I bought a PowerMac G4 MDD


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You could grab an airport extreme PCI card from eBay quite cheap I think, that would sort your wireless. Also, I'd shove as much RAM in it as it will take (I think 2GB)

What speed processor does it have? There is a useful list of all the models here.

I'd probably put OSX Tiger on it, as I think that will give the best balance of features, security and speed on the G4. I think you could put leopard on it with a bit of hacking, although I'm not sure it would be worth it.

Ed

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You could grab an airport extreme PCI card from eBay quite cheap I think, that would sort your wireless. Also, I'd shove as much RAM in it as it will take (I think 2GB)

What speed processor does it have? There is a useful list of all the models here.

I'd probably put OSX Tiger on it, as I think that will give the best balance of features, security and speed on the G4. I think you could put leopard on it with a bit of hacking, although I'm not sure it would be worth it.

Ed

it has a single 1.25ghz processor and 2GB of ram. I bought it from ebay and the guy told me that has installed 10.5.8 in it and I didn't test it yet because I have only a PC monitor VGA and the powermac has only a DVI graphic card. So I am waiting for a Apple DVI to VGA Display Adapter that I bought also.

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Yeah, Leopard's going to run fine on that, I have a eMac with the same CPU and less memory, and it runs fine on that.

That's great! thanks :rolleyes: what about the graphic card, any cheap upgrade alternative?

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The G4 MMDs max out at 2 gig, and it's worth it to have it if possible. I swapped out the built in dvd drive with a Panasonic 16x DVD+ - RW burner. (Nevermind that it didn't have an Apple logo, the computer accepted it just fine.)

The AGP video slot will limit video upgrades a bit, but I had http://cgi.ebay.com/Mac-Edition-ATI-Radeon...id=p3911.c0.m14 in mine.

Most valuable upgrades in my opinion were to upgrade the cooling fans. Those MMDs can be JET ENGINES. I replaced the fans in the power supply with SilenX 60mm (not for the faint of heart though, because you are as you are taking apart your power supply you are realizing that you are taking apart a component that is actually worth the entire value of the computer because they are so hard to find replacements for...). I also replaced the side fan with a Vantec Stealth, and relocated the speaker module and installed an 80mm fan in it's previous location, basically using the speaker grill as a vent.

Edit: That video card is a bit pricy. I'd call http://cgi.ebay.com/Mac-ATI-Radeon-9800-Pr...id=p3911.c0.m14 the second best for your model.

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The G4 MMDs max out at 2 gig, and it's worth it to have it if possible. I swapped out the built in dvd drive with a Panasonic 16x DVD+ - RW burner. (Nevermind that it didn't have an Apple logo, the computer accepted it just fine.)

The AGP video slot will limit video upgrades a bit, but I had http://cgi.ebay.com/Mac-Edition-ATI-Radeon...id=p3911.c0.m14 in mine.

Most valuable upgrades in my opinion were to upgrade the cooling fans. Those MMDs can be JET ENGINES. I replaced the fans in the power supply with SilenX 60mm (not for the faint of heart though, because you are as you are taking apart your power supply you are realizing that you are taking apart a component that is actually worth the entire value of the computer because they are so hard to find replacements for...). I also replaced the side fan with a Vantec Stealth, and relocated the speaker module and installed an 80mm fan in it's previous location, basically using the speaker grill as a vent.

Edit: That video card is a bit pricy. I'd call http://cgi.ebay.com/Mac-ATI-Radeon-9800-Pr...id=p3911.c0.m14 the second best for your model.

That's quite interesting, but I doubt that I will go beyond common upgrades. Thanks for the links! I will check it out.

Holy crap, how a video card so old still so pricy? I mean it cost $120 dollars :o

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Holy crap, how a video card so old still so pricy? I mean it cost $120 dollars :o

Ok, third best for that model: http://cgi.ebay.com/Mac-ATI-Radeon-9200-12...id=p3911.c0.m14

Ugh, nevermind on that one. I had the other two in my systems for sure. This one is supported for the G4 MMD but doesn't offer full Quartz and Core graphics support. That is definitely a MUST for video cards for the Macs.

Edited by chadlachlanross
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