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Review Date: 3/19/99 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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PowerLogix's 366/183/1MB ZIF Upgrade is compatible with beige G3s, All-In-One and Blue and White G3 models. With prices now under $700 and the adjustability (needed to work with both beige/AIO and B&W G3s due to bus speed differences) that in this sample at least, allowed reliable 400MHz speeds makes it a good value for owners of 233 or 266MHz G3s. I saw no compatibility issues with Retrospect or Adaptec SCSI cards, not surprising since Apple's G3 models have ROMs designed for the PowerPC 750. Since everything but the CPU of this model is basically identical to the PowerForce G3/400 ZIF (and the 466Mhz), this review focuses on the performance of the 366MHz model.
Installing the Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) socket upgrade is accomplished in a few minutes. Since bus speed is fixed by the Apple jumper block (G3-ZONE has details), there is only one adjustment setting needed - System Bus to CPU ratio. Select the proper ratio as shown in the PowerLogix manual according to your G3 card model and system. The different bus speeds of the Apple G3 systems require different CPU/Bus ratio settings. For example, the beige/AIO G3 has a 66Mhz system bus, the B&W G3 has a 100MHz bus. This means that B&W G3 CPU speeds must be a multiple of 50Mhz, so the closest setting to the rated CPU speed would be 350MHz (a 3.5:1 Ratio) . The 66MHz bus speed of the beige/AIO G3 allows selecting the rated 366MHz CPU speed (a 6.5:1 ratio). As readers (and I) demand, I experimented with higher speeds in both the beige and B&W G3 with great success on this particular sample. Note: Although speeds shown here were 100% reliable during the product loan duration, I can't recommend overclocking to anyone else. The Powerlogix manual does not endorse or suggest overclocking the card, however my understanding is they honor the warranty on their products regardless of speeds used. Based on last summer's G3 CPU Card Survey and the Current G3 Owner's Results and tens of thousands of mails I know that most owners of adjustable speed cards are risk takers and run them beyond the rated speeds. For a guide to installing a ZIF upgrade, see the installation/docs page my PowerForce G3/400 ZIF review. The PowerForce G3 366 ZIF review sample contained an IBM PowerPC 750/G3 CPU (Motorola CPUs may be on other samples). The white rotary switch in the lower right corner is used to select the bus speed multiplier (ratio) that determines the CPU speed. The advantage to having this adjustment is twofold; it allows the upgrade to work at the proper CPU speed in both beige G3 and B&W G3s (different bus speeds, so different ratios required) and also it allows experimenting with higher CPU speeds (potentially risky, but rewarding in this case). Documentation: As with all PowerLogix upgrades, the manual is adequate but does not match the printing quality of the XLR8, Newer Tech or Vimage manuals. The PowerForce manual includes an illustrated guide to installing the upgrade, adjusting speeds and is fine for installing the card, just don't expect thick glossy printed stock. Software Controls: The PowerLogix cache control supplied with the ZIF upgrade was version 1.4.2. I chose not to use Autocache, or Guardbit since I wanted more efficient control and fact that the Apple G3 systems don't need the Guardbit extension (used to address PF G3 Compatibility in non-ZIF older Macs). The image below shows the control and default settings for the 366/183 ZIF. You choose your ZIF model from one dropdown menu, and the cache speed (ratio) from the other.
 You should not normally change the cache size from the default setting. Once you set the correct speeds, check the 'Enable Backside Cache' (on restart) setting and press the 'enable now' button (which shows 'disable now' when the cache is enabled). The cache speed setting allows overclocking the backside cache (exercise caution - as too fast a cache speed can cause lockups). Should you set the cache too fast, booting with extensions off (shift key down) will allow resetting the cache speed to a lower setting. Performance Tests: MacBench 5.0 All tests were done at 1024x768, thousands color graphics mode (note that the reference graphics score in MB 5 was done at 1152x870, millions colors). Disk cache size was 4MB. Virtual Memory was off, full extension sets were used (not trimmed). No Speed Doubler or Libmoto active.
 Application Tests: The following common/popular applications are primarily CPU/FPU speed bound but were run since I have a large series of comparison scores from the G3 Apps Tests page. These results show the total time to complete renderings of sample scenes, etc.. As shown in the results, CPU speed (not bus speed) is the primary performance factor, followed by Cache size and speed to a much lower extent. See the CPU Card Reviews, Yosemite and G3-ZONE pages for more info on the other cards/systems listed. Photoshop 5 PSBench Results: The following is a total time summary taken from the Photoshop 5 Performance page which lists all the details of the 21 filter PSBench test.
Test scenes are from the Sample Scenes folder, Kai subfolder (I used these std scenes to allow other Bryce2 owners to compare their results with mine). Default 16980k memory allocated to Bryce2. Antialiasing was enabled for all tests.
Time to render the "Chapter 7 Finished" scene. Options were set to:
Small movie rendering with an explosion special effect:
As I've seen in almost every Apple G3 CPU Upgrade, there is little gain from 300MHz and up CPUs. Apparently the graphics chip or game itself is being saturated.
  For Comparison, the stock Apple G3/300/150/1MB ZIF ran at 47C (116F). Review Sample Hardware Specs:
Summary: What makes this upgrade a good value is the adjustable speed and (in this sample) ability to run 400MHz speeds. Owners of beige G3s looking to upgrade should find the PowerForce G3/366 ZIF a very good value. If you're looking to buy a new system, unless you can find a low cost used or refurbished beige G3/233 system (under $900), a Blue and White G3/350 may be a better value (since most run at 400MHz speeds based on my tests and B&W G3 owner feedback). Beware however of some compatibility issues with the B&W G3 and lack of standard support for legacy devices (serial and SCSI). Pricing/Availability: As of the date of this review (3/19/99), suggested retail pricing is $679, but prices may be a bit lower at Bottom Line, Other World Computing or MacGurus.
Test System: System Hardware Summary:
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If you're new to CPU upgrades, or have not owned a pre-G3 Apple or Mac clone, the ZIF upgrades for Apple's G3 Macintosh models are generally free of the compatibility and bus speed issues
that often complicated older Mac CPU upgrades (see the