Processor Upgrades

[olivari]

I would like to know if someone has had experience with Processor Upgrades, I mean for instance in my case the idea to upgrade or increase my Quicksilver dual G4 1 GHz to a higher speed like 1,5 or 1.8 according with I've seen is available in www.macsales.com.

I really will be glad if some of you could help me to figure out if this is a good idea and what is the best way to do it.

Thanks.

[MIDI Life Crisis]

I would like to know if someone has had experience with Processor Upgrades, I mean for instance in my case the idea to upgrade or increase my Quicksilver dual G4 1 GHz to a higher speed like 1,5 or 1.8 according with I've seen is available in www.macsales.com.

I really will be glad if some of you could help me to figure out if this is a good idea and what is the best way to do it.

Thanks.

I upgraded a G4 800 (single) Quicksilver 10 1.4 gHz with a Sonnet Crescendo and it worked great. The bus speeds won't increase, but you should see a marked increase in processing time and system response.

As long as your comfortable inserting PCI cards and RAM, you should be fine replacing your processor.

[olivari]

thanks for your answer. In fact, my QuickSilver Dual 1 GHz has the most of RAM it was possible at that time for that model (1.5 GB SDRAM), so the only thing and need to upgrade is the processor.

But I do not understand why it would be necessary to insert a PCI card, I work basically with audio and video editing using DP and Final Cut Pro. Sorry the dumb replay, I am not really a big expert in computers. I've been using mac since 2001 though I am very please with it.

Thanks and have a nice day.

[emulatorloo]

But I do not understand why it would be necessary to insert a PCI card, I work basically with audio and video editing using DP and Final Cut Pro. Sorry the dumb replay, I am not really a big expert in computers. I've been using mac since 2001 though I am very please with it.

He was using an analogy --

If you are comfortable inserting PCI cards and Memory

Then you will be able to insert a new processor.

I too have upgraded a machine from single 733 to dual 1.3. My advice to you is:

Take it slow and follow the directions -- many come with video movies to show how it is done. Just take your time and all will be well.

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WARNING -- you should study carefully the benchmarks before you do this. I am not so sure that a single 1.5 or 1.8 will be faster than your current dual 1ghz. Some of the new processors 7447 have less CACHE ram than your current processors, which affects your overall speed. Others, the 7448, are better specified, but are extremely expensive at this time, and I do not believe it would be cost effective to use these.

At the very least try to find a vendor who will accept a return.

Eshop macsales used to have benchmarks but that section is not currently available. Try www.xlr8yrmac.com and poke around there in reviews.

It may be wiser to save money for a new intel mac mini or imac or macbook. They are **much more powerful** than your G4.

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[olivari]

well! there are also dual processors upgrades for the Dual QuickSilver models in OWC, but I think you are right about maybe it would be the best to buy a new intel mac computer. Thanks anyway for your advice.

I know the mac mini for instance is a powerful machines, but also I've read they has had many problems, besides the expanding limitations.

[emulatorloo]

well! there are also dual processors upgrades for the Dual QuickSilver models in OWC, but I think you are right about maybe it would be the best to buy a new intel mac computer. Thanks anyway for your advice.

I know the mac mini for instance is a powerful machines, but also I've read they has had many problems, besides the expanding limitations.

I added more to my post -- at owc eshop the dual 1.8 7448 is $700.00!!!!!

To me it is hard to justify that on an old machine.

Tell me more about your situation --

Do you have any PCI cards now?

What is your audio interface?

[MIDI Life Crisis]

I totally agree that a new machine is way more cost effective than a processor upgrade for an older amchine. The only thing I would mention is that much of your older software may need to be updated if you get a newer machine (with a newer operating system). This could be a substantial expense.

You might also look at a faster USED machine on eBay or elsewhere if that is an option for you.

[newrigel]

I work basically with audio and video editing using DP and Final Cut Pro.

Wow really?
I can barely stand waiting for renders on a G5 let alone a G4...

[olivari]

newrigel, I didn't say my QuickSilver G4 is fast, but it makes its work. Yes, sometimes I have to wait a lot for renders, however always you can do the render after you finish a section of the sequence or even the entire sequence and go to have a cup of coffee. Another thing is that my 1GHz processor speed won't allow install the last version of FCP, which demands I think 1.5 or more.

Video editing is always a heavy task. I wonder how a MacPro with 16GB of RAM manages that. Also you can use the unlimited RT option in the RT popup menu at the up-left corner of the Timeline. If you keep your video raw source in a different HD it works pretty well.