Post Your PowerPC Setup

[Pedro Passamani]

This is my setup as of September 26th, 2023:

Apple Cinema Display 22" ADC
Power Mac G4 Sawtooth 450 MHz (missing its front foot)
Power Mac G4 MDD 2003 1.25 GHz
Apple Pro Keyboard
Apple Pro Mouse (not pictured)

Every two months I swap the Power Macs. Previously I had a B&W G3 (you can catch a glimpse of a 17" Studio Display underneath the desk) and a Dual 450 MHz G4 set up.

 

[AF_APPLETALK]

Who Doesn't like using a Powermac G5 as a base for a Powermac G4 Quicksilver case?


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That quicksilver is SQUEAKY CLEAN!

 

[AF_APPLETALK]

Beside my non working and modded 20" iMac G4 I found on a local online selling page the holy grail itself. A boxed 20" iMac G4 in pristine condition, running Leopard and everything is working fine! Sadly the upper part of the styrofoam is missing so it's very fragile for transport and storage.

Next step is to upgrade RAM and to 10.5.9 Sorbet Leopard. Maybe I'm also upgrading to a SSD but I'm not sure as the original HDD is running very quiet and it's still very fast.

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God damn I need to get a G4 for my collection

 

[Quackington]

For those of you using these much older Macs, how are you getting on with the OS, including web browsing and day-to-day apps? Is it very slow?

 

[Dronecatcher]

For those of you using these much older Macs, how are you getting on with the OS, including web browsing and day-to-day apps? Is it very slow?

When you're using such old machines online, you have to fine tune everything and make concessions - once you do that you'll be surprised how nimble a system can be when you're engaging with a 'reduced' internet.
Offline with period correct software they're as fast as ever - faster than similar modern apps in some cases. They fall down when anything computationally intensive is required, like transcoding video for example.

 

[Quackington]

When you're using such old machines online, you have to fine tune everything and make concessions - once you do that you'll be surprised how nimble a system can be when you're engaging with a 'reduced' internet.
Offline with period correct software they're as fast as ever - faster than similar modern apps in some cases. They fall down when anything computationally intensive is required, like transcoding video for example.

Thank you!

 

[AF_APPLETALK]

For those of you using these much older Macs, how are you getting on with the OS, including web browsing and day-to-day apps? Is it very slow?

My MDD 1.25x2 (DP) machine handles a surprising amount of the internet pretty well with TenFourFox. Too bad they gave up on that browser.

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

My MDD 1.25x2 (DP) machine handles a surprising amount of the internet pretty well with TenFourFox. Too bad they gave up on that browser.

It really is impressive what these 20+ year old machines can still do. Give Dark Web browser a whirl.

 

[Benjamindaines]

with Linux these machines are useful regarding internet? or still the same thing that in Leopard or Tiger?

@friscotxp what you mean with "fully functional in 2021"? can you watch youtube in this powermac without any issue?

Cheers!

There's no getting around the fact that they're old, slow machines but Linux is definitely quicker & runs better on less powerful hardware. As long as you install a distro that supports 32bit PPC you'll have the latest, up to date software. Just the same as if the hardware was still supported by apple (just not running an apple OS, obviously). Installing Linux or BSD is quite honestly the best thing you can do with these old machines if you actually want to use them, rather than have them as museum pieces.

 

[Benjamindaines]

Yes openBSD is one of the best systems to actively support the line of NewWorld or old world nowadays Macs.

I did notice that when x86 was getting BSD it was version 6.6 whereas MacPPC was already in the lead with version 6.7 and all new MacOS now includes the excellent PF firewall by default.

It does kind of make you laugh that few people take the time to read between the lines... Like the news about the evil baseband processors being used to indiscriminately hack people's phones by an evil three letter agency.

Did anyone out there take the time to read there own internal free as in freedom of information document that the same group published under the title USCC CCID 6 Feb 2019.pdf ? If you had you would have read that the person or persons tracking all minutes of all presentations and memorandum was there own internal Secretariat!

So just so we all understand it, spying on you all with Socialism to protect you all from Socialism... As ludicrous as it sounds that's there mentality.

Nice 10 billion data centre they've got there, a gorgeous monument to Socialism!

Oh look NEW open source base bands for mobile phones OsmocomBB

Lol - Love how they crucify there own tech companies but don't go after the genuine criminal - Microsoft!

Oh an maybe that retail developer guy who built it.

No prize for guessing who!

Evil huawei next thing they'll all be screaming evil Apple! ?

So what is Intel ME and AMD PSP oh another illegally closed source baseband processor included in your computer chips.. Just slander the Chinese and the Russians, no wonder the USA is the laughing stock of the open source world.

