 The Source for Mac Performance News and Reviews |
|
|
Review: OWC's Mercury ZIFs 350MHz and 400MHz Models Published: 10/17/99 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The Final Word | |
| Later ZIF Reviews: For a review of the lower-priced OWC Mercury G4/500 vs. G4/400 vs. G3/500 CPU upgrades, see this Oct. 2001 review which includes OS 9 and OS X performance test comparisons, installation tips and guides. (Original 1999 written review comments follows.) At the date this review was written (Oct. 1999), the OWC Mercury ZIFs are currently some of, if not the lowest priced G3 upgrades on the market. This makes them very attractive to Beige G3 owners and perhaps owners of B&W G3/300s. Older Mac owners that have (or will purchase) an XLR8 CarrierZIF base card can also use these ZIF CPU upgrades. As noted on on previous pages of this review, Beige G3 and B&W G3 owners will have to change their motherboard jumpers (voiding the Apple warranty) unless they order a fixed speed (suffix 'F') models. However those wanting to experiment with faster than rated speeds (risky), the non-fixed (suffix 'A') models may be a better value. CPU upgrade prices change often and current prices quickly become obsolete so remember to check Other World Computing's web site for the latest pricing. Other World often has a trade-in program for your existing G3 or 604 CPU card or G3 ZIF. Other Upgrade or New System Considerations: Every company I know doesn't replace Macs lightly - smart ones wait until all the bugs are shaken out of any new system or operating system before taking the plunge and replacing models that are proven performers. Remember the lessons of buying 'revision 1' Mac models over the last few years (i.e. Beige G3, PB G3, iMac, B&W G3) - each had improvements and/or higher performance video, etc. in later models. I only wish I was better at taking my own advice. |
|
|
Availability/Pricing: At the time of this review ((* October 1999 * ) Other World Computing was selling the Mercury ZIF 350 for $209 and the 400MHz model for $265 (plus shipping). They also offer the CarrierZIF card for $139. Other World Computing Mercury ZIFs have a 2 year warranty according to their web site as of the date of this review. The also may have a trade-in rebate for your old CPU. Be sure to check dealer policies on returns before you order should any problems arise. Other World's has a page that lists their CPU upgrade return policy. Their customer service page lists their other terms and conditions. Mention this site if you order from sponsors - I'm working day and night to provide free tech support and the most complete/unbiased product reviews possible (and have since 1997 :-). Ads help pay for hardware, software and ISP costs. Sponsors are never given special consideration in reviews (note my #1 rated CPU Card to date is the XLR8 CarrierZIF and as of this date, XLR8 has never sponsored or bought an Ad here).
|
|
| I hope this review has provided you with sufficient information of all aspects of the product, but if you have any further questions or comments you may contact me by email at: news@xlr8yourmac.com.
For reviews of other CPU upgrades at this site, see my CPU Cards page (remember pricing shown in older reviews is surely less now, often far less and some older models may be discontinued). The home page (www.xlr8yourmac.com) has links to reviews of Systems, SCSI, IDE and Firewire controllers and drives, Video cards, Game related articles and some of the most useful daily news on the net. Thanks for stopping by! |
|
|
|
|
|
Intro | Benchmarks | Appl. Tests | Software Controls | Docs/Installation | Specs/Design | Summary - or - |
|
|
Copyright © Mike, 1999. All Rights Reserved. Users of the web site must read and are bound by the terms and conditions of use. |
