The Sonnet CPU's simply lacks L3 cache (and has less L2 cache than Apples CPUs) which makes for instance the dual 1.8ghz slower than a dual 1.42ghz G4 when doing CPU intensive tasks that uses alot of FPU power (using VSTi's, RTAS, rendering audio files etc).The sonnet Dual 1.8 is faster than any [email protected]. I'd tested my [email protected] against Sonnet Dual 1.8 upgraded MDD of a friend of mine and the Sonnet was always faster. The things only become more equal when I'd overclocked mi MDD to 1.66. But the [email protected] is unstable, at least in summertime :(
I have an "original" Dual 1.25ghz board overclocked to 1.5ghz in my MDD. Have worked great the past two years I'v had it, even during the warmest summer days.I have a 1.25 (beige ring chip) overclocked to 1.5 working hard since 2005 without any problems too. But I have another 1.25 that can't pass 1.42 (grey ring chip). I also have another 1.25 with grey ring chip to test −when I have time− if the color of the "chip ring " has something to do with oveclock ability.
The sonnet Dual 1.8 is faster than any [email protected]. I'd tested my [email protected] against Sonnet Dual 1.8 upgraded MDD of a friend of mine and the Sonnet was always faster. The things only become more equal when I'd overclocked mi MDD to 1.66. But the [email protected] is unstable, at least in summertime :(
The Sonnet CPU's simply lacks L3 cache (and has less L2 cache than Apples CPUs)are you sure? review the info posted here re: L2 + L3 cache, its an image screengrab of the pdf also linked now:
[email protected] | [email protected] | ||
Rendering (Single CPU): | 163 | 158 | 3.16% |
Rendering (Multiple CPU): | 309 | 297 | 4.04% |
Shading (CINEMA 4D) : | 181 | 190 | -4.74% |
Shading (OpenGL Software) : | 473 | 494 | -4.25% |
Shading (OpenGL Hardware) : | 474 | 511 | -7.24% |
yeah u would think they dropped the L3 cache because they noticed that it wasnt making that much of a difference..
Wow... I never noticed the "color" ring theory... I will look at all my MDDs (5 total) to check that out...Well, I'm not sure... but I have overclocked three single 1.25 CPU's, two of them achieve easily 1.5 Ghz and have both "gray ring" and the other one only hardly achieve 1.42 Ghz and have the "beige ring".
I could be wrong, but I think your "Gray ring" version is simple a sloppy Arctic Silver job by Apple (or done later)... the beige ring is probably how they all looked at one time
I have personally seen this on many g4s and it is actually a real problem since the over application of Arctic Silver (which is conductive by the way) gets under the clear coating that surrounds the CPU on the daughter board and is now impossible to get out... too much conductive paste can kill the CPU if it spreads under the film to a large area... so the rule of thumb is to apply a very small amount that will spread just cover the CPU and not over-flow and to use the new high-tech non-condutive versions...
See Japmacs approach here...
http://www.jcsenterprises.com/Japamacs_Page/Blog/9AE7FE0E-0CF2-4A7C-8003-489B282582BC.html
Wow...we have to look into this ring thing... maybe there are 2 different revs of the CPU daughter boards and one overclocks betterThat's my theory. But I'm not sure −of course− I've tested it only in three 1.25 single.
Whether trying to get a Sonnet dual 1.8 GHz Encore/MDX G4 Duet CPU upgrade for a G4 MDD tower
http://lowendmac.com/musings/07/art/mirrored.jpg ],
or a Giga Design Dual 1.33 GHz 7455 CPU upgrade for a G4 MDD tower
[ http://lowendmac.com/musings/07/art/giga-mdd.jpg ],
isn't one of the issues theses days, where to find them, to begin with ?
i dont think u can upgrade a MDD tower...Of course you can.
... If you can make music with a G3 233-450 why spend 500-800 bucks on a 866 to 1.x upgrade?Each one has his own needs...
so is this MDD DUET the one that we are seeing in teh benchmarks at the top?
Here we have the table with the results of the test "Cinebench 2003"Yes.
[email protected] [email protected] Rendering (Single CPU): 163 158 3.16% Rendering (Multiple CPU): 309 297 4.04% Shading (CINEMA 4D) : 181 190 -4.74% Shading (OpenGL Software) : 473 494 -4.25% Shading (OpenGL Hardware) : 474 511 -7.24%
The test was done in two MDD with Mac os 9.22. One with sonnet [email protected] dual and the other with [email protected] Dual overclocked to 1.66.
