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MacSpeedZone's G4 Power Mac "Summer 2001" Information Page

7-18-01
With the frenzy of pre-expo rumors, Macworld NY was almost fated to disappoint the Mac faithful. Rumors bandied about included new iMacs with TFT screens, Power Macs breaking

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the gigahertz barrier and even new iBooks, despite the fact that the iBook is just two and a half months old. When Apple doesn't deliver the goods (OS 10.1 or 9.2 anyone?) we can't help but feel Apple has failed us. The rumor sites thrive, but Apple pays the price in devalued stock and disgruntled consumers. Apple did deliver some new machines, however, including a new "Quicksilver" Power Mac G4 which sports a slightly changed form factor, new color and other improvements under the hood.

New Processors, New Speeds - As before, three distinct configurations are available but the former "high end" 733MHz machine now fills the "low end" position, with the mid range machine weighing in at 867 MHz, and the high end with dual 800 MHz processors. Speed bumps aside, the processors on all three machines bears a little closer inspection. From low to high, the machines are priced at $1,699, $2,499 and $3,499 for the dual processor machine.

All three machines now sport 256K "on-chip" (also referred to as an on-die) cache running at full processor speed. The new G4/733 configuration, however, does not include a backside (level 3 if you're counting) cache at all. The G4/867 and G4/800 MP both have a whopping 2MB backside cache. A while back we were able to test a prototype G4 upgrade card (provided by XLR8) which had a 2MB backside cache. We found that the additional cache space didn't provide any significant improvement and in one case actually caused a performance hit! While this may not be the case with Apple's new Power Macs, we are not overly optimistic about any performance gains the extra 1MB will provide. We will post formal benchmarks here when we have had a chance to test the new machines. It is also worth noting that the level 3 cache runs at a slower ratio than on their predecessors 4:1 now as opposed to 3:1 in the "Winter 2001" Power Macs.

Processor On-chip Cache Size & Speed Backside Cache Size & Speed
"Summer 2001" Power Macs
G4/800
(Dual processor)		 256K @ 800 MHz 2 MB @ 200 MHz (4:1)
G4/867 256K @ 867 MHz 2 MB @ 217 MHz (4:1)
G4/733 256K @ 733 MHz None
"Winter 2001" Power Macs
G4/733 256K @ 733 MHz 1 MB @ 244 MHz (3:1)
G4/667 256K @ 667 MHz 1 MB @ 222 MHz (3:1)
G4/533
(Single or dual processor)		 None 1MB @ 266 MHz (2:1)

Graphics - Something old, something new as the saying goes. All three Power Macs use variations of the NVIDIA GeForce2 GPU (graphics processing unit). The G4/800 MP uses the NVIDIA GeForce2 MX graphics card with TwinView and 64MB of SDRAM. As the name implies, the Twinview card supports two monitors. The G4/867 and G4/733 both use the GeForce2 MX with 32MB of SDRAM. The NVIDIA GeForce3 with 64 MB DDR-SDRAM can be added as a BTO option for a cool $350. The TwinView can be added for $100.

Unchanged, But Still Spiffy - While the form factor has changed along with the processor speed, there are a lot of familiar features to be found in the new Power Macs including:

  • 133 MHz system bus speed (PC133 RAM required)
  • 4X AGP Graphics slot filled with NVIDIA card.
  • 4 full-length 64-bit, 33MHz PCI slots
  • Gigabit Ethernet, AirPort slot and a 56K modem (how quaint!)

Below we provide you with specs, features and reviews for Apple's latest Power Mac lineup along with a side by side comparison to the previous generation Power Mac. New reviews and information will be added as it becomes available...

 

Model/Mhz Bus Speed RAM & Graphics Expansion
Slots		 Storage  Networking
Modem 		 Aditional
Features		 Price Information

G4/800 Dual Processor

256K @ 800 MHz
2MB @ 200 MHz

July 2001

aka "Quicksilver"

 133 MHz

256MB PC133 SDRAM
(1.5GB Max)

NVIDIA GeForce2 MX with TwinView and 64MB of SDRAM in 4x AGP slot.

 Three 3.5-inch hard drive expansion bays.
(one filled)

80GB (7200 rpm) Ultra ATA/66

SuperDrive
Writes DVD-R 2x.
Reads DVDs 4x
Writes CD-R 8x
Writes CD-RW 4x
Reads CDs at 24x

Optional AirPort

10/100/1000BaseT

56k V.90 internal modem

 ADC Connector & 15-pin mini D-Sub VGA connector

2 USB Ports
(12 Mbps each)

2 FireWire Ports

MSRP: $3,499

SmallDog
DealZone
Reviews & Information
Model/Mhz Bus Speed RAM & Graphics Expansion
Slots		 Storage  Networking
Modem 		 Aditional
Features		 Price Information

G4/867

256K @ 867 MHz
2MB @ 217 MHz

July 2001

aka "Quicksilver"

 133 MHz

128MB PC133 SDRAM
(1.5GB Max)

NVIDIA GeForce2 MX with 32MB of SDRAM in 4x AGP slot.

 Three 3.5-inch hard drive expansion bays.
(one filled)

60GB (7200 rpm) Ultra ATA/66

SuperDrive
Writes DVD-R 2x.
Reads DVDs 4x
Writes CD-R 8x
Writes CD-RW 4x
Reads CDs at 24x

 

Optional AirPort

10/100/1000BaseT

56k V.90 internal modem

 ADC Connector & 15-pin mini D-Sub VGA connector

2 USB Ports
(12 Mbps each)

2 FireWire Ports

MSRP: $2,499

SmallDog
DealZone

Reviews & Information

***
Model/Mhz Bus Speed RAM & Graphics Expansion
Slots		 Storage  Networking
Modem 		 Aditional
Features		 Price Information

G4/733

256K @ 733 MHz

July 2001

aka "Quicksilver"

  

128MB PC133 SDRAM
(1.5GB Max)

NVIDIA GeForce2 MX with 32MB of SDRAM in 4x AGP slot.

