All Things PPC
 
 

 :::: Introduction ::::

I spend a bit of time on the Power Mac forum at Apple Discussions, and am quite active in advising on hardware questions, whether it be trouble or upgrades. I use the name “japamac”, and have an interest in all PPC Mac’s, G4 or G5. (Given the chance and the money, I’ll have an interest in the current iMac and Mac Pro too!)

I have several Macs, with my current main machine being an extensively modified 2002 Quicksilver.
While I have made various modifications to my machines, spending untold hours researching hardware and implementing that research, I thought it was more than past time that I put it all into some kind of a summary. 
Within my research, and in my time helping on Apple Discussions, I see continued interest in the G4 line, and believe that the effort to compile this experience could be of some use to others.

My intent is to not only provide information on the machine modifications that I have made, but, as much as is possible, also provide benchmark test results that show whether or not an upgrade provides real performance value.
The majority of the information and parts discussed here will work in any of the G4 machines from the Sawtooth to the MDD.
A lot of the information also spills over to G5 applicability.

Yes, I know these machines are long in the tooth, and that upgrades are typically uneconomical in terms of performance gains as compared to current model offerings from Apple, BUT, there are still many people that like these machines. And, like it or not, G4s can be made to run very well, and to support later software versions and hardware that they never were intended to support.

And it’s not that I know everything there is to know about PPC Macs.
Quite the opposite, in fact...
I do, however, have experience with the systems and components include in these pages, and this experience has combined to allow me to make some (hopefully intelligent) observations regarding performance and upgrades in a PPC Mac.

Finally, this is a hobby, and like most hobbies, it is a monetary “black hole”; there is no end to what I want to try, or to buy. Say it’s a waste of time, money, whatever, but don’t tell me about it. I don’t care......

So if you like older Mac’s, and are interested in hardware and performance, please, read on.....


Oh, yes, one more thing.
There is still construction going on here. 

If it’s not done yet, I’m working on it......

One more thing after that-
I don’t get money, perks, parts, or anything from the sites or manufacturers that I recommend (dammit).
I only recommend that which I know works, and works well.....

Finally, there is no written or expressed warranty regarding any of the procedures or modifications that I outline.

You accept full responsibility for any accidents or damage that may result from your misinterpretation of instruction, lack of concern for detail, proper methodology and/or requisite background research.

OK?
If so......
Read on, and Thank you for visiting!
  1.  
  2. :::: Site Menu ::::
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  5. My Systems
  6. •AGP Graphics G4 aka Sawtooth
  7. •Quicksilver 2002
  8.  
  9. Hardware
  10. •Processors
  11. •PCI Cards- USB, Drive Controllers
  12. •Graphics Cards- ATI and Nvidia
  13. •Flashing
  14. •Drives- ATA, SATA, SSD, DVD
  15. •Cooling and Fans
  16. •Wireless Devices- Airport, BT and RF
  17.  
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  19. Benchmarks
  20.  
  21. System Benchmarks
  22.  
  23. Hard Drive Benchmarks
  24. •SSD in a PPC Mac
  25.  
  26. Graphics Benchmarks
  27. •Page 1: Open GL
  28. •Page 2: 3D
  29. •Page 3: Core Image
  30. •Page 4: Gaming- Unreal Tournament
  31. •Page 5: Gaming- Doom 3
  32. •Page 6: Gaming- Halo
  33. •Page 7: Gaming- Prey
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  37. •Icons
  38. •Downloads
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  40. Blog
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:::: Articles ::::



Software

OS X: Installing iCal icon
OS X: Replace a Folder with an Icon
OS X: Moving the Home Folder
CHUD and Nap Mode 
Software that you Need

Hardware

USB 2.0 PCI Cards
How to apply thermal compound
MDD PSU Test
ATX 20 pin PSU adapter
Heatsink mod to install Powerlogix processor in Quicksilver
3rd party CPU Cooler in a G4

Graphics

G4 AGP Graphics Card Upgrades: Part 1- OS 9
G4 (and G5) AGP Graphics Card Upgrades: Part 2- OS X
PCIe Graphics Upgrades for the Dual Core G5 
Clean and refresh your Graphics card
Radeon 9800 Pro Disassembly
Radeon 9800 XT Disassembly

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