"Effective 1pm CST the price of the Z400APL OWC Mer400mhz G3 ZIF with 1024k 2:1 Cache has been reduced from $285 to $279.

Also, we have reduced the Norton Utilities 4.0x (CD Only) from $27.50 to $19 and the Norton Utilities 4.0x & AntiVirus 5 Bundle from $49 to $39.

Also, some neat info...
In a beige G3, all of the our Mercury 400 Z400APLs tested so far running 433mhz with no problem, and a high percentage are running 466mhz.

The Z450MA IBM Copper Mercury G3/450mhz w/1024k we sell for $495 is running 500mhz with no problem in B&W G3s and apparently up to 541mhz w/83mhz bus in Beige G3s.
Best Regards,
Larry O'Connor
Other World Computing, Inc. "

Remember nobody can guarantee what max speed any specific CPU will run reliably in your system. Don't assume you'll be able to repeat anyone else's results. You may or may not be able to as overclocking results often varies by system and/or CPU (even CPUs from the same batch/lot). Also remember OEM ZIFs are no-frills versions and don't have the manuals, etc. that full retail versions do; but if you're an experienced upgrader, they are usually much lower in cost.

OWC also indicated that RAM prices have risen since the 2PM post. I'm not going to try to track it here but see their SDRAM page for the latest prices.

USB/SCSI Adapter Feedback: replied to my earlier request for owner comments on these adapters:

"Hey Mike! Glad to give ya some feedback on the USB to SCSI adaptor request.

Here at work we ordered a Microtech XpressSCSI to ease service on USB only macs... so far the results are great.

The little adaptor worked fine on rev b Blue and White G3's (OS 8.6), and rev c and d iMacs (OS 8.5.1 Spanish, OS 8.6) with the following devices:
external hard disks(variety of cases and brands), cd readers (all kinds of speeds, mainly apple branded), Teac CDR, Yamaha CDRW (obviously failed on burns at 6x). However, the device did not work with our SCSI scanner a Microtek Scanmaker V310, the light just blinked the and computers could not find the device.

The installation is super easy, just three extensions, a reboot and you are ready to go. So far the device does exactly what we need, provides an easy and fast way to service USB Macs.
JILS
Webmaster DiMac SRL Paraguay"

G4 Yikes Systems Arriving: George Cole of Bottom Line sent a note they have received some G4/400 ('Yikes') systems:

"We received 5 G4 400Mhz systems today, so they are starting to come in. We have several on backorder, but expect to have full stock available by the end of the week on the 400 version.
Price is still good at $1479.99!
Just wanted to let you and your readers know they are starting to ship!
Cheers,
George "

Current OWC RAM Pricing: [Note: prices may have risen a bit already since this original post - check OWC's web site or call them to verify current pricing.] Other World Computing wrote to say that as long as their current stock lasts they are selling SDRAM at the following prices:

" $175 for generic PC100 and $179 for Techworks PC100 G3 2-2-2 SDRam. ... And I know we won't have those prices for too long.

Best Regards,
Larry O'Connor
Other World Computing, Inc. "

G4 vs G3 CPU Details: Eric Harruff wrote with good information from Motorola tech docs on the differences between the two CPUs. I've posted a article titled G4 vs G3 CPU which compares the features of these two processors.

MP3 Encoding from CD vs HD: Many readers (and I) wished I had been able to test the MP3 encoding speed (in my G4 CPU tests) without reading the audio track from the CDROM (to see if the CD drive was a bottleneck). Due to problems converting to AIFF in SoundJam v1.1 and having to return the G4 upgrade, I was unable to test encoding speed with the source file on the hard drive. However Charles Eicher wrote that in his B&W G3/400 tests there was literally no difference in performance from using the CD or HD as the source:

"I also was skeptical about the SoundJam benchmarks, I also thought the test might have been I/0-bound and be significantly faster if the mp3s were encoded from hard drive instead of CD. However, I was wrong. Your method was perfectly fine.

I decided to test encoding speeds from hard disk vs. CDRom. You noted some problems with creating AIFFs in SoundJam. I couldn't get it to work either. You will have to extract the files with some other utility, such as Extractor, which comes with Adaptec Toast. Extract the file and save to disk. I couldn't figure out how to add the AIFF file to the list, so I just dragged it right from the finder window into the Converter window. Rip away!

