Looking at dual 1.8Ghz PowerMac G5 for replacement of G4

[coius]

I am looking on craigslist and saw a 1.8Ghz Dual G5 Power mac that is about $300. Comes with 160GB HDD. 1GB RAM. I know RAM installs in pairs, but I think this would be a major step up from a 933Mhz QuickSilver.

It's been somewhat of a dream of mine to own a G5, and it's finally come down in price.

What kind of ram can I slap in it? I know it requires PC-3200, which is fine. I have the modules, but do I need specific modules, or will some of my PC ones work. It needs to be non-buffered, non-ecc ram. I think my PC RAM Modules fit that, but I thought if I could, I would max it at 4GB and throw Leopard on it.

Now I know I could just buy a Mac Mini CoreDuo for that price, but i really could care less about another Intel CPU Mac right now. I have a MacBook 2.4Ghz to take care of that.

I just wanted some input. I might try to get him down to $270 depending on the config, as well as maybe trading my QuickSilver + $220 for it.

I have some spare RAM I can get it to 2GB at minimum, or even 3 (2x 1GB, 2x 512MB)

Also, I have a few SATA Drives I can throw in it.

Some people could say it's slow with G5s, but from what I used at the store way back when they came out, I was impressed with it. No lag at all, and it just seemed to be truly awesome.

What kind of upgrades am I looking at. It's a 2004 PowerMac, and takes DDR 1 ram

 

[Hrududu]

It can't hurt anything to try some DDR RAM that you have laying around. It may work just fine, but remember the G5 was pickier than just about any Mac when it comes to RAM. And ya, if its only got 1Gb of RAM in it now, try and get him to knock the price down at least $30. I really don't think I personally would go for any less than a quad G5 since even those can be had for as little as $750 these days.

 

[luddite]

I'm looking at going this route too... I'm actually planning on getting a pair of Dual G5s so I can have a full data and hardware backup. Even with a decent (non-Apple) monitor and a KVM it will come in cheaper than a new low-end iMac.

Right now a G5 tower is about 10% - 15% of the cost of a equivalent(1) Mac Pro and the only way I can see it compromising my productivity level is that I'll have a lot more money left to spend on beer ;-)

(1) I mean relatively equivalent, ie: low-spec G5 to low-spec intel...

 

[ChristTrekker]

Make SURE you install the modules as a MATCHED PAIR. I didn't, and got burned. Evidently the G5 is very finicky about it's memory.

 

[coius]

Found that out a bit ago, but then again, I should have known that. HOWEVER! I didn't know how the RAM Slots worked. After trying endlessly with different DDR 400 RAM Cards, I noticed the numbers on the slots >.< I didn't realized they went out in opposing direction, rather than a sequential direction down the board.

Chaulk that up to inexperience!

Got it now. Right now, it's got 3GB RAM, tomorrow it should have about 4.5GB. Eventually, it will be maxed @ 8GB

 

[MacJunky]

But you have no legitimate need for over 4GB...

 

[coius]

Well, I got the new RAM, but the upgrade will be on hold for a bit. I can't find the original stick >.<

Damn Apple and their stupid Interleaving thing!

Yes, I know it speeds up the system, but there should be an option to not have to use it!!!

 

[luddite]

I got my G5 a few weeks back, but I had to wait for the monitor to clear customs... finally, I have it all put together.

Now I have a dual 2.0 with 2 gigs and a 22" Cinema Display (the clear acrylic one) sitting on my desk where the eMac used to be... I'm a very happy camper!

As far as upgrades go, throwing in another 2 gigs of RAM is pretty low-cost... I'm not sure that going higher than 4GB would be worthwhile on a machine that's primarily doing 2D graphics... a second HDD is also on my shopping list.

My eventual plan is to get a second identically specced machine as a full hardware/software/file back up.

 

[MacManiac1701A]

My feeling is that every computer will get obsolete.

You pay 3K 2.5 yr's later it's worth 1.5K or whatever...

if you got it at a good price and you are happy with it, that's all that matters...

memory: I have 16GB in my Dual core 2.0 and it's VERY snappy...