Vintage Macs: Centris and Quadra
PowerPC Processor Upgrades for LC PDS
Apple Power Mac Processor Upgrade
DayStar PowerCard 601
Sonnet Presto PPC 605
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Overview
The Apple Power Mac Processor Upgrade (APMPU) plugs into the processor direct slot (PDS) of the LC 475, LC 575, LC 580, LC 630, Performa 475-476, Performa 575-578, Performa 580-588, Performa 630 series, Quadra 605, and Quadra 630.
This upgrade is not compatible with the 040 PDS in the Centris line, the Quadra 610, or the Quadra 650-950. These models accept the Apple Power Mac Upgrade Card.
The APMPU was built by DayStar, which sold several versions under the PowerCard 601 name. After DayStar went out of business, Sonnet picked up their 100 MHz design and sold it as their Presto PPC upgrade, which has since been discontinued.
The APMPU requires System 7.5 or later and at least 8 MB of installed RAM.
The APMPU has a 66 MHz PowerPC 601 processor, which operates at twice the speed of the '040 processor installed in the computer it is upgrading. All three versions of the card are compatible with Mac OS 8.1; with Sonnet's drivers, their card also supports Mac OS 8.5-8.6.
Details, Apple
- requires "fat" System 7.5 to 8.1
- requires Apple "Power Macintosh Card" control panel
- CPU: 66 MHz PowerPC 601
- CPU speed: runs at twice speed of '040 CPU
- 50 MHz in LC 475, Performa 475-476, Quadra 605
- 66 MHz in 33 MHz models
- ROM: Apple PowerPC ROMs
- RAM: uses memory on computer motherboard
- L2 cache: 256 KB
Details, DayStar PowerCard 601
- requires "fat" System 7.5 to 8.1 (only certified to 7.5.1)
- requires Daystar "PowerPro" or Apple "Power Macintosh Card" control panel
- CPU: 50, 66, or 100 MHz PowerPC 601
- ROM: Apple PowerPC ROMs
- RAM: uses memory on computer motherboard
- L2 cache: 256 KB
Details, Sonnet Presto PPC 605
- requires "fat" System 7.5 to 8.1, Mac OS 8.5-8.6 with Sonnet enabler
- requires Sonnet's Mac OS Enabler software
- CPU: 100 MHz PowerPC 601
- ROM: Apple PowerPC ROMs
- RAM: uses memory on computer motherboard
- L2 cache: 256 KB
Online Resources
- Macintosh Processor Upgrade: Description, Apple TIL 16722
- Macintosh Processor Upgrade Card: Read Me, Apple TIL 73000
- Macintosh Processor Upgrade: Frequently Asked Questions, Apple TIL 16832
- DayStar Turbo 601, Apple Macintosh Processor Upgrade, and DayStar PowerCard 601, MacUser, 1995:07
- Sonnet Presto PPC, 100 MHz 601, 256 KB cache
- Unofficial PowerPro 601 Page
- Apple Power Macintosh Upgrade Card/Daystar PowerPro 601 compared, Apple TIL 14885
- Vintage Macs, the email list for 68040-based Macs
- Apple Specs Online for upgraded LC 475/Quadra 605, LC 575, LC 580, LC/Performa/Quadra 630 series
Cautions
- You must have a "fat" system installed to use a PowerPC upgrade.
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