xserve processor in a G4 MDD

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xserve processor in a G4 MDD

I have purchased a dual 1.33 ghz xserve processor from mac-resouces.com & I put it into my Dual 867 MDD (133mhz buss)w/pc2100 ram(768mb or close to that)
It fit right in, but I had to replace the original aluminum heatsink with the copper heatsink
it boots up just fine in X & 9.22 however the problem/question I have is that the system profiler in X(10.3.9) shows the processor as a dual 1.07ghz, not 1.33ghz, the profiler in 9 shows the same thing, as does the apple hardware test CD.
Is this right? Did I NOT get a dual 1.33ghz card?
Any insight woul be great!
Thanks!
Rick

G4 MMD DP867, Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Posted on Apr 6, 2006 5:59 PM

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Answer 1

Apr 7, 2006 6:00 AM in response to Rick Camburn

Hi

it sounds as if it may be the bus multipler. If the Xserve had a 167MHz bus, the multipler will be set to 8 (8 x 167MHz = 1.33GHz). Installed in a computer with a 133MHz bus, the processors will run at 8 x 133.3MHz (1066MHz or 1.07GHz).

You may be able to increase the bus multiplier to 10, but this normally involves adding and/or removing resistors on the CPU daughter card.

I hope this helps.

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Answer 2

Apr 7, 2006 1:10 PM in response to Rick Camburn

The chart on this Bits & Pieces MDD mod page will assist in determining the correct resistor position to get back to 1.33 (10x) (you may want to try 1.40; 10.5x, since that involves moving only one resistor per side; note that you have to change both sets (one on each side of the card)

You can always change the System Bus Speed instead, but then you'll have to replace all your RAM..

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Answer 3

Rick Camburn Author

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Apr 7, 2006 6:07 PM in response to Hussein-New-York

Many thanks to both of you!
I think I'm opting to go with increasing the buss speed to 167mhz, I have already ordered new ram that will work with this configuration.Thanks again!
Rick

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Answer 4

Rick Camburn Author

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Apr 11, 2006 5:15 PM in response to Rick Camburn

Well, I increased the buss speed to 167mhz & put in some pc3200 ddr ram that I Got from OWC(their web site said this stuff would work)
Now when I boot the computer, the system profiler says 1.33ghz dual processor & 167mhz buss, but if I do anything like idvd , the computer will eventualy freeze and become non-resposive(I have to un plug it, I can't even force quit)
If I try tun the apple hardware test cd it tries to load, then comes to an open firmware page stating a memory error. Now I've done the open firmware, reset-nvram, set-defaults, and reset-all.
It ran fine for days with the xserve card on the 133mhz buss(1.07ghz)
could the ram be the problem?
Should I just put it back to 133mhz buss & adjust the multipliers on the processor card?
any sugestions?

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Answer 5

Apr 12, 2006 1:27 AM in response to Rick Camburn

I'm sure Hussein can provide you with better advice than me, but I'm not sure how reliable the Apple hardware test CD would be given you've modified the hardware to such a degree, e.g. whether it's specifically intended for the original configuration and expects to find specific memory running at a specific speed.

I'd imagine that applications like iDVD heavily load the processors and result in a lot of heat generation. If you haven't already done so, the first thing I'd check is that the copper heat sink is attached correctly, i.e. you renewed the thermal paste and ensured 100% contact between the processor cores and heat sink bottom.

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Answer 6

Rick Camburn Author

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Apr 12, 2006 2:07 PM in response to Rodney Culling

I made sure to properly apply the thermal paste, and I should also add that the freezing occured even while just using safari, preview and playing my nascar 2003 game, all seperate times, under what I would guess is a light cpu load, except for the nascar game.
I am tempted to go back to the 133mhz buss, because the Processor card worked fine under those conditions.
Would a conductive pen do the trick for bridging the gap on "676" on the motherboard, or shoul I try soldering it?

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Answer 7

Rick Camburn Author

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Apr 12, 2006 2:27 PM in response to Rick Camburn

,

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Answer 8

Apr 14, 2006 7:42 AM in response to Rick Camburn

Hi

I would get RAM from someone else. I like using OWC, but I have had RAM from them freeze/crash my PB to the point that I had to completely wipe the HDD twice.

