Returning to MOS questions.
  • Priest of the Order of the Butterfly
    Priest of the Order of the Butterfly
    matt3
    Posts: 698 from 2004/2/10
    Hi All,

    I missed all you guys and I'm strongly considering entering back into the MOS arena. I sold my Peg 2 and PowerBook years ago and have been just using my 3000D and having fun.

    Considering picking up a PowerMac G5 1.8 GHz system and using it as my daily driver.

    I will only be using MOS and not MacOs.

    I do have a few questions before I make the move.

    1. Seems like the best overall card for sheer performance is the Radeon X1950Pro. Is that true?
    2. Should I buy a better less supported video card that will be supported soon?
    3. I read somewhere they removed the Flame screen saver from the newer versions, can I copy it from an older version of MOS and use it?
    4. How good is the newest OWC? Is there anything it has trouble with?
    5. How has UAE evolved? How good is the hardware banging emulation? Is it any easier to use?
    6. Does MOS support the use of a VPN?
    7. How good is IRIS? Can you move emails from simplemail to it?
    8. How fast is the G5 at 1.8 GHz with a fast video card? Can you play HD video smoothly?
    9. Any comments or suggestions? This will replace my beloved 3000D and my pc laptop, for both applications.

    Thanks!
  • »24.07.18 - 16:40
    Profile
  • Yokemate of Keyboards
    Yokemate of Keyboards
    Andreas_Wolf
    Posts: 12157 from 2003/5/22
    From: Germany
    > 1. Seems like the best overall card for sheer performance
    > is the Radeon X1950Pro. Is that true?

    If you want 3D support, then yes, an off-the-shelf Radeon X1950 Pro should be the fastest. Note that the OpenFirmware console and boot menu cannot be accessed with such a card that lacks a PPC-compatible ROM.

    > 5. How has UAE evolved?

    Latest development:
    https://morph.zone/modules/newbb_plus/viewtopic.php?topic_id=12242&forum=12

    > 8. How fast is the G5 at 1.8 GHz with a fast video card?
    > Can you play HD video smoothly?

    720p should work without problem. 1080p performance depends on codec, profile, bitrate etc. 1.8 Ghz G5 probably drops quite some frames when playing usual 1080p videos from Youtube etc.
  • »24.07.18 - 17:08
    Profile
  • Priest of the Order of the Butterfly
    Priest of the Order of the Butterfly
    matt3
    Posts: 698 from 2004/2/10
    Hi Andreas,

    Thanks for the help. Since I won't have access to the openfirmware console, will the create issues? What will I loose?

    Thanks,

    Matt

    Quote:

    Andreas_Wolf wrote:
    > 1. Seems like the best overall card for sheer performance
    > is the Radeon X1950Pro. Is that true?

    If you want 3D support, then yes, an off-the-shelf Radeon X1950 Pro should be the fastest. Note that the OpenFirmware console and boot menu cannot be accessed with such a card that lacks a PPC-compatible ROM.

    > 5. How has UAE evolved?

    Latest development:
    https://morph.zone/modules/newbb_plus/viewtopic.php?topic_id=12242&forum=12

    > 8. How fast is the G5 at 1.8 GHz with a fast video card?
    > Can you play HD video smoothly?

    720p should work without problem. 1080p performance depends on codec, profile, bitrate etc. 1.8 Ghz G5 probably drops quite some frames when playing usual 1080p videos from Youtube etc.
  • »24.07.18 - 17:18
    Profile
  • Paladin of the Pegasos
    Paladin of the Pegasos
    koszer
    Posts: 1250 from 2004/2/8
    From: Poland
    Quote:


    Considering picking up a PowerMac G5 1.8 GHz system and using it as my daily driver.



    I'd really recommend at least 2,0 GHz model.

    Quote:


    1. Seems like the best overall card for sheer performance is the Radeon X1950Pro. Is that true?



    As long as you don't need OSX... yes, but you lose OF and boot menu. That means you won't be able to boot from USB, for example. Aand... I've tried two X1950's so far (at least one is 100% working) and had no luck with MorphOS supporting it. Going to try with yet another one, probably this week.

    Quote:


    2. Should I buy a better less supported video card that will be supported soon?



    Not really sure when we're going to get 3D support for Radeon HD cards, so it's up to you. But you could always go for the X1950 and see if there's any AGP HD 3850 around, just in case.
  • »24.07.18 - 18:01
    Profile
  • Priest of the Order of the Butterfly
    Priest of the Order of the Butterfly
    matt3
    Posts: 698 from 2004/2/10
    Hi Koszer,

    Why a 2GHz over a 1.8, doesn't seem like a big difference?

