Quicksilver 733Mhz + Newertech G4 1.6Ghz

[MBongo]

I wrote to NewerTech last week (Monday) and they did not answer. Tonight I have written to OWC customer service (they originally sold these processors). The online manual: https://www.newertech.com/downloads/nwtmang4max.pdf says that for the 133MHz Quicksilvers, the switches are preset and do not need to be changed. “All Newer Technology MaxPower G4 upgrade cards are shipped preconfigured from the factory to use with 133MHz Power Macintosh systems right out of the box.”

However, as mine came to me in a box of other parts, I’ve no way of knowing if the switches have been changed. Only switch #1 (under the heatsink) is ON, while the six switches on the edge of the board are all OFF. Mine has no fans present and it is missing two of the spacers between the heatsink and the board. And, no idea of what the processor speed it is supposed to be anyway. Maybe you can provide me with fan sizes and overall specs for the original fans?

Once the intended speed and appropriate switch settings are known, should be able to locate the proper NewTech Firmware Updater. And, we do have the exact same NWT number.

[GS1250P5 = 1.25GHz?]

 

[MOS8_030]

Can't help with switch setting but yes that is a 1.25Ghz chip.

 

[MBongo]

Thanks MOS8_030. Nice that the 1.25 speed isn't included in the switch settings for either the 100 or 133Mhz chart noted above. And, when 2 dip switches are mentioned, I think they're referring to the dual processor versions that do have two outside switches... and not these single processor variants. The switch under the heatsink could be different?

Austin? COTA today?

I suppose that the 1.25 chip could be clocked to 1.6 GHz. May try setting "all off" under heatsink and #2 on, on the outside switch. (This week.) If that works, may go head-to-head against a Sonnet 1.6GHz that I installed last night on a very similar Quicksilver. That could be interesting.

 

[MOS8_030]

Austin? COTA today?

Nah, way too expensive. Although I do ride.

 

[MBongo]

Yes. It has 2 sets of dip switches. I have set on the both #2 to ON which as per the docs is for 133mhz bus speed which I believe is the correct speed. I also tried with all set to OFF.

Hey Patatas, I think that the two sets of dip switches referred to in the instructions (and from that chart of switch settings), refers to the SW1 and SW2 switches on the dual processor models. There is no specific reference to what the SW3 settings should be (located nearest the 7447A chip). This SW3 switch on mine, was set with its' 1st switch ON... when I got it and I've yet to test it. As we're talking about a single processor card here, there is no "second switch" SW2. BUT, there is a third... the SW3. You might try setting that first switch on SW3 to ON and the SW1 switch / #2 to ON.

I intend to eventually try the same (and if it doesn't work) test again with that first SW3 switch OFF.

Added 2 Evercool 50x50x15 fans to mine last night (4500 RPM) and now must wait until I "rebuild" a suitable Quicksilver with a new motherboard and a stock 1GHz CPU, before I can then attempt to install this NewerTech processor (next week?). I'll keep you posted when... and if, there's any news.

 

[patatas]

MBongo great to hear on your progress.. I am currently traveling and in a fortnight I should be able to contribute as well!

 

[MBongo]

Well, there is news.

With great help from E.M. and C.A @OWC… the SW3 switch (under the heatsink) sets the core voltage of the CPU and is not to be set using the same switch settings as those provided in the chart (from the manual - like SW1 and SW2) for the dual processor version. Okay for SW1 (and SW2 when present), but not SW3.

Considering the age of this single processor upgrade and its’ unknown history or long-term exposure to heat… gradual speed testing stability & performance from slow-to-faster settings has been strongly advised.

1.4GHz

SW3:  1 UP, the rest down

SW1:  2, 3, 4 UP, the rest down

1.53GHz

SW3: 2 and 3 UP, the rest off

SW1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 UP, and 6 down

1.6GHz

SW3: 1, 2, 3 UP, the rest down

SW1: 2 UP, the rest down

Intend to eventually attempt the original 1.6GHz settings. However, that will be with a higher volume, constant-on CPU fan… (instead of the stock, variable speed Quicksilver CPU fan)… monitoring performance stabilty and temperatures as I test through the various speeds noted above. Seems that many of these processor upgrades fell victim to higher temperatures via the somewhat odd Quicksilver cooling fan(s) setup arrangement. Hopefully, I'll begin testing... later this coming week.