I have found Data Memory Systems to be completely reliable.

The RAM you need is:

512MB DDR PC2700 333MHz (Non ECC) 64x64 CL2.5 2.5v 184 Pin DIMM, (click on one of the last listed models) $47 a piece.

I would not expect the AHT to work anymore; your system is now entirely different. Mine does not run (stops @ first error message) unless I remove all PCI cards, return system to stock)

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Answer 9

Rick Camburn Author

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Apr 14, 2006 5:38 PM in response to Hussein-New-York

Thanks for the tip, I just orderd two sticks of ram from the link you provided, I'll report on the results of this when the ram arrives.
Right now, I can run iDvd for an hour (burning a previous project) it never finishes. I usualy get the greyed screen telling me in many languages to restart the computer.
I have also adjusted the fan speed/ tepmurature settings in the fan kext(I think thats what it was called) to speeed the fans up sooner( I don't mind the noise)
I have tried the apple hardware test cd, and it does not load, goes to open firmware startup with a memory error.
I have ordered the AHT v1.2.7 cd from apple. I imagine it will arrive before the ram, & I'll try it out & see what it says. Thanks again!

G4 MMD DP867 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

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Answer 10

Apr 18, 2006 11:09 AM in response to Rick Camburn

I am watching this because I too bought the same processor.

I did some looking at the bits and pieces site and noticed that the daughter card for the xserve is different than the one posted on the web site. This made me a little nervous about changing the bus mulitplier.

Your mobo reset has me greatly interested but since mine is a work machine there is more need for stability than speed at this point.

Great stuff you are doing.

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Answer 11

Rick Camburn Author

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Apr 19, 2006 1:59 PM in response to Carl Jerris

Yeah, I too am a little nervous about changing the multipliers, I am currently waiting for new pc2700 ram, leaving the buss at 167mhz.
Last time I used the computer, I had it up and running iDvd and playing my nascar 2003 (not at the same time) for a total of 10 hours before I got the screen telling me to restart.
If the new ram does not help. I may change the buss back to 133mhz, I keep you posted.
It is a brave new world(?)
Rick Camburn

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Answer 12

Apr 19, 2006 4:55 PM in response to Rick Camburn

Hi

Rick, did you get ArticSilver5 thermal paste, or one of those silicone-based pastes? With any overclocking, you want to be sure you have optimal heat-transfer, which silicone-based pastes won't accomplish....

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Answer 13

Rick Camburn Author

Level 1

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Apr 20, 2006 5:10 PM in response to Hussein-New-York

Hi, I'm using "Dynex"brand "silver thernal compound" that I got at best buy. Is that good enough?
Also, I just received the Apple Hardware test CD 1.2.7 that is supposed to correct the "invalid memory" at start-up of the AHT cd, and it still gives the "invalid memory" at start-up of the AHT cd, this is using the pc3200 ram previously mentioned in an earlier post. I will put new pc2700 ram in tomorrow @ try again.

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Answer 14

Rick Camburn Author

Level 1

5 points

Apr 23, 2006 8:08 AM in response to Rick Camburn

Okay, I've put the new ram in and I still get random freezing & crashing. I used the AHT 1.2.7 cd and everything checks out ok. I also reset the pmu did the open firmware stuff, without any luck.
I have restored the buss speed back to 133mhz by using a circuit writing conductive pen to re-bridge the 676 resistor on the motherboard, making the cpu speed 1070mhz. of course it still has twice the level 3cache of the stock dual 867 card, so thats nice.
Others may have better luck with this than I did, so don't be discouraged about trying this cpu swap.
Any suggestions or comments are great!
Long live the G4!(?)

Rick

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Answer 15

Apr 23, 2006 6:17 PM in response to Rick Camburn

hey,
sorry to jump on the thread without having any advice about your situation, but what was the website that you got the processor (I am also in the market for something a little faster). The site you provided, mac-resouces.com, does not give me anything..

Cheers

Edit: I got it...

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