 Three 3.5-inch hard drive expansion bays.
(one filled)

40GB (5400 rpm) Ultra ATA/66

CD-RW

Write 12x
Rewrite 10x
Read 32x

Optional AirPort

10/100/1000BaseT

56k V.90 internal modem

 ADC Connector & 15-pin mini D-Sub VGA connector

2 USB Ports
(12 Mbps each)

2 FireWire Ports

MSRP: $1,699

SmallDog
DealZone
Reviews & Information
Previous Generation Power Mac G4 Specs.
Model/Mhz Bus Speed RAM & Graphics Expansion
Slots		 Storage  Networking
Modem 		 Aditional
Features		 Price Information
G4/733
256K on chip @ 733MHz
1MB backside @ 244MHz		 133MHz

256MB PC133
1.5GB Max

4X AGP filled with nVIDIA GeForce2 MX graphics card. 32MB SDRAM

4 - 64bit , 33MHz PCI

1 - AGP 4X slot (filled w/nVIDIA card)

60GB 7200rpm Ultra ATA/66

CD-RW (8x4x32)

Optional AirPort

10/100/1000Base–T
56k V.90

 2 USB Ports
(12 Mbps each)

2 FireWire Ports

Apple Desktop Connector (ADC)

 DealZone
Reviews & Information
Model/Mhz Bus Speed RAM & Graphics Expansion
Slots		 Storage  Networking
Modem 		 Aditional
Features		 Price Information
G4/733
256K on chip @ 733MHz
1MB backside @ 244MHz		 133MHz

256MB PC133
1.5GB Max

4X AGP filled with nVIDIA GeForce2 MX graphics card. 32MB SDRAM

4 - 64bit , 33MHz PCI

1 - AGP 4X slot (filled w/nVIDIA card)

60GB 7200rpm Ultra ATA/66

"Super Drive"
CD-RW (8x4x32)
DVD-R (2x6)

Optional AirPort

10/100/1000Base–T
56k V.90

 2 USB Ports
(12 Mbps each)

2 FireWire Ports

Apple Desktop Connector (ADC)

 DealZone
Reviews & Information
Model/Mhz Bus Speed RAM & Graphics Expansion
Slots		 Storage  Networking
Modem 		 Aditional
Features		 Price Information

G4/667
256K on chip @ 667MHz
1MB backside @ 222MHz

 133MHz

256MB PC133
1.5GB Max

4X AGP filled with nVIDIA GeForce2 MX graphics card. 32MB SDRAM

4 - 64bit , 33MHz PCI

1 - AGP 4X slot (filled w/nVIDIA card)

60GB 7200rpm Ultra ATA/66

CD-RW
(8x4x32)

Optional AirPort

10/100/1000Base–T
56k V.90

 2 USB Ports
(12 Mbps each)

2 FireWire Ports

Apple Desktop Connector (ADC)

 DealZone
Reviews & Information
Model/Mhz Bus Speed RAM & Graphics Expansion
Slots		 Storage  Networking
Modem 		 Aditional
Features		 Price Information

G4/533 Dual Processor
2X 1MB backside @ 266MHz

Winter 2001

 133MHz

128MB PC133
1.5GB Max

4X AGP filled with nVIDIA GeForce2 MX graphics card. 32MB SDRAM

4 - 64bit , 33MHz PCI

1 - AGP 4X slot (filled w/nVIDIA card)

40GB 7200rpm Ultra ATA/66

CD-RW
(8x4x32)

Optional AirPort

10/100/1000Base-T
56k V.90

 2 USB Ports
(12 Mbps each)

2 FireWire Ports

Apple Desktop Connector (ADC)

 DealZone
Reviews & Information

Reviews:MacSpeedZone | Reader reviews | BareFeats | MacsOnly | BareFeats | BareFeats |

Additional Information: |EveryMac |

Model/Mhz Bus Speed RAM & Graphics Expansion
Slots		 Storage  Networking
Modem 		 Aditional
Features		 Price Information

G4/533
1MB backside @ 266MHz

Winter 2001

 133MHz

128MB PC133
1.5GB Max

4X AGP filled with nVIDIA GeForce2 MX graphics card. 32MB SDRAM

4 - 64bit , 33MHz PCI

1 - AGP 4X slot (filled w/nVIDIA card)

40GB 7200rpm Ultra ATA/66

CD-RW
(8x4x32)

Optional AirPort

10/100/1000Base-T
56k V.90

 2 USB Ports
(12 Mbps each)

2 FireWire Ports

Apple Desktop Connector (ADC)

 DealZone
Reviews & Information
Model/Mhz Bus Speed RAM & Graphics Expansion
Slots		 Storage  Networking
Modem 		 Aditional
Features		 Price Information

G4/466
1MB backside @ 233MHz

Winter 2001

133MHz

128MB PC133
1.5GB Max

4X AGP filled with ATI RAGE 128 Pro graphics card. 16MB SDRAM

4 - 64bit , 33MHz PCI

1 - AGP 4X slot (filled w/ATI card)

 

30GB 5400rpm Ultra ATA/66

CD-RW
(8x4x32)

Optional AirPort

10/100/1000Base-T
56k V.90

 2 USB Ports
(12 Mbps each)

2 FireWire Ports

Apple Desktop Connector (ADC)

DealZone
Reviews & Information

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