Quicksilver 733 - Upgrade the CPU or Video Card first

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Level 1

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Quicksilver 733 - Upgrade the CPU or Video Card first

I wanted to ask all of you who are die hard Powermac G4 users. I am just about to complete my Quicksilver project. I have everything installed: Dual Layer DVD Burner, Lacie eSata card, 320GB Sata Hard Drive, 768MB Ram, USB 2.0 card and Wireless card (seen as an Airport Extreme Card). I can't decide to either get a 933 CPU (I might go with the dual 800 as well) on Ebay OR get a Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB Card. What are your thoughts? What should I get?

PowerMac G4 Quicksilver 2001 733, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Sep 2, 2010 7:29 AM

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Answer 1

japamac

Level 7

24,400 points

Sep 2, 2010 8:15 AM in response to Rogue Coder

Hi-

The 933 MHz processor is like night and day as compared to the 733 OR the dual 800.
Definitely get a 933, especially if the price is right. Even better, is a dual 1.0 GHz...
BEWARE of overclocked 733 cards claiming to be 933, but having no L3 cache.

Whether you think that you do or not, you need a better graphics card to really round out performance.
The Radeon 9800 Pro is fine, but you can use a flashed radeon 9800 XT or, even better, a flashed Geforce 6800 GT in the QS.
Of all the cards that I have used, the Geforce 6800 GT stands out as the best performance value available.

Here are a few test scores in a QS, starting with Page 1 of 7:
http://www.jcsenterprises.com/Japamacs_Page/Page%201%3A%20OpenGL%20.html

Get an idea of processor performance:
http://www.jcsenterprises.com/JapamacsPage/SystemBenchmarks.html

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Answer 2

Rogue Coder Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 2, 2010 8:29 AM in response to japamac

Japamac, your reputation serves you well! I have visited your website several times for information. I trust your judgement and will get the 933. I can get one for less than $50. Because I have $60 left in my budget ATM, I will have to wait to get the graphics card, unless I have enough left over to get a PC card and flash it.

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Answer 3

japamac

Level 7

24,400 points

Sep 2, 2010 8:38 AM in response to Rogue Coder

The 933 will bring new spark to your machine. 🙂
Save your pennies, and watch eBay for upgrade graphics card deals.

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Answer 4

Rogue Coder Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 2, 2010 9:10 AM in response to japamac

Well I just bought a 933 with the 2MB L3 Cache from Ebay. I'm left with $20. thanks again Japamac! 🙂

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Answer 5

Rogue Coder Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 2, 2010 9:10 AM in response to Rogue Coder

I guess I'll be saving my pennies up for a graphics card. That's okay.

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Answer 6

Bghost

Level 1

25 points

Sep 3, 2010 7:56 PM in response to Rogue Coder

Hi, i have an upgraded 733 G4 too.I think you better max out the ram if you're running leopard.
I have the radeon 9800 pro 128 mac edition video card.All the cards japamac recommended support core image,which is what you need for leopard.

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Answer 7

Rogue Coder Author

Level 1

0 points

Sep 4, 2010 5:50 PM in response to Bghost

I'll max out the RAM when I sell another website. I just ordered a Radeon 9600 Pro. I could not afford a 9700 or 9800. I found a cheap 9600 that I plan on flashing with a Mac ROM. As of now I have spent all of my "mad" money. 🙂

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