The iMac Channel
Guide to iMac CPU Upgrades
Updated 2005.02.21
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If you have a one of the early iMacs, the kind with a CD drawer, you now have three CPU upgrade options.
Benchmark scores are 5. For comparison purposes, the Rev. A iMac (233 MHz) has a CPU score of 696, the Rev. B iMac (266 MHz) scores 719, the Rev. C iMac (266 MHz) reaches 803, and the Rev. D iMac (333 MHz) hits 948.
| Manufacturer | CPU |
Cache Size |
Cache Speed |
MacBench 5.0 rating* |
Estimated Street Price |
| Newer Technology iMAXpowr G3 | |||||
|
G3/466 |
1 MB |
155 MHz |
1326 |
disc. |
|
| PowerLogix iForce | |||||
|
G3/500 |
1 MB |
200 MHz |
1539 |
disc. |
|
|
G3/400 |
512 KB |
200 MHz |
1196 |
disc. |
|
| Sonnet Tech HARMONi | |||||
|
G3/600 |
256 KB |
600 MHz |
disc. |
||
|
G3/500 |
256 KB |
500 MHz |
$400 |
||
|
Techno Warehouse iMAXpower |
|||||
|
G4/433 |
1 MB |
216 MHz |
$299 |
||
|
G3/500 |
1 MB |
166 MHz? |
disc. |
||
NOTE: The Sonnet HARMONi card was incompatible with early versions of Mac OS X 10.4. The FireWire port would tie up 100% of CPU resources. This problem was fixed in version 10.4.7 (if not earlier). If you have a HARMONi card that's had this issue, be aware that updating to 10.4.7 or newer should fix it.
* Processor score from MacWeek or Macworld when possible, but most ratings are from manufacturers. End user results may vary based on a number of factors including bus speed and OS used.
** Estimated value is rating divided by price. Higher numbers represent more bang for the buck.
The information is as accurate as I can find, but specifications and availability are subject to change; I suggest you check with the manufacturer to verify current models. Prices keep dropping, so these prices may be outdated. (Prices are in $US.) In fact, models are added and discontinued so often, it's impossible to keep track of which models are current.
Reviews & Overviews
- Review: iForce, The Review, MacNN, 2000.06.21. iForce 500 scores 1626 on 5.
