[CUBE] G5 upgrade

[Robert W. Bumala]

Jack,
   Having put together several wintel boxes over the years, I can tell 
you that the box is about the cheapest part of the system.  You maybe 
could save a hundred bucks over the cost of the whole system.  The big 
problem would be the ROM.  Apple keeps the code for it's BIOS ROM very 
close to the vest.  Without that ROM, you can't make a motherboard. 
This is why all of the upgrade folk just make CPU modules.  Also, you 
would have to buy all new parts anyway.  The older Macs used SCSI hard 
drives, and a NUBUS, whereas the modern ones use EIDE and PCI, because 
they are faster and more compatible with the rest of the industry.  So 
upgrading a very old Mac doesn't buy you anything really which is why no 
one does it.
Bob.


JKnapp915 at aol.com wrote:
> 
> In a message dated 6/26/03 11:22:30 PM, wfoxjr at earthlink.net writes:
> 
> << FWIW, I think Apple is missing a lot revenue by not selling upgrades. >>
> 
> I've never understood why a new motherboard complete with a fast chip and
> memory slots for whatever new type of RAM is out there couldn't be 
> bought for a
> stock case.  The motherboard would contain whatever new bus worked best 
> with
> the new chip.  The board, CPU, and memory, with an appropriate bus to 
> connect
> them, is the computer.  Everything else is a plug in, and most of those are
> already pretty standard.
> Admittedly, I'm no geek...am I oversimplifying?  Is there some reason that
> hard drives, photodrives, video cards, etc, couldn't be plugged into the 
> new
> board?  One thing that comes to mind is cooling; the cube doesn't have a 
> fan, and
> the newer hotter chips might need extra cooling.  The power supply is 
> already
> external; any new one could be built and then substituted as necessary.
> I expect someone will figure out how to do this and then make a bundle. 
> Apple doesn't need to; they sell new computers rather than upgrades, at 
> a higher
> profit presumably.  So someone else with engineering (or tinkering) 
> background
> will eventually exploit this niche. 
> I've read of list members watercooling (!) their computers, cutting out 
> parts
> of cables to make drives fit, etc...the talent and knowledge are here, is
> someone wants to start exploiting this niche.
> I, for one, would be prepared to unplug and replace components, but not do
> the other in-depth modifications.  At least, not without more 
> experience...  And
> as my computer gets older, I'd be more willing to take a chance on 
> frying it
> by bungling an upgrade.  I'd be no worse off; buy a new computer, which 
> is the
> choice we all face now as our machines age into obsolescence.
> I expect there are a lot of others out there like me...
> Jack
> 
> ----------
> Check out the Cube email list FAQ
> http://www.themacintoshguy.com/lists/Cube.html
> 
> To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <Cube-off at lists.themacintoshguy.com>
> To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to 
> <Cube-digest at lists.themacintoshguy.com>
> Need help from a real person? Try.  
> <Cube-request at lists.themacintoshguy.com>
> 
> ----------
> $14.99 Unlimited Nationwide Mac Dialup and Mac Web Hosting from your Mac 
> ISP
> Serious Mac Internet Solutions From NineWire!   
> http://macinternetaccess.com
> 
>  T3Hub  |  3 Port USB Hub weighs less than an ounce!
> Dr. Bott|   <http://www.drbott.com/prod/T3Hub.html>
> 
>    Cyberian   | Support this list when you buy at Outpost.com!
>    Outpost    | http://www.themacintoshguy.com/outpost.shtml
> 
> ADC Extension | Extend the built in cable of your flat panel by 10 ft.
>   Dr. Bott    |    <http://www.drbott.com/prod/ADCExtension.html>
> 


-- 
----------------------

Robert W. Bumala
Circuit Design Engineer Specialist
Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Center

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company
Org. L9-42  Bld. 255
3251 Hanover Street
Palo Alto, CA 94304-1191

Phone: (650) 354-5918
Fax:      (650) 424-3333
EMail: Robert.W.Bumala at lmco.com