Right now, our list of compatible SSDs remains pretty small, but I am hoping that changes as people out there continue to experiment with different models.
Mushkin, a typically solid producer of solid state drives, has come out with a new model that is a NewEgg exclusive called the ECO2 line. They are cheap. Not just cheap, but super cheap. These are some of the most affordable options out there from a reputable brand.
The question is – do they work on G5s?
I have a little hope that they do. For one, they are aimed at the lower end of the market and use an older version of the Sandforce controller. This means that they are intended to be used in older and newer systems, maximizing compatibility. This also means they are at least worth exploring.
The prices are just nice, topping out at a retail price of $159.99 for a 480 GB variant. They are marketed as having a real solid speed. Of course, real world numbers can vary, but for older computers like ours, we’d never see all that speed anyway.
We are around 2 months away from Dropbox unceremoniously logging out PowerPC users, kicking us to the curb via a digital eviction notice.
There is no sign that the growing thread in the Dropbox forums is changing anyone’s minds, although there were rumors someone was going to try to port the newer Python framework to Leopard. We’ll see.
In the meanwhile, let’s begin to look at some alternatives to syncing and sharing your files online.
Box is similar to Dropbox in that it gives you a folder that can be synced across different computers. It also has the ability to share files and public folders via a few easy clicks and includes access via some fairly decent mobile apps. The web interface is very useable, and the client (if it works on your computer) is similar enough to Dropbox. I’ve had a Box account for a while with a nice amount of space, but I couldn’t get into it because it initially had an issue with some Mac files with bundles. That is now fixed.
In a quick glance, here are the ups/downs:
Pros
It tends to be generous with space. Dropbox starts you off with a few GB though you can add more via pay or referrals and stuff. Box tends to be more generous – I got 50 GB through some deal for free.
Webdav support is awesome. You can mount your Box folder via the command line or using Go -> Connect to Server.
Generally has similar features to Dropbox and integrates with other services.
Cons
There is no client for PowerPC Macs. You will have to rely on its built-in WebDav protocol to mount and make use of your folder.
Copying files is not particularly fast via Webdav. I’m not sure if I have something setup incorrectly or if it’s just a slow protocol. This is annoying. I’m still waiting for 4 files to copy totaling 410k in size after at least 5 minutes. A Webdav client (like CyberDuck) may not have these issues.
FTP access is possible for paid accounts, not for free accounts.
In summary, Box is a reasonable option to check out. You can still have access to the same pool of files across a variety of devices, keeping in mind that your G5 will still feel a bit like a second class citizen without the great sync features of Dropbox. As you give it a test run, let me know how it goes.
It’s been nearly a month since my last post. I’ve basically just been very busy with travel and projects caring for homeless men and women in my community.
So to tithe you over, here are a few links for your continued perusal and learning.
The Quadras, Cubes, and G5 blog followed the exploits of its author in trying to get his G5 back and running after it failed to boot up. It’s a good read if you have similar issues with your G5, because someday, you will. Maybe it’s the G5s finicky power management system? Who knows. Read the first one here, then his followup, and then the exciting conclusion.
Good news: TenFourFox 31.5.0 is out. Also, in that same link, find out how to build RAM disks in Tiger/Leopard if you want. Cool stuff.
Have you ever heard of Hollywood? No, not THE Hollywood. Hollywood is also a multimedia app development kit that can work on PPC Macs and a whole other range of hardware. I’m intrigued.
Peter, one of the intelligent readers of this blog, wrote in with a nice money saving workaround to upgrade your video card to the best available option.
He suggests flashing a compatible FX4500.
In most benchmarks that I’ve seen, the FX4500 does edge the 7800GT in some tests. It was really designed to be more of a workstation card as opposed to a general usage or gaming card. You will probably see more benefits if you are rendering video or something of that nature, but as prices have fallen, it is cheaper to max out your G5 by grabbing one from eBay. Mac compatible ones, which may be just flashed cards, run around $100, but PC versions are available for $40-50.
Here’s an alternate route – get a PC version of this card and flash it. Peter tells us how:
It is trivial to flash a PC version of the NVIDIA Quadro FX4500 with the Mac firmware. These cards can be obtained on eBay for ~$30 and are much cheaper than the “Mac” versions, that typically cost around $100+. The only important thing is to make sure that the card you get has RAM on both sides of the card. Newest versions of the card only have RAM on one side of the card (the fan & cooler side) and will not work with the G5 (but they will work on the Mac Pro with the correct firmware).
This card has RAM on the back side of the board and is good for flashing with the G5 firmware:
This card does not have RAM on the back side and will not work with the G5 firmware:
‘m thankful for emails from some regular readers, especially in response to my trial and error adventures with new SSDs. So, it’s time for us to try to put a list together of the top 5-6 recommended drives that work with our G5s.
Please use the comments below. I’ll also be posting a thread in the MacRumors PowerPC forum to generate some responses as well.
Drives That Work
OWC drives obviously work. These are the safest options, although they are rarely on sale like other drives. You can likely save money going elsewhere, but if you want a guarantee that they will work in your Mac, these are a solid choice.
The Intel SSD 320 works perfectly in various configurations.
The Samsung 840 EVO works fine but only in the lower drive bay.
Corsair F60GB2 (and likely its larger capacity siblings) work fine. It is an SATA II model.
Drives That Do Not Work
Intel 520 SSDs do not work. (I will admit that I’ve had one reader who has had success using them in Linux, so it could be a Mac OS X thing not necessarily a G5 thing. I was not able to get them working in Mac OS X.)
Intel 530 SSDs also do not work.
The PNY Optima SSD with Silicon Motion controller does not work in any configuration.
I’ll be updating this with more information and notes as I get other suggestions.
It sounds like there are several troubleshooting options when trying to get your SSD to work in a G5. First, remove any other drives, and try it solo. Put the drive in either bay – upper or lower – to see if you get different results. Second, if you are trying to use two drives in the G5, experiment with the other drive being SATA I. You may only be able to have one SATA III or II drive at a time in your G5 configuration, although it appears this varies based on the different chipsets and manufacturers of the drives. Third, pay attention to the version of Leopard that you are installing from. Later versions may be better able to see and partition your SSD.