I ripped a file of about 4 minutes on my Yosemite G3/400 with the standard Ultra2SCSI 9gb drive. Encoding speeds were identical to within one second, that is, vaguely within the accuracy of my thumb on a stopwatch.

When ripping from a file, the system reported a 3.3x encoding from CD, but encoding from a file, the pointer eventually hit 3.4x. Undoubtedly, with a fast file system you could get a marginal speed increase. But I decided that your benchmark, as a whole, is valid, and the test was not compromised by slow I/O speeds from CDRom.
Charles Eicher "

Since most users would be encoding from an audio CD, my tests also indicated what the average user would likely see in normal use. My Genesis with SCSI 24X Apple CDROM drive and a G3/400MHz CPU delivered a 3.1x rate, not much lower than the B&W G3/400 with (I suspect) 32X IDE CDROM drive. The Genesis of course has a 50% slower main memory bus speed than the B&W G3, but as with many applications the slower bus speed was not a major drawback with the same speed/cache size G3 CPU. Games and apps like Photoshop that move a lot of data over the bus are cases that do show a benefit from the faster system bus (and improved PCI Controller) in the Apple G3s.

Update on the B&W ROM G4 CPU Check: Leander Kahney of Wired Magazine called me yesterday afternoon to discuss the issue of the B&W G3 ROM update that prevents use of G4 CPU upgrades. Wired has posted an updated article with comments from Apple and others today. Missing from the article was my request that Apple release a ROM update that removes the G4 CPU check. If there was a reason for preventing the upgrade they should state so publicly. I also commented that there were reports of improved PCI performance and compatibility with the ROM update (see my ROM Update page). Also my 'McDonald's coffee' comment was in answer to his question that perhaps lawyers were just 'trolling for clients', not an indication that I take this issue lightly. (Regular readers know this aready from my comments on this matter in the past).

As with any previous Mac model, it should be left up to the CPU upgrade manufacturer to provide a compatible upgrade. Apple can't and shouldn't be responsible for 3rd party upgrades working properly but they shouldn't prevent them either. As noted here previously, XLR8 says their G4 CPU upgrade worked fine in an original B&W G3 with rev 1.0x ROM version.

On a related note, readers say MacOSRumors is reporting that Apple may release a ROM update to remove the check, but the comments in Wired's latest article doesn't seem to indicate that. Note that the comment on the ROM check preventing Apple from being one-upped on the G4 doesn't really hold water, as my sources say nobody was allowed to even announce (much less ship) G4 upgrades until after Apple had unveiled their G4 systems. Let's hope Apple does the right thing on this one, for everyone's benefit. This entire issue is a black cloud over an otherwise very positive era in Apple history.

ZIF Gasket Note: A reader sent a comment from Larry of Other World Computing that some owners of their ZIF upgrades (using CarrierZIF cards) failed to notice that certain models of their OEM ZIFs already have a gasket on the CPU. Apparently a few people didn't notice the existing gasket and applied a 2nd one (that comes with the base CarrierZIF card). This of course would prevent the heatsink from contacting the CPU chip and dramatically increase temperatures, causing immediate problems (perhaps even failures to boot) as the CPU would rapidly overheat. My Setup Guide to the CarrierZIF has a photo of two OWC ZIFs - a 350MHz w/o the gasket and a 400MHz that already had a gasket applied at the factory.

Speaking of OWC ZIFs, I installed their 400MHz model in a CarrierZIF card I'd recently ordered from XLR8 and it ran fine in the Genesis (512MB interleaved RAM) set to 400/200/50 speeds.

More on USB/ADB Adapters: Bob Friede wrote with comments on adapters in reply to the recent threads here on the subject from buyers of G4 systems (since they don't have an ADB port).

"At least these two USB to ADB adapters are available, according to information from http://www.peripherals.net/. Griffin Technology offers the iMate for $39, and there's another by Kernel called the JoyPort seemingly more geared for gamers [allows use of PC joysticks/gamepads, N64, Playstation, etc.-Mike], listed for $50. Prices are possibly lower elsewhere.

