Benchmark tests were run in MacBench 5.0 and the latest DR/3 version of BYTEMARK (DR/3 returns higher integer scores than previous versions). Throughout this review I used the standard convention of showing CPU and Cache speeds (in Mhz) in the format of CPU Speed/Cache speed, so 233/133 would mean a CPU speed of 233 Mhz (actually 232.5 for this card) and a backside cache speed of 117 Mhz. The Vimage G3/233 is not adjustable for bus/cpu/cache speed with settings of 233/117/46 (233MHz CPU speed, 117MHz backside cache speed and 46Mhz bus speed). As noted the card contains 512K of backside cache.

MacBench 5.0 and BYTEMARK DR/3 tests were run with the card installed in the 8600/250. I've tried to include some comparison systems that readers who are considering this upgrade might own and also an Apple G3/233.

There are several things the scores above show that need further explanation.

• Disk scores: Disk scores were not shown since the disk itself is the primary limiting factor and also since the 8600's disk was 80% full. Comparisons to new drives with no fragmentation and far less data would be meaningless.
• Graphics Scores: Graphics Scores not shown in some cases since my tests were run at 1024x768, thousands colors and the baseline MB 5 scores were run at 1152x870, millions colors. MacBench 4 scores have notes on the comparison systems video mode used (taken from the MB 4 standard results files)

Note: Macbench 4 scores cannot be compared to MacBench 5. Here are the MacBench 4.0 scores recorded in the 8600 with the Vimage G3/233, along with some comparison scores of other systems that I thought might be owned by readers considering this upgrade. An Apple G3/233 is also included to see how the Vimage G3/233 compares.

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BYTEMARK Tests:

I ran the BYTEMARK DR/3 test on the Vimage G3/233 while installed in the 8600/250. Scores from a previous XLR8 G3 266/177 CPU card review at speeds of 266/177, 300/300 and 322/214 are shown for comparison. All scores listed are from G3 cards with 1MB of backside cache. Scores are rounded off to two decimal places.

BYTEMARK DR/3 SCORES
Card/Speed:	Integer Score:	FPU Score:
Vimage G3 233/117	7.71	4.99
8500/120 (604 CPU)	3.48	2.52
7500/200 (604 CPU)	6.20	4.45
G3 266/177	7.36	5.75
G3 300/300	8.37	6.65
G3 322/214	8.92	6.70

 

Vimage Links: (Removed after Vimage later went out of the CPU card business.)

233MHz G3 CPUs are at the low end of the G3 performance spectrum, so I rated Benchmark performance a 6. Owners of G3/220/110 adjustable speed cards have reported stunning results with speeds often over 300MHz but that is from overclocking, which is always risky. However you can't deny the owner results and most have reported no problems, at least so far (other than the usual compatibility issues). It is really too early to tell what the long term effects of overclocking may be, especially with the very high overclocking speeds reported by some G3/220 card owners.

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