Powerlogix's Dual G4 CPU Card
Published: 1/5/2000
As noted in the January 5th news, Powerlogix recently announced a dual-G4 CPU upgrade for CPU card slot and ZIF based Macs. A sawtooth G4 model was promised at a later date. Here's a picture to get your adrenaline pumping. I've added some identifiers to the card features and am guessing the Xlinx chip is for the SMP firmware they noted.
The following is from their original press release:
"PowerForce Dual G4 includes all the same features and functionality as the award-winning PowerForce G3 and G4 processor cards, including independently variable bus speed and bus ratio, accelerated bus speed, and reduced form factor. Also included is software for controlling backside cache, speculative addressing, Altivec support, and MP support. The Dual G4 features proprietary SMP firmware, active cooling, up to two megabytes of backside cache and the processor slot version includes twin low-noise linear power supplies.
"Power users that demand the ultimate in performance will demand the PowerForce Dual G4. Altivec performance approaches twice the throughput of a single G4 processor, making it ideal for graphic applications such as rendering, 3D graphics, QuickTime encoding, Photoshop, and After Effects. Because it works with second-generation and newer PowerMacs, it's the best way to get absolute top performance for the least possible cost," said Robert Jagitsch, President of PowerLogix R&D.
Initially, models will include PowerForce Dual G4 350 and PowerForce Dual G4 400 with 1Mb of backside cache. Faster models will be introduced as faster G4s become available from Motorola and IBM. The PowerForce Dual G4 will be compatible with the standard set of Apple PowerMacs from the 7300 to the 9600; Power Computing PowerWave and PowerTower Pro; UMAX S900 and J700; Daystar Genesis and Millenium; beige & B&W PowerMac G3s, and Yosemite-based G4s. (Power Computing PowerTower, PowerCenter, PowerCenter Pro and PowerBase are not supported.) Future PowerForce Dual models will support Sawtooth-based Apple G4 machines.
Orders are being accepted for shipment in February at a suggested retail of $1199 for the PowerForce Dual G4 350 and $1599 for the Dual G4 400.
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Looks like it's going to be a very interesting year ahead. Watch Powerlogix's web site for more information.
Note: For dozens of CPU Upgrade reviews and related articles, check the CPU Upgrades page. For over 3000 owner reports/ratings of CPU upgrades - search my Rate Your CPU Upgrade database (you can search for reports from owners of your mac model).
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