For a comprehensive list and links to almost everything available for Mac, Windoze and PS/2 platforms, check out peripherals.net at http://www.peripherals.net/ for a real eye-opener. I had been looking for a USB PC card for my wallstreet--none yet, but two companies listed promise sometime-in-September shipping. Prior to visiting this site, I had known of only one. Lots of cross-platform stuff there too.
Bob Friede "

Wanted: USB to SCSI Adapter Feedback I'm looking for end user reports on USB to SCSI adapters. If you've used one I'd appreciate your comments (include details on your mac and the adapter brand). Thanks!

RAM Prices Rise Again: I've noticed that site sponsor Transintl and also many PC RAM dealers have dramatically raised SDRAM prices in the last 24 hours. A day or so ago a 128MB B&W G3 DIMM was $148 (up from $125 previously) and now the price is shown as $225. Granted Transintl SDRAM DIMMs are usually 2-clock (222) speed code modules but I've inquired via email for more details on the rapid price increases. Their 64MB FPM dimms for older Macs were still $115 as of today, so it seems Fast Page Mode RAM pricing is holding steady.

Although it does not appear to use Altivec extensions like the latest version of SoundJam, Proteron has released the final 1.0 version of N2MP3. N2MP3 is available for free download as a preview release which limits encoding to twenty tracks and thereafter will only encode the first minute of additional tracks. N2MP3 costs $34.95 and is available at http://www.n2mp3.com

BareFeats has a performance comparison of the Castlewood ORB drive.

xappeal has a new article on the next version of OS X server.

ZDNet/PC Magazine's Machrone's Hot Products page today comments that the eOne takes on the iMac and wins. Hmmm...

Tuesday's News:

Adjustable ZIFs and Non-Std Bus Speeds: Francisco Vergaray asked if his Beige G3 set to 83MHz bus speed would be compatible with the Powerlogix and other adjustable ZIF upgrades which were made to be used with bus speeds of 66MHz (Beige G3) or 100MHz (B&W G3). Here is my answer to him (since my reply bounced back):

You'd have to allow for the 83Mhz bus speed when selecting the CPU/Bus ratio for the ZIF upgrade. Powerlogix ZIFs usually have a switch as do some Railgun ZIF upgrades. Some XLR8 ZIF models have jumpers for ratio adjustment as well as shown in several reviews on my CPU cards page. Always verify adjustability from the seller of the particular model you're ordering.

The correct ratio setting is determined by: CPU speed/Bus speed = Ratio
Most of the adjustable ZIF manuals have a table listing the correct settings for Beige (66MHz bus) and B&W G3s (100MHz) - so you'd have to take your non-standard 83MHz bus speed into account when selecting a ratio.

For example: you buy a 466MHz rated ZIF for your Beige G3 which you have set to run an 83MHz bus speed. Using the CPU Speed/Bus speed formula we calculate the CPU/Bus ratio:

466MHz CPU/83MHz bus = 5.6xxx

So the closest available ratio setting would be 5.5 (since ratios are in .5x increments).

My CarrierZIF Setup Guide also covers this topic for users of that card. For OEM ZIFs (jumperless) you could do the same thing, but the Apple motherboard jumper settings would have to be set to the proper ratio since those ZIFs have no switches or jumpers on them.

Some (rare) fixed speed ZIF CPU upgrades were designed as 'drop in' (no motherboard jumper setting changes required) and are hard-wired for a fixed ratio assuming a specific bus speed. I hear that Sonnet's future ZIFs may be 'auto-sensing' of the machine's bus clock (at least for standard 66MHz or 100MHz bus speeds). In these cases you would have to revert back to a standard bus speed.

ATI Extends Trade-Up Rebate: John Kornhaus sent a note that according to this ATI Loyalty Program FAQ, the trade-up offer for existing Mac ATI retail card owners has been extended until the end of the year. See their FAQ for full details. This offer was originally noted in my ATI Rage128 FAQ.

Fast G3s/Birmy RIP Tip: CyberCDP sent a note on G3 upgrades and printing with the Birmy RIP:

"I use a Birmy RIP v.4.x with a hardware key (dongle) on this PM7600 to print PS to an Epson Stylus Pro.

It used to work perfectly, but started printing everything with DEMO across the middle recently. (As if the dongle was not connected) The reason is that I upgraded to a 400mhz G3 processor.

