Sonnet announces Dual 1.6 & Dual 1.8 Ghz G4 Processor Upgrade for MDD!

Realistically no better than stock dual 1.42 7455 CPU. NO L3 CACHE MEANS BAD PERFORMANCE!!!

It seems a shame they don't use the 7448 rather than the 7447, as the larger level 2 cache would help offset the lack of level 3.

For people with a dual 867MHz MDD or a single 1GHz FW800/1.25GHz MDD 2003 though, I think the performance increase would be very noticeable. To be fair to Sonnet, in their press release they state 'Upgrading a single 1GHz to a dual 1.8 GHz can yield significant performance improvements'. I expect upgrading a dual 1.25GHz would be less clear cut, especially given the cost of the upgrades compared to a new computer.

I don't believe it,.,,

more research is necessary*

just looking at my MDD specs it shows
Hardware Overview:

Machine Name: Power Mac G4
Machine Model: PowerMac3,6
CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (3.2)
Number Of CPUs: 2
CPU Speed: 1.25 GHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 256 KB
L3 Cache (per CPU): 2 MB
Memory:2 GB
Bus Speed:167 MHz
Boot ROM Version:4.4.8f2
Serial Number:

so my MDD Dual 1.25Ghz G4 has 2x 256K L2 Cache and 2x 2MB L3 Cache...

and this Duet upgrade has
Dual 1.6GHz G4 or Dual 1.8GHz G4 with only 2x 512K L2 Cache.

I don't know... Seems like the 2x 512K L2 Cache only and No L3 cache is not Sufficient. and its priced at $600,,,

hmmm for $600 I can buy a lot of goodies.

Message was edited by: lz3broc

Message was edited by: lz3broc

Yeah, I find the cache setup on these Sonnet upgrades really odd. One of the nice things about those 7447s though is that they're more power-efficient. Or, so it seems on Freescale's site.

The cache arrangement is in herent to the 744X processors ( ie no support hardware for L3 cache ), 7457 has L3 support but does not scale thermally nor clockwise the same as 744X. A further disappiontment is, that while a 7448 has been announced ( improved 7447 ) no comparable 7458 has ever been announced.

the cache discussion is good. I hope I can read more peoples opinions on these upgrades.

part of me says whoah nelly time to save for a cpu upgrade to give my MDD more life...

but the specs concern me and makes me wonder.

I would love if some Mac guru 1st adaopter would sink his/her hands on one, and test it out posting their results.

other big part of me groans at putting $600 for a cpu upgrade when just doubling that I could buy one of some model of brand new Mac.

Yes, thank for this news
i looked at the web site. The Encore™/MDX G4 Duet™ 1.6 GHz and 1.8 GHz works with all MDD but does'it work wit the more recent FW800 single 1GHz processor Power Mac?

I'am trying to expend the timelife of my computer to play new games such as DOOM3 or CIV4 or Oblivion

i don't see why not. your single proc 1GHz G4 is a MDD right?

the Sonnet site doesnt list much detail for limiting requirements other than its for all MDD PowerMac G4's.

to make your MDD work better than it does now, without a Processor upgrade, max the RAM to 2GB, get a good AGP video card, and upgrade to OSX 10.4.x Tiger.

So you're suggesting that it is not worth purchasing $600 for that upgrade?

This is what I have:

Machine Name: Power Mac G4
Machine Model: PowerMac3,6
CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (3.3)
Number Of CPUs: 1
CPU Speed: 1.25 GHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 256 KB
L3 Cache (per CPU): 1 MB
Memory: 1.25 GB
Bus Speed: 167 MHz
Boot ROM Version: 4.4.8f2

I've been waiting for Sonnet to come out with a processor upgrade to my G4/MDD for a year since they told me they are working on it.

You know what I actually find the weirdest part of these upgrades? How is that they run at the same clock speeds on both 133MHz bus MDDs and 167MHz bus MDDs? And, seeing is how the bus is controlled by two trios of resistors (one set on the mother board, one set on the cpu daughterboard), is it possible to have them mixed (mobo being 133, for example, while these upgrades are presumably 167).

Hmm...

But, if I didn't mention it before, it looks like the version of the G4 used for these upgrades uses significantly less power, or at least generates less heat. Notice how small its heatsink is compared to the aluminum and copper ones the MDDs have had!

well after reading through this discussion and seeing how the new Mac Pro's are priced I'd more liekly go get a nice refurb or used PowerMac G5 Dual or Quad instead of sinking $600 for a MDD Dual processor upgrade that may or may not speed my Mac up any better.

I am all for Raw power. But there is more to a Mac's performance than just CPU speed... RAM, System BUS, Cache, Video support, HD's, modern OS, all make a computer faster.

good topic and good discussion.