Can someone identify this G4 Model?

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PowerMac G4 Sawtooth (AGP Graphics).

Good luck on any upgrades though. CPU upgrade that will work will run you way over $100 and still be slow.

It's not a bad deal at the price you paid. I would just upgrade the RAM a bit and mess with it but don't expect very much.
 
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PowerMac G4 Sawtooth (AGP Graphics).

Good luck on any upgrades though. CPU upgrade that will work will run you way over $100 and still be slow.

It's not a bad deal at the price you paid. I would just upgrade the RAM a bit and mess with it but don't expect very much.

Yes, I mainly plan to upgrade the RAM, possibly the HD. Thanks for the Identification, and I don't expect much from it. Haha.

Also, what is the best operating system I can get for it?
 

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It's kind of difficult to know from the information given. The only thing I can determine is (if the 20 gig HD is original)...is that it's either an "AGP" or a "Gigabit" model...since these came with a 20gig HD...the "PCI" came with a 10gig HD.

All three of these models use the same ram (PC100) & the same HD...so from an upgrade perspective the parts are the same. The good thing (if it is an AGP or a Gigabit)...is that they both have a 2gig max ram limit...the PCI can only be upgraded to 1 gig of ram.

The bad thing is...the ram for these computers is pretty expensive when you consider the price/gig. To max. one of these out to 2 gig of ram will cost $92.00. Cheaper if you can buy "used" ram. Remember...you just can't "pop" any old PC-100 ram in there...since PC-100 ram for Windows computers (in many cases) won't work.

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other World Computing/100SD512328/

Congrats on the purchase...just be very careful how much you spend upgrading it.

- Nick
 

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Yes, I mainly plan to upgrade the RAM, possibly the HD. Thanks for the Identification, and I don't expect much from it. Haha.

Also, what is the best operating system I can get for it?

With the 400Mhz G4 you are stuck with 10.4 Tiger. There are ways to fool 10.5 Leopard (Leopard Assist) to run on the under 867 Mhz G4, but it will be very slow. Tiger will be fine but do give it at least 512 Megs RAM if you can. The AGP Graphics machines will take up to 4x512 MB PC100 SDRAM modules for a total of 2GB, but some of that is not cheap.

There is a 128GB limit on the hard drive on the older systems like on older PC hardware. You can put 2x120GB IDE hard drives in the system.
 

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Nick, the Gigabit models did not have a 400 Mhz G4. 450 Dual and 500. The audio jacks on the PCI Graphics are side by side on the bottom where the Sawtooth (AGP) are on on top of the other. I have a 400 Mhz Sawtooth here somewhere! :D
 
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It's kind of difficult to know from the information given. The only thing I can determine is (if the 20 gig HD is original)...is that it's either an "AGP" or a "Gigabit" model...since these came with a 20gig HD...the "PCI" came with a 10gig HD.

All three of these models use the same ram (PC100) & the same HD...so from an upgrade perspective the parts are the same. The good thing (if it is an AGP or a Gigabit)...is that they both have a 2gig max ram limit...the PCI can only be upgraded to 1 gig of ram.

The bad thing is...the ram for these computers is pretty expensive when you consider the price/gig. To max. one of these out to 2 gig of ram will cost $92.00. Cheaper if you can buy "used" ram. Remember...you just can't "pop" any old PC-100 ram in there...since PC-100 ram for Windows computers (in many cases) won't work.

OWC OWC100SD512328 512MB PC100 CL2 168 Pin SDRam... in stock at OWC

Congrats on the purchase...just be very careful how much you spend upgrading it.

- Nick

OS 10.4 "Tiger".

- Nick

I'm thinking it's AGP because it has DVI. Thanks fo the info.

With the 400Mhz G4 you are stuck with 10.4 Tiger. There are ways to fool 10.5 Leopard (Leopard Assist) to run on the under 867 Mhz G4, but it will be very slow. Tiger will be fine but do give it at least 512 Megs RAM if you can. The AGP Graphics machines will take up to 4x512 MB PC100 SDRAM modules for a total of 2GB, but some of that is not cheap.

There is a 128GB limit on the hard drive on the older systems like on older PC hardware. You can put 2x120GB IDE hard drives in the system.

I'll stick with 10.4. I plan on maxing out the ram also. And I may put 2x120GB HDs in it. Thanks everyone.

-James
 

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Nick, the Gigabit models did not have a 400 Mhz G4. 450 Dual and 500. The audio jacks on the PCI Graphics are side by side on the bottom where the Sawtooth (AGP) are on on top of the other. I have a 400 Mhz Sawtooth here somewhere! :D

Here's a 400ghz "Gigabit" model:

Power Macintosh G4 400 (Gigabit) Specs (Gigabit Ethernet, M7891LL/A, PowerMac3,3, M5183, N/A) @ EveryMac.com

You're probably right about the audio jacks...I wasn't looking for that.:)...and the 400mhz "AGP" model was more common...so probably what the OP has.

- Nick
 
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Yes Nick you are correct. There is a 400MHz Gigabit Ethernet. As it has the 20GB HDD and DVD-ROM all indications are to the G.E.

