Sonnet bonanza!

#1 Thu, 23 Apr 2009 - 00:46 68kMLA

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220396704412

I saw this on eBay last night just before bed. Thought, "eh, what the hell" and but a max. bid of $25 on it, and went to bed.

Got home from work today to find out I can now convert my Radius 81/110, WGS8150 and 6100 to G3s

That is, assuming enough of them work. I gotta believe out of NINE CARDS that it won't be a problem.

#2 Thu, 23 Apr 2009 - 01:41 68kMLA

Did you notice that one of the pics showed the word "G4" on it?

Sweet score!

#3 Thu, 23 Apr 2009 - 02:26 68kMLA

If they all work and you want to sell one I might want one for my 6100/66.

#4 Thu, 23 Apr 2009 - 05:45 68kMLA

Thats the sweetest score ever from ebay. That usually never works with bidding.

#5 Thu, 23 Apr 2009 - 13:29 68kMLA

What's sad is that the original 6xxx machines these came out of have probably been crushed into dust by now.

#6 Sun, 3 May 2009 - 03:54 68kMLA

After a week of traveling across the country (from Oregon), the cards arrived Friday. I've been too busy to play with them so far, unfortunately.

This is my first experience with Sonnet cards -- do they have any required software to run these cards, or can I just plug them in?

#7 Sun, 3 May 2009 - 04:08 68kMLA

You can just plug them in, but you might need the software to set cache and speed properly (available on sonnets website I think).

#8 Sun, 3 May 2009 - 18:45 68kMLA

You need software. These aren't processor upgrades that replace the stock CPU, they are accelerators that go in the PDS slot and operate alongside the stock CPU (which can't be removed). During the boot process, a Sonnet extension offloads execution from the PowerPC 601 onto the card in the PDS slot. Without the software, the card just wastes electricity and generates heat. It doesn't actually do anything. However, the software is very simple - no control panels, just an extension. The software automatically detects the speed of your system bus and sets the CPU speed accordingly.

Download it here: http://www.sonnettech.com/support/downloads/processorupgradecards.html#crescendoencore

Peace,

Drew

#9 Mon, 4 May 2009 - 11:12 68kMLA

What's more, the 1MB cache will greatly speed up screen processing on the onboard video.

#10 Mon, 4 May 2009 - 19:26 68kMLA

Those CPU upgrades have the PDS passthrough for a PDS video card so you can ditch onboard video and then you won't even need that special video adapter.

#11 Wed, 6 May 2009 - 00:20 68kMLA

For the low-profile ones that fit in a 6100 and mount the AV or HPV card at right angles, sure. In a 7100 or 8100, you'll also require the PDS passthrough ribbon cable, and sacrifice a Nubus slot to provide mounting space for the AV/HPV.

Check kan.org for further information.

ETA: Did you notice his two external IDE/SCSI converter multi-drive boxes?

#12 Wed, 6 May 2009 - 04:51 68kMLA

Thanks for the link, alk. I can't wait to start playing with these things soon.