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| DATE | Sep 20, 1998 |
| TICKET | #318882 |
| STATUS | Closed |
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Question Details
TICKET ARCHIVE -> upgrade to Power PC?
No Wonder User - Sep 20, 1998 - 12:25 pm
Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Problem: Other
Computer Type: apple
Model: Performa 638CD
RAM: 24meg
RAM Enhancer: None
OS Version: System 7.5
Description:
Can I upgrade my Performa 638CD
to Power PC? Is it just installing
a new chip? There is so much software
designed for the Power PC -
like PointCast - is this possible?
thanks!
Send Attachments?
Problem: Other
Computer Type: apple
Model: Performa 638CD
RAM: 24meg
RAM Enhancer: None
OS Version: System 7.5
Description:
Can I upgrade my Performa 638CD
to Power PC? Is it just installing
a new chip? There is so much software
designed for the Power PC -
like PointCast - is this possible?
thanks!
Send Attachments?
No Wonder Tech - Sep 20, 1998 - 12:43 pm
hi, marla. im gary.
yes. there are PPC upgrade boards for nearly all older macs. i upgraded an old performa to a 601 PPC several years ago (essentially made it a 6110) and my wife still uses it. unfortunately, while you can have a PPC upgrade, many times the older macs just cant accept the needed processors with the necessary speeds (ie..160mhz and up) to run some of the latest applications and games....especially games. for instance, dont even think about running Riven on my wife's computer.
anyway. with a powerPC board upgrade, you can add many years of life to your old mac and run a variety of applications and games previously unavailable to you. on the other hand. keep in mind what is coming down the road.
1. the fourth generation PPC (G4) is in the wings. it will represent yet another major leap forward in technology and speed. you will soon be seeing 500 + mhz processors at bus speeds unthought of just a couple of years ago.
my point. you may want to wait and opt for a screaming new machine next year.....assuming your budget can swing it.
2. the new MAC OS X (operating system "ten"). completely PPC native code and supposedly 30-40% faster than mac os 8.1. the trade-off is that it may only be able to run on G3 and G4 machines. although some reviews indicate mac os X will be able to run on the newer high end (604e 200+ mhz) power PC's such as the newer 8600 and 9600 models.
in other word, you may spend some fairly significant dollars upgrading your old machine, only to find it is still very much obsolete next year. my plan is to give my 8600/200 to my wife. let her run mac os 8.5 and i will get a new g4 shortly after they roll out.
let me know if this was of some assistance.
gary.
yes. there are PPC upgrade boards for nearly all older macs. i upgraded an old performa to a 601 PPC several years ago (essentially made it a 6110) and my wife still uses it. unfortunately, while you can have a PPC upgrade, many times the older macs just cant accept the needed processors with the necessary speeds (ie..160mhz and up) to run some of the latest applications and games....especially games. for instance, dont even think about running Riven on my wife's computer.
anyway. with a powerPC board upgrade, you can add many years of life to your old mac and run a variety of applications and games previously unavailable to you. on the other hand. keep in mind what is coming down the road.
1. the fourth generation PPC (G4) is in the wings. it will represent yet another major leap forward in technology and speed. you will soon be seeing 500 + mhz processors at bus speeds unthought of just a couple of years ago.
my point. you may want to wait and opt for a screaming new machine next year.....assuming your budget can swing it.
2. the new MAC OS X (operating system "ten"). completely PPC native code and supposedly 30-40% faster than mac os 8.1. the trade-off is that it may only be able to run on G3 and G4 machines. although some reviews indicate mac os X will be able to run on the newer high end (604e 200+ mhz) power PC's such as the newer 8600 and 9600 models.
in other word, you may spend some fairly significant dollars upgrading your old machine, only to find it is still very much obsolete next year. my plan is to give my 8600/200 to my wife. let her run mac os 8.5 and i will get a new g4 shortly after they roll out.
let me know if this was of some assistance.
gary.
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