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PB 1400 40MHz Overclock

LC_575

Well-known member
I just installed a 40 MHz oscillator in my PB1400, replacing the original 33.333 MHz one, as seen here: http://home.comcast.net/~gionpeters/hhhh/pb1400.htm

The oscillator, while difficult to solder in (solder points are fragile), seems to be working properly. However, I don't really observe any great increase in speed (Keep in mind that the CPU is running at 200 MHz) - in fact, It almost seems slower than it was. Also, the Apple System Profiler says that the 603ev is running at 167 MHz, however that may just be a recorded value and not a measured one.

Where should I go next? And does anyone have any good benchmarking tools (like MacBench) that I could use?

 

Byrd

Well-known member
Hey,

where did you pick up the oscillator? I'd benchmark using Norton System Info, which gives you some nice comparisons at the end. Note that Apple System Profiler is usually on the money, so I'd double check your soldering too.

JB

 

LC_575

Well-known member
Actually, MacBench 5 reports that I am indeed running at 199.99 MHz. Apple System Profiler seems to have lied.

So, who wants to benchmark an original PowerBook 1400c/166 against me?

 

LC_575

Well-known member
Well, my Farallon EtherMac card still let me talk to my W2000 server. My Orinoco WiFi card also seems to work.

 

MacUp72

Well-known member
success! so far so good..:cool:
disassembled the 1400c and located the original 33 Mhz crystal, then desoldered it, which wasnt easy.
I'm not a particular practiced smd solderer, there are some very tiny R's right next to it and my iron is good but the tip is a little to big.

the oscillator is marked yellow in the pic:

IMG_2337.jpg

placed the 40 Mhz one on the old position, it's a smaller but the pmc is correct, 5mm


IMG_2345.jpg

Gauge Pro reads the now corret 200 Mhz, nice..must do some benchmarks.

IMG_2347.jpg IMG_2349.jpg


btw, how do I set up MacBench with other systems like the readings of a pb 3400 or similar? theres only one reference of a PM G3/300
 

Snial

Well-known member
Hmm, for a PB1400 running at 166MHz upgraded to 200MHz. However, would the same kinds of tricks make more of a difference to a stock PB1400/117. I could change the PLL to make it go up to 132MHz, then change the clock to take it to a theoretical 160MHz. However, since it lack san L2 cache I'd probably only get half the speed-up (18%) and possibly fry the CPU. What's not to like ;-) ?
 

3lectr1cPPC

Well-known member
Looks like I should try overclocking my 1400. Would be nice then to bench it against my 200MHz 3400c board. I know the 3400 will win since it's a PCI Mac and the 1400 is NuBus, but would still be interesting to see. And it would also be nice to have a 200MHz 603 1400.
 

MacUp72

Well-known member
its fun to tinker around nontheless, even with a 117 model..I think the performance would be like a 5300
as said, you need some smd soldering skills:rolleyes:
 

Snial

Well-known member
You'd really do better to find a faster CPU card because of the L2 Cache.
An L2 cache is for wimps[*] ;-) ! Actually, I don't really plan to overclock crystal, but I've received a new CPU today (again 117MHz) so I might try to take that one up to a cache less 132MHz!


* That is, it's a very sensible suggestion, why am I so reluctant to do that?
 

MacUp72

Well-known member
mods..as there is no fan inside the 1400 machines its getting warmer..there is a simple copper shield directly on the CPU and there is that funny aluminium heatsink under the keyboard that presses onto the CPU unit..I just replaced the old thermal pad with an Arctic thermal pad between those, but a fan would be better..but I dont think that small fan of a 3400 would fit anywhere in there

gg.jpg hs.jpg
 
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croissantking

Well-known member
An L2 cache is for wimps[*] ;-) ! Actually, I don't really plan to overclock crystal, but I've received a new CPU today (again 117MHz) so I might try to take that one up to a cache less 132MHz!


* That is, it's a very sensible suggestion, why am I so reluctant to do that?
It’s safe to try, but do you know the resistor values for 133MHz operation?

I am planning to overclock crystal :D
 

Snial

Well-known member
It’s safe to try, but do you know the resistor values for 133MHz operation?
Yes! I used the Motorola data sheet for the 603e and traced it to the pins on the CPU, so I know it's correct. It's in a recent thread too, I'll provide the link later.
 

croissantking

Well-known member
Yes! I used the Motorola data sheet for the 603e and traced it to the pins on the CPU, so I know it's correct. It's in a recent thread too, I'll provide the link later.
You might be the first person to attempt an overclock on the humble 117MHz module, ha.
 
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