Should I just buy a video card with an ADC connection?
PowerMac, Mac OS X (10.4)
That might be cheaper than a DVI->ADC converter...
Power Mac G4: Display Compatibility...
That might be cheaper than a DVI->ADC converter...
Power Mac G4: Display Compatibility...
Should I just buy a video card with an ADC connection?
Only if your G4 is any other than the Yikes (PCI) or the AGP Sawtooth.
Neither the Yikes nor the Sawtooth are ADC capable.
Yes, I saw the adapters. They are in the $100.+ range. I'm pretty new to Macs. How can I tell if mine is a "Yikes (PCI) or AGP Sawtooth"?
The graphite color (blue-gray) case towers are the confusing ones.
The light gray (silver) Quicksilver and the Mirror Drive Door (MDD) are easy due to their distinctive cases.
The System Profiler can tell you what G4 it is.
CPU and bus speed are a couple of clues.
Use this article to ID the machine:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3082
If your machine is a Gigabit Ethernet or later, it can use an ADC equipped card.
TheMac Radeon 9000 Pro is the best, commonly available choice for any ADC G4.
It looks like my G4 is an AGP Graphics model. So, I guess I can't use an ADC video card with it. Bummer !!
Mark,
I think you're confused. If your Mac has a CPU speed or config. that is either a dual 500 MHz Mac or has a CPU speed greater than 500 MHz, your Mac should be able to take an AGP graphics card that uses Apple's ADC connector.
AGP refers to the type of Graphics processor card needed in a Mac. The term stands for Accelerated Graphics Processor.
The ADC connector that was extremely prevalent in later model PowerMac G4's and G5's refers to a connector type developed and used by Apple called Apple Display Connector. AGP cards for PowerMac G4's and G5's were of the 2x, 4X or 8X accelerated variety. Many of these Macs had connectors to graphics cards that had ADC connections or both ADC and DVI connections. Upgrade video cards from ATI or NVidia had both ADC and DVI connection ports.
Any PowerMac that had CPU speeds greater than 500 MHz, used AGP graphic slots and cards with ADC ports.
It would help us if we all knew what your G4 Mac type is. If you click on About this Mac, in the top Apple menu, this should tell you the CPU speed and memory in your Mac. If you click on the More Info button in the pop-up window, this should also tell you the type and speed of your graphics engine in the Mac.
Thanks for your additional help. Looking at "About this Mac", it looks like my model is a 400MHz PowerPC G4, with 1.5 GB SDRAM. Going to "More Info" > Graphics/Displays says ATY, Rage 128, AGP, slot A, 16MB. Since this is a 400MHz CPU, I take it that I can't add a card with an ADC connector. The display is in very nice condition. I see mention of a Mdl. A1097 adapter for this display. Would this enable me to use the monitor, with this or an alternate computer? Thanks again for all the help.
The DVI to ADC adapter will allow use of the monitor via DVI, BUT, not with the Rage 128 that shipped in a Sawtooth.
That graphics card doesn't support the 23" displays resolution.
To use the 23" monitor with the Sawtooth will require a different graphics card.
A Radeon 9700 or 9800 Pro the best graphics card upgrades for the Sawtooth.
Now, there are two possible 400 MHz machines. One, the Sawtooth, doesn't have ADC capability.
Another 400 MHz machine was the Gigabit Ethernet.
These machines DO support ADC and typically shipped with a Rage 128 Pro with ADC.
I really appreciate the help, but seem to be getting conflicting information. I imagine I am not understanding some of the terms well. I would welcome clarification. I was told:
1 )- I couldn't use an ADV card on a "Yikes (PCI) or the AGP Sawtooth" I am not quite sure if mine is a Sawtooth. Looking at the Apple doc. & comparing the photos to the back of my tower, I have a Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics) computer.
2) - I was told "If your machine is a Gigabit Ethernet, or later, it can use an ADC equipped card."
