G4 MDD CPU upgrade

#1 Fri, 25 Oct 2013 - 14:35

Hi everybody.

I was just wondering if it is worth upgrading the single 1.0 GHz processor in my FW800 G4 to a dual 867 MHz from a regular MDD. I am aware of the two bus speeds on the MDD series, but it seems both processors run at the slower 133 MHz. This is the last thing I have to upgrade, as I already have the full 2GB of memory and a nice graphics card.

Thanks.

Harry

#2 Fri, 25 Oct 2013 - 19:39

Under OSX a DP 867 should be noticeably faster then a single 1.0Ghz CPU. The 1Ghz FW800 was the one with 133 FSB with the later models being 166. I upgraded my MDD DP 867 FW400 to a dual 1Ghz (also swapped the board for 166 FSB).

If you swap boards you can also run the Xserve G4 1.25/1.33/1.4 CPUs. I have a 1.33ghz single G4 Xserve CPU that was sold as a DP by mistake, but kept the DP 1.0ghz.

#3 Sat, 26 Oct 2013 - 07:37

How much L3 cache is there on the potential upgrade? That can make a big difference.

#4 Tue, 29 Oct 2013 - 12:06

Just fitted the new DP 867 MHz processor, the computer definitely runs a lot speedier - I was impressed that I am now able to play Flash video at full framerate and fullscreen. The CPU heatsink feels hotter, but I didn't burn myself on it and the computer wasn't crashing so it can't be that bad.

Thinking about buying an SSD for this machine now...

#5 Fri, 8 Nov 2013 - 10:57

SSD is definitely worth the upgrade. Just to get an SSD with PATA interface could be a bit tricky.

#6 Fri, 8 Nov 2013 - 11:43

Could probably get a PCI SATA interface, if necessary. I do recommend installing CHUD 3.5.2, if it hasn't been installed yet. Allows enabling of nap mode, which will drop the fans back to a less annoying speed. My old MDD was quite loud in the dual 1GHz configuration it was in.

-J

#7 Fri, 8 Nov 2013 - 19:44

Thanks for the advice about the SSD. I considered getting a SATA card, but a good one (I've been looking at the Sonnet cards) is a bit too pricey. OWC's legacy PATA SSDs look pretty good, I'll give one a go soon.

I tried installing the CHUD tools, but the system preferences page for it doesn't seem to work - none of the settings have any effect, even after restarts. I am running Leopard on a FW800 though, maybe it isn't compatible.

#8 Sat, 9 Nov 2013 - 22:00

There are cheap PC SATA cards that can be flashed to Mac. Have a search around here for the relevant threads.

#9 Sat, 9 Nov 2013 - 22:08

IIRC, under Leopard, I had to select single processor mode before it worked right. Sometimes it wouldn't keep a setting either. Seemed to work much better under 10.4.11.

-J