GPU for Power Mac G4

[winterlight]

Hi guys,

I just bought a DP 800 G4 and I want to replace the videocard.

According to Wikipedia the DP800  can use a Geforce 3 (64MB)

I do see the odd comment online about using higher spec videocards though (like an FX5500)

I plan to use OS 9.2.2 on this machine and use it primarily for games.

Anyone have any experience on maxing out a G4 with 9.2.2?

Also, anyone know of any guides to flash a Geforce card to work with Macs?

Thanks again ahead of time.

 

[rsolberg]

http://themacelite.wikidot.com/compatibility

Is a useful resource for what you're looking to do. See footnote 5 for Mac OS 9 compatibility on the chart. There's a handy buying guide as well that will help you find a flashable card.

In Nvidia's line up, the GeForce 4 Ti 4600 is the highest spec GPU that's compatible with your Mac and Mac OS 9.

 

[omidimo]

I maxed out my MDD G4 with the Ti4600. If you are patient you can get one on eBay for around fifty-ish for the OEM model.

 

[Unknown_K]

ATI Mac Radeon 9000's are more common and cheap if you want a fast OS 9 card.

 

[Bolle]

You can get your hands on PC GeForce 4 Ti 4600s pretty cheap. Most of them match the reference design which was used for the Apple OEM cards. Flashing those is easy. I have a flashed 4600 in my Sawtooth OS 9 setup and it is running great.

 

[Unknown_K]

Yea, but the stock Radeon 9000's work with Apple monitors if that matters.

 

[winterlight]

Thx for the quick responses guys!

Time to lurk on eBay^^

 

[bunnspecial]

Unless you are a GPU collector and/or want the best possible Apple card to fit in an unmodified Cube, the Geforce 3 isn't worth the trouble of finding. I hunted for one for a while(I fall into both of the mentioned categories ) and managed to get two within about two weeks of each other. I paid plenty, though.

I agree that the 9000 is a good choice.

 

[omidimo]

Unless you are a GPU collector

User -> Collector -> Hoarder -> Madman. The way of the GPU Warrior.  h34r:

 

[Themk]

I think I qualify as a collector, last I checked I have about 5 video cards laying around here.

On topic, back when I had a Sawtooth, the ATi Radeon 9000 (I think it was a 9600 actually?) was AMAZING!!! I would highly recommend it

 

[Unknown_K]

One of MMD has a modified 9600 from a G5 in it (the 24V tab doesn't line up so no ADC monitor) and you are stuck using OSX. The other 2 MDD have Apple stock 9000's in them. Have a few more 9000's in my QS I think.

As far as being GPU collecting/hoarding, sure on the PC side (I have tubs of cards plus what is in use).

 

[Johnnya101]

9000!

Just keep in mind some stuff won't run, older games... I had trouble with marathon and nanosaur, they would crash and lockup everything.

 

[omidimo]

Marathon was from the System 7 days so the code might have problems with 9.

 

[bunnspecial]

One of MMD has a modified 9600 from a G5 in it (the 24V tab doesn't line up so no ADC monitor) and you are stuck using OSX. The other 2 MDD have Apple stock 9000's in them. Have a few more 9000's in my QS I think.

As far as being GPU collecting/hoarding, sure on the PC side (I have tubs of cards plus what is in use).

There are ways to make ADC on a 9600 work on G4s(or at least 4x AGP). The only thing is that you lose the ability to power on the computer from the ADC power button.

The trick is to cut three "fingers" off an old PC ISA card and then use two small jumpers to solder it to the ADC power tab on the 9600. The ISA fingers will then fit down in the ADC power slot on G4 boards.

I ran a 23" Cinema from a 9600 in a Quicksilver using this set-up for close to two years-the only thing that changed was my upgrading it to a G5. The card I modified has now found a new home.

 

[mode11]

Why not get a Radeon 9800 pro? You can pick up PC ones for £10 on eBay, then flash them with a Mac ROM from the source mentioned above. Supported in OS 9 and by Quartz Extreme and Core Image in OS X. Faster than a 4600 Ti too, or at least comparable. 

The FX5500 256MB isn't too bad. The 9800 pro is faster for a tower, but the FX is a good choice for a Cube. 

 

[Unknown_K]

Since when is a 9800 supported in OS 9?

 

[Gorgonops]

I second that. So far as I'm aware Radeon support for OS 9 stops at the 9200. Later cards will "work" as dumb framebuffers but there's no accelerated support.

 

[Bolle]

I second that. So far as I'm aware Radeon support for OS 9 stops at the 9200. Later cards will "work" as dumb framebuffers but there's no accelerated support.

The 9250 which basically is the same as the 9200 can be made to work as well in OS 9 with acceleration. But after that all cards will really be just framebuffers as already said.

 

[Unknown_K]

The 9250 and 9200 are just 9000 chips (9200 supports 8x AGP, 9250 is just a slightly lower clocked 9000). So using the 9000 driver will work just fine.

Kind of weird how companies can take the same chip and slightly tweek it yet give it a whole different name/model (Nvidia 8800/9800/GTS250 series comes to mind).