Apple Power Macintosh G3 233 Minitower Specs (M6431LL/A)
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The Apple Power Macintosh G3/233 Minitower, based on the compact Gossamer architecture, features a 233 MHz PowerPC 750 (G3) processor with 512k of backside cache, 32 MB of RAM, a 4.0 GB hard drive, a 24X CD-ROM drive, a Zip 100 drive, ATI 3D Rage II+ or Rage Pro (starting May 1, 1998) graphics acceleration with 2 MB of VRAM (expandable to 6 MB), and the standard "Whisper personality card" with audio input/output -- all packed into an easily expandable minitower case.
The Power Macintosh G3 models were the first Apple Macs to use the "third-generation" (G3) PowerPC 750 processor which also unveiled a new "backside" level 2 cache for a substantial performance boost compared to earlier systems using a "lookaside" level 2 cache. Custom configuration options included an Ultra/Wide SCSI hard drive, internal DVD-ROM drive, 10/100Base-T Ethernet, superior graphics, and a Firewire card, among others.
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| Introduction Date: |
November 10, 1997 |
Discontinued Date: |
July 7, 1998 |
| Details: |
The "Introduction Date" refers to the date a model was introduced via press release. The "Discontinued Date" refers to the date a model either was replaced by a subsequent system or production otherwise ended. |
| Processor Type: |
PowerPC 750 (G3) |
Processor Speed: |
233 MHz |
| Processor Upgrade: |
ZIF Socket |
FPU: |
Integrated |
| Details: |
The Power Macintosh G3 models have the processor mounted on a ZIF socket. |
| System Bus Speed: |
66 MHz |
Cache Bus Speed: |
117 MHz |
| Details: |
This system has a 117 MHz backside bus and 512k of level 2 cache. |
| ROM/Firmware Type: |
Macintosh ROM |
ROM/Firmware Size: |
4 MB |
| L1 Cache: |
64k |
L2/L3 Cache: |
512k (backside) |
| Details: |
The 512k of backside cache has a 117 MHz bus. |
| RAM Type: |
PC66 SDRAM |
Min. RAM Speed: |
10 ns |
| Details: |
Supports 10 ns PC66 168-pin SDRAM. |
| Standard RAM: |
32 MB |
Maximum RAM: |
384 MB* |
| Details: |
*Apple officially reports that the maximum memory capacity of this system is 384 MB with three 128 MB memory modules. However, third-parties have been able to upgrade the RAM to 768 MB with three 256 MB memory modules.
Site sponsor Other World Computing sells Power Macintosh G3 processors and memory, as well as hard drives, accessories, and other upgrades. |
| Motherboard RAM: |
None |
RAM Slots: |
3 |
| Details: |
There is no performance advantage to installing memory modules in pairs. |
| Video Card: |
3D Rage II+* |
VRAM Type: |
EDO SGRAM |
| Details: |
*ATI 3D Rage II+ graphics onboard originally, upgraded to ATI Rage Pro starting May 1, 1998. |
| Standard VRAM: |
2 MB* |
Maximum VRAM: |
6 MB* |
| Details: |
*This model has 2 MB of VRAM onboard and a single expansion slot that supports an additional 4 MB of VRAM (3.3V 83 MHz 144-pin SO-DIMM). |
| Display Support: |
Single Display |
Resolution Support: |
1024x768* |
| Details: |
Apple advertised that this system can support "thousands of colors at up to 1024 by 768-pixel resolution (24-bit), [and] millions of colors at up to 832 by 624-pixel resolution (32-bit), refresh rate of up to 85 Hz." It can support resolutions up to 1600x1200 with the maximum 6 MB of VRAM installed. |
| 2nd Display Support: |
None |
2nd Max. Resolution: |
N/A |
| Standard Hard Drive: |
4.0 GB |
Int. HD Interface: |
IDE/ATA-2 & SCSI* |
| Details: |
Shipped standard with an IDE/ATA-2 hard drive but also has an internal SCSI bus (up to 5 MB/second) -- drives larger than 128 GB are not supported. |
| Standard Optical: |
24X CD-ROM |
Standard Disk: |
1.44 MB (manual) |
| Details: |
24X tray-loading CD-ROM drive standard. An optional DVD-ROM drive was available by custom configuration (did not support MPEG-2 video playback without a third-party solution). An internal Zip 100 drive also was standard. |
| Standard Modem: |
56k (optional) |
Standard Ethernet: |
10Base-T* |
| Details: |
*10/100Base-T Ethernet also was available as a build-to-order option. |
| Standard AirPort: |
None |
Standard Bluetooth: |
None |
| USB Ports: |
None |
Firewire Ports: |
None* |
| Details: |
*Firewire "400" available via build-to-order.
Also see: Complete Ports. |
| Expansion Slots: |
3 PCI, Personality* |
Expansion Bays: |
1 3.5", 3 5.25" |
| Details: |
*In the default configuration, this model has three open 33 MHz PCI slots and the "personality card" slot that is occupied by a "Whisper personality card" providing audio input/output.
It has one "internal" 3.5" bay (for a hard drive) and three external 5.25" bays (which can be used by hard drives and removable media drives). By default, one external 5.25" bay is free. |
| Incl. Keyboard: |
AppleDesign Keyboard |
Incl. Input: |
Apple ADB Mouse II |
| Case Type: |
Tower |
Form Factor: |
Power Mac G3 MT (Beige) |
| Apple Model No: |
M6431LL/A |
Apple Subfamily: |
Power Mac G3 Minitower |
| Details: |
The Apple model number should be unique to this system. |
| Gestalt/Model ID: |
510 |
Machine Model: |
N/A |
| Details: |
Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model. |
| Battery Type: |
3.6V Lithium |
Battery Life: |
N/A |
| Pre-Installed MacOS: |
8.0 |
Maximum MacOS: |
X 10.2.8 |
| Details: |
This system cannot run versions of MacOS X more recent than 10.2.8. |
| MacOS 9 Support: |
Boot/Classic Mode |
Windows Support: |
Emulation Only |
| Details: |
All Power Macintosh G3 models are capable of booting MacOS 9 and using MacOS 9 applications within the MacOS X "Classic" environment.
Site-sponsor OHS specializes in heavily upgraded Macs capable of running both MacOS X and MacOS 9 applications. |
| Dimensions: |
15.2 x 9.6 x 17.8 |
Avg. Weight: |
33.1 lbs. (15 kg) |
| Details: |
In inches - height by width by depth, (38.6 cm, 24.4 cm, 45.2 cm). |
| Original Price: |
US$2400 |
Est. Current Retail: |
N/A |
| Details: |
Please note that on average the estimated current retail pricing of used systems is updated twice a year (please refer to the date on the bottom of the page for the date last updated).
Photo Credit: Apple Computer. |
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