PowerLogix's new line of ZIF upgrades for Apple's G3 Macintosh makes good on the promise of smaller, simpler CPU upgrades using the Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) socket. With lower chip count and without the problems of bus speed this upgrade was easy to install and configure. Performance was outstanding, with the best scores I've ever seen from any Mac model. Apple G3/233 and G3/266 machines can now drop in a upgrade that will make their machines faster than any model currently available.

Review Tests/Ratings: The CPU card upgrade is rated on a scale of 1-10 in each of the following categories:

1. BenchMark Performance: MacBench 5.0 and Bytemark DR/3 scores of the card under test. Other system scores are shown for comparison.
2. Applications Performance: How the card did in several CPU intensive tests like Infini-D rendering, Bryce 2, etc.
3. Software/Controls: Ease of use and features of the supplied software and hardware controls.
4. Documentation: How clear and complete the installation and setup instructions are in the supplied manual.
5. Specifications: Features and details on the hardware design. Includes compatibility information.
6. Summary: Final comments, ratings summary and pricing/availability.

Test System:
The base system used for this review was a Apple G3/300 with the standard array of Quicktime 2.5 and Quickdraw 3D 1.5.3, PC exchange, PPP, etc. extensions. Disk cache was 4MB, virtual memory was off. Installed Ram was 160MB. The G3 was a Rev 2 model with ATI RagePro chip and 6MB SGRAM (video ram). The only PCI slot used contained a Microconversions Game Wizard 8MB Voodoo II card.

System Hardware Summary:

• Apple PowerMac G3/300 (Rev 2):
• 160MB RAM (stock 32MB DIMM, one 128MB DIMM)
• Stock 6GB Hard Disk (60% full, not defragmented)
• Onboard ATI RagePro video chip with 6MB SGRAM
• OS 8.1, 4MB Disk Cache, VM off, QT 2.5, QD3D 1.5.3, [No Libmoto]

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