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Low End Mac's Best Deals

Best Power Mac G4 and AGP Video Card Deals

2009.11.17

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The Power Mac G4 offers a lot of value with power, expandability, and upgradability. 400 MHz models start as low as $50, and we've found some of the best prices we've ever seen for dual processor models - 500 MHz for $170, 1 GHz for $295, and 1.25 GHz for $300. Unless that's more than your budget permits, dual processor Power Macs are the ones to buy.

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, and we're currently using a 1 GHz dual 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.

Cube

450, $299, DV Warehouse

Single CPU

400 MHz (probably AGP) DVD, $50, Beta Macs
733 MHz QS, $70, Advanced Technology Recycling
HOT 933 MHz QS, $80, Advanced Technology Recycling

Dual CPU

500 MHz dual AGP, $60, Advanced Technology Recycling
HOT 867 MHz dual MDD, $90, Advanced Technology Recycling
HOT 1 GHz dual QS, $150, Advanced Technology Recycling
1 GHz dual MDD, $200, Advanced Technology Recycling
HOT 1.25 GHz dual MDD, $225, Advanced Technology Recycling
1.42 GHz dual FW800, $499, DV Warehouse

Recent RAM Prices (per module)

PC100 (AGP): 128 MB, $5.89; 256 MB, $9.79; 512 MB, $23.89
PC133 (DA, AGP, QS): 64 MB, $6; 128 MB, $7.89; 256 MB, $9.79; 512 MB, $19.99
PC2100 (867 MHz MDD, 1 GB FW800): 128 MB, $6.95; 256 MB, $7.89; 512 MB, $14.89
PC2700 (1.0-1.25 GHz MDD, 1.25-1.42 GHz FW800): 256 MB, $7.89; 512 MB, $14.89

Mac OS and OS X Server Prices

Best Classic Mac OS Deals (use 9.2.2 for Classic Mode)
Best Mac OS X 10.0-10.3 Deals
Best Mac OS X 10.4 'Tiger' Deals
Best Mac OS X 10.5 'Leopard' Deals (requires 512 MB of RAM, AGP graphics, and DVD compatible drive for installer)

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, or Power Mac? 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.

Cube (450/500 MHz)
PCI = Yikes!/PCI Graphics (350-400 MHz), PC100 RAM, 4 PCI slots
AGP = Sawtooth/AGP Graphics (350-500 MHz), PC100 RAM, 3 PCI + 1 AGP
Mystic = Mystic/Gigabit Ethernet (Dual 450-500 MHz), PC100 RAM, 3 PCI + 1 AGP
DA = Digital Audio (466-733 MHz), PC133 RAM, 4 PCI + 1 AGP
QS = Quicksilver 2001 (733/867/dual 800 MHz), PC133 RAM, 4 PCI + 1 AGP
QS = Quicksilver 2002 (800/933/dual 1000 MHz), PC133 RAM, 4 PCI + 1 AGP

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.

MDD = Mirror Drive Door (DDR, dual boot), PC2100 RAM
FW800= MDD/FW 800 (January 2003, OS X only), PC2100/PC2700 RAM
MDD = Mirror Drive Door (June 2003, dual boot), PC2100 RAM

Adopt a Mac

733 MHz QS CD-RW, 768/40, OS X 10.4, $109

Advanced Technology Recycling

ATR is located in Pontiac, IL. Go to Products > Computer Systems > Mac's and Stuff. Add $25 for keyboard & mouse.

single CPU

733 MHz QS, 512/40/no optical?, OS X 10.4, $69.99
933 MHz QS, 512/40/no optical?, OS X 10.4, $79.99

dual CPU

500 MHz dual AGP, 512/40/no optical?, OS X 10.4, $59.99
867 MHz dual MDD, 512/40/CD, OS X 10.4, $89.99
1 GHz dual QS, 512/40/no optical?, OS X 10.4, $149.99
1 GHz dual MDD, 512/40/CD, OS X 10.5, $199.99
1.25 GHz dual MDD, 1 GB/40/no optical?, OS X 10.5, $225

Apple Palace

Shipping may add $37 or more. 60 day warranty.

single CPU

933 MHz QS Combo, 256/160, $390

dual CPU

1.25 GHz dual MDD SD, 512/80, $595

Beta Macs

Shipping may add $35 or more. 30 day warranty.

