>604e would cost about $20. Whether you would make much use of the faster >processor depends on what you are doing with the computer.
This is totally true. I upgraded from a 450Mhz G3 iMac to a 9600/233 because I wanted a bigger monitor, and except for a couple games I want to play (Quake3 and Diablo2), I haven't noticed the speed difference. I'm still going to be getting the hundred dollar G3/400, but all it will do is let me burn audio CDs from mp3 files faster (as the computer can decode them faster) and play Quake and Diablo better. >extra VRAM gives me more options for monitor resolution, but other than >that, these PCI cards haven't made a great deal of difference in my >computing experience. I replaced the stock non-3d-accelerated video card with a flashed PC Voodoo3, and it's done wonders. The 2d video is a ton faster, it drives my 19" VGA multiscan, and the 3d performance is twice what I got from my iMac. All this for 40 dollars on eBay. >doing that. I've had up to 768 mbs of RAM installed at once, but I can't say >I saw much difference beyond the first 128 mbs or so. The only difference is how many programs you can have open at once and how much RAM you can give them. Myself, I'm pretty happy with my 256 megabytes, though I always appreciate more. With 256 megabytes, I can run without virtual memory, give photoshop 128 megabytes to itself, and still have room to open netscape and soundjam. >So my opinion is that unless you find a specific need for a particular >upgrade, don't get it unless it is really a good bargain. For myself, my >best investments were in the 200 mHz processor and a good, big monitor. Exactly. For what it's worth, this 9600/233 gets about 10 fps in Quake3 (not fast enough to actually play, sadly), and Diablo2 runs very well, but not speedily. Just fast enough that the speed doesn't get in the way of gameplay. Not too bad a showing in games that say they require at least a 300Mhz G3. For general use, the most important upgrades to make to one of these older machines are hard disk space and a nice big monitor. After that, if some program gives you grief for lack of (speed, ram, whatever), then consider upgrading the deficient part. -Tyler -- PCI-PowerMacs is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- Sonnet & PowerLogix Upgrades - start at $169 | & CDRWs on Sale! | SPECIAL LIST PRICES - Apple PCI Video Cards from $19.99, MacOS 8.5 CD $79.99 Replacement Parts IN STOCK, Apple CDROMs from $19.99 <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> PCI-PowerMacs list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/pci-powermacs.shtml> Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive:<http://www.mail-archive.com/pci-powermacs%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