Acrylic make sure you purchase a black full retail install Tiger DVD and not the silver/grey model specific copies that abound on eBay. Also when you purchase memory, remember these models are very particular and must have Mac compatible low density modules. Do not memory from your local PC shop, as PC's generally use high density, cheaper memory which will not work.
 

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Here's a 400ghz "Gigabit" model:

Power Macintosh G4 400 (Gigabit) Specs (Gigabit Ethernet, M7891LL/A, PowerMac3,3, M5183, N/A) @ EveryMac.com

You're probably right about the audio jacks...I wasn't looking for that.:)...and the 400mhz "AGP" model was more common...so probably what the OP has.

- Nick

Power Mac G4: How to Differentiate Between Models


Also both my 400 Mhz G4 and 500 Mhz G4 both Sawtooth came with a 20GB stock. If it's a GE it will show up with Gigabit Ethernet after the OS install. Can't believe I did not see the 400 GE this morning when looking. Tired I guess.
 

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Also both my 400 Mhz G4 and 500 Mhz G4 both Sawtooth came with a 20GB stock. If it's a GE it will show up with Gigabit Ethernet after the OS install. Can't believe I did not see the 400 GE this morning when looking. Tired I guess.

I agree. This is why I eliminated the "PCI" model from the 3 choices...since it came with a 10gig HD.

Yeah...the photos of the back of the computer make it easier to identify. I saw that the e-Bay auction photos did include a picture of the back...but I wasn't sure if the e-Bay seller was using "stock" Powermac G4 photos...or photos of the actual unit. So I wasn't sure I could trust the photos.

Anyway...the type of ram & HD are the same for upgrade purposes (just higher max. ram for the AGP & gigabit models).

- Nick
 

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When the OP gets the Powermac in the mail, another thing I keep forgetting is there is a label somewhere on the back that has the shipping specs listed! It's so small sometimes it does not stand out, but it should be there unless someone pried it off. :D
 
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Yes Nick you are correct. There is a 400MHz Gigabit Ethernet. As it has the 20GB HDD and DVD-ROM all indications are to the G.E.

Acrylic make sure you purchase a black full retail install Tiger DVD and not the silver/grey model specific copies that abound on eBay. Also when you purchase memory, remember these models are very particular and must have Mac compatible low density modules. Do not memory from your local PC shop, as PC's generally use high density, cheaper memory which will not work.

Thanks! I'll keep that in mind.

Power Mac G4: How to Differentiate Between Models


Also both my 400 Mhz G4 and 500 Mhz G4 both Sawtooth came with a 20GB stock. If it's a GE it will show up with Gigabit Ethernet after the OS install. Can't believe I did not see the 400 GE this morning when looking. Tired I guess.

:D (Don't know what to say.)

When the OP gets the Powermac in the mail, another thing I keep forgetting is there is a label somewhere on the back that has the shipping specs listed! It's so small sometimes it does not stand out, but it should be there unless someone pried it off. :D

Why are you all calling me op? :(
 
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Also, does anyone know wether it has built in wifi or would I need an airport card as well?
 

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Also, does anyone know wether it has built in wifi or would I need an airport card as well?

You need an Airport card...unless it was included...which I don't think that it is from the e-Bay description.

That's going to be another $25-$30 bucks + shipping off e-Bay. You need this one:

411B5AP40TL._SL500_AA300_.jpg


- Nick

p.s. Just remember...for about $200 bucks (plus shipping) you could have gotten a 1.8ghz dual processor Powermac G5. This is why I always warn folks...be careful how much you spend upgrading older computers.
 
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You need an Airport card...unless it was included...which I don't think that it is from the e-Bay description.

That's going to be another $25-$30 bucks + shipping off e-Bay. You need this one:

411B5AP40TL._SL500_AA300_.jpg


- Nick

p.s. Just remember...for about $200 bucks (plus shipping) you could have gotten a 1.8ghz dual processor Powermac G5. This is why I always warn folks...be careful how much you spend upgrading older computers.

Are you sure? look at the attachment screenshot.
Anyway, I'll probably get another G5 around September.

Screen shot 2011-05-23 at 9.18.33 PM.png
 

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Are you sure? look at the attachment screenshot.

Yes I'm sure!;) All those "Yes's" in that screen shot mean that the particular computer model "supports" Airport. The 400mhz "PCI" Powermac G4 did not support Airport...that's why it says no.

The "Yes's" means that that those models support Airport...but the Airport card itself was optional (not installed automatically with each computer sold). Originally when Airport first came out...the Airport upgrade was VERY expensive...and thus folks didn't get it. Sort of like getting an SSD drive in a new computer today.

This Airport card is easily removable & useable in many other Macintosh models of that period...including laptops. So many "professional" e-Bay sellers (like the one you bought from) remove the Airport card. Why?...your computer cost $14.99...the Airport card itself sells for $25-$30 dollars...DOUBLE the value of the whole computer!!!

HTH,

- Nick
 

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Nick is correct. From the Sawtooth up all the power macs have a slot for the Airport card shown in the pic Nick provided.
 

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