There is a fix (not mentioned in the Birmy FAQ) at http://www.birmy.com/SupportMIUp.htm which is a high speed version of the DK8 init (the extension which enables the dongle)
Rock on guys...
P"

Rage128 Pro in some G4s? Simon Lisney sent a note that the Apple G4/ACD bundle page makes reference to the 'Rage128 Pro' graphics card. The Rage128 Pro was a faster clock speed/enhanced version of the current Rage128 chip that ATI announced back in April. According to that press release the Rage128 Pro offered up to a 50% improvement in 3D performance and support for digital flat panel displays. I've written ATI to verify if the AGP Rage128 in the new G4 systems is indeed the 'Pro' version.

More G4 CPU Tech Info: Michiro Isobe sent a note about the stepping of the 400MHz G4 CPU I tested. The PDF file he references shows that the 400 and 450MHz CPUs are running at a higher voltage (often used to allow higher clock speeds) than the 350MHz base model.

"Your G4 card uses the rev. 2.2 of PPC7400 written in the document. MPC7400_G_PNS_990827.pdf

I don't know whether PowerMac G4 will have the same revision or rev. 2.6. But I think the uses who will have rev. 2.2 G4 is lucky. Because it seems that rev. 2.6 G4 is a factory overclocked one like rev. 2.2 of PPC 604e. Both revisions have higher voltage spec. than original for running at higher frequency.

I think G4/500Mhz will be new revision, and its voltage specification will return to original. Best Regards, Michiro Isobe"

I've ordered a 500MHz G4 system since I also hear the 500MHz G4 will be a new stepping and may have some of the errata (common term used to note CPU chip bugs) fixed that is present in the earlier revision. Note the referenced PDF file says "this part has known functional errata. Contact your local Motorola Sales Office.". Errata is common in most CPUs (especially Intel CPUs). On the PC this is usually addressed via Bios patches that detect the CPU stepping (revision) and apply a patch automatically. On the Mac this would be done via the ROM on the G4 systems I suspect.

G4 Forum Discussions: My G4 Forum has some discussions on the Sawtooth vs the Sharktooth (future) G4 designs. Sharktooth is rumored to be due in the 2nd Quarter of 2000 and may have more PCI slots and expansion bays. At this point any info on 'Sharktooth' is 100% rumor of course.

Another 3Dfx Interview: Thresh's Firing Squad has an interesting interview with 3Dfx that discusses their future graphics technology against nVidia's recently announced G3Force 256 card. There are also comments on the Apple G4 in later pages of the article. Note that according to a recent interview, nVidia has stated they have no plans for any Mac graphics cards as they are focusing on the PC platform.

PowerBook Multi-LCD: This is some clever artist's idea sent by Jose Azevedo who said a friend indicated was from Apple (it's not). It reminds me of the desktop multi-LCD desktop displays from Mass Multiples I noted in the news here several months ago. [Update - a reader says this image was also shown at the PowerPage last month.]

More on USB/ADB Adapters: As noted here previously, the new Apple G4 systems have no ADB ports and therefore using a USB/ADB adapter is the most common solution (since many vendors don't have USB dongles yet). Ed Roney sent info on one adapter that is known to work:

"I don't have a USB only machine yet, but since I will in the future and currently have ADB dongles, I kept this note from the Electric Image forum on postforum.com:

To all out there who might be struggling to get an imate to work with EIAS 2.9 or EIM 1.0.

After speaking to the really helpful guys at griffin technology, they solved the problem of running the imate on a lombard G3/400 with EIAS & EIM

Use the imate fiddler, which can be found at: www.griffintechnology.com/imac/fiddler_151.sit.hqx
[put] the imate extension 1.51 in the extension folder
Starting from default settings
set the ADOp delay to 64
now try running EIAS or EIM
worked perfectly for me

Thanks to Peter Lish and Paul Griffin for there help. Great customer service from griffin technology BTW

Hopefully this will help those with other dongles like Lightwave and After Effects PB.
Ed Roney "

I've added this info in a new topic area of the FAQ on Apple G4 systems.

MacsOnly has an post on their front page today titled InterCoolers Now Available Outside Japan. The intercooler is a base w/fans for Powerbooks that helps cool those hot bottom surfaces. They also have a post on the OWC 350MHz ZIF running (via a CarrierZIF) in a PowerBase.

