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Review: Newer Tech's iMAXpowr G4/433 CPU Upgrade
G4 CPU Upgrade for iMac 233 - 333MHz models
By Mike
Published: 7/19/2000

Review Summary and Final Comments

Intro | Benchmarks | Appl/Game Tests | Software Controls | Installation | Specs/Design | Summary

The Final Word

I have to admit I was skeptical about a G4 CPU running reliably in an iMac with its small heatsink and especially one like mine with Game Wizard Voodoo2 card installed. However I saw no problems of any kind during weeks of use. In fact, I liked this upgrade so much I told Newer Tech I'm not returning it - I'm buying this one to stay in my iMac rev A.
Granted at the time I'm writing this I do not know what new models will be announced at Macworld NY, but I like this iMac enough to buy the iMAXpowr G4 upgrade. Once I replace the slow/small OEM hard drive with a 45-60GB model, with the GameWizard card and this G4 CPU, I think it will serve me well for some time. And there's just something appealing to me about having a G4 CPU in a first revision iMac - which the world claimed was a closed box and not upgradeable. Congrats to Newer on an excellent upgrade.

= Newer Technology iMAXpowr G4 433MHz Upgrade =
Pros:

World's first iMac G4 CPU upgrade
Dramatic speed boost
Rock solid reliable during all my tests
OS X compatible (according to Newer Tech)
Altivec support should increase in the future, hopefully at the OS level in OS X.

Cons: (not really the fault of the upgrade)

Most applications don't currently use Altivec extensions. Without Altivec support, application performance is no better than G3 CPU upgrades that cost less.
iMac design makes installation require partial disassembly of the system (but supplied video tape has complete guide).
If you've not added a lot of RAM, etc. selling the older iMac and pooling the upgrade fund might get a new model with more features (Firewire, etc.).

Availability/Pricing:

Here's the straight scoop from Newer's press release on the iMAXpowr G4:
"iMAXpowr G4 433 begins shipping July 19, 2000. The final price of $549 depends upon the return shipping of the original processor to Newer Technology within fourteen days. Newer expects the supply of these upgrades to be somewhat constrained and orders will be limited to 500 units per week. iMAXpowr will be available through The Newer Store beginning July 19th."

[UPDATE: Newer Tech went out of business in January 2001, so these upgrades are no longer made or supported.]

I hope this review has provided you with sufficient information on all aspects of the product, but if you have any further questions or comments you may contact me by email at: news@xlr8yourmac.com.

Related Links:

Bare Feats also reviewed the iMAXpowr G4

For reviews of other CPU upgrades at this site, see my CPU Upgrades page. The home page (www.xlr8yourmac.com) has links to reviews of Systems, SCSI, IDE, Firewire, Video cards (incl. 3Dfx), Game related articles, a 700+ Questions Answered FAQ and some of the most useful daily news on the net (updated most every day, several times a day usually).

Also check out my unique searchable databases of reader's CPU Upgrade Ratings/Reviews (4,000+ reports as of July 2000 and growing daily), Mac Drive Compatibility Reports (CD/HD/DVD/CDRW/Tape), Game Reviews and Video card/Game Performance. No other site has these features. Thanks for stopping by!

Index of Newer Tech iMAXpowr G4 433MHz Review
Intro | Benchmarks | Appl/Game Tests | Software Controls | Installation | Specs/Design | Summary

- or -
Back to www.XLR8YOURMAC.com

Copyright © Mike, 2000.
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: Newer Tech's iMAXpowr G4/433 CPU Upgrade G4 CPU Upgrade for iMac 233 - 333MHz models By Mike Published: 7/19/2000
Review Summary and Final Comments
Intro \| Benchmarks \| Appl/Game Tests \| Software Controls \| Installation \| Specs/Design \| Summary
The Final Word
I have to admit I was skeptical about a G4 CPU running reliably in an iMac with its small heatsink and especially one like mine with Game Wizard Voodoo2 card installed. However I saw no problems of any kind during weeks of use. In fact, I liked this upgrade so much I told Newer Tech I'm not returning it - I'm buying this one to stay in my iMac rev A. Granted at the time I'm writing this I do not know what new models will be announced at Macworld NY, but I like this iMac enough to buy the iMAXpowr G4 upgrade. Once I replace the slow/small OEM hard drive with a 45-60GB model, with the GameWizard card and this G4 CPU, I think it will serve me well for some time. And there's just something appealing to me about having a G4 CPU in a first revision iMac - which the world claimed was a closed box and not upgradeable. Congrats to Newer on an excellent upgrade.
= Newer Technology iMAXpowr G4 433MHz Upgrade = Pros: World's first iMac G4 CPU upgrade Dramatic speed boost Rock solid reliable during all my tests OS X compatible (according to Newer Tech) Altivec support should increase in the future, hopefully at the OS level in OS X. Cons: (not really the fault of the upgrade) Most applications don't currently use Altivec extensions. Without Altivec support, application performance is no better than G3 CPU upgrades that cost less. iMac design makes installation require partial disassembly of the system (but supplied video tape has complete guide). If you've not added a lot of RAM, etc. selling the older iMac and pooling the upgrade fund might get a new model with more features (Firewire, etc.).
Availability/Pricing: Here's the straight scoop from Newer's press release on the iMAXpowr G4: "iMAXpowr G4 433 begins shipping July 19, 2000. The final price of $549 depends upon the return shipping of the original processor to Newer Technology within fourteen days. Newer expects the supply of these upgrades to be somewhat constrained and orders will be limited to 500 units per week. iMAXpowr will be available through The Newer Store beginning July 19th." [UPDATE: Newer Tech went out of business in January 2001, so these upgrades are no longer made or supported.] I hope this review has provided you with sufficient information on all aspects of the product, but if you have any further questions or comments you may contact me by email at: news@xlr8yourmac.com.
Related Links: Bare Feats also reviewed the iMAXpowr G4 For reviews of other CPU upgrades at this site, see my CPU Upgrades page. The home page (www.xlr8yourmac.com) has links to reviews of Systems, SCSI, IDE, Firewire, Video cards (incl. 3Dfx), Game related articles, a 700+ Questions Answered FAQ and some of the most useful daily news on the net (updated most every day, several times a day usually). Also check out my unique searchable databases of reader's CPU Upgrade Ratings/Reviews (4,000+ reports as of July 2000 and growing daily), Mac Drive Compatibility Reports (CD/HD/DVD/CDRW/Tape), Game Reviews and Video card/Game Performance. No other site has these features. Thanks for stopping by!

Index of Newer Tech iMAXpowr G4 433MHz Review Intro \| Benchmarks \| Appl/Game Tests \| Software Controls \| Installation \| Specs/Design \| Summary - or - Back to www.XLR8YOURMAC.com
Copyright © Mike, 2000. 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.