G5 (Model M9032LL/A) AGP 8x Best Card Upgrade?

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Level 1

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G5 (Model M9032LL/A) AGP 8x Best Card Upgrade?

Hi Everyone. I have been searching the net for this information but i have come across some confusing things...

My Mac G5 that i just aquired has an ATI Radeon 9600 Pro (64 Meg) AGP. Its showing its age and i want to get something better.

I have gone on ebay and looked at the x800, x850, and 7800 GS but all of them are SO expensive compared to their PC Counterparts and i really dont want to go about the "Flashing" Route, as i have the 23" Cinema Display w/ the ADP Port and i would like to keep it that way if i can...

Now I have come across some newer cards but can find no information on them...

The Radeon 2300 HD AGP.. Will it work? What about the X1950 AGP?

I cant envision myself spending $250 plus for a card that is SO old... My Win Vista machine has 2x GeForce 280 GTX SLI, and those were $799 a peice when i got them (Luckily I didnt have to pay for them, benefits of work)...

I appreciate all responses and help.

Thank you.

PowerMac G5 2.0, Mac OS X (10.5.7), 8 Gig Ram, 500 Gig HDD

Posted on Jun 27, 2009 11:47 PM

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Answer 1

japamac

Level 7

24,400 points

Jun 28, 2009 12:12 AM in response to SuBDivisions

Hi-

Welcome to Discussions!

Sorry, but I have to give you the harsh realities of Mac graphics.....

OK, first, you'll have to get over the PC vs Mac price differential.
No one currently makes any new AGP cards that are PPC Mac compatible, and used OEM cards or flashed PC cards are all there is.

Because of this, it is a sellers market. Always has been, though, for Mac graphics cards.......

I don't like it, no one else does, but it is what it is...... 😟

If you want ADC, you are stuck with finding an OEM Mac 9800 (Pro, XT, SE) or OEM Mac X800XT (X850XT are rare as Dodo eggs) to get performance beyond the 9600 that you have.
You will need to search eBay and online Mac specialty stores, with eBay having the best potential for a "reasonable" price.

If you can see your way to a DVI to ADC adapter, don't fool around, just get a flashed Geforce 7800 GS.
That is the top option for performance in an AGP Mac.

Otherwise, the Radeon X800XT or Geforce 6800 Ultra are the best OEM cards

Radeon 2300 HD, X1950, etc, are not available for AGP PPC Macs.

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Answer 2

SuBDivisions Author

Level 1

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Jun 28, 2009 12:17 AM in response to japamac

Thanks for the information. I am pretty aware of the price differential (especially for outdated hardware)..

I do have the DVI to ADC Converter, it came with the monitor when i bought the mac last week.. At least it looks like the correct one (Its a molex adapter, F DVI to M ADC).. It also came with a DVI to VGA Adapter.

I guess i will save some $ and pony up for one of the GeForce Cards... This machine is very nice, speedy too and im enjoying learning the Mac, so i'll do what need be until i can get a Core 2 Mac down the road.

Thank you so much.

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Answer 3

japamac

Level 7

24,400 points

Jun 28, 2009 12:24 AM in response to SuBDivisions

For DVI to ADC, you need This one.
What you have is probably an ADC to DVI adapter.
The Belkin is made by Molex.

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Answer 4

juansava

Level 1

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Jul 17, 2009 4:40 PM in response to japamac

Help Please!

I woke up this morning and My Powermac G5 dual 2.0 (june 2004) was with the fan very fast and loud, I turn it of and then on , but I never got video back, it does turn on and I hear the hard drive and regular activity going on , I also can put volume up and down and I hear the regular sound , I just cant see anything , change monitors but nothinh, I went to best buy trying to get a AGP card for this , I got a Radeon 2400 HD Pro........ but nothing ( its for PCs) I run a pretty complex Audio Rig with protools HD and upgrade to a mac pro will comst me an arm an a leg, I am assumimg that the video card is broken and I am looking for a replacemnet but have not have any luck, I did all , restard PM , change rams , etc etc, but nothing so far , Help?? Thanks

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Answer 5

Jul 20, 2009 1:07 AM in response to juansava

I have G5 dual 2GHz bought June 2004, M9455LL/A with Radeon 9600XT. My symptoms were same as yours. Computer working but no video on either of two monitors. System Profiler did not recognize the card. Today, I removed, cleaned dust off video card and location, cleaned contacts with alcohol, reseated the card and it is working perfectly so far.

You might try that before buying a new card. Ground yourself before handling.

Good luck.

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Answer 6

juansava

Level 1

0 points

Jul 21, 2009 7:59 AM in response to Dick Chanslor

Hi tahnks for your answer,

How did you get to see the system profiler with no video thanks.

Juan

Pd , I did take it out and clean with air , but I ll try again!

Thanks

Juan

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Answer 7

Jul 21, 2009 11:57 AM in response to juansava

How did you get to see the system profiler with no video thanks.

I was set up for Screen Sharing, and was able to run from another computer on my home network to check system profiler. I was also able to see all my files via the network, so I knew that the computer was working except for the video output.

Pd , I did take it out and clean with air , but I ll try again!

I also cleaned the contacts with alcohol before reinstalling, but maybe I was just lucky. While checking out the problem, I did find several possible replacements on eBay, some at reasonable prices, at this link (searching under G5, AGP):

http://computers.shop.ebay.com/items/Graphics-Video-TV-Cards?_catref=1&_fln=1&_sacat=25449&trksid=p3286.c0.m282

Good luck.

Dick

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