On 12/15/08 11:13 PM, Maccountant of [email protected] sent > > Hi, I have a 2003 single 1.25GHz MDD running Tiger w/ 2 MB RAM. It's a > great machine, just a little long in the tooth. I use it as my primary > computer and file server to my 2007 MacBook. I was wondering what > upgrades would be cost-effective, if any, aside from RAM (it's maxed > anyway) and a new drive. My thoughts are either/or a graphics card and > a processor upgrade. Does it make sense to add a Radeon 9600 or 9800? > I also noticed that Sonnet has duel processor upgrades at 1.6 (apx > $450) and 1.8 ($600) GHz for the MDD. Basically these are to make the > machine a little snappier. I do financial and accounting work, some > Photoshop CS2 stuff, a little web page updating, and some video > editing. Also some occasional games like Unreal Tournament. The real > reason I got the Macbook was for using Windows when I need it. The > portability is a nice plus. Does anyone have any experience with any > of these upgrades or have an opinion? > > Thanks, > Gary
Hello Gary, My humble 2¢ worth: Presuming that your present video card is a non-Core Image supported OEM unit (hence the desire to upgrade), obtaining a replacement would be the greatest value-based option as outlined (most bang with least amount of $). I too thought once of obtaining one of the CPU upgrades you mentioned, but thought otherwise once the price was soberly considered (the prices you mentioned tend to be very stable even at eBay prices, i.e. no bargains to be had). $600 easily nets you a good used G5 tower, where a dual 1.8GHz CPU (I am thinking of the June 2004 models or later) is serviced by a minimum bus speed of 800MHz (compared to the maximum bus speed of 167MHz on a G4). If you must upgrade the CPU, perhaps shop for a lateral move to a dual-CPU OEM 1.25GHz unit, which would be a help to your Photoshop usage, and most likely net you a cheaper price. In the end, at $600 a pop, I would be shopping for G5s. Again, just my 2¢ worth. Best wishes, Dana --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed Low End Mac's G3-5 List, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list?hl=en Low End Mac RSS feed at feed://lowendmac.com/feed.xml -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
