 512 MB memory cards. MCE carries a nice DVD writer upgrade which I have not yet gotten.

Good luck.

- Winston
Reply
User profile for user: WinstonE
WinstonE
User level: Level 2
285 points

Oct 5, 2008 9:24 PM in response to WinstonE

Note: According to this the 6200 video card needs at least OS 10.4.3, and won't work in OS 9 (but Classic under 10.4 still works).
http://www.cubeowner.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=13455

Also note that you will likely need to add a cooling fan if you use a card like this. The CPU upgrades likely come with a fan (there is a place to mount it built into the Cube), but you'd probably want to add one if you upgrade to a fast video card. Also at cubeowner.com is a discussion on adding a fan to a video card:
http://www.cubeowner.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=12617
Reply

Upgrading Cube G4 video card for use with Apple Display moniter

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up