What is the largest L2 cache I can use in a 6400? a 6116?

[aphetica]

Can the L2 cache in a 6400 be upgraded beyond 256k without a G3 card? How about the cache in a 6116?

I Googled this, but couldn't find what I was looking for.

Also, I noticed that there are traces on the MoBo of the 6400 for what looks like a second cache header... this is probably a long-shot, but what are the chances that I could just solder an extra one on?

 

[Quadraman]

I think 1mb is as far it goes with cache. And forget that pad you're looking at. It was originally put there for a ROM update board but they decided to drop the idea and never soldered the connector on for it, and no, you can't solder on a connector and use it because the ROM update board was never released.

 

[Bunsen]

I don't know the answer for the 6400, but the 61xx series will take a 1MB SIMM, if you can find one. They're pretty rare, and you're probably better off spending the money on a cheap G3 upgrade with 1MB of cache on it.

 

[aphetica]

I eventually found a schematic that labeled it as a rom thing. I was so disappointed...

...and also found a 512k cache stick for the 6400, but the site wanted like $50 for it. 8-o

My eBay searches have been unsuccessful so far.. :/

 

[alk]

L2 cache is an expensive way to increase performance on either of those Macs when a G3 can be had with 512 kB or 1 MB of cache for often less than the L2 cache SIMM all by itself. Unless you have a specific reason to need the L2 cache for either machine, I'd go the G3 route.

Note that the 6400 might have passable performance in OS X with upgraded cache, and that an L2 G3 upgrade will not work in the 6400 in OS X. However, running OS X on the 6400 is probably not worth the considerable effort required just to install it.

Peace,

Drew

 

[aphetica]

No, the 6400 will have 8.6. I don't see any reason to put X on a machine with a ram ceiling lower than... I don't know... 300mb.

My concern is with the actual size and amount of heat that would be generated by a G3 upgrade. If it's larger than the stock cache or requires adding an extra fan, I'm not really interested...

I'm doing a pretty extensive project using the 6400 and I have some very specific constraints so I figured I'd look into something simple yet effective.

 

[alk]

In that case, it might be possible to track down the 512 kB cache that shipped in the 6500/275 and 6500/300, but those would be pretty rare. I don't think there is a 1 MB cache available for those machines. I don't know for sure about clones, but a possible source could be something like a PowerBase or C500/C600 (as long as you don't buy the CacheDoubler, of course). Keep in mind that the cache SIMM for Alchemy/Gazelle (6400/6500) boards is not the same as the cache for TNT/Tsunami/PowerSurge (PCI Power Macs like the 7300 and 8600).

The G3 doesn't require any extra fans. G3s are relatively cool to begin with. But if you are putting it in cramped quarters (more cramped than the 6400 case), or you are blocking the air vents, you'll run into problems. The G3 is marginal on temperature without any extra help like that - for instance, I overclocked a G3 400 MHz in a 6500 to 500 MHz and suffered crashes consistently after an hour or two of use when the machine got too hot inside. Of course, the 6500 already has a fan on the 603e CPU, so they are already pretty hot inside.

Physically, they are a little bit larger than the L2 cache SIMM, but not by much. They are about as tall as the AV card. They are a little fatter than the cache because of the heat sink. And IIRC, they are a little bit longer. But ultimately, they are designed to be unobtrusive so that they fit inside even a 6360. I doubt they'll get in the way of anything you're doing that wouldn't already make them too big for a stock machine which have pretty cramped quarters to begin with.

If it's not a secret, what are you trying to do with the 6400?

As for 6100s, they top out at 1 MB of L2 cache. It's pretty awesome in those machines. It is expensive, though, and probably pretty hard to find in this day and age.

Peace,

Drew

 

[Quadraman]

"I don't think there is a 1 MB cache available for those machines."

I read someplace that only one company made a 1mb cache for these, but they are extremely rare. Filling the cache slot with a G3 upgrade is a much more cost effective alternative.