" The Power Mac G4 Firmware Update 4.4.8 will run only on Power Mac G4 computers with mirrored drive doors. The Power Mac G4 Firmware Update 4.4.8 improves fan control behavior and reduces high speed fan cycling when running in Mac OS 9. "

See the instructions that will be shown with the download. (A quick summary: shut down, then hold the power button in until you hear a tone, release it, then you'll see the usual progress bar during the flash - after the update and restart, you'll get a message that the firmware was updated to v4.4.8f2.)
Thanks to Jamie at OWC for the heads-up.
Update: Apple has now posted a Kbase doc on the firmware update.

Date Submitted: 11/25/2002
Rating (1 to 10): 10
Manufacturer: Sonnet G4
Rated Speed (CPU/Cache MHz): 1 GHz
Cache Size: 256 L2/2MB L3
Mac Type: 466MHz AGP (digital audio)
Comments:
" This was a fairly simple installation, the hardest part being the removal/reinstallation of the heatsink. Not that it was really difficult, I just feared punching my needle-nose plier thru the motherboard. I'm sure it's easy for anyone that has done this before, but it was the first time I've done an operation like this. The included written directions were detailed and clear.

My original 466MHz/256MB RAM/20GB harddrive/ATI 128 Rage Pro machine has changed quite a bit. It is now a 1GHz/1GB RAM/80GB master harddrive/60GB slave drive/ATI 8500 machine. I run OS X 10.2.2 almost exclusively, booting into OS 9 only to use SoundBlaster (I got it free) for transfering my huge supply of LPs. I've also added a SCSI card for use of my old scanner.

I have no sleep issues of any kind. It goes to sleep by itself when it is supposed to and I can do it manually; it wakes normally after short periods of sleep, or overnight. Neither does heat appear to be an issue, although air from the vent holes feels warmer to me than before, but that is very subjective.

This is certainly not the same computer it was new, over two years ago. The ATI 8500 video card was installed when Quartz Extreme came about, and that card made a big difference. I bought the Sonnet card so that I can realistically use a DVD burner. Most of my other computer use is with MS Office, scanning (not professionally, and no full PhotoShop, only Elements 2.0), and internet. The only game I spend any time on is Civ III.

There is no significant difference noted in using any of the MS Office programs. I think upgrading RAM helped that the most. Recently I've been using Chimera as my primary browser, and it now really flies. There is no apparent change to Explorer; OmniWeb and Netscape 7 seem a bit quicker, but again this is subjective. I have broadband, so the speed is pretty good at any rate. When in the later stages of a CIV III game, it appears that the "please wait" times are shorter, but again I also noted a significant improvement with the new video card.

Overall I am pleased with this upgrade. I chose Sonnet because there is a G3/300 card in my old 6400's L2 slot, and it is still going strong after several years of use. If this upgrade is as trouble free, I'll have this Mac a long time. Not being a serious game player or in need of other high requirement apps, I now think I don't care much about the GHz wars.
Ron A.

The Sonnet upgrades are said to auto-detect 100 or 133Mhz bus speed (and set bus/cpu ratio automatically). The Powerlogix Series 133 (for 133Mhz bus Macs) hasn't yet shipped that I'm aware of.

"Hello,
Thought your readership might be interested in my OS X benchmarking product Xbench, which I've just updated to 1.0b3. It's still a little rough around the edges (no results comparison yet), but I'm looking to gather feedback as I work towards a 1.0 release.
get it here: http://xbench.com
Thanks for the great site, by the way!
- Ladd"

• Powerlogix G4 1GHz in G4/AGP (rated 9)
• Sonnet G4 1GHz in G4/AGP 466mhz (133mhz bus/Digital Audio) (rated 10)
• Sonnet G3/466 in PowerBook 1400 (rated 9)
• Sonnet Harmoni iMac G3/600 in iMac rev B (rated 10)

(Warning - Overclocking may not be reliable and could lead to hardware failure or corrupted data.) You can find the full reports by searching the database selecting the indicated Mac model and upgrade card brand/type. If you've upgraded the CPU on your Mac, please post an entry in the database. Search the database for entries from most every upgradable Mac model *before* you buy. (Searchable by mac model/upgrade brand). For detailed reviews with performance tests and install tips, see the CPU Upgrades page.)

Combo DVD+CDR Drive Reports:
• IDE CDRWDVD3210 (32x10x40x + 12x DVD ROM) in G4/AGP (OS X)
  (using modified plugin file)
  
  DVD-R DVD Recorder Drive Reports:
• IDE Pioneer DVR-105 in B&W G3 (OS X)
• IDE Pioneer DVR-105 in G4/AGP (OS X)
• IDE Pioneer DVR-105 in Dual G4 DDR (OS X)
  (no OS 9.x Discburner/iTunes support)
  
  IDE CDRW Drive Reports:
• Lite-On 40125S (40x12x48x) in B&W G3 (OS 9.1)
  (noted firmware update solved boot issues)
• Lite-On 40125S (40x12x48x) in Yikes G4 no AGP (OS 8.6)
  (noted firmware update solved boot issues)
• Philips pcrw464k47 (didn't note drive speed) in B&W G3 (OS 9.1)
  (problems noted)
• Sony CRX195E1 (40x12x48x) in Beige G3 (OS 9.2)
  (using modified OS 9 support file - added to FAQ here)
  (FYI - Illustrated CD drive install guide here covers G4 towers up to the Digital Audio Model, Beige G3 MT, B&W G3 and 8600/9600 Macs.)
  
  Firewire CDRW Drive Reports:
• Lacie CDBP-241040A (24x10x40x I assume) used w/PowerBook G3 2000 (OS X)
• Pacific Digital cdr5w48 (48x12x48) in FW case used w/G4 AGP (OS X)
  (listed under "other" brands. no itunes/db support, unknown drive mechanism - use Toast 5 recorder info or ASP to check mechanism model.)
  
  IDE Hard Drive Reports:
• IBM Travelstar 40GNX 40GB in PowerBook G4 (OS X)
  (Reader FYI - PowerBook G4 illustrated Hard Drive install guide here)
• IBM Travelstar 40GNX 40GB in PowerBook G3 wallstreet1 (OS X)
  (illustrated HD install guide here for PB G3 wallstreets)

You can find full owner reports (latest shown first) by searching the database by drive/brand/interface/mac models (the latest reports are shown first in searches). For guides to installing CD/CDRW/DVD drives or Hard drives in many mac models, see the IDE Articles page. The Firewire articles page also has guides on case kits, installing drives, etc.
If you've added a IDE, SCSI, Firewire or USB hard drive, CDRW, tape drive, etc. make sure you add a report to the database. [If you post an updated entry - make sure you use the same name, etc. as you did before so I can find your past entry. Thanks.]
(Entries today will be added the following newsday. Incomplete entries are deleted. Do not post questions in the database, it's for drive reports not questions on what drive to buy - for that try searching the database for reports from owners of your mac model on the drive type/brand/interface, etc. you're interested in.)

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