Powermac G4(AGP graphics) max video upgrade

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Level 1

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Powermac G4(AGP graphics) max video upgrade

i just recently got my hands on a powermac g4 agp with a 450mhz processor im new to this upgrading i got this machine so i can learn. the machine came with a dvi out and vga, im trying to run this through my 1180p 40" hd tv with dvi to hdmi. my question is what are my upgradeability options through agp and pci thanks

imac G5 17" 1.8Ghz 2Gb ram, Mac OS X (10.4.11), Powermac G4 450Mhz 2Gb ram

Posted on Oct 12, 2008 3:05 PM

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Answer 1

motsteve

Level 2

225 points

Oct 12, 2008 5:30 PM in response to Leverty

You have a really nice machine and don't let people tell you otherwise. Age of the box is not that important. The first thing I would ask is why you are using a 40 inch tv? Would it be acceptable, say, to have a separate monitor for the Mac as I would imagine you are using the tv as a family tv/entertainment centre. The Apple PPC tower computers are top notch even by today's standards and can easily be upgraded to suit almost all your needs. The real question is: what is your need and your desire?

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Answer 2

Oct 12, 2008 5:59 PM in response to Leverty

The most powerful AGP video card that will work in an AGP Graphics G4 is a Radeon 9800 Pro Mac Edition. Its maximum resolution for TV out is 1024x768 via the S-Video port. Your Mac has one AGP slot, so it would replace your current AGP card.

The Radeon 9200 PCI Mac Edition also offers 1024x768 via S-video, and could be added in an empty PCI slot, leaving your current AGP card in place.

I'm not sure how TV-out performance differs between the two cards.

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Answer 3

Leverty Author

Level 1

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Oct 12, 2008 6:24 PM in response to motsteve

i like it alot it is my first venture into the powermac category and i will be using it at a storage/tinkering machine i would very much like to upgrade the processor it already came with 2gb pc133 ram, i upgraded to tiger i would like to run a sata HD is there a sata pci card offered. with the processor for around $150 i can boost the speed to 1.8ghz. i want to run it on my tv because its easier at the moment, right now its running on the 17" crt studio display with i do want to sell its in great condition also... thanks for the answers..

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Answer 4

motsteve

Level 2

225 points

Oct 12, 2008 6:54 PM in response to Leverty

Please slow down your keyboard a little. I'm almost 60 and addled.

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Answer 5

motsteve

Level 2

225 points

Oct 12, 2008 7:12 PM in response to Dave Hamilton

I know that everyone is eager to go, but let's take care of first things first. RAM and HD should be the first to assault. Max Ram. At least 250G Byte HD. For CPU it's from Japamac, et al. recommendations. Let the graphics slide out to the end of the priority list. After all, what good does it do, until you are firing more than blanks?

I am positive that Dave's selection of the 9800 will be on top of those lists. Just don't forget your monitor requirements.

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Answer 6

Leverty Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 13, 2008 1:55 AM in response to motsteve

so the ram is maxed at 2Gb's now on to the HD i read this machine can only support a 120Gb HD can i run a pci SATA card or do i have to run 2 HD's i really dont want to mess with two, im really not sure what the interface for the HD is now, do you know? thanks for all the help its appreciated..

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Answer 7

japamac

Level 7

24,400 points

Oct 13, 2008 2:33 AM in response to Leverty

Hi-

Hard drive interface is ATA.
The onboard controller supports drives up to 137GB (128GB formatted).

To use larger drives, a PCI controller, such as the Acard 6280, is needed.

A software option, using the Intech HiCap Driver and special formatting, also allows use of larger drives.

Use of SATA PCI controllers allows use of any size SATA drive, as supported by the PCI card.

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