Macintosh Performa: Power Macintosh Upgrades

Overview

There are two possible ways to upgrade Macintosh Performa computers:

• Add a Macintosh Processor Upgrade card (part M3397LL/A, discontinued), which includes a PowerPC 601 chip. This option applies to the Macintosh Performa and Quadra 630 series and the Macintosh Performa and LC 575, 577, and 578 computers.
• Install the Power Macintosh 5300/6300 Logic Board Upgrade (M4447LL/A), which includes a PowerPC 603e chip. This option applies to the Macintosh Quadra and Performa 630 series and the Macintosh 5200CD and 6200CD series computers.

Both upgrades must be performed by qualified Apple-authorized service providers. Service providers can also provide specific availability and pricing information. Refer to TIL article 17055: "Macintosh Family: Upgrade History" for additional information on processor and other upgrades.

Macintosh Processor Upgrade

The Macintosh Processor Upgrade (discontinued) involves removing the existing Motorola 68040 microprocessor (which is socketed) and replacing it with a card that lays flat over the logic board. Once installed, the 68040 is inserted in the card. The card covers the LC-compatible processor-direct slot, so additional expansion cards cannot be used. However, it leaves the communications slot available, and you will have access to your RAM sockets.

The main advantage of this upgrade is that it provides access to PowerPC technology, while still retaining the functionality of the Motorola 68040 chip that originally came with the computer. It is a low-cost solution that should appeal to people who have a large investment in conventional software, who do not plan on upgrading all of their software immediately, or who are using "mission-critical" software that requires the 68040 chip.

Its disadvantage is that, like all upgrade cards, it is not a fully integrated solution because it still retains the original logic board. So its performance will likely not be as fast as a logic board replacement.

Power Macintosh 5300/6300 Logic Board Upgrade

The Power Macintosh 5300/6300 Logic Board Upgrade (part M4447LL/A) replaces the entire logic board of the computer and replaces it with the logic board of the Power Macintosh and Performa 5300/6300 series computer. This logic board includes a PowerPC 603e chip with a 100 MHz clock speed. It has two SIMM sockets, in which you can install memory. It increases the total memory capacity of the computer to 64 MB of RAM. It also supports 16-bit sound input (at 22 KHz) and output. Note that this upgrade does not include RAM so you must retain any memory that you had installed in your computer originally or purchase additional memory separately.

Besides the additional system features, you will also experience better performance than with the Macintosh Processor Upgrade. By not utilizing an upgrade card, you can continue to use the LC-compatible processor-direct slot.

Notes:
The following computers are in the Macintosh 630CD family: LC 630, Quadra 630, Performa 630, Performa 635, Performa 636, Performa 637, and Performa 638.

The following computers are in the Macintosh 5200CD family: Macintosh 5200/75 LC, Performa 5200, Performa 5210, Performa 5215, and Performa 5220.

The following computers are in the Macintosh 6200CD family: Performa 6200, 6214, 6216, 6218, 6220, and 6230.