XLR8 'Smart Control' Software: XLR8 has released their Cache Control v1.3 [New Version posted at Midnight apparently - 628KB] with Virtual Firmware™ of their cache control software with a new 'Smart Control' (press release link) feature . Here's a clip from the press release:

The new G3 Control from XLR8 includes full compatibility features, utilizing Virtual Firmware™ , simple user friendly selections, and an exclusive feature that actually tests CPU and cache on startup then dynamically sets the maximum compatible speed for the card. XLR8 extended its product features by making the new G3 Control available to owners of competitive G3 upgrades.

Introducing Virtual Firmware™
The new XLR8 G3 Control utilizes an exclusive software routine known as Virtual Firmware (see the XLR8 White Paper ­ Speculative Processing). This technique allows G3 Control to execute performance and compatibility routines before any hardware or software (including normal PRAM) initialize. It is extremely unique in that it is as robust and non-volatile as a hardware based custom card ROM but is as upgradeable as software ­ the best of both worlds.

Exclusive Automated Startup
Past control software packages from various vendors required a variety of software versions to determine minor differences between type and speed of cache and CPU. In most cases users were required to select their own card and cache speeds.

The new version of G3 Control allows the user to set a selected speed from a dynamically built list of speeds available or, at the useršs option, to have the G3 Control automatically select the fastest compatible speed on startup.

Unlike previous releases of G3 Control Software, XLR8 will provide compatibility to nearly all G3 upgrade customers. The XLR8 G3 Control Software upgrade is available for free download via XLR8šs web site or, for non-XLR8 customers, via a paid ($25) download site at www.daystar.com.

Registering for download at www.daystar.com also registers customers for future updates, support, specials, upgrades, and an XLR8 sponsored giveaway of its MACh Speed 400 MHz G3 Upgrade.

XLR8's G3 Control has been tested and is supported on "non-XLR8 upgrades" (PowerLogix, Vimage, Mactell, Newer) through GDTS at www.daystar.com.

XLR8 also has a 'Why Upgrade' article posted.

Humberto Betancourt wrote to say there is a note on Drive Compatibility at ProMax. I did not see this in the past, or in the original PDF file posted here on December 28th. I think the $99 card is an excellent value personally and there have been many posts here reporting excellent performance. Thad's latest Audio Column reported good results in his Umax S900 as well (an officially unsupported machine that seems to work fine).

ProMax also has a feature comparison page on their StudioMax software (excellent I hear). Originally some people claimed that B&W G3 owners with IDE drives needed a TurboMax card for reliable DV (due to dropouts/print to video problems). I did not see any problems on my 6GB IDE B&W G3 printing/capturing video to/from a Panasonic DV camera, but these were not extended tests.

MythII/B&W G3/No 3D Sound I don't own Myth II but can anyone out there answer this one?

" Hey, sorry to bother you, but I frequently visit your site for insight and medication for my new yosemite(300mhz). Anyway, I was wondering-- in Myth 2 and other games I notice that the 3d sound button is disabled. Do the new g3's not come with 3d sound capability built-in? Am I missing a driver or something? Do I need a sound card? My old performa had 3d sound so it seems odd that these don't. I'd appreciate it if you have any tips or info.
Thanks,
Eric "

The Yosemite page (scroll down to specs section) has some info on the Crystal audio chip used on the motherboard, but I'm not sure if there is 3D game audio support (Unreal also has some similar audio options, but I've not explored them on the Mac). The chip is not in the same class as the 3D audio chips used on the PC sound cards (A3D/Vortex, Soundblaster Live, etc.) however. This was touched on in yesterday's news.

Amazing XLR8 300/200/1MB Report:

" Mike,
Just wanted to let you know about this card. I have a PTP 250 that refused to boot with the original Powerlogix 300/300 and the railgun 275/183. It did boot with the 3 switch Powerlogix card, but I could not print or use my ProMax firewire.

Well, I just got the XLR8 card and does it scream. I am currently running at 392/196/49 (bus). Everything works fine. I am getting 1235/1652 on MacBench 5.0 (w/ libmoto). I was able to run at 412/206/51.6, but outputting digital video via the firewire card would crash Premiere. I would definitely rate this card a 10!

My configuration is:
PowerTower Pro 250 with 288 MB ram,
18 gig internal UW raid (pci jackhammer, FWB 3.0)
9 gig UN, 2 gig, CDR, CD, Syjet, zip (internal fast scsi)
OS 8.5.1.

Thanks for all of the tips! One question though - should I be concerned with a 109 deg F cpu temp? [Nope]
Thanks,
Anthony "

Forums Still Down: My Forums at Resurge are still down. I'm told that the conversions of old messages crashes midway though the process. There are over 6000 messages I'm told to convert. I'll post any news on this as I hear it. The 3Dfx Forums are fast, alive and well (run off another server).

Yesterday's News Summary

• Carmine's TIL Updates and Net News Feed
• Intel's new USB 2.0 threatens Firewire?
• OS X on unsupported Macs - (dedicated page)
• More on TurboMax IDE Drive Support
• Better ADSL Net connection deals? (dedicated page)
• B&W G3/Media 100 compatibility update
• B&W G3s/ZIP drive pauses
• Fix for slow mouse in Unreal
• B&W G3/Apple PC 166mhz card incompatible
• Gamecenter.com has Apple audio article
• OWC Sonnet/G3 sales
• 3D Game News page updated
• Other net news
• Summary of prev. days news

For other recent site news/features links, see the Recent Site Features page.

Note: Before sending tech support related questions please check the Freq. Asked Questions, Site Contents, CPU Card reviews/articles, SCSI reviews articles, Graphics card reviews, Tips/Misc, Message Boards and Help pages - in many cases the answers to your questions are there and they have far more detail than I can list in an email. For Apple G3 system info - see the G3-ZONE. For links on recent articles, see the Recent Features page. Please try the Men in Mac Help page as an alternative on requests for tech support to help me be able to spend more time on reviews. Thanks.