Upgrading g4 advice needed

Question

Hello, I have a power pc g4/533 mhz, and since i know nothing about computers, i was wondering if someone could give me some advice as to how 2 make my machine run better; i heard there are cpu upgrades? i use a lot of flash, final cut, and other software like that, and lately the programs have been running slower and slower, if i upgrade my cpu will that help? or what would you recommend? These r my system specifications (its in a different language, so im gonna try 2 translate it... hope i do it correctly):
Computer model: Power Mac G4
Type of CPU: PowerPC G4 (11.3)
Number of CPU: 1
Speed of CPU: 533 MHz
Level 2 caché (CPU): 1 MB
Memory: 640 MB
Bus Speed: 133 MHz
Startup ROM version: 4.2.8f1
Also, i have a Nvidia GeForce 2 MX card
Hope you can help me....

Answer 1

O.k., dear Psycho Biotch,
As stated before (...and lately the programs have been running slower and slower...), it is very likely that your current internal Hard Disk (which, at the most, is an Ultra ATA, 60GB in capacity) has reached is near to full storage capacity.
Under OSX you should be aware that once the hard disk has reached 80-85% of its full capacity in data stored on it, it is time to either move some old files onto external media (such as CD-Rs) in order to free some additional space, or to increase your data storage capacity.
Since you ...use a lot of flash, final cut, and other software like that..., I will NOT reccomend you to just add another Ultra ATA hard disk on the same bus your current disk is connected to (which is usually the easiest thing to do). This because, although your internal Ultra ATA/IDE bus is capable of handling two hard drives connect to it (one set as "Master" and the other set as "Slave"), moving large files from one drive to another could prove to be painfully slow and experiencing a lot of "data chunkin'" from the drives.
The IDE bus, in fact, allows only small "data packages" to be exchanged on the same bus, forcing the disks' hardware to continuos data seeks and retrivals. See this Storage Acceleration Guide for more details about what I am trying to explain you.
If you use applications such Final Cut Pro and Flash, it is likely you are handling files which - on average - are of pretty large dimensions.
That's why I am suggesting you to add another hard disk, BUT make sure the new hard disk is on a different data bus from your present one.
How to do that? Well, there are two solutions which come to my mind. I'll explain both to you and then you choose the one which suits you best. One is "short term" but, perhaps, more economical. The other is more "long term" and more expandable.
Short term solution
My idea is to swap your internal Ultra ATA hard disk with a more modern one, 120GB in capacity (as it is the maximum capacity your internal IDE controller will allow you to format), and to place your current hard disk into an external FireWire case.
Pros:
* - You will have two hard disk drives on two separate data "buses" as desired, for best performance.
* - You will still be able to start-up your Mac from your old hard disk placed in the FireWire case and connected to one of your Mac's FireWire ports.
* - Once you'll have installed OSX in the new drive and moved all your applications and data to it, you will be able to use your older drive in the FireWire box as your main backup drive, where you can hold a copy of all your pretious projects, etc.
* - Whatever final set-up you will ahve in the future, you will always find a good use for your older hard disk placed in the FireWire external box and even when, or if, it will eventually die on you, you can still use the box to place another har disk in it. So, your money will be in any event wisely spent.
Cons:
* - Maybe, having to deal with an additional external case, it will be cause of excessive electrical wireing around your working desk, making it look more "un-tidy".
* - You will need to find an extra power plug on your strip.
* - If you use an UPS system (like any of these), you will need to figure out wheather it can protect your new external addition or not, without the need to get a more powerful one.
* - You will need to instal the old hard drive on your own, if you don't want to spend the extra cash for someone else to do it for you (however, the instructions are easy to follow).
Here are a couple of examples with indicative costs:
* Seagate Barracuda 120GB with 8MB cache memory, to be installed internally in place of your existing hard disk.
* FireWire (Combo) Case Kit where to install your present internal hard disk, once you've swapped it with the above new one; this particular example comes in a box including indipendent power supply, screws, FireWire cables and instructions.
Here are a couple of other useful instruction links:
* Apple's CIP ATA Hard Drive instructions - "How to" video guide (QT movie).
* Apple's CIP ATA Hard Drive instructions - Same as above but Adobe Reader printable download.
* OWC FireWire Assembly Manual - Maybe the model you might go for in the end, could differ from the one depicted in the above instructions, but the main activities are the same.
Let me know if you like the above solution.
In another post, I'll explain you the second solution I have in mind.
Later.
Costa