I took this to mean, my computer could not use a card with an ADC connection.
3) - Then I was told that I could use a card with an ADC connection, if my processor was 500GHZ or faster. Mine is 400GHz, so again, I took this to mean my computer couldn't be equiped with an ADC card.
4) - Most recently, I'm told, "there are two possible 400MHz machines....the Sawtooth, doesn't have ADC capability.....the Gigabit Ethernet......DO support ADC...".
I'm sure I am missing something, as I am not familiar with Macs yet. Does this info given me conflict? I appreciate the help very much. Buying a card equipped with an ADC connection, seems my least expensive route if my computer will use it. Thanks again.
Mark,
Simply, if your OEM Mac graphics card doesn't have an ADC connection and only DVI, then you have the model that came with card that has both VGA and DVI connections. NO ADC connection.
You will need to follow JapanMac's sage advice and locate one of the cards he recommended as well as purchase an ADC to DVI adapter.
The Adapter can be found at most Apple stores or Apple resellers.
The adapter is not that expensive.
The newer video upgrade card maybe harder and more expensive to find due to the age of your "new" Mac.
Good Luck!
Hi MichaelPM~
I appreciate your input, but I don't believe that you answered my questions.Yes I referred to that link already, as I mentioned. I already knew I didn't have an ADC connection, which I stated in my question. I have found folks that sell video cards pulled from G4s with ADC connections. I am still not clear which G4s will accept these cards. I've been given information that seems to conflict: must be 500MHz or greater vs. some 400MHz models are capable. I have identified my computer as best I can from the information given in the link. Is there a concise way to know this? Is there additional information that I can provide to help with that? Thanks again.
Hi Mark,
I didn't check your link on your original post. Sorry.
There is one other model that is a 400 MHz model that will accept cards with an ADC connection port.
That's the Gigabit Ethernet model.
You do not have this model Mac.
The table in the link we both have show you what video connections the and locations for those on the back panel.
Clearly, your PowerMac doesn't have an ADC connector for the card that is already installed.
So, you can conclude that you have the AGP sawtooth model that only uses VGA or DVI connection.
You can give me your PowerMac's model number to be sure.
It's located on the back panel somewhere near all of the connections.
That'll clinch, for sure, which model you do have.
You will have to purchase an ADC to DVI adapter when you decide which card to update to per JapanMac's suggestion.
The adapter doesn't affect video performance.
Just allows for a connection change at the computer.
This is about as straightforward as this gets.
The absence of an ADC connection port means you have a Mac with a VGA and/or DVI connection instead.
An adapter will be needed to use the 23 inch monitor you have with the card you have installed now or any future video card upgrade.
You need to use video cards that have both ADC and DVI connections (some Mac cards come with VGA, ADC and DVI connections) and you'll need to use the DVI connection using an ADC to DVI adapter.
Hi again & thanks for the continued conversation ~
I do wish this site allowed copy & paste, as this would help to speed up posts needed for clarification. I had already looked for a model #, but couldn't find anything that matches those listed on the linked page we've discussed.There is a VERY SMALL print that says "Family Number M5183". There is also a sticker that lists factory processor speed, ram, S.N. & Ethernet ID #., but no model number. The M5183 seems to come closest, but doesn't match the chart we have referenced.
To clarify, my video card has only a VGA connection. You state I'll "need to use cards that have both ADC and DVI connections" & then "use the DVI connection using an ADC to DVI adapter". Soooo.....I need to have a card that has both ADC & DVI connections, but can't use the ADC connection? And I must instead use the DVI connection to the adapter & plug the display in the adapter? Thanks for your patience with me figuring out what seems to be complicated variations.
Hello ~ I bought a G4 Hello ~ I bought a G4 Power Mac & had used it with a standard monitor. Somebody gave me a M8536 23" Cinema Display. I think they should be compatible. My G4 seems to be missing what I think is called an ADC connection.