Whether trying to get a Sonnet dual 1.8 GHz Encore/MDX G4 Duet CPU upgrade for a G4 MDD tower
http://lowendmac.com/musings/07/art/mirrored.jpg ],
or a Giga Design Dual 1.33 GHz 7455 CPU upgrade for a G4 MDD tower
[ http://lowendmac.com/musings/07/art/giga-mdd.jpg ],
isn't one of the issues theses days, where to find them, to begin with ?
i dont think u can upgrade a MDD tower...Of course you can.
http://www.officespecialties.com/sonnet_xg4d_1800_encore_mdx_duet_1.8_ghz_processor_85649_prd1.htm
our manuals directory is now public open + browsable.Great idea.
From what I gather the last MDD that boots OS9 would likely outperform this setup, but considering a lot of Studio Vision Pro users seem to think >2002 G4 are overkill & unstable it will be interesting to see how this works
this is not what you want to hear atm. :) , but, to make best use of dual processor machines, use software which supports dual processors.
The Sonnet Dual G4's are a bad option for a MDD or FW800 G4. The Sonnet CPU's simply lacks L3 cache (and has less L2 cache than Apples CPUs) which makes for instance the dual 1.8ghz slower than a dual 1.42ghz G4 when doing CPU intensive tasks that uses a lot of FPU power (using VST's, RTAS, rendering audio files etc).
I have an "original" Dual 1.25ghz board overclocked to 1.5ghz in my MDD. Have worked great the past two years I've had it, even during the warmest summer days.
Go buy yourself a $50 original Dual 1.25ghz board and overclock it. It's the fastest and cheapest way to maximize the power of your MDD ;)
The Sonnet Dual G4's are a bad option for a MDD or FW800 G4. The Sonnet CPU's simply lacks L3 cache (and has less L2 cache than Apples CPUs) which makes for instance the dual 1.8ghz slower than a dual 1.42ghz G4 when doing CPU intensive tasks that uses a lot of FPU power (using VST's, RTAS, rendering audio files etc).
I have an "original" Dual 1.25ghz board overclocked to 1.5ghz in my MDD. Have worked great the past two years I've had it, even during the warmest summer days.
Go buy yourself a $50 original Dual 1.25ghz board and overclock it. It's the fastest and cheapest way to maximize the power of your MDD ;)
I have a FW400 MDD. I started with a dual 1.25, replaced those with 1.42s, and finally I now have one of those rare bird Sonnet dual 1.8s. I can say that without any question, my experience is that the Sonnet is measurably and empirically fastest in all aspects. This is true in both OS9 AND 10.5.8 - L1,2,3 caches and /or single or dual procs being present / used notwithstanding.
None 7448 has ever worked in dual configuration in mac Os 9. AFAIK
not sure what you mean by that.
None 7448 has ever worked in dual configuration in mac Os 9. AFAIK
If you install a dual 7448 upgrade, it only can work as a single CPU under Mac Os 9 due to a weird and unsolved incompatibility with "Apple CPU plugins" file.
If anyone wants to take a guess you can see it
here u see a sonnet mdd cpu upgrade for an xserve..
with its signature purple heatsink..
how is it they were able to make the heatsink so small
compared to the stock apple cpus
The second is that this particular sonnet upgrade requires an active cooler (a fan, etc). The 1.42 copper cooler is passive and depends on that small fan at the front of the case to provide enough air flow to dissipate it's heat. As soon as you apply even a small dedicated fan to the built in cooler it becomes much more capable.
Methinks you might be confusing the MDD with something else? The MDD has one big 120mm fan smack in the middle that ends up adjacent to the CPU sink when you close the case.
My Sonnet 1.8 runs all day long with just that fan.
You're right - you didn't. That was Blazeoptimus. I don't know how it was attributed to you…
At that price, better to be stock and buy another MDD.
There is a thin line between cheaps PowerMacs and $$$$ Apple collectors CPU upgrades.
I will not cross that $$$$ line for sure. If you can make music with a G3 233-450 why spend 500-800 bucks on a 866 to 1.x upgrade?
What's the single biggest and *stable* upgrade you've seen? I had a PowerMac 7500, which came with 100 MHZ 601 CPU. I upgraded it to a 400 MHZ G3 and it worked very well. I assume a 400 MHZ G4 would have been great too.
So, that's 4x MHZ, and 2-step processor (601, 604, G3).
That whole line, from the 7500 - 9600 was good for upgrading. I think it was basically the "Pro" line of its day.