Low End Mac's Best Deals

Best Power Mac G4 and AGP Video Card Prices

2012.04.18

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The Power Mac G4 is a favorite at Low End Mac, where we have two dual processor models in daily use - one running OS X 10.5 Leopard and another running 10.4 Tiger with Classic Mode. The Power Mac G4 offers a lot of value with power, expandability (3-4 PCI slots and several drive bays), and upgradability (1.5 to 2.0 GB maximum RAM). 733 MHz models start as low as $55, and we've found some of the best prices we've ever seen for dual processor models - 1.25 GHz dual for $99. Unless that's more than your budget permits, dual processor Power Macs are the ones to buy.

Power Mac G4 Over the life span of the Power Mac G4, speeds ranged from 350 MHz to 1.42 GHz, and most of these can be upgraded as far as 2 GHz (or dual 1.8 GHz) if you need more speed.

If you're using (or plan to use) OS X, consider dual processor models, which can offer significantly more performance under OS X than single processor models - usually at a small difference in price. As a very rough guide, a dual CPU model will outperform a single CPU model with a 60-70% higher MHz rating under OS X (we'd pick a 533 dual over a 733 single at the same price. We're currently using 500 MHz, 1 GHz, and 1.6 GHz dual G4s at LEM headquarters).

You really need 256 MB to run OS X through version 10.3, 512 MB to run 10.4 decently, and more yet if you want to run 10.5. For our perspective on the various G4 Power Macs in the Age of Leopard, please see:

Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard is supported on all 867 MHz and faster Macs (including slower G4 Power Macs with upgrade CPUs 867 MHz and faster) with at least 512 MB of RAM and the ability to run the DVD-based installer, so G4 Power Macs with CD-ROM or CD-RW drives will need an optical drive upgrade.

Although Apple has coded the Leopard installer to require an 867 MHz G4, there are a few ways around that, and our readers report successfully running Mac OS X 10.5 on pretty much every unsupported Power Mac G4 with AGP graphics. To date, we have no reports of Leopard running on the Yikes! model with PCI graphics. See our article on Unsupported Leopard Installation for more information.

If you're looking for maximum memory at minimum price, you can bring a Quicksilver to 1.5 GB for $45 and a Mirror Drive Door to 2 GB for $60 at today's RAM prices. Upgrading memory in older Macs is more costly.

We try to factor in shipping costs, which vary by weight and distance. Numbers we use are for shipping to Low End Mac headquarters in Michigan. Ground shipping may add $20 to $60 to your cost. Used Macs typically come with a 90 day warranty. Memory and drive size reported as RAM/hard drive size.

Single CPU

Dual CPU

Recent RAM Prices (per module)

Mac OS and OS X Server Prices

Note that some vendors are selling PC2700 RAM that is listed at PC2100. These modules can only work on Power Macs that support PC2100 RAM if all PC2100 modules are removed. PC2100 and PC2700 RAM cannot be combined in the same Mac.

Be sure to factor in shipping costs and possibly sales tax. Your best value depends on whether you need/want a color printer, 256-512 MB extra RAM, etc. Note that G4 models before the Quicksilver 2002 do not support internal drives larger than 128 GB without additional software or a separate hard drive controller. (See How Big a Hard Drive Can I Put in My iMac, eMac, Power Mac, PowerBook, or iBook? for solutions to this problem.)

There should be no surcharge for credit card purchases, and shipping is not generally included. Shipping can easily add $30 to $50 to your final purchase price. Vendors are listed in alphabetical order. Be sure to visit their sites for full details.

Prices may be limited to quantity on hand. Not responsible for typos. Please email any corrections or additional sources with competitive prices toDan Knight .

Buying through some of these links benefits Low End Mac. Buying at these prices benefits you.

Profiles

These models have a single media bay for CD-ROM, DVD, etc. The bay below it can handle a Zip drive but not a second optical drive.

Mirror Drive Door (MDD) models have two full-sized media drive bays. Models with FireWire 800 cannot boot the classic Mac OS. Dealer websites do not always distinguish models, so be sure to ask before buying.

Advanced Technology Recycling

30 day warranty. ATR is located in Pontiac, IL. Go to Products > Computer Systems > Mac's and Stuff. Add $15 for keyboard & mouse. LCD monitors from $30 to $100. We recently received a shipment from ATR at Low End Mac headquarters. The merchandise was in great condition and very well packed.

single CPU

dual CPU

DV Warehouse

90 day warranty. Shipping may add $40 or more. Many other configurations listed.

single CPU

dual CPU

MegaMacs

30 day warranty. Ground shipping may add $40 or more.

single CPU

dual CPU

Operator Headgap

Shipping included. In most cases, these Power Macs have been upgraded with a new 22x Pioneer SuperDrive and a new 7200 rpm hard drive. Price includes keyboard and mouse but does not include a modem. Operator Headgap thoroughly refurbishes and tests every Mac they sell. When buying, please let them know you heard about them on Low End Mac when entering your shipping information. Thanks!

single CPU

dual CPU

PowerMax

90 day warranty. Mac OS 9.2.2 and OS X 10.3.9 installed. Free shipping on orders over $50. Keyboard usually not included. PowerMax has the widest selection of Power Macs among the dealers we track, and a few other configurations are available.

single CPU

dual CPU

Teksale

90 day warranty. Ground shipping may add $40 or more. Used Macs include new Macally iKey keyboard, USB optical mouse, and have Mac OS X 10.3 installed. Many other configurations listed.

single CPU

dual CPU

Wegener Media

60 day warranty. Ground shipping may add $35 or more.

We Love Macs

30 day warranty. OS X 10.4 Tiger installed.

single CPU

dual CPU

CPU Upgrades

Except for the Yikes! model, all G4 Power Macs use the same connector for their CPUs. That doesn't mean you can mix and match indiscriminately - sometimes factors like the size and placement of the heat sink present a problem. In general, Sawtooth and Mystic will work with CPUs designed for a 100 MHz or 133 MHz system bus, the 167 MHz bus MDD and FW800 models will only work with CPUs designed for that bus speed, and the rest should work with almost any CPU designed for a 133 MHz bus.

Operator Headgap

When buying, please let Operator Headgap know you heard about them on Low End Mac when entering your shipping information. Thanks!

Other World Computing

For Sawtooth and Mystic, also for Digital Audio, Quicksilver, QS 2002, and 133 MHz bus MDD

AGP Video Cards

Except for the Yikes! model, all of these Power Macs accept one AGP video card. If you want to replace that card, there are plenty of options. Be sure to check compatibility with your model. If you want to add a second video card, it has to be a PCI card - see our Power Mac G3 Deals for a listing of PCI video cards. If you need a video card that supports OpenGL2, the minimum is the Radeon 9600 or the GeForce 6600, and you'll need at least 64 MB of VRAM. OpenGL2 also requires Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard".

Applemacanix

Shipping adds $7.50. Applemacanix sells flashed PCI and AGP video cards. Applemacanix also has a 6-port USB 2.0 card for $13.50.

DV Warehouse

Shipping may add $14 or more.

Operator Headgap

When buying, please let Operator Headgap know you heard about them on Low End Mac when entering your shipping information. Thanks!

Wegener Media

We Love Macs

Need more power? See our Power Mac G5 Deals. Don't need this much power? Check out our Power Mac G3 Deals LEM .

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