Upgrading a
PowerMac 9600

Just as the Quadra 900/950 was a benchmark Mac, I feel the 9600 is also an important high water mark in Macintosh history. This is the last Mac to sport 6 PCI slots and has a large tower with lots of space for additional components.

Access to the internal components couldn't be easier, just lay the Mac in it's side, push the green button to remove the cover.

Now unclip the two green levers and flip the Mac open.

Lots of slots, yup you want slots for expansion and memory you got them! One catch this Mac uses the older 5V Dimms and not the more current 3.3V PC100 or PC133 versions found in the newer G3's and G4's.

I was lucky to receive an ATI Nexus video card with this Mac. Doesn't seem like a big deal, it is since the IX Micro Twin Turbo video cards don't work properly with some of the newer Sonnet G4 upgrade cards. Specifically the 1000mhz I picked for $99 from OWC a couple of weeks ago (July 2008). The Nexus cards works perfectly. Of note an older slower Newer G4 350mhz upgrade did work fine with the IX Micro card.

With the dual built in SCSI buses you have lots of room for expansion including a two drive plate on the bottom of the case. The main hard drive is mounted just on top of the power supply. Factor in the 6 PCI slots and a CPU mounted on a daughter card and you still have a pretty formidable Mac.

Comments? Feel free to e-mail me at kevino@newsroom.net.