single CPU

400 MHz AGP(?) DVD, 256/10, Zip 100, no mouse or keyboard, $49.99

dual CPU

1.25 GHz dual MDD SD, 1 GB/120, no mouse or keyboard, $299

DV Warehouse

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

single CPU

450 MHz Cube DVD, 256/40, $299
400 MHz AGP DVD, 128/10, $139
733 MHz QS CD-RW, 512/40, $159
800 MHz QS CD-RW, 256/40, $195
867 MHz QS SD, 512/40, $229
933 MHz QS SD, 512/40, $279
1 GHz QS SD, 512/40, $295
1.25 GHz MDD Combo, 512/80, $299

dual CPU

867 MHz dual MDD Combo, 512/60, $299
1 GHz dual MDD SD, 512/60, $369
1.25 GHz dual FW800 Combo, 512/80, $399
1.42 GHz dual FW800 SD, 512/80, $499

Mac of All Trades

Ground shipping averages $50. Mac of All Trades has the highest product turnover of any site we track. Units do not include keyboard or mouse. Macally mouse/keyboard combo, $39.

single CPU

500 MHz AGP DVD, 256/80, $69

dual CPU

867 MHz dual MDD Combo, 512/80, $149.99
1 GHz dual MDD SD, 512/80, $199.99
1.25 GHz dual MDD SD, 512/120, $299.99

MacResource

Shipping may add $45 or more. Barebones models also available and include an optical drive and video card but no RAM or hard drive. All units can be customized for RAM, and non-barebones models can be customized for optical drive as well.

single CPU

400 MHz PCI CD, 64/10, $149.99
400 MHz AGP DVD, 128/10, $179.99
450 MHz AGP DVD, 128/10, $199.99
466 MHz DA CD-RW, 256/20, $249.99
500 MHz AGP DVD, 128/20, $249.99
533 MHz DA CD-RW, 256/30, $299.99
733 MHz DA CD-RW, 256/40, $599.99
733 MHz QS CD-RW, 256/40, $599.99
800 MHz QS CD-RW, 256/40, $624.99
867 MHz QS CD-RW, 256/80, $749.99
933 MHz QS CD-RW, 256/80, $774.99
1 GHz FW800 Combo, 256/80, $749.99

dual CPU

450 MHz dual AGP DVD, 128/20, $319.99
500 MHz dual AGP DVD, 128/20, $344.99
800 MHz dual QS SD, 256/80, $497.77
867 MHz dual QS Combo, 1 GB/60, $577.77
1 GHz dual QS SD, 512/80, $597.77
1 GHz dual FW800 Combo, 512/80, $849.99

MegaMacs

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

450 MHz AGP DVD, 256/10, $99.99
533 MHz DA DVD, 512/40, $149.99
733 MHz QS DVD, 512/40, $179.99
733 MHz QS SD, 512/20, $229.99
867 MHz QS DVD, 512/40, $199.99
867 MHz QS Combo, 512/60, $239.99
867 MHz QS SD, 512/80, Zip, $254.99

Operator Headgap

Shipping included. In most cases, these Power Macs have been upgraded with a new Pioneer SuperDrive and a new 7200 rpm hard drive. Price includes keyboard and mouse but may not include a modem (available for $20 additional).

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!

400 MHz PCI SD (Pioneer), 384/30, Rage 128, no modem, $219.77 shipped
500 MHz AGP SD (Pioneer), 512/30, Rage 128, no modem, $299.77 shipped
Sweet Multiport, adds 2 FireWire and 1 USB port plus a 5-in-1 card reader in front (replaces Zip drive or lower optical drive), requires one free PCI slot, $30 shipped

Power Max

Free shipping on orders over $50. Power Max has the widest selection of Power Macs among the dealers we track.

AGP (Sawtooth, Mystic)

450 MHz dual AGP SD, 256/30, Rage 128, no keyboard, $269 shipped
500 MHz dual AGP CD-RW, 128/60, Rage 128, no keyboard, $129 shipped
500 MHz dual AGP DVD, 1 GB/60, Zip 250, Rage 6, no keyboard, $219 shipped

Digital Audio

none listed today

Quicksilver

933 MHz QS SD, 1 GB/80, GeForce 4MX, no keyboard, $299 shipped

Mirror Drive Door

867 MHz dual MDD Combo, 256/60, GeForce 4MX, no keyboard, $399 shipped
1.25 GHz dual MDD SD, 1 GB/120, GeFroce 4 Titanium, no keyboard, $549 shipped
other configurations listed

Teksale

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

733 MHz QS CD-RW, 256/40, ATI RV200 video, $199
733 MHz DA SD, 512/80, GeForce2 MX, $549
800 MHz QS CD-RW, 512/80, ATI RV200 video, $259
867 MHz QS CD-RW, 512/80, ATI RV200, $649
933 MHz QS SD, 512/80, GeForce4 MX, $675
1 GHz MDD SD, 512/60, GeForce4 MX, $699

dual CPU

800 MHz dual QS SD, GeForce2 Twinview, 512/80, $399

Wegener Media

Ground shipping may add $35 or more.

