Accelerate Your Mac! - Formac Pro G3 450 ZIF Review

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Review: Formac Pro G3 450 ZIF CPU upgrade
Published: 7/6/2000

Documentation/Installation

Intro | Benchmarks | Appl. Tests | Software Controls | Docs/Installation | Specs/Design | Summary

Documentation/Installation

The in-the-box printed documentation was sparse, but Formac has an updated (March 2000) manual for the ProG3 available here. That page links to an illustrated PDF File which shows a B&W G3 installation, switch settings and more.
Note to be able to adjust the switches on the ZIF you'll have to remove the translucent yellow plastic sheets from the two dip switches (SW1 and SW2). The ZIF came set to allow drop-in installation for a B&W G3 (set for 450MHz with a 100MHz bus speed). Owners of Beige G3s (called "Classic G3" by Formac) will need to set switches SW1 and SW2 for 466MHz speeds (due to the 66MHz bus speed of the Beige G3). Here are the settings for 466MHz speeds for a Beige G3 (settings are for switches 1 through 4 on each switch as read from left to right with the ZIF oriented so the switches are on the bottom as shown in the image below. ):

SW1 - ON ON OFF ON
SW2 - ON OFF ON OFF

Note: ON is with the switch lever in the up position

ProG3 ZIF
If you remember that up is 'on' with a fine point tool (I use a dental pick) you can adjust the switches with the heatsink on. However I didn't use the stock heatsink, removing it to use the the standard Beige G3 finned aluminum version. The round heatsink screws off and then the retainer slides off the CPU. If you do use the Formac heatsink - *do not* overtighten it - doing so can break the plastic retainer.

Installation Notes: The PDF manual contains an illustrated guide to installing the ZIF in a B&W G3. For Beige G3 owners the procedure is similar except for opening the case (see your Mac manual if you've not done this before). I do have the following tips on installation that apply to both Mac models:

I suggest using the original Apple Heatsink which I think is superior to the supplied one. Simply unscrew the heatsink and then slide off the plastic retainer from the CPU chip. The stock Apple heatsink can then be used.

If you do use the Apple Heatsink - take care to put the heatsink retaining clip back on properly. It has an off-center bend that must be over the cpu for proper pressure (better cooling).
For beige G3s - the two-slotted end of the clip faces the closest edge of the motherboard. For B&W G3s the two-slot end faces the DIMM slots.

This ProG3 sample (may be common to all) has a slightly thicker base due to the ZIF pins being in a thin plastic sheet under the ZIF. This means the heatsink retaining clamp (if using the Apple Heatsink) will be a tighter fit (a good thing really). Be careful when installing the clip or removing it that you do not break off the ZIF socket plastic retaining tab. Pressing down firmly on the clip and exercising care I had no problems however. The clip is harder to remove however, so take care if you decide to remove it later.

If you do use the stock heatsink - *do not* overtighten it. It should be snug only - attempting to screw it down too tight can break the plastic retainer.

Documentation (the updated PDF file) was adequate for installation but a Beige G3 section may have been helpful for novices with that machine. (Granted the procedures are similar for Beige and B&W G3s).

The next page describes the hardware features and specifications of the card. Or you may use the links below to jump to a specific page.

Index of Formac ProG3 450MHz ZIF Review Pages
Intro | Benchmarks | Appl. Tests | Software Controls | Docs/Installation | Specs/Design | Summary

- or -
Back to www.XLR8YOURMAC.com

Copyright © Mike, 2000.

No part of this sites content or images are to be reproduced or distributed in any form without written permission.
All brand or product names mentioned here are properties of their respective companies.
Users of the web site must read and are bound by the terms and conditions of use.

The Source for Mac Performance News and Reviews
Review: Formac Pro G3 450 ZIF CPU upgrade Published: 7/6/2000
Documentation/Installation
Intro \| Benchmarks \| Appl. Tests \| Software Controls \| Docs/Installation \| Specs/Design \| Summary
Documentation/Installation
The in-the-box printed documentation was sparse, but Formac has an updated (March 2000) manual for the ProG3 available here. That page links to an illustrated PDF File which shows a B&W G3 installation, switch settings and more. Note to be able to adjust the switches on the ZIF you'll have to remove the translucent yellow plastic sheets from the two dip switches (SW1 and SW2). The ZIF came set to allow drop-in installation for a B&W G3 (set for 450MHz with a 100MHz bus speed). Owners of Beige G3s (called "Classic G3" by Formac) will need to set switches SW1 and SW2 for 466MHz speeds (due to the 66MHz bus speed of the Beige G3). Here are the settings for 466MHz speeds for a Beige G3 (settings are for switches 1 through 4 on each switch as read from left to right with the ZIF oriented so the switches are on the bottom as shown in the image below. ): SW1 - ON ON OFF ON SW2 - ON OFF ON OFF Note: ON is with the switch lever in the up position If you remember that up is 'on' with a fine point tool (I use a dental pick) you can adjust the switches with the heatsink on. However I didn't use the stock heatsink, removing it to use the the standard Beige G3 finned aluminum version. The round heatsink screws off and then the retainer slides off the CPU. If you do use the Formac heatsink - do not overtighten it - doing so can break the plastic retainer. Installation Notes: The PDF manual contains an illustrated guide to installing the ZIF in a B&W G3. For Beige G3 owners the procedure is similar except for opening the case (see your Mac manual if you've not done this before). I do have the following tips on installation that apply to both Mac models: I suggest using the original Apple Heatsink which I think is superior to the supplied one. Simply unscrew the heatsink and then slide off the plastic retainer from the CPU chip. The stock Apple heatsink can then be used. If you do use the Apple Heatsink - take care to put the heatsink retaining clip back on properly. It has an off-center bend that must be over the cpu for proper pressure (better cooling). For beige G3s - the two-slotted end of the clip faces the closest edge of the motherboard. For B&W G3s the two-slot end faces the DIMM slots. This ProG3 sample (may be common to all) has a slightly thicker base due to the ZIF pins being in a thin plastic sheet under the ZIF. This means the heatsink retaining clamp (if using the Apple Heatsink) will be a tighter fit (a good thing really). Be careful when installing the clip or removing it that you do not break off the ZIF socket plastic retaining tab. Pressing down firmly on the clip and exercising care I had no problems however. The clip is harder to remove however, so take care if you decide to remove it later. If you do use the stock heatsink - do not overtighten it. It should be snug only - attempting to screw it down too tight can break the plastic retainer.
Documentation (the updated PDF file) was adequate for installation but a Beige G3 section may have been helpful for novices with that machine. (Granted the procedures are similar for Beige and B&W G3s).
The next page describes the hardware features and specifications of the card. Or you may use the links below to jump to a specific page.

Index of Formac ProG3 450MHz ZIF Review Pages Intro \| Benchmarks \| Appl. Tests \| Software Controls \| Docs/Installation \| Specs/Design \| Summary - or - Back to www.XLR8YOURMAC.com
Copyright © Mike, 2000. No part of this sites content or images are to be reproduced or distributed in any form without written permission. All brand or product names mentioned here are properties of their respective companies. Users of the web site must read and are bound by the terms and conditions of use.