Daystar ships 1.35GHz iMac G4 flat panel CPU upgrade
updated 05:20 pm EDT, Wed August 3, 2005
iMac G4 flat panel upgrade
Daystar is now shipping its , which were announced last month. The upgrade utilizes the most powerful G4 CPU available and delivers more than 2x performance for iMac G4 700 owners. The upgrade utilize the highest performing 745x series CPU available, the Freescale 7457, which outperforms any 7457 shipped by Apple, according to the company; it features a large 512KB internal L2 cache, which allows the iMac G4 to perform at full speed, even without an external L3 cache. The "full system upgrade" requires customers to ship their iMac G4 to Daystar via Daystar's custom shipping container, which they receive after placing their order online. The upgrade is $550 before shipping costs (estimated at $95).
Daystar says that its CPU increases xBench Scores from low 70's to over 130, resulting in "double performance for all OS operations and applications." The upgrade service features Daystar's 21-point system test and diagnostics. The upgrade itself supports dual-boot systems and ncludes XLR8 MAChSpeed Control software for maximizing the G4 upgrade performance.
"The iMac G4 is severely limited by its tiny CPU cache and lack of an external cache", said Gary Dailey, president of Daystar. "We've supercharged the unit with the fastest PowerPC 7457 CPU available, which delivers 1.35GHz and also doubles the CPU cache size - allowing the upgraded system to compete with a new G5."
Still around?
08/03, 05:54pm reply
I thought this company had disappeared. At the price they are charging for this upgrade they should disappear for good. Incredibly overpriced.
RAVH
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2002
bad idea
08/03, 07:04pm reply
while I like daystar adding another choice, I have to say this is a bad choice for anyone. It would be far better to sell your imac g4 700 and just buy...well an imac g5...I got mine off ebay for $825 including shipping (1.6 ghz g5..yes I got a good, but not fantastic price)... I didn't have an imac g4 to turn around and sell...but they go for about $450-550... so $375 would be the diff, maybe less for an upgrade.
course if you have more money than time and really love this form factor and don't mind sending your computer off and waiting, then I guess nobody but nobody can talk you out of this upgrade.
Jonathan-Tanya
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2004
Umm...
08/03, 07:54pm reply
I have an 800 Mhz G4 iMac, and while the speed improvement of the processor is probably noticeable, I also have a Powerbook G4 1.33 Ghz, and can say the processor inside the Mac Mini would probably give you the same if not better performance for less!
abrody
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 1999
Ouch!
08/03, 10:01pm reply
That's some pricing! I was hoping for something less punative for those who like ye olde iLamp. I wonder if barefeats or someone else will bench this upgrade. If it's comparable to a uni-G5 then that might be the way to go for someone not wanting to lose the iLamp to obsolecense ahead of the Intel move.
dru
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Use FP iMac as a display?
08/03, 11:06pm reply
Has anyone every seen a hack to convert a flat panel iMac for use as a display only? In other words, yank the guts and add a video connector and possibly a power supply for the display. It would be nice to be able to hook a Mac Mini to a converted flat panel iMac. Then when you need to upgrade the computer, just get a new Mac Mini. It's a shame to see the display go to waste when the computer inside becomes outdated...
sgirard
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2005
Best G4 Chips Available.
08/05, 12:33pm reply
Hmm,
Although I think "RAVH" is extremely rude... I agree that the price is higher than we all wanted. But the 7457 is still the most expensive (and most powerful/compatible) CPU that Freescale offers. Most likely due to government contracts.
We would love to be able to lower the price.. but the price is a direct reflection of the CPU (cost) used... a 7447 would be cheaper, but just doesn't fit.
Comparing this to a Mac Mini? If you don't need the "cool design", dual boot, sound in, 3.5" CD/Drives, multiple usb ports, video out... then sell your unit and get the Mac Mini., you'll come out better. BTW we (Daystar) sell Mac Mini's and we take trade-ins... let me know.
In short, we debated long and hard on whether to offer this upgrade, given the high cost of Freescale's top of the line choice.
We decided, that if someone loves their iMac "Lampshade" and wants to turn it into a "Barn Stormer", then we would offer the solution, and let them decide.
I should note... we have already completed a number of these upgrades. The systems SCREAM... and not one customer has complained. :-)
Best, Gary Dailey Daystar gary@daystartechnology.com
daystartech
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2005
Daystar Cuts Shipping --
08/15, 08:17pm reply
Daystar has introduced a lower price. The company is picking up the 3-way shipping expense on the iMac Flat Panel upgrades.
While not the low price that would be perfect (only Freescale/Motorola can change that), it is a much better choice now.
daystartech
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2005