G4 DA Upgrades Worthwhile?

[senrew]

Picked up a stock 466mhz DA at a thrift for $20 a few months back. 

Everything works, but it doesn't recognize the zip drive. Not a big deal, but it'll be nice to replace it and have it functional.

My question is...is it worth it to try and upgrade this thing, or just find a newer g4?

I don't really have a use case for this machine. I've really just always wanted a g4 tower

OS 9.2.2 is nice and zippy in its current configuration. Was thinking of using it for basic productivity stuff, but I kinda like the beigeness of my 631CD and the feel of the Apple Design keyboard over the generic USB one I have on the G4 right now. Plus...floppy disks are cool

I'm thinking of turning it into an OS9 gaming machine. I've got a GeForce4 4600 Ti I can reflash for it. (It's the ASUS V8640 that the flashing sites seem to love). I think that's the best card I can use in it for video, correct?

The CPU would be the next step. What's the fastest replacement I can use in this machine that comes from another g4? Trying to stay away from the third party stuff for now. I'm not sure I want to go that nuts on money with this machine yet.

 

[MJ313]

Personally, I wouldn't throw a lot of money at it, as it will do OS9 stuff very well. Chances are, if you keep your eyes open, you will find a faster G4 out there. I found a Quicksilver DP 800 in the computer recycling container at our town dump, so grabbed it for free. These things are out there, with some patience you can just grab them. I'd wait and use it and see if there are things it can't do that you really need it to do. Probably can grab a QS on craigslist for less then a G4 upgrade.

 

[senrew]

I've been looking for a MDD to get the ultimate OS9 machine. I have a trade post up in the trading section too. I'll run across one eventually. For now, this machine is pretty decent.

 

[flashedbios2012]

I respect what MJ313 said. But, only you can really make that decision. I used to have a decent sized mac collection but an emergency id rather not get into forced me to only rescue my eMac 700. Point is ive had G4 towers before and they are good computers. Used to be the first thing I'd do when aquiring a used G4 or G3 is replace the optical drive. I don't know if its just bad luck on my part, or what, but i have never gotten a used mac with a working optical drive. it either doesnt burn discs right or takes forever to recognize a disc or will only read pressed discs but theres always an issue with it. with optical drives being $20 for a dvd burner and a SATA to IDE converter being $5 on eBay id say its worth doing that. You can also upgrade that zip drive to a zip 750 fairly inexpensively. Max out the ram. but, unless you find a 733 CPU fairly cheaply on eBay I wouldnt go spending the money on Sonnet upgrades for the CPU. Some ebay sellers feel that they can exploit vintage collectors like us and gouge the hell out of us on price for some of the vintage gear. I really look down on this practice but have paid a heavy penny for some machines in the past. I used to have a Quadra 900 I paid $350 in 2009 and a Macintosh Plus I paid $100 for in 1999. In 2000 I bought a pair of SE/30s at a high school auction for $50 a piece. I found out my mother threw these away after I moved out and I had forgotten about them while i sorted out my new living arrangements. but I have also gotten really good deals. this emac 700 was a freebie. sure i had to replace the HD and DVD drive but it was FREE. also during the emergency I described earlier the power button was ruined and the case is discolored but it works perfectly. My point is some things are worth it some are not and it all depends on how much you are willing to spend.

 

[flashedbios2012]

senew we have similar goals i want an awesome os 9 machine as well. just keep in mind that os 9 itself doesnt take advantage of a 2nd CPU only apps written for it do. So you might be able to find a 1.25 Uni fairly cheap and it will out perform a dual 867. also watch out for FW800 models they are not OS 9 compatible officially.

 

[senrew]

Yeah, was thinking of a single cpu machine. If I do find a fast dual, I'll dual boot with Tiger. I should have enough RAM in my piles to max out a later machine.

 

[ArmorAlley]

A warning about MDDs: (aside from the fact they are loud), the power supplies are known problem areas now. I have one that will only turn on once it is connected via the ADC port to an Apple Monitor. I have been warned that it is on the way out.

 

[senrew]

Well, doesn't have to be a MDD. It would just be easier since I have more DDR than PC133

 

[Unknown_K]

It all depends on what you need a G4 for, and the local market.

Cheap G4's in general are disappearing from the marketplace. Over the years I have picked up 2x AGP Sawtooths, 2x Quicksilvers, and 3 x MDD machines for next to nothing. They are harder to find these days cheaply and will only get more expensive with time. Heck B&W G3's used to be pretty much free and are now harder to find as well.

So it being cheaper to get a MDD then upgrading a DA depends on how long you are going to wait. CPU upgrades other then stock Apple parts are getting harder to find and are probably not worth the effort at this time money wise. Both of my Sawtooths have dual 500Mhz G4's in them because I could get them for under $20 shipped, I don't see them that cheap anymore. For an OS 9 machine dual CPU's are a waste, but for dual booting OS 9 and OSX machines it is worth it. You can also still find 1.25Ghz MDD that boot OS 9 if needed.

DDR1 RAM has gotten pretty cheap these days especially 1GB SODIMMs for laptops. PC133 pricing is going up for the bigger sticks.

Another issue is the DA can't used 128GB+ HDs that a MDD has no issue with (if you want to make a server).

 

[flashedbios2012]

ive noticed g4 prices creeping up as well. trying to get all i can before people start gouging for them

 

[Unknown_K]

I think G5 prices have bottomed out.

 

[EvieSigma]

I've been tempted to get a G5 but the super restricted choice in OSes is a real bummer...

 

[flashedbios2012]

they cannot run os 9 whcih is a bummer.  but they make great leopard machines.  THey arent worth using unless you get a dual cpu tho.  make sure its the air cooled one, the water cooled ones were trouble

 

[Unknown_K]

The G5 Imacs (working ones anyway) make great low footprint support machines for older macs. The G5 towers take up more room but have their uses as well. For example I have Kona video capture cards in both PCI-X and PCIE that work under OSX on G5 machines.

 

[SlateBlue]

senrew, I sent you a PM.