Contrary to what they seem to believe the Internet was not invented by America it was invented by Victor Glushkov and its called the interNYET!

Uneducated American Heathens!

Maybe they lack the education to understand that what is intended for common mans liberation from the evils of corporate capitalism is not intended for use in a massive illegal spying dragnet!

Sorry to dig up such a old post, I'm just scrolling through this thread enjoying all the old Macs trying to mind my own business....

but, excuse me.... what.....?

Good lord, I'm not even sure what I attempted to read.

 

[mectojic]

Had a bit of time today, decided to do a 15-inch Studio Display photoshoot as I'm probably going to sell one of these soon.

 

[reddrag0n]

i have a blueberry display hooked up to my performa 630

 

[reddrag0n]

 

[Tratkazir_the_1st]

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Oops! We ran into some problems.​

 

[AF_APPLETALK]

Had a bit of time today, decided to do a 15-inch Studio Display photoshoot as I'm probably going to sell one of these soon.
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Man, I have one of the 2nd generation Graphite clamshells. I much prefer the first gen.

 

[mectojic]

Man, I have one of the 2nd generation Graphite clamshells. I much prefer the first gen.

Yes, I sold my two 2nd gen Graphite clamshells to get the first gen. Looks much nicer IMO

 

[reddrag0n]

Had a bit of time today, decided to do a 15-inch Studio Display photoshoot as I'm probably going to sell one of these soon.
View attachment 2315865

the display on the far right, is that the original DB15 model or is that the DVI one?

sorry, just in case... M4551(A) (Rev. A) or M7612 (Rev. C)

 

[mectojic]

the display on the far right, is that the original DB15 model or is that the DVI one?

sorry, just in case... M4551(A) (Rev. A) or M7612 (Rev. C)

The left one is Rev C, the right one is Rev B. Don't have a DB15 model.

 

[chaosbunny]

This is my setup as of September 26th, 2023:

Apple Cinema Display 22" ADC
Power Mac G4 Sawtooth 450 MHz (missing its front foot)
Power Mac G4 MDD 2003 1.25 GHz
Apple Pro Keyboard
Apple Pro Mouse (not pictured)

Every two months I swap the Power Macs. Previously I had a B&W G3 (you can catch a glimpse of a 17" Studio Display underneath the desk) and a Dual 450 MHz G4 set up.

Looks modern even in 2023!

 

[bkmoore773]

My Late 2005 G5 workstation. I posted this setup before, but it has grown. CPU is a 2.3 Dual-Core G5 with 12 GB of RAM, and 4 TB on two mechanical HDDs. I upgraded the GPU to an ATI Radeon X1900 that's been flashed for Mac. I completely disassembled, cleaned and reassembled the G5. It's calibrated and the CPU never exceeds 71C under full load. Fans are barely audible, even under full loads for extended periods of time. I think it runs the way Apple intended the G5 to run when it was new, and the way I remember them when I saw them in the Apple Store on display - although I couldn't afford one at the time.

I have tried using a 2.5 GHz Dual Core CPU in this setup, but went back to the 2.3 GHz CPU and think that's the optimal solution for this computer. Under full load, the 2.5 GHz drew over 50W per Core, or 100-110W for the CPU. The 2.3 GHz CPU only draws 30-35W per core under full loads, or about 65- 70W for the whole CPU. That last 200 MHz causes 50% more power consumption, and heat generation.

I think the reason the G5 is a polarizing computer is there are lots of defective G5s out there, and people are basing their opinions off of that. If you have a good G5, you'll probably love it.

 

[AphoticD]

My Late 2005 G5 workstation. I posted this setup before, but it has grown. CPU is a 2.3 Dual-Core G5 with 12 GB of RAM, and 4 TB on two mechanical HDDs. I upgraded the GPU to an ATI Radeon X1900 that's been flashed for Mac. I completely disassembled, cleaned and reassembled the G5. It's calibrated and the CPU never exceeds 71C under full load. Fans are barely audible, even under full loads for extended periods of time. I think it runs the way Apple intended the G5 to run when it was new, and the way I remember them when I saw them in the Apple Store on display - although I couldn't afford one at the time.

I have tried using a 2.5 GHz Dual Core CPU in this setup, but went back to the 2.3 GHz CPU and think that's the optimal solution for this computer. Under full load, the 2.5 GHz drew over 50W per Core, or 100-110W for the CPU. The 2.3 GHz CPU only draws 30-35W per core under full loads, or about 65- 70W for the whole CPU. That last 200 MHz causes 50% more power consumption, and heat generation.

I think the reason the G5 is a polarizing computer is there are lots of defective G5s out there, and people are basing their opinions off of that. If you have a good G5, you'll probably love it.