400 MHz AGP DVD, 128/0, no hard drive, mouse, or keyboard, $89.99
400 MHz AGP DVD, 128/10, no mouse or keyboard, $109.99
400 MHz AGP DVD, 128/60, no mouse or keyboard, $149.99
400 MHz AGP DVD, 256/120, no mouse or keyboard, $169.99
add USB mouse and keyboard for $19.99
upgrade to 16x SuperDrive for $59.99

We Love Macs

single CPU

450 MHz Cube DVD, 64/10, $489.99
350 MHz AGP DVD, 128/10, $279.95
400 MHz AGP DVD, 128/40, $289.95
450 MHz AGP SD, 128/20, $299.95
466 MHz DA DVD, 128/40, $399.95
500 MHz AGP SD, 256/20, $339.95
733 MHz QS CD-RW, 256/40, $539.95
733 MHz DA SD, 256/40, $549.95
867 MHz QS Combo, 256/40, $629.95
933 MHz QS CD-RW, 256/60, $699.95
1.25 GHz MDD SD, 512/60, $799.95

dual CPU

533 MHz dual DA DVD, 128/40, $499.95
800 MHz dual QS CD-RW, 256/40, $579.95
867 MHz dual MDD CD-RW, 256/60, $649.95
1 GHz dual MDD SD, 512/80, $699.95
1.25 GHz dual MDD SD, 512/80, $895.95
1.42 GHz dual FW800 SD, 512/120, $969.95

CPU Upgrades

Except for the Yikes! model, all of these 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 most 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!

400 MHz certified, $12.77
500 MHz certified, $39.77

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 to $9.50. Applemacanix sells flashed PCI and AGP video cards. Applemacanix also has a 6-port USB 2.0 card for $13.50.

Radeon 7000, 32 MB, VGA, $16.50
Radeon 7000, 64 MB, VGA x 2, $29.50
Radeon 7000, 64 MB, DVI, $32.99
Radeon 9200, 64 MB, VGA/DVI, $69.50
Radeon 9200, 128 MB, VGA/DVI, $89.50
Radeon 8500, 64 MB, VGA/DVI, $59.99
Radeon 9800 Pro, 128 MB, VGA/DVI, $109.50
Radeon X800 XT, 256 MB, VGA x 2, $159.50
GeForce 6200, 256 MB, VGA/DVI/S-video, $79.50
GeForce 6800 GT, 256 MB, VGA/DVI, $129.50
GeForce 6800 GT, 256 MB, DVI x 2, $159.50
GeForce 6800 Ultra, 256 MB, VGA/DVI, $174.99
GeForce 6800 Ultra, 256 MB, dual DVI, $174.50
GeForce 7800 GS, 256 MB, VGA/DVI, $209.50

DV Warehouse

Shipping may add $14 or more.

Rage 128 Pro AGP, 16 MB, DVI/VGA, $28
Radeon 7000, 32 MB, VGA, $59
Radeon 9000 Pro, 64 MB, DVI/ADC, $89
GeForce 2MX, 32 MB, ADC/VGA, $66
GeForce 4MX, ADC/VGA, $39
GeForce 4MX, 64 MB, ADC/DVI, $79
GeForce 4 Titanium, 128 MB, DVI/ADC, $195
nVidia NV-11, ADC/VGA, works in Cube, $59
nVidia NV-18/GeForce 4MX, dual ADC/DVI, $149

MacResource

Shipping may add $22 or more.

Rage 128 AGP, 16 MB, $49.99
Radeon, 32 GB, $89.99
Radeon 8500, $199.99
GeForce 2MX dual monitor, $159.99
GeForce 3, 64 MB, $189.99
lots of other options

Operator Headgap

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

ATI Rage Pro AGP, 16 MB, ADC/VGA, $49.77 shipped
SALE GeForce 2MX, 32 MB, ADC/VGA, not for Sawtooth, $50 shipped
nVidia FX5200, 128 MB, VGA only, Core Video support, $99.77 shipped
GeForce 4MX, 32 MB, ADC/DVI, not for Sawtooth, $139.77 shipped
NEW ATI Radeon 9800 Pro Mac Edition, 128 MB, VGA/DVI, Core Video support, Sawtooth may have insufficient power for this card, $269.77 shipped

Wegener Media

ATI Rage 128 16 MB AGP video card, VGA only, $14.99

We Love Macs

Rage 128 Pro, 16 MB, VGA/DVI, $49.95
Rage 128 Pro, 16 MB, ADC/VGA, $99.95
Radeon 7500, 32 MB, $129.95
Radeon 9000, 64 MB, $199.95
GeForce 2 MX, 32 MB, $149.95
GeForce 4 MX, 64 MB, $179.95
GeForce Ti4600, 128 MB, $329.95

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

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