Low End Mac

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Overclocking Your Vintage Mac

Overclocking a Compact Mac

LEM Staff - 2014.09.16

Many Mac models can be “chipped” to run at a higher speed, but none of the compact Macs can. That said, some can be upgraded with third-party accelerators, so you’re not necessarily stuck with the original CPU speed – although finding those upgrades nowadays may be difficult.

Be sure to visit The Clock Chipping Home Page, the definitive resource on chipping the Mac.

Original MacintoshMac 128K, 512K, 512Ke, Plus, SE, and Classic

The design of the 8 MHz (actually 7.8336 MHz) black-and-white compact Macs is very efficient – everything seems to be tied to the same oscillator. Because video is mapped from system memory, chipping any of these models will totally mess up video, among other things. We recommend against chipping any of these models. If you want more speed, look into faster compact Macs or accelerators; don’t chip.

  • The 128K, 512K, and 512Ke can be upgraded with a Mac Plus logic board, which permits memory upgrades, has a built-in SCSI bus, and allows further CPU upgrades.
  • The Mac Plus has several upgrade options, including the 16 MHz 68000-based Brainstorm upgrade that more than doubles performance (we have one of these in a Mac Plus as Low End Mac headquarters). Others, ranging up to a 33 MHz 68030, are listed on the Mac Plus profile page.
  • The Mac SE has a processor direct slot (PDS) that makes CPU upgrades easy. As with the Plus, accelerators up to a 33 MHz 68030 have been made and are listed on the Mac SE profile page. You can also swap in an SE/30 logic board.
  • Mac ClassicThere are also some accelerators for the Mac Classic, including one 50 MHz 68030-based one. See the Mac Classic profile page for a list. Another option is to install a Classic II logic board.

Macintosh SE/30Mac SE/30 and Classic II (Performa 200)

The design of these 16 MHz black-and-white compact Macs is very efficient. As with the 8 MHz models, everything seems to be tied to the same oscillator. Because video is mapped from system memory, chipping any of these models will totally mess up video, among other things. We recommend against chipping any of these models.

If you want more speed for your SE/30, look into accelerators; don’t chip.

  • The Mac SE/30 has a 68030 processor direct slot (PDS) makes upgrades easy, and the fastest include a 50 MHz 68030 and a 33 MHz 68040. More information on the SE/30 profile page.
  • There are no known upgrades for the Classic II.

Mac Color ClassicColor Classic (Performa 250)

It is not possible to overclock the Color Classic. Upgrade options include swapping in a Colour Classic II or LC 550 logic board, as well as a range of 68030- and 68040-based third-party upgrades, as noted on the Color Classic profile page.

Colour Classic II (Performa 275)

Overclocking the Colour Classic II CPU is not possible. Sonnet made the 25 MHz Presto 040 LC for the LC processor direct slot (PDS), as well as the 33 MHz Presto Plus, which also adds ethernet and 32 MB more system memory.

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