uupgrade my G4 or buy a G5?

WELL....A G5 would perform better and faster on digital photo programs...but that would be a higher out of pocket expense (a lot higher) than your projected outlay of $1000.

More ram available in the G5, as well as a faster bus speed and rendering, but I believe that the G4 1.8 dual would do a good job too.

I would start at xlr8yourmac.com and see if you can compare or get stats/details on either mac processor.

Good Luck


ROA #58 There is no substitute for QAPLA!

To be honest, the choice is really up to you. Personally, I've been using a Giga Designs 1.6GHz Dual G4 for a couple of months now and have been very happy with it.

One thing you have to think about is, you've just started your business. You don't want to get yourself bogged down with too many big expenses. I've made that mistake before.

Another point is, unless you can get your hands on an Intel G5 (not sure those are even in production yet), it might be best to wait for the new technology. It's probably going to take a while, but at some point, Apple and other developers are going to stop supporting PowerPC CPU's. It's kind of like when Apple went from the 68k Macs to the PowerPC. Remember the FAT binary apps back then. Basically the same thing is true of the Universal code.

My point is, it's going to take long enough for the switch-over from Universal code to total Intel code that you'll still be able to get your money's worth from an upgrade. But shelling out a boat load of cash for technology that has been made finite might be a waste.

Now...here's where I make a small plug...:-) I actually sell Giga Designs upgrades. I've got a lot of experience with Sonnet's products as well, both as an end-user and beta tester. As far as Sonnet goes, all their products with the exception of their CPU's, I've been impressed with. I have 2 problems with their CPU's.

1. They completely lack configurability. What I mean is all of the 7447A CPU's are 1.6GHz. When you see 1.7GHz, 1.8GHz or 2.0GHz, they are really 1.6's overclocked to those speed ratings. So...say you get a Dual 1.8GHz CPU. What you've actually got is an overclocked Dual 1.6. Where the possible problem comes in is, say you have 2 or 3 PCI cards installed as well. Those may be draining enough power from the power supply that the CPU can't function with stability. With Sonnet, you can't change the speed rating or voltage to compensate for the extra power drain. You're just outta luck with Sonnet. With Giga Designs, FastMac and I believe Powerlogix (OWC), you have some flexibility in changing settings on the CPU to improve stability. That's the first point.

2. Price. In my opinion, Sonnet is so overpriced it's not even funny. A Sonnet Dual 1.8GHz upgrade costs $600 USD. The Dual 1.8's I sell from Giga Designs are priced at $479 USD (plus shipping, of course). With the current conversion rate, that should run around $710 AUD by the time you include shipping. To get it faster with FedEx, it would run about $760 AUD.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents worth. Okay...maybe $1.48 worth...lol If you'd be interested in getting one of those CPU's, I'd be happy to have you as a new customer...:-) You can email me at jason@gmstechkc.com.

Powermac G4 Digital Audio Mac OS X (10.4.6) Giga Designs Dual 1.6 G4, 896MB, 280GB, 16x DL Superdrive

I'd go with the upgrade for now. It won't set you back as much and you can get some improvement AND stay in the black. That's the best of all worlds if you ask me. When your business is busting at the seams, then upgrade.

HTH,
~FifthWheel

I agree with gmstechkc that an upgrade is more prudent at this time. I upgraded my Sawtooth and am very happy. That said, it would not be fast enough for a business computer but it works fine for my iMovie and photo work. Your upgrade would be much faster. Also, if you are using for business, you would want the Intel procesor in a tower so that you have flexibility going forward. These are not yet available.


G4 400 Sawtooth Mac OS X (10.3.9) OWC Mercury Extreme 1.2 GHz Upgrade, 1.25 GB Memory, IO Gear 5 port USB2 PCI Card, 2 x 120GB hard drives added to original 10 GB, Pioneer 106D Optical

I just upgraded from dual 500 to a Powerlogix 1.7dp and I am NOT happy with its performance. I'd go with a G5 1.8dp or 2.0dp than a G4 1.8dp anytime because a G5 is faster in every single category, plus you don't have to spend more money for USB 2.0 and firewire 800. And you don't have to worry about whether your power supply is going to handle all those additional components.

A G5 1.8dp can be had for around 1,000 USD, and it is going to last your for a good period of time without much of trouble, and it is faster than a G4 with CPU upgrade. Please check xbench.com for more information on how a G4 does against a G5.

However, if money is your main concern and you have access to other fast computers, than go with the G4 upgrade. You spend less and you have a relatively fast computer to work. If you are not happy how your G4 runs, you can always switch to those faster computers to work. Hope this helps and sorry for my lame English.

BTW, I don’t think all 7447A are rated at 1.6g, for I have taken off the HS and found out that my dual 1.7 is actually 2 x 1.42g overclocked to 1.7g.


Sawtooth w/Powerlogix 1.7dp/1.15gb/120g/9700 pro Mac OS X (10.4.6)

I would concur, My sonnet 1G has had no problems but I had problems form the get go with a powerlogix, before I switched to Sonnet.

Good Luck...


ROA #58 There is no substitute for QAPLA!