Thanks for sharing this write up — I love to see the G5 getting some regard! Where did you get the power draw readings for the CPU cores? I can't recall, but is that an iStat Menus feature?

You inspired me to write an update to an old thread of mine:

The Cluster of POWER (And a Xeon)

After some hiatus, I wanted to post an update as I recently reinstated the G5s into my workspace because the MacPro has been having fan noise trouble. As per the first post, I have a few G5s, this includes a Quad 2.5GHz. I have the late 2005 Dual Core 2.3GHz G5 which was my long-time favourite...

forums.macrumors.com

In response to the reliability or defectiveness of the G5 series, I can say I have also had a hit and miss experience. But, I wouldn't go as far as to say the series was defective, so much as to say that they will internally run hot, and parts will eventually be consumed by heat, age, or by some hungry ghost living inside the architecture...

 

[Certificate of Excellence]

Thanks for sharing this write up — I love to see the G5 getting some regard! Where did you get the power draw readings for the CPU cores? I can't recall, but is that an iStat Menus feature?

You inspired me to write an update to an old thread of mine:

The Cluster of POWER (And a Xeon)

After some hiatus, I wanted to post an update as I recently reinstated the G5s into my workspace because the MacPro has been having fan noise trouble. As per the first post, I have a few G5s, this includes a Quad 2.5GHz. I have the late 2005 Dual Core 2.3GHz G5 which was my long-time favourite...

forums.macrumors.com

In response to the reliability or defectiveness of the G5 series, I can say I have also had a hit and miss experience. But, I wouldn't go as far as to say the series was defective, so much as to say that they will internally run hot, and parts will eventually be consumed by heat, age, or by some hungry ghost living inside the architecture...

I am way into my PMG5s. Both have been very solid with the exception of the acbel psu failing in my a1047 and when I set up a software raid in my a1117, the fans will ramp up to jet engine status once the Mac goes to sleep - runs absolutely fine any other time. The intentionally compartmentalized airflow/engineering in these is a fav part of mine vs the open case designs of previous powermacs. Anyways, aside from these two singular issues, both have been and are some of my favorite to have in rotation and use.

 

[bkmoore773]

Thanks for sharing this write up — I love to see the G5 getting some regard! Where did you get the power draw readings for the CPU cores? I can't recall, but is that an iStat Menus feature?
.....

Yes, I got the power draw readings from iStat Menus under Leopard. It's also possible that the 2.5 DP card I got is defective, as it almost certainly came out of an overheating Quad that was parted out at some point. Maybe overheating damaged it? When the 2.5 was under moderate load, the fans ramped up no matter what and it felt like the computer was thermally throttling, performance was poor. Eventually, I just put the original 2.3 CPU back in, and the computer now runs almost completely silently, even under extended loads. I compiled InterWeb and TenFour Fox on it, while watching videos or playing classic Mac OS games, with no slow down. Try that on a G4!!!

EDIT: The reason I keep a G5 running is I actually purchased a large library of software for PPC in the late '90s through the late 00's. It almost feels like waste to not be able to run this software, but the G5 can run everything I throw at it. I was even able to still activate my copy of Maple on line, that I purchased while in graduate school!!!

 

[Nils Zaayenga]

Hello everyone,

Today I would like to show you my little PowerPC collection.
All PowerPCs work and only have slight visual defects.
I buy/auction all of my computers on E-Bay.

(At the bottom you can see an Apple MacBook 2.1 and an Apple Powerbook Duo 270C with floppy)


Apple IBook G3, 12,1 Zoll, 500 Mhz, 640MB RAM, 120GB SSD, Combodrive, Mac OS 9.2.2 (60€ purchase price)

Apple IBook G4, 12,1 Zoll, 1,33 Ghz, 1,5 GB RAM, 40 GB HDD, Superdrive, Mac OS 10.4.11 and Sorbet Leopard (5€ purchase price)

Apple Powerbook G4, 17 Zoll, 1 Ghz, 2 GB RAM, 120GB SSD, Superdrive, Mac OS 10.4.11 (60€ purchase price)

If everything goes well, an Apple Powerbook G4 Titanium will be moving in with me this week ;-)

 

[Nils Zaayenga]

Hello everyone,

I still owe you my last new addition. As you can see it is in good condition. Just a few scratches and paint defects. Things are going well, surfing is still possible.

Apple Powerbook G4 Titanium, 15 inch, 550 MHz, 1 GB RAM, 20 GB HDD, 6x DVD-ROM, Mac OS 10.4.11 (€65 purchase price).

The only thing I'm missing is a laptop holder for the ISight, then the "exhibition" will be complete.

Have fun with the pictures