Best Upgrade for a G4?

[Morpheo]

I'm more than happy since I upgraded my single proc MDD 1.25 with a Gigadesigns dual 1.33. It makes a HUGE difference on all apps, not only the 'multiprocessor-friendly' ones... It's noticeable on the OS itself as well. If you can afford a G5, well go for it, it's probably the best option. I couldn't but for about $500 it's almost like I got a whole new computer, really.

[mhschmieder]

I'm in the midst of this decision myself. My iMac G4 800 MHz 15" screen w/ 256 Mb internal RAM and 128 Mb user RAM is sadly not up to the task of running soft synths such as MX-4 or soft samplers without getting up to 70-90% or more of CPU even with just one simple track. Granted, there are probably things I need to do to make for more efficient of the resources available, as I am still fairly new to using computers for music (this is my first home computer, and I had never used a Macintosh before as it's all Windows and various flavours of Linux/Unix at work).

Having just bought Tiger, that's $115 thrown down the drain as it comes for free on new computers. I checked into memory upgrades today and it would cost me upwards of $300 to swap out my current memory for the maximum 1 Gb (since the internal RAM must be replaced by a technician and therefore costs labour).

It seems better worth my money to buy a new machine though. Looking at other threads on Mach Five, etc., people seem to agree that you need over 2 GHz processor speed (which is three times the speed of mine). Not sure what the consensus is re: dual processor vs. single processor. Certainly 15" isn't wide enough to work with Digital Performer efficiently.

I've been able to take my Imac to recording sessions, and wouldn't be able to do that with a PowerMac, but the PowerBook won't be upgraded to G5 (this is why pple is switching to Intel), so based on what people are saying here, am I better off just getting the top-of-line iMac G5 and maxing out its RAM?

I'm also not familiar with the possibility of swapping the processor itself for a G5, as I thought there were too many other internal architecture issues; especially with the busses if it's 64-bit vs. 32-bit.

It's almost laughable that, three years after my purchase, even the MiniMac (and I think even the iBook) is more powerful than my at-the-time top-of-the-line iMac G4!

But regarding upgrades in general, is it really necessary to buy a PowerMac to have flexibility? I gather you hit the limits a lot later in what you can do with internal upgrades, than you do with the iMacs, probably the PowerBooks, and especially the MiniMacs.

[jerkrecords]

here here ...

sonnet 1.2Ghz upgrade to a 450Mhz G4 (sawtooth?) i've had since 99 or 00 (can't remember).
DP 4.5 on OS 10.2.8 for a year or so has been fine.

pete

[jerkrecords]

ahem...

since last night....

now upgraded to 10.4.2 AND DP 4.6 (at once). i fear no computer.

still works fine for me (i think). A quick playback session of 30ish tracks. Hope i don't change my tune after the next tracking session.

i will say - we use NO VIs. take that into consideration.

pete