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Hardware Features

Here is a list of the hardware features of the Power Mac G4 computer. The major features are described more fully later in this note.  

• Microprocessor: PowerPC G4 microprocessor running at a clock frequency of 466, 533, 667, or 733 MHz, depending on model and configuration. For more information, see PowerPC G4 Microprocessor.

• Dual processor configurations: T he Power Mac G4 computer is available in dual-processor configurations. For information about software and multiprocessing, see Dual Processor Support.

• Memory caches: The G4 microprocessor used in the 667 and 733 MHz configurations has an internal 256 KB level 2 cache and an external 1 MB level 3 cache. The G4 in the 466 and 533 MHz configurations has an external 1 MB level 2 cache. For more information, see Cache Memory.

• Processor system bus: 64-bit wide data and 32-bit wide address, 133 MHz clock, supporting MaxBus protocol. For more information, see Processor Bus.

• RAM: Three DIMM slots for 168-pin PC133 DIMMs (dual inline memory modules) using SDRAM (synchronous dynamic access memory) or ESDRAM (enhanced SDRAM) devices. A minimum of 128 MB of RAM is installed in one of the slots. For more information, see RAM Expansion.

• ROM: ROM-in-RAM implementation with 1 MB of boot ROM. For information about the ROM, see Boot ROM. For information about the ROM-in-RAM implementation, see the references listed in ROM-in-RAM Architecture.

• Graphics acceleration: A graphics card in the AGP slot provides 2D and 3D hardware graphics acceleration using the ATI RAGE 128 Pro or NVIDIA GeForce2 MX graphics controller. For more information, see Graphics Card.

• Sound: Built-in speaker, 3.5 mm headphone output jack, and 2.5 mm Apple speaker mini-jack. For more information, see Sound System.

• Hard disks: An internal Ultra DMA/66 hard disk occupies one of three drive bays in the bottom of the computer. Space in available in that bay for an additional Ultra DMA/66 device. Drives in the other two lower drive bays can be connected to an optional or user installed third-party PCI controller card. For more information, see Disk Drives.

• CD-RW drive: Some configurations of the Power Mac G4 computer have an internal 8x/4x/32x-speed CD-RW drive. For more information, see CD-RW Drive

• DVD-R/CD-RW drive: Some configurations of the Power Mac G4 computer have a DVD-R/CD-RW drive . For more information, see DVD-R/CD-RW Drive.

• DVD-ROM drive: An 8x-speed DVD-ROM drive is available as an option. It also reads 24x-speed CD-ROM media and provides DVD-Video playback with DVD MPEG2 decode. For more information, see DVD-ROM Drive.

• Zip drive: All configurations can accept an optional 250 MB ATAPI Zip drive. For more information, see Optional Zip Drive.

• USB ports: Two USB ports, described in USB Ports. The keyboard that comes with the computer has two additional USB ports.

• Ethernet: Built in Ethernet port with an RJ-45 connector for 10Base-T, 100Base-T, or 1000Base-T operation on all configurations. For more information, see Ethernet Port.

• Wireless LAN: An internal wireless LAN module is available as a build-to-order option or as a user-installable upgrade. For more information, see AirPort Card Wireless LAN Module.

• FireWire ports: Two external IEEE 1394 high-speed serial FireWire ports, with transfer rates of 100, 200, and 400 Mbps and support for booting from a FireWire storage device. For more information, see FireWire Ports.

• Modem: Slot for an optional built-in Apple 56 Kbps modem. The modem supports K56flex and V.90 modem standards. For more information, see Internal Modem.

• Keyboard: The computer comes with an Apple Pro Keyboard, a full-size USB keyboard. The keyboard is also a bus-powered USB hub with two USB ports. For more information, see Keyboard.

• Mouse: The computer comes with an Apple Pro Mouse, a USB mouse with optical tracking. For more information, see Mouse.

• PCI card expansion slots: The Power Mac G4 computer has four expansion slots for PCI cards. For more information, see PCI Expansion Slots.

• AGP-4x graphics card slot: The computer is always shipped with an accelerated graphics card installed in this slot. For more information, see Graphics Card.

• Voltage switch: Can be set to either 115 for voltages of 100-130 V or 230 for voltages of 200-250 V, depending on the voltage where the computer is installed. The voltage selection must be set manually.

• Fan speed control: The speed of the fan is thermally controlled and is automatically set to the lowest possible speed to minimize noise. This is a function provided by the fan and is not under software control.

• Energy saving: Sleep, startup, and shutdown scheduling can be controlled with an Energy Saver control panel.