Mac CPU upgrade maker Sonnet Technologies has released a new software update for its Crescendo/7200 cards. These cards upgrade the CPU capabilities of Apple’s venerable Power Mac 7200 series.
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The Power Mac 7200 featured a CPU soldered to the motherboard and a Level 2 cache system unlike other Power Mac models. It was once thought impossible to upgrade. Sonnet released the Crescendo/7200 in answer to that — the upgrade works by occupying a PCI slot, instead of replacing the motherboard CPU directly.
The new software update — version 1.1 — adopts a new approach to the way that PCI cards work and are recognized, according to Sonnet. This expands compatibility with Crescendo/7200-updated systems to virtually all PCI cards. In the past, Sonnet had to release patches to support specific PCI cards. What’s more, PCI cards can be used in any combination, in any available slot (although Sonnet recommends that the Crescendo 7200 stay in slot 1).
RAM DIMM support has also been expanded with the 1.1 software release. The new version offers more flexibility between motherboard RAM and Crescendo on-board RAM configurations, and also reduces the motherboard RAM requirement to 8MB. This allows users to place more RAM on the Crescendo card, which provides better performance.
The new 1.1 software update is compatible with all Crescendo/7200 G3 and G4 cards. The software is available for download from Sonnet’s Web site, and is a free update. The software should be included in all Crescendo/7200 cards manufactured after February 7, 2003 as well.