Accelerate Your Mac's page on XLR8's G3 Processor Info (PI) Utility

First Look :
XLR8's new Control Panel and Processor Information (PI) Utility

Today (5/12/98) XLR8 released both a new version of their MAChSpeed G3 CPU card control panel and and a new Processor Information (PI) utility at their Software Download page. I'll attempt to explain the features of both of these programs here to give you a better understanding of what they are and how they are used.

XLR8 G3 Control v1.01
This new cache control panel is completely new and the nicest I've seen for any PowerForce design CPU card. Although it doesn't have an option to disable the motherboard cache (at least not yet), it contained settings for CPU card selection, backside cache size, cpu-to-cache ratio (cache speed) and a enable/disable option for the backside cache of the G3 CPU card.
Since some options have many possible settings, XLR8 has made the control panel large enough to have ample room for a text explanation of each of them (in red) and to list their web site URL, tech support email address, (snail) mailing address and phone numbers. I applaud them for this as it will be a big help to new owners in understanding what each option does, what the proper selection for their specific XLR8 card model should be and where to go for help or further information.
Due to the standard notes on each feature, the screenshot of the control panel below is almost self-explanatory.

The most important selection is the CPU card type (the upper right option in the image above, currently showing G3 MACHspeed 266/1M [266 mhz w/1 MB cache]) which determines the default backside cache size and speed (ratio) settings. This means if the user selects the proper card type, there is less chance of a user error in selecting the wrong cache size or speed. Incorrect (too fast) cache settings and/or cache size is one of the most common problems end users make with adjustable cache control panels based on manufacturer feedback.
Should you desire to verify or adjust these cache settings (not recommended), clicking on the "Advanced Options" brings up the following screen:

You should never attempt to adjust the cache size to other than the default value that is shown based on your card type selected in the main control panel. Cache ratio (CPU speed to cache speed ratio) is adjustable but follow XLR8's recommendations as faster speeds can cause reliability problems, lockups, and possible data corruption. As with all overclocking, there is risk involved and long term reliability can be negatively affected.

XLR8 Processor Information:
The totally new and unique Processor Information utility not only displays the CPU speed, CPU to bus speed ratio, and bus speed but also the CPU temperature (a first for G3 CPU cards). The only feature missing is a display of the backside cache speed. This is set in the control panel, but a verification of the cache speed would be a nice feature. I hope this will be added in the future.

XLR8 G3/266 Info (PowerTower Pro installation)
Compare the CPU temperatures of the fan cooled CPU card (w/large heatsink) above to the stock Apple G3 266/MT system (running stock CPU and Bus speeds) below:

Apple G3/266MT Info
Although I expected the Apple G3 CPU to run hotter with it's much smaller heatsink and lack of direct fan cooling found in the PowerTower Pro, I was very surprised to see just how much hotter the CPU ran. The Apple G3 ramped up to 48 degrees C very quickly and tended to settle at about 52 degrees C. In contrast the XLR8 266 card in the PowerTower Pro (running at identical CPU and cache speeds) never exceeded 25 degrees C.
I think the Processor Information utility will be a very valuable tool for monitoring CPU temperature, which can help alert you to problems before reliability is affected. I will be using it quite frequently here and welcome feedback from readers on what temperatures they are seeing in their systems.
I was extremely pleased with both these new tools, and I think in a short period of time XLR8 has shown they are committed to making a name for themselves in the crowded CPU card market. Well done XLR8!
For the latest XLR8 G3 Cache Control and Processor Information utility visit: http://www.xlr8.com/support/files.html

Back to WWW.XLR8YOURMAC.COM

Copyright © xlr8yourmac.com, 1998.

No part of this sites content or images are to be reproduced or distributed in any form without permission. 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 most important selection is the CPU card type (the upper right option in the image above, currently showing G3 MACHspeed 266/1M [266 mhz w/1 MB cache]) which determines the default backside cache size and speed (ratio) settings. This means if the user selects the proper card type, there is less chance of a user error in selecting the wrong cache size or speed. Incorrect (too fast) cache settings and/or cache size is one of the most common problems end users make with adjustable cache control panels based on manufacturer feedback. Should you desire to verify or adjust these cache settings (not recommended), clicking on the "Advanced Options" brings up the following screen: You should never attempt to adjust the cache size to other than the default value that is shown based on your card type selected in the main control panel. Cache ratio (CPU speed to cache speed ratio) is adjustable but follow XLR8's recommendations as faster speeds can cause reliability problems, lockups, and possible data corruption. As with all overclocking, there is risk involved and long term reliability can be negatively affected.
XLR8 Processor Information: The totally new and unique Processor Information utility not only displays the CPU speed, CPU to bus speed ratio, and bus speed but also the CPU temperature (a first for G3 CPU cards). The only feature missing is a display of the backside cache speed. This is set in the control panel, but a verification of the cache speed would be a nice feature. I hope this will be added in the future. XLR8 G3/266 Info (PowerTower Pro installation) Compare the CPU temperatures of the fan cooled CPU card (w/large heatsink) above to the stock Apple G3 266/MT system (running stock CPU and Bus speeds) below: Apple G3/266MT Info Although I expected the Apple G3 CPU to run hotter with it's much smaller heatsink and lack of direct fan cooling found in the PowerTower Pro, I was very surprised to see just how much hotter the CPU ran. The Apple G3 ramped up to 48 degrees C very quickly and tended to settle at about 52 degrees C. In contrast the XLR8 266 card in the PowerTower Pro (running at identical CPU and cache speeds) never exceeded 25 degrees C. I think the Processor Information utility will be a very valuable tool for monitoring CPU temperature, which can help alert you to problems before reliability is affected. I will be using it quite frequently here and welcome feedback from readers on what temperatures they are seeing in their systems. I was extremely pleased with both these new tools, and I think in a short period of time XLR8 has shown they are committed to making a name for themselves in the crowded CPU card market. *Well done XLR8!* For the latest XLR8 G3 Cache Control and Processor Information utility visit: http://www.xlr8.com/support/files.html
Back to WWW.XLR8YOURMAC.COM
Copyright © xlr8yourmac.com, 1998. No part of this sites content or images are to be reproduced or distributed in any form without permission. 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.


First Look : XLR8's new Control Panel and Processor Information (PI) Utility
Today (5/12/98) XLR8 released both a new version of their MAChSpeed G3 CPU card control panel and and a new Processor Information (PI) utility at their Software Download page. I'll attempt to explain the features of both of these programs here to give you a better understanding of what they are and how they are used.
XLR8 G3 Control v1.01 This new cache control panel is completely new and the nicest I've seen for any PowerForce design CPU card. Although it doesn't have an option to disable the motherboard cache (at least not yet), it contained settings for CPU card selection, backside cache size, cpu-to-cache ratio (cache speed) and a enable/disable option for the backside cache of the G3 CPU card. Since some options have many possible settings, XLR8 has made the control panel large enough to have ample room for a text explanation of each of them (in red) and to list their web site URL, tech support email address, (snail) mailing address and phone numbers. I applaud them for this as it will be a big help to new owners in understanding what each option does, what the proper selection for their specific XLR8 card model should be and where to go for help or further information. Due to the standard notes on each feature, the screenshot of the control panel below is almost self-explanatory.