    Sounds like I better research the graphic cards a bit more... :).. A maybe choose one of the ones you mentioned..

    Thanks!

    Matt

    Quote:

    koszer wrote:
    Quote:


    Considering picking up a PowerMac G5 1.8 GHz system and using it as my daily driver.



    I'd really recommend at least 2,0 GHz model.

    Quote:


    1. Seems like the best overall card for sheer performance is the Radeon X1950Pro. Is that true?



    As long as you don't need OSX... yes, but you lose OF and boot menu. That means you won't be able to boot from USB, for example. Aand... I've tried two X1950's so far (at least one is 100% working) and had no luck with MorphOS supporting it. Going to try with yet another one, probably this week.

    Quote:


    2. Should I buy a better less supported video card that will be supported soon?



    Not really sure when we're going to get 3D support for Radeon HD cards, so it's up to you. But you could always go for the X1950 and see if there's any AGP HD 3850 around, just in case.


  • »24.07.18 - 18:55
    Profile
  • MorphOS Developer
    jacadcaps
    Posts: 3108 from 2003/3/5
    From: Canada
    Quote:

    matt3 wrote:
    6. Does MOS support the use of a VPN?
    7. How good is IRIS? Can you move emails from simplemail to it?



    6. Nope.
    7. There's currently no way to import mail folders into Iris since Iris does not support offline folders. If your mail accounts support IMAP though, there's no need for the import at all.
  • »24.07.18 - 20:40
    Profile Visit Website
  • Paladin of the Pegasos
    Paladin of the Pegasos
    redrumloa
    Posts: 1424 from 2003/4/13
    Quote:

    Why a 2GHz over a 1.8, doesn't seem like a big difference?


    A difference of 200mhz ;-) Personally I'd suggest keep an eye out for a 2.3Ghz model. That's the last air cooled model, anything higher is water cooled and they are a headache. A few months back I scored a 2.3Ghz model with Radeon 9650 for $30. For those low prices, I wouldn't even bother with a slower model.

    I may eventually pay up for a Mac Edition Radeon X800 variant. Those are the last of the Mac Edition AGP Radeons. They aren't cheap usually, but I can access OF and early boot menus if needed. For the available software that takes advantage of TintGL, I've not found anything yet that my 9650 is too slow at. Keep in mind everything we are talking about here won't run Warp3D. The R200 series are the last to run Warp3D with Radeon 8500 being the best of the bunch. I don't find myself missing Wardp3D at all these days with a G5. I run the 680x0 version of the game Payback with software render and can set the highest resolution with no slowdowns. I also use less and less legacy software these days anyhow.

    eUAE is getting better and better. There is JIT in the latest versions.
  • »25.07.18 - 00:16
    Profile
  • Paladin of the Pegasos
    Paladin of the Pegasos
    koszer
    Posts: 1250 from 2004/2/8
    From: Poland
    Quote:

    matt3 wrote:
    Why a 2GHz over a 1.8, doesn't seem like a big difference?



    I wrote: "at least 2,0 GHz" :). It's not a big difference, but the price difference between 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 GHz versions is neglectible while the performance is (of course) better for the higher clocked ones. If you're not afraid of water cooling service (and it's quite a PITA, sadly) you could get even a 2,7 GHz clocked one and that does seem a big difference :). That said, most of the available for sell G5's are 1,8 or 2,0 GHz ones. 2.3 is pretty hard to find, and the 2.5 and 2.7 ones are often sold as "not working", as they need to have their LCS repaired.
  • »25.07.18 - 06:13
    Profile
  • jPV
  • Yokemate of Keyboards
    Yokemate of Keyboards
    jPV
    Posts: 2096 from 2003/2/24
    From: po-RNO
    Quote:

    matt3 wrote:
    3. I read somewhere they removed the Flame screen saver from the newer versions, can I copy it from an older version of MOS and use it?

    Yes you can, just copy it to SYS:Classes/Blankers/

    Quote:

    4. How good is the newest OWC? Is there anything it has trouble with?

    I guess you mean OWB. Of course there are some problems as always, no browser works with everything, but at least the latest version is better for the current web than any of the earlier versions :) MorphOS team has improved it lately from where Fab left it. But it's a changing situation, you never know what comes up and where. I guess the major changes are that Google logins work again, they stopped for a while... Google maps also stopped working, but now it works at least partially again.. etc.

