The PowerBook G3s had socketed CPUs which allowed even upgrading to a 1ghz G4. Could a card possibly be made with an FPGA to simulate an even faster processor while also allowing more RAM to be installed?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Question about G3 PowerBook potential
- Thread starter Apple Fan 2008
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
An FPGA is not needed for more RAM - at least up to two GB. Dosdude made a guide on how to add more RAM to Power PC laptops. Anything above around 1.6 GB is not useable in OS 9, to the best of my knowledge, so OS X would be the only reason to even want a full 2 GB.
The difference is that the RAM sockets are built into the processor card on the PB G3.
Not all the RAM sockets are built into the processor card on all Powerbook G3s.
This guide points out that on the Lombard one RAM slot is not on the processor card. https://lowendmac.com/2008/upgrading-your-lombard-powerbook-g3/
It still seems as though the method outlined by dosdude to add more RAM should work with only some adjustments - that mod was done on a G4 upgraded Ibook G3.
At the very least, it seems like it’s certainly possible to make reproduction processor cards that run at a (relative for a G3) decent speed in the near future. Not necessarily an "upgrade" but a replacement in case a processor fails.
Last edited:
7400s and 7410s will fit on the daughter boards, if they're soldered on. I have a Pismo with a 7410 running at 550MHz. That's about the highest you'll get on one of these. I have no idea if creating a board that will fit a 7450 would even work. I feel like that would also involve some ROM and firmware changes.
Dosdude1 is the guy to ask about this.
Dosdude1 is the guy to ask about this.