This Story Posted:
March 1st

 
 

[3:59 PM]
466 MHz PowerMac Upgrades From PowerLogix And Newer
Thanks to the power of G3 upgrade cards from Newer Technology and PowerLogix, it is possible to have a PowerMac G3 run as fast as 466 MHz. Unfortunately these two cards are only for use on the various G3 models from Apple. In no particular order:

The PowerForce G3 ZIF 466 from PowerLogix:

"The PowerForce G3 ZIF 466 includes 1 Mb of backside cache rated at 233MHz. [The PowerForce 466] is compatible with all PowerMac G3s, including the new 'Blue & White' G3s as well as the G3 'All-in-One.'

The PowerForce G3 ZIF 466 operates with a variable bus ratio so it will work flawlessly in original ('beige') PowerMac G3s with 66 MHz, or in the new 'Blue & White' G3s with 100 MHz bus. Because of the high speed of the backside cache, there is no appreciable performance difference between a 466 ZIF installed in a beige G3 or in a B&W G3. This makes the 466 a great value for owners of beige G3s.

The PowerForce G3 ZIF 466 will operate at 466 MHz in beige G3s. Due to the architecture of the B&W G3, it will operate at either 450 or 500 MHz in those machines."

The MAXpowr G3 466MHz/1MB/233MHz from Newer:

"The MAXpowr G3 466MHz/1MB/233MHz uses the proven performance of the G3 processor combined with a full 1MB of backside cache running on a 233MHz cache bus. It is designed for the estimated 3 million "beige" Power Mac G3 systems, and the four speeds of the new blue tower Power Mac G3 computers. The new upgrade installs into the factory processor card ZIF socket on the motherboard.

The 466MHz/1MB/233 tested under MacBench 4.0, earned a processor score of 1647 and a score of 1575 under MacBench 5.0. In the new blue Power Mac G3 the upgrade card scored a 1580 under MacBench 4 and a 1489 under MacBench 5.0. As a comparison, the original 25OMHz MAXpowr G3 upgrade scored 800 under MacBench 4.0.

The MAXpowr G3 INIT and Control Panel software combination offer the user maximum input and control over the performance of the upgrade -- rather than assuming a "maximum" cache speed and then locking that in -- which the user then must reset after each boot. Processor clock speed adjustments are not offered, maintaining system compatibility. Users are prevented from making adjustments, which can cause crashes, lost time and other system incompatibilities. MAXpowr G3 firmware hardware compatibility auto configures at installation and then maintains these preferences so that continued Control Panel settings are not necessary. MAXpowr G3 466 uses Newer's patent-pending technology which keeps the upgrade running at the highest possible compatibility, regardless of the computer."

The MAXpowr G3 466MHz/1MB/233MHz from Newer is priced at US$1499 while the PowerForce G3 ZIF 466 from PowerLogix is priced at US$1399. Both companies say that their products should be shipping in April.

NewerTechnology - PowerLogix