EveryMac.com has been updated for complete specs on the new Apple Power Macintosh G4 series and new upgrade cards from Newer, PowerLogix, and XLR8. Their third-anniversary giveaway of an IXMICRO ix3D RoadRocket, an ATI RAGE Orion, and an XLR8 MACh Carrier G3 400 ends next tuesday so if you haven't already signed up, better enter today.

MacOpinon has new articles related to the MacAddict Netscape/IE browser test (contains adult language) and more on the Processor Wars.

BTV Video Utility:

"Announcing BTV, the ultimate video display utility for the Macintosh! BTV version 3.0.0 is THE software to have if your Mac has video digitising hardware.

Features of BTV 3.0.0:
- Full-screen video with no menu bar
- Video in a window which can be dragged around the screen or resized
- Automatic monitor resolution switching to the resolution of your choice (usually 640x480 or 800x600) and back to the original resolution on quit
- Multiple monitor support - play full screen video on one monitor while
you work on another
- Can capture a PICT file, either straight to the desktop with an
automatic file name or through the normal save dialog box
- Can record a movie to disk using custom video and sound settings
- Can black out other monitors on a multi-monitor system
- Can be set to disable background processes so no interference by screensaver or powersaver
- Can hide the mouse (this can be done automatically on startup)
- Can spin down hard disks for less noise (this can be done automatically on startup)

BTV 3.0.0 can be downloaded from the new BTV web site: www.SolutionUK.com/btv/"

If you don't check every day's daily news (updated several times a day normally) you might miss something valuable. Check the summary list below for highlights of the last few day's news and the archives page for older new page links. For a blast from the past, read what was on the news page here exactly a year ago.

Monday's News Summary

• Voodoo3 AGP in Sawtooth (3dfx comments existing ROM should work)
• Errors converting Audio track to AIFF in Soundjam MP v1.1
• PhotoShop G4 Plugins - only available w/G4 systems?
• B&W G3 ROM Flashing - attempts to flash 1.0x version fail
• My initial tests on OWC 350/400 ZIFs in B&W G3
• G3 Logic Board Upgrades for very old Macs
• ZIF Heatsink Clip Reminder (orientation important for cooling)
• Problems downloading Techworks Power3D (Voodoo 1) drivers
• Apple's Stock Hits Record High
• Game News page updated
• Mac Game Framerates database updated
• Rate Your G3 Upgrade database updated
• Rate Your Mac Games database

Weekend's News Summary

• SoundJam MP 1.1 G4/Altivec Tests
• More tech details on the G4 CPU
• Bottom Line weekend reader specials
• XLR8 updates Cache Control Software
• More on Sawtooth CPU Modules (no ROMs on board)
• B&W G3 ROM version Clarification
• Market Consultant says Mac buyers less sophisticated?
• HP site on Nano technology
• MS denies claim of OS backdoor
• Game News page updated
• Mac Game Framerates database updated
• Rate Your G3 Upgrade database updated
• Rate Your Mac Games database

Friday's News Summary

• Crypto expert says MS Windows 9x-2000 has backdoor/MS denies.
• Problem DIMMs: reader report
• PB G3 data corruption TIL
• Altivec Apps: several new programs support G4
• Soundjam MP 1.1 features Altivec support/improvements
• OS 9 & BW G3 ROMs: anon. report says ROM update reqd to install
• nVidia: No Mac Cards Planned (no TNT2/NV10, etc.)
• First Look and tests of the XLR8 G4 upgrade
• Mac Game FPS database updated
• Rate Your Mac Games database updated
• Rate Your G3 Upgrade database updated
• Other Net News

For a guide to finding answers to questions - see my Site Guide page.

If you own a G3/300 or faster Mac, you might want to get our PPC Checker utility that will report if your CPU is copper or aluminum based.

Considering a G3 Upgrade? Check the CPU Upgrade Owner's Survey results and search for owner reports by Mac model and/or card brand. The database is being updated daily for new reports. Also make sure you ask your dealer about any issues with your particular mac model as I have gotten several reports of issues with certain G3 upgrades in some Mac models (Mach 5, PowerBase, 7300). I urge any owners that have had problems to report this via the Survey Form. Always give the most weight to recent owner reports (dated in the listing).

-Freq Asked Questions