Review of Powerlogix's G3 800MHz ZIF CPU Upgrade

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Review: Powerlogix's G3/800MHz ZIF CPU Upgrade
Tests in B&W G3 vs. various G3 and G4 CPU Upgrades
By Mike B.
Published: 3/25/2003

Installation Notes and Tips

Intro | Benchmarks | Apps/Game Tests | Software Controls | Installation | Specs/Design

Documentation/Installation

Rather than repeat the info that Powerlogix includes in their installation docs, I'll just note some important pre-installation tips and things to check before you install the upgrade. Since this is a G3 CPU upgrade, the notes/tips for G4 upgrades in Beige G3s (VRM check) and firmware patch required for G4s in a B&W G3 are not listed here. (See the installation pages of previous G4 ZIF reviews for those notes/tips/links on those issues.)
Powerlogix's current CPU upgrade manuals page lists a PDF manual for the G3/800 ZIF which has an installation guide, but the jumper settings are for the G3/800 ZIF design that I had problems with in this system. (Not booting, reportedly due to the base/pin layer not being totally flat on the samples I had.) This was the 3rd G3/800 ZIF sample with a different circuit board design (w/rotary switch vs jumpers) and worked flawlessly, although perhaps my experience with the first 2/original design isn't typical. The specs page has a photo of the G3/800 ZIF used in this review.

(*Update* Powerlogix later replied that the production versions will have jumpers and look like the model in the PDF manual linked above.)
Check the CPU Module Pins:
Before installing any ZIF module, check the underside of the ZIF for any bent pins and residue from the anti-static foam (not seen on these ZIFs which were packed with a different anti-static pad, but several readers noted they'd had problems with some Sonnet ZIFs which must use a different antistatic foam material.) If you notice the CPU module has any bent pins, carefully straighten them in both axes with a small flat blade screwdriver as shown in the photo below:

straighten bent pins

Heatsink Clip Orientation:
As noted in the FAQ here and past reviews - for proper cooling take note of the orientation of the heatsink retaining clip when you remove it. The clip has two slots in one end - make sure the two-slotted end of the clip is oriented the same way when you put the clip back on (after installing the new ZIF CPU module). The clip has an off-center "Bend" (pressure point) that must be over the CPU side of the ZIF for proper cooling. On the B&W G3, the two-slotted end of the clip faces the Dimms slots; on the Beige G3 the two-slotted end of the clip faces the closest edge of the motherboard.
As I noted earlier, in my Blue and White G3 (same for Beige G3s), you need no addon software to enable the cache with this upgrade. However if you want to experiment (easily) with different CPU speeds 'on the fly', you can install Powerlogix's Control Software.
Verify Correct Switch Setting:
Before installing the PowerForce G3/800 ZIF, make sure it is set to the correct position on the white rotary switch. (Position 6 is for the B&W G3 for a 8x ratio/800MHz CPU speed.) I didn't have any docs with this sample to comment on the Beige G3 (66MHz bus/12x ratio) setting but the retail upgrades should include installation/setting information for both Beige G3 and B&W G3s. (Note previous samples of this G3/800 ZIF used jumpers, but the latest sample used for this review had different circuit board design with a rotary switch.)

System Compatibility:
Powerlogix lists the PowerForce G3/800 ZIF as compatible with the following Mac models:

Apple Beige G3, All-in-One G3
G3 Server
Apple Blue and White G3
Apple G4/PCI "Yikes

The next page has photos of the PL G3/800 ZIF and location of jumpers, etc. Or you may use the links below to jump to a specific page.

Index of PL G3/800 ZIF Review Pages
Intro | Benchmarks | Apps/Game Tests | Software Controls | Installation | Specs/Design

- or -
Back to WWW.XLR8YOURMAC.COM

Copyright © 2003 All rights reserved

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: Powerlogix's G3/800MHz ZIF CPU Upgrade Tests in B&W G3 vs. various G3 and G4 CPU Upgrades By Mike B. Published: 3/25/2003
Installation Notes and Tips
Intro \| Benchmarks \| Apps/Game Tests \| Software Controls \| Installation \| Specs/Design
Documentation/Installation
Rather than repeat the info that Powerlogix includes in their installation docs, I'll just note some important pre-installation tips and things to check before you install the upgrade. Since this is a G3 CPU upgrade, the notes/tips for G4 upgrades in Beige G3s (VRM check) and firmware patch required for G4s in a B&W G3 are not listed here. (See the installation pages of previous G4 ZIF reviews for those notes/tips/links on those issues.) Powerlogix's current CPU upgrade manuals page lists a PDF manual for the G3/800 ZIF which has an installation guide, but the jumper settings are for the G3/800 ZIF design that I had problems with in this system. (Not booting, reportedly due to the base/pin layer not being totally flat on the samples I had.) This was the 3rd G3/800 ZIF sample with a different circuit board design (w/rotary switch vs jumpers) and worked flawlessly, although perhaps my experience with the first 2/original design isn't typical. The specs page has a photo of the G3/800 ZIF used in this review. (*Update* Powerlogix later replied that the production versions will have jumpers and look like the model in the PDF manual linked above.) Check the CPU Module Pins: Before installing any ZIF module, check the underside of the ZIF for any bent pins and residue from the anti-static foam (not seen on these ZIFs which were packed with a different anti-static pad, but several readers noted they'd had problems with some Sonnet ZIFs which must use a different antistatic foam material.) If you notice the CPU module has any bent pins, carefully straighten them in both axes with a small flat blade screwdriver as shown in the photo below: Heatsink Clip Orientation: As noted in the FAQ here and past reviews - for proper cooling take note of the orientation of the heatsink retaining clip when you remove it. The clip has two slots in one end - make sure the two-slotted end of the clip is oriented the same way when you put the clip back on (after installing the new ZIF CPU module). The clip has an off-center "Bend" (pressure point) that must be over the CPU side of the ZIF for proper cooling. On the B&W G3, the two-slotted end of the clip faces the Dimms slots; on the Beige G3 the two-slotted end of the clip faces the closest edge of the motherboard. As I noted earlier, in my Blue and White G3 (same for Beige G3s), you need no addon software to enable the cache with this upgrade. However if you want to experiment (easily) with different CPU speeds 'on the fly', you can install Powerlogix's Control Software. Verify Correct Switch Setting: Before installing the PowerForce G3/800 ZIF, make sure it is set to the correct position on the white rotary switch. (Position 6 is for the B&W G3 for a 8x ratio/800MHz CPU speed.) I didn't have any docs with this sample to comment on the Beige G3 (66MHz bus/12x ratio) setting but the retail upgrades should include installation/setting information for both Beige G3 and B&W G3s. (Note previous samples of this G3/800 ZIF used jumpers, but the latest sample used for this review had different circuit board design with a rotary switch.) System Compatibility: Powerlogix lists the PowerForce G3/800 ZIF as compatible with the following Mac models: Apple Beige G3, All-in-One G3 G3 Server Apple Blue and White G3 Apple G4/PCI "Yikes
The next page has photos of the PL G3/800 ZIF and location of jumpers, etc. Or you may use the links below to jump to a specific page.

Index of PL G3/800 ZIF Review Pages Intro \| Benchmarks \| Apps/Game Tests \| Software Controls \| Installation \| Specs/Design - or - Back to WWW.XLR8YOURMAC.COM
Copyright © 2003 All rights reserved 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.