Cube Owners: Artmix VRM II available, slightly updated

[ried]

After 8+ months of waiting, the Artmix VRM is back in stock. It's still labeled PCBA CUBE VRM II, as the previous version on their website shows:

However, this new build is slightly updated with a couple of extra capacitors (?) now present. EDIT: Looks like the 3-pin fan port is also new?



No, I do not know if this is functionally different in any way. Nonetheless, nice to see the 20+ year old G4 getting some love from our friends in Japan.

Here is the base fan that comes bundled with the VRM, which plugs into the seemingly new 3-pin fan port:



@herd would love your thoughts on whether or not the Cube might handle this 1.8GHz Sonnet G4 using the stock heatsink and the VRM + base fan supplied by Artmix in the kit?

 

[lobust]

@herd would love your thoughts on whether or not the Cube might handle this 1.8GHz Sonnet G4 using the stock heatsink and the VRM + base fan supplied by Artmix in the kit?

Until herd chimes in, I would mention that I have almost the same configuration and it works fine - artmix vrm, stock heatsink (some minor work done to it), 1.7GHz Encore ST.

The fan runs and is audible, but quite quiet really. It does not run too hot (as I would consider it), it's very cool until you start playing some demanding 3d games etc. and even then it's really ok.

The minimum OSX version supported by that CPU is 10.4.something, and I will note that it doesn't feel very fast. Purely subjective but I was a little disappointed and expected it to be snappier than it is. Perhaps that is due to the GPU (Radeon 7000 in there just now). I don't have a stock CPU to compare and haven't used another G4 in about a decade so my memory/expectations may be off!

9.2 will not boot out of the box, but can be made to do so.

Unexpected surprise in a G4 cube...

Bought a clean cube a little while ago on ebay, came with a really nice boxed 20" cinema display, and I was really pleased to get one in nice cosmetic condition. I have been struggling to get it to boot properly, I had to the point where it would boot an existing 9.2 installation to loading...

68kmla.org

Booting 9.2 on Cube with Encore ST 1.7 cpu...

Is it possible? I am having no luck doing so. It will boot and load extensions, but freezes on the loading screen after the extensions have loaded before going to the desktop. With extensions disabled, it freezes in the same place just with no extensions loaded. I have the Sonnet firmware...

68kmla.org

 

[herd]

Thanks for the update. I'd say that CPU combination would work well. How loud is the fan? It's possible to fit a thicker fan in the Cube, which can usually move more air with less noise. Also, this CPU works with NAP mode, so if you enable NAP and get a temperature controlled fan it can be virtually silent when not under load. Good luck with the project!

 

[ried]

Awesome. Thank you both!

 

[Bolle]

so if you enable NAP

Was always asking myself… is there a way to do that in OS9 as well? Only way I know is through the hardware control panel that gets installed with CHUd tools in OSX.

 

[ScutBoy]

Ordered - thanks!

This is as much as a future-proof as anything else, since who knows when more will be available. I've not had a stock VRM ever fail, but I have one cube with a CPU upgrade, and this will make me feel better.

 

[ried]

Here's a copy of the instructions that come bundled with the new unit for future reference.

 

[ScutBoy]

I made my order, and got the Paypal ack of payment, but not heard anything else. Anyone know about how long it takes to receive the product after ordering? I'm not in a rush, just curious.

 

[ried]

Well, I assume that he made enough to have stock on hand. Shipping from Japan took about 10 days with customs. But it was an 8+ month wait before that, because he did not have any built.

 

[hyperneogeo]

Yeah, I actually ordered mine on August 27th...about 2 weeks later I asked when it was shipping and he asked me for proof and payment (i answered) and then nothing.

 

[ScutBoy]

I haven't seen mine yet either.

 

[ScutBoy]

I sent a note last night with my Paypal confirmation and got this back:

Dear Sir.

Thank you for your order. Now VRM is in stock and will ship out
in order of order. Back order has been many qyt. , so please wait
a moment.

Best

---

So, hopefully things are moving along...

 

[hyperneogeo]

Hopefully it starts moving. He really needs to do a "Not in Stock, but you can preorder" instead of just assuming everything is in stock.

 

[hyperneogeo]

Sent another email, still nothing.

 

[haplain]

Artmix is legit. I waited over a year to get them, and had honestly forgot, then checked the mail one day and they were all there. He could have stiffed me, and I wouldn't have had any recourse given the time with PayPal limits but he followed through on what I bought.

 

[hyperneogeo]

I mean it would be nice if he actually put "In stock" or "Backorder" in this case. Cause people are scratching their heads wondering wtf is happening.

 

[CC_333]

I'm thinking of getting one of these for my Cube someday. Will an upgraded VRM still be an improvement, even though it's still running on the stock CPU?

c

 

[ried]

I'm not sure of the failure rate on stock configurations, but it's certainly less than machines that have CPU and GPU upgrades installed. Would I personally spend $200+ on a replacement VRM for a stock G4 Cube? No.

 

[CC_333]

Hmm, OK, I guess I'll leave it alone and save the money for something else.

c

 

[ScutBoy]

I ordered mine in August, after a note in September he said he's sending them out "in order". Still no sign. I'm not in a rush, but hope it appears eventually...