    Quote:

    5. How has UAE evolved? How good is the hardware banging emulation? Is it any easier to use?

    Not easier, but it's much faster if you change the configuration to take advantage of JIT compiler it has nowadays.
  • »25.07.18 - 11:17
    Profile Visit Website
  • Yokemate of Keyboards
    Yokemate of Keyboards
    Andreas_Wolf
    Posts: 12157 from 2003/5/22
    From: Germany
    > eUAE is getting better and better. There is JIT in the latest versions.

    From his posting history I think that matt3 was still active when non-beta JIT was added to E-UAE 3½ years ago. Since then, the only improvement to E-UAE for MorphOS I know of is the one from half a year ago I linked to in comment #2.
  • »25.07.18 - 18:29
    Profile
  • Order of the Butterfly
    Order of the Butterfly
    Korni
    Posts: 472 from 2006/2/23
    From: the Planet of ...
    Note that "Fab" version with JIT is much faster on G5 than "regular" JIT one. So, for system usage it's better. For most aga/ecs 020/000 games - "regular" version is enough.

    [ Edited by Korni 26.07.2018 - 00:24 ]
    http://korni.ppa.pl/modkowypaczek/ | My Rifle, My Bunny, and Me
  • »25.07.18 - 22:23
    Profile Visit Website
  • Priest of the Order of the Butterfly
    Priest of the Order of the Butterfly
    matt3
    Posts: 698 from 2004/2/10
    Thanks for all the help!

    I'll start collecting parts to get this done.

    Does anyone know if VPN connectivity is on the radar for the OS?

    Might just move over Simplemail for now since I'm using POP and local mailboxes.

    The best video card to purchase seems to require more 'columbo' power to decide on the best one and the implications. I suppose having 3d would be ok, but not a critical item. I will be using it for mostly productivity. If I install quake I can use software render...

    I found a 2.0GHz, will still look for a 2.3...

    Hats off to the MOS team for the steady development.
  • »27.07.18 - 17:11
    Profile
  • jPV
  • Yokemate of Keyboards
    Yokemate of Keyboards
    jPV
    Posts: 2096 from 2003/2/24
    From: po-RNO
    Quote:

    matt3 wrote:
    The best video card to purchase seems to require more 'columbo' power to decide on the best one and the implications. I suppose having 3d would be ok, but not a critical item. I will be using it for mostly productivity. If I install quake I can use software render...

    I personally think that even stock R9600 Pro would be nice for productivity use, passive cooled and not so energy hungry etc. I think that speedwise it only loses in 3D when compared to, for example, X800XT:s, but still supports 3D and will be OK with our 3D programs anyway. Unless you aim for really high resolutions or something like that...
  • »28.07.18 - 07:45
    Profile Visit Website
  • Priest of the Order of the Butterfly
    Priest of the Order of the Butterfly
    matt3
    Posts: 698 from 2004/2/10
    Thanks for all the great help. All of the it helped me navigate the waters...

    I did pick up a X800 so I will try that in the 1.8 7,3 system and see how it goes.

    The X800 was flashed for Mac, since it was so much cheaper. I see that flashed cards are a bit of a crap shoot. So I'm hoping for the best.

    Does anyone have a flashed card working in MOS?

    Does anyone have any clue if a newer G5 will be support like the 11,2 is probable? They seem to be much more plentiful in my town and I have lots to choose from.

    Can't wait to get back to using MOS.

    Hope they eventually support newer Mac G5's and add VPN usage. Looks like IRIS will be a great option in the near future, although for now Simplemail will be just moved over.

    Thanks again for the great help!

    Matt

    [ Edited by matt3 01.08.2018 - 14:35 ]
  • »01.08.18 - 17:55
    Profile
  • Priest of the Order of the Butterfly
    Priest of the Order of the Butterfly
    ernsteiswuerfel
    Posts: 557 from 2015/6/18
    From: Funeralopolis
    I had a Mac-flashed X800 once, which worked perfectly well under MorphOS but froze under Linux. ;-) Though I replaced it later with a Radeon 9800 (Mac-version) 'cause of the X800's fan being too loud.
    Talos II. [Gentoo Linux] | PMac G5 11,2. PMac G4 3,6. PBook G4 5,8. [MorphOS 3.18 / Gentoo Linux] | A600GS
  • »01.08.18 - 18:49
    Profile