Monitor choices G4 tower

Hi, it all depends which graphic card you have, which 867 is it?

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/powermacg4/stats/powermac_g4_867qs.html

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/powermacg4/stats/powermac_g4_867_dpmdd.html

Or better yet, if you can...

At the Apple Icon at top left>About this Mac.

Then click on More Info>Hardware and report this upto *but not including the Serial#*...

Hardware Overview:

Machine Name: Power Mac G5 Quad
Machine Model: PowerMac11,2
CPU Type: PowerPC G5 (1.1)
Number Of CPUs: 4
CPU Speed: 2.5 GHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 1 MB
Memory: 10 GB
Bus Speed: 1.25 GHz
Boot ROM Version: 5.2.7f1

At the Apple Icon at top left>About this Mac.

Then click on More Info>Hardware>Graphics/Displays and report like this...

NVIDIA GeForce 7800GT:

Chipset Model: GeForce 7800GT
Type: Display
Bus: PCI
Slot: SLOT-1
VRAM (Total): 256 MB
Vendor: nVIDIA (0x10de)
Device ID: 0x0092
Revision ID: 0x00a1
ROM Revision: 2152.2
Displays:
VGA Display:
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 @ 60 Hz
Depth: 32-bit Color
Core Image: Supported
Main Display: Yes
Mirror: Off
Online: Yes
Quartz Extreme: Supported

Hi-

A typical OEM graphics card will only support up to 1920 x 1200 native resolution, so a 30" is out of the question.
A 24" may work, but this is dependent on the graphics card.

As well, the OEM cards are either ADC and VGA or ADC and DVI.
If the former, an ADC to DVI adapter will be needed to connect a DVI monitor:
http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-F2E9142-WHT-Apple-Monitor-Adapter/dp/B000067RLH

An upgraded graphics card will make monitor support easier.
A Radeon 9800 Pro or XT will support any monitor up to 24".
For a 30", a flashed Geforce 7800 GS or a flashed Radeon X800XT (FireGL) will provide a dual link DVI port necessary for a 30" monitor.

Mac graphics cards are easy to find on eBay.
Any card must be stated as Mac compatible.
Card upgrade possibilities are listed here:
http://www.jcsenterprises.com/Japamacs_Page/Blog/4B4B7BA2-7ABB-47F1-87AC-B03D379 42BEE.html

I have an NVIDIA GeForce3 card in my G4 (DA), which has 64MB VRAM. Apparently it is being pushed to its limit with a 21.3" 4:3 aspect LCD monitor when I run it at its native resolution of 1600 x 1200.

I say it's apparently at its limit because there are two choices offered for that resolution: one is 1600 x 1200, 60Hz; the other is 1600 x 1200, 60.0Hz. It will work on the 60.0Hz choice, but not on the 60Hz choice. No larger chices are shown.

I mention this because your GeForce2 card is less powerful.

so will my G4 work with the 24" at full resolution, but not the 27"?

Most likely, Yes.

could i set the G4 resolution to something below max on the 27" and it would work?

No guarantees.

Even for the 1920x1200 resolution, the Geforce2 MX requires a firmware update.
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL604
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL663
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=120038

The Geforce firmware is not very versatile when it comes to other resolutions, and 32MB VRAM also hurts your chances to run a larger screen.
The larger the screen, the more VRAM that is needed.
Available resolutions (with updated firmware):
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25232

A replacement card very seldom needs drivers and such, so it is pretty much plug and play.

Hi, D.T. Milton -

i'm not sure if my QS is a 4x AGP?

Yes, it is a 4x slot.

Hi-

A flashed (NOT OEM) Geforce 7800 GS, Radeon X800XT, Geforce 6800 GT or Ultra, Radeon 9800 XT etc., may all be used in a 4x AGP machine by simply taping the #3 and #11 pins of the connector.
The majority of the G4/G5 compatible cards on eBay are exactly as I just described.
http://themacelite.wikidot.com/pins-3-and-11

For any monitor of 1920 x 1200 or 1920 x 1080 native resolution, any of the mentioned cards, along with the Radeon 9800 Pro, will work.

For resolutions higher than that, a dual link DVI port is needed, with the Geforce 7800 GS and the Radeon FireGL X800XT being the most common.

http://www.jcsenterprises.com/Japamacs_Page/Blog/4B4B7BA2-7ABB-47F1-87AC-B03D379 42BEE.html

does this mean that the mac cards are already flashed?

Yes.
Those that are flashed and only state G5 compatibility just haven't had the pins altered.
Anyone can cut strips of tape and put on the connectors, but some just don't want to do it.

Other sellers cut the traces, which forever relegates the card to G4 use.

When buying from eBay sellers, always confirm the method of pin alteration.
Tape, with a dab of glue is the best, as it is plenty durable, but allows a card to be used in G4 and G5 machines.
Trace cutting may or may not be reversible, and I find this method to be unnecessarily intrusive to circuitry.