Guide to CPU Upgrades for Power Mac G4

(100-133 MHz bus models)

Created 2002.06.12
no longer updated
see our Guide to Power Mac G4 Upgrades for Power Mac G4 with AGP graphics

Got a Power Mac or compatible? Join the G-List email list.
Got a G4 or want to know more? Join the G4 email list.

The Power Mac G4 has shipped in several different configurations. The "Yikes!" model has a 100 MHz bus and takes the same ZIF upgrades as the Power Mac G3. The "Sawtooth" models have a 100 MHz bus, the 2001 and most later models use a 133 MHz bus, and the current 1.0 and 1.25 GHz dual processors machines have a 167 MHz bus. This page covers upgrades for Power Macs with AGP video and a 100 or 133 MHz system bus.

Moving to a faster CPU is as easy as removing the current one and inserting a new one in the zero insertion force (ZIF) socket.

Benchmark scores are supplied by the manufacturer.

The information is as accurate as I can find, but specifications and availability are subject to change; I suggest you check with the manufacturer to verify current models. Prices keep dropping, so these prices may be outdated. (Prices are in $US.) In fact, models are added and discontinued so often, it's impossible to keep track of which models are current.

Discontinued accelerators will be retained for historical reasons. Accelerators may not work in all G4s with AGP, particularly the Cube. Be sure to check manufacturer's site for full compatiblity data.

Manufacturer

CPU
Speed

CPU, L2
Cache
Size

L3
Cache
Size

L3
Cache
Speed

MacBench
5.0 rating*

Est.
Street Price

Giga Designs G-celerator added 1/9/03	800 MHz	none	$299
	1 GHz	none	$489
	1 GHz	2 MB	$599

Other World Computing
Mercury Extreme
added 5/23/03

1.33 GHz

7455
256 KB

2 MB

267 MHz

$580

PowerLogix PowerForce G4 Series 100 updated 1/10/03	750 MHz	7455 256 KB		disc.
	800 MHz		2 MB	$449
	1 GHz		2 MB	$699
	1.2 GHz		2 MB	$799

PowerLogix PowerForce Dual G4 Series 100 added 1/10/03	800 MHz	2 7455 256 KB	2 MB	$799
	1 GHz		2 MB	$1,199
	1.2 GHz		2 MB	$1,399

PowerLogix PowerForce G4 Series 133 updated 1/10/03	800 MHz	7455 256 KB	$449
	1 GHz		$699
	1.2 GHz		$799

PowerLogix PowerForce Dual G4 Series 133 added 1/10/03	800 MHz	2 7455 256 KB	2 MB	$799
	1 GHz		2 MB	$1,199
	1.2 GHz		2 MB	$1,399

Sonnet Tech Encore/ST G4 updated 12/7/04	800 MHz	256 KB	2 MB	disc.
	1 GHz	256 KB	2 MB	$230
	1.2 GHz	256 KB	2 MB	$300
	1.4 GHz	512 KB	none	$400
	1.7 GHz	512 KB	none	$500

Sonnet Tech Encore/ST G4 Duet updated 12/7/04	500 MHz		1 MB L2	500 MHz		disc.
Sonnet Tech Encore/ST G4 Duet updated 12/7/04	1.3 GHz		2 x 2 MB			$700

About LEM | Support | Usage | Privacy | Contacts

Entire Low End Mac website copyright ©1997-2009 by Cobweb Publishing, Inc., unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. Advice presented in good faith, but what works for one may not work for all. Please report errors to .
LINKS: We allow and encourage links to any public page as long as the linked page does not appear within a frame that prevents bookmarking it.
Access our RSS news feed at http://lowendmac.com/feed.xml.
Email may be published at our discretion; email addresses will not be published without permission, and we will encrypt them in hopes of avoiding spammers. If you prefer your message not be published, mark it "not for publication." Letters may be edited for length, context, and to match house style.
PRIVACY: We don't collect personal information unless you explicitly provide it. For more details, see our Terms of Use.
Low End Mac is an independent publication and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Apple Inc. Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, iBook, iMac, eMac, iPod, iPhone, PowerBook, MacBook, MagSafe, Mac Pro, Apple TV, and AirPort are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. Additional company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks and are hereby acknowledged.