Cube Owners: Artmix VRM II available, slightly updated

[François]

Do we know the power requirements of the CPU upgrades? I’ve noticed the CPU modules (even the stock ones) seems to have a voltage regulator on the board, next to the CPU. So, does the CPU modules really tax the VRM, or are they powered directly from the PSU? (That would explain why they include their own voltage regulator)

 

[Daniël]

Do we know the power requirements of the CPU upgrades? I’ve noticed the CPU modules (even the stock ones) seems to have a voltage regulator on the board, next to the CPU. So, does the CPU modules really tax the VRM, or are they powered directly from the PSU? (That would explain why they include their own voltage regulator)

The Cube's power supply outputs 28VDC. That voltage is then converted by the VRM module to the appropriate voltages such as 12V, 5V, and 3.3V. No accelerator that I am aware of taps the "raw" 28V from the PSU, so it always goes past the Cube's VRM module.

 

[herd]

Was always asking myself… is there a way to do that in OS9 as well?

I don't know anything about OS9, but I saw this posted somewhere: CPU Nap mode defaults to Off after booting OS 9.2.1 and the CPU driver extension for OS 9.2.2 '03 must be copied over to OS 9.2.1 in order to get CPU Nap mode on. The filename is "System Folder/Extensions/Multiprocessing/Apple CPU Plugins" v4.0.1 gives CPU Nap Mode On.

 

[Mikeyy00]

Just to necropost a bit here.

My VRM from Artmix is still busted. He's had it since September "waiting for parts". No updates unless I pester him on ebay messaging.

More of a warning to those who are thinking of buying from him. If repairs are ever needed, ymmv.

 

[Cktwo]

My Artmix VRM still works in my G4 Cube with 1.8 GHz Sonnet Encore. I replaced the stock fan with one I bought since the stock fan only made strange clicking noises but didn't really spin up. The new fan does briefly spin up when the cube is turned on but then stops again. It only starts very reluctantly but at least no clicking noises. I have the impression that the fan is supposed to be temperature controlled. But since documentation on the Artmix VRM is very limited, I don't know if that's true...

 

[Daniël]

My Artmix VRM still works in my G4 Cube with 1.8 GHz Sonnet Encore. I replaced the stock fan with one I bought since the stock fan only made strange clicking noises but didn't really spin up. The new fan does briefly spin up when the cube is turned on but then stops again. It only starts very reluctantly but at least no clicking noises. I have the impression that the fan is supposed to be temperature controlled. But since documentation on the Artmix VRM is very limited, I don't know if that's true...

Looking at the board, it does appear to be temperature controlled. The TC648 IC, located under the 3 pin fan header, is a fan controller, capable of temperature based PWM control, based on temperature readings from a thermistor. Which is precisely what component RT1 is, located right above TC648.