What are the differences between the original PCI and AGP-based Power Mac G4 lines? Why were there so many configurations of these models?: EveryMac.com

Power Macintosh G4 Q&A - Updated May 4, 2009

To be notified of new Q&As, sign up for EveryMac.com's bimonthly email list.

What are the differences between the original PCI and AGP-based Power Mac G4 lines? Why were there so many configurations of these models?

Please note that the first PCI and AGP Power Mac G4 configurations were introduced on August 31, 1999 and the last configurations were discontinued on February 16, 2000.

Although they were introduced together, there are significant differences between the PCI and AGP configurations -- the PCI models -- codenamed "Yikes!" -- essentially use the same architecture as the "Blue & White" Power Mac G3 models that came before it whereas the AGP models -- codenamed Sawtooth -- have a different logicboard design with a then new AGP slot for the graphics card.

When shipped, all of these models were configured with MacOS 8.6 but can officially support up to MacOS X 10.4.11.

There are so many configurations because when Apple first introduced the line it quickly became apparent that Motorola was unable to supply enough processors to meet demand for the high-end model and Apple responded by infamously "speed dumping" the line -- essentially shifting the processor speeds down "a notch" while otherwise keeping the configurations and prices the same -- and then "speed bumping" it back up later. Needless to say, this initial drop in speed for the same price upset many customers.

The first configurations -- introduced on on August 31, 1999 -- are:

Power Mac	400 (PCI)	450 (AGP)	500 (AGP)
Processor:	400 MHz	450 MHz	500 MHz
System Bus:	100 MHz	100 MHz	100 MHz
Backside L2:	1 MB	1 MB	1 MB
Memory Type:	PC100 SDRAM	PC100 SDRAM	PC100 SDRAM
Std. RAM:	64 MB	128 MB	256 MB
Max. RAM:	1.0 GB	1.0 GB	1.0 GB
Video Card:	Rage 128	Rage 128	Rage 128
Video RAM:	16 MB	16 MB	16 MB
Hard Drive:	10 GB	20 GB	27 GB
Optical Drive:	CD-ROM	DVD-ROM	DVD-RAM
Zip Drive:	Optional	Standard	Standard
AirPort:	None	Optional	Optional
Bluetooth:	None	None	None
Slots:	3 PCI*	3 PCI*	3 PCI*
Model No:	M7631LL/A	M7232LL/A	M6921LL/A†
Orig. Price:	US$1599	US$2499	US$3499†

On October 13, 1999 -- a mere two weeks after introduction -- Apple "speed dumped" the line to these configurations:

Power Mac	350 (PCI)	400 (AGP)	450 (AGP)
Processor:	350 MHz	400 MHz	450 MHz
System Bus:	100 MHz	100 MHz	100 MHz
Backside L2:	1 MB	1 MB	1 MB
Memory Type:	PC100 SDRAM	PC100 SDRAM	PC100 SDRAM
Std. RAM:	64 MB	128 MB	256 MB
Max. RAM:	1.0 GB	1.0 GB	1.0 GB
Video Card:	Rage 128	Rage 128	Rage 128
Video RAM:	16 MB	16 MB	16 MB
Hard Drive:	10 GB	20 GB	27 GB
Optical Drive:	CD-ROM	DVD-ROM	DVD-RAM
Zip Drive:	Optional	Standard	Standard
AirPort:	None	Optional	Optional
Bluetooth:	None	None	None
Slots:	3 PCI*	3 PCI*	3 PCI*
Model No:	M7826LL/A	M7824LL/A	M7232LL/A
Orig. Price:	US$1599	US$2499	US$3499

On December 2, 1999, Apple switched to an all AGP-based line up and upgraded the graphics cards to ones equipped with DVI:

Power Mac	350 (AGP)	400 (AGP)	450 (AGP)
Processor:	350 MHz	400 MHz	450 MHz
System Bus:	100 MHz	100 MHz	100 MHz
Backside L2:	1 MB	1 MB	1 MB
Memory Type:	PC100 SDRAM	PC100 SDRAM	PC100 SDRAM
Std. RAM:	64 MB	128 MB	256 MB
Max. RAM:	1.0 GB	1.0 GB	1.0 GB
Video Card:	Rage 128 Pro	Rage 128 Pro	Rage 128 Pro
Video RAM:	16 MB	16 MB	16 MB
Hard Drive:	10 GB	20 GB	27 GB
Optical Drive:	DVD-ROM	DVD-ROM	DVD-RAM
Zip Drive:	Optional	Standard	Standard
AirPort:	Optional	Optional	Optional
Bluetooth:	None	None	None
Slots:	3 PCI*	3 PCI*	3 PCI*
Model No:	M7827LL/A	M7824LL/B	M7232LL/B
Orig. Price:	US$1599	US$2499	US$3499

Finally, on February 16, 2000, Apple boosted the line back up to 500 MHz with configurations close to the models as originally introduced but all using the AGP-based design:

Power Mac	400 (AGP)	450 (AGP)	500 (AGP)
Processor:	400 MHz	450 MHz	500 MHz
System Bus:	100 MHz	100 MHz	100 MHz
Backside L2:	1 MB	1 MB	1 MB
Memory Type:	PC100 SDRAM	PC100 SDRAM	PC100 SDRAM
Std. RAM:	64 MB	128 MB	256 MB
Max. RAM:	1.0 GB	1.0 GB	1.0 GB
Video Card:	Rage 128 Pro	Rage 128 Pro	Rage 128 Pro
Video RAM:	16 MB	16 MB	16 MB
Hard Drive:	10 GB	20 GB	27 GB
Optical Drive:	DVD-ROM	DVD-ROM	DVD-RAM
Zip Drive:	Optional	Standard	Standard
AirPort:	Optional	Optional	Optional
Bluetooth:	None	None	None
Slots:	3 PCI*	3 PCI*	3 PCI*
Model No:	M7641LL/A	M7628LL/A	M7629LL/A
Orig. Price:	US$1599	US$2499	US$3499

* PCI models shipped with three open 33 MHz PCI slots and one 66 MHz PCI slot occupied by the graphics card and AGP models shipped with three open 33 MHz 64-bit PCI slots and a 133 MHz 2X AGP slot occupied by the graphics card.

† This configuration never shipped.

Please refer to the Ultimate Mac Comparison feature to compare any Power Mac G4 model to any other G3 or later Mac.

Permalink | Report an Error/Typo | Sign Up for Site Update Notices

<< Power Macintosh G4 Q&A (Main)

Established in 1996, EveryMac.com has been created by experts with decades of experience with Apple hardware. EveryMac.com includes, and always has included, original research incorporating detailed, hands-on inspection of packaging, computers, and devices as well as extensive real-world use. All information is provided in good faith, but no website or person is perfect. Accordingly, EveryMac.com is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind whatsoever. EveryMac.com, and the authors thereof, shall not be held responsible or liable, under any circumstances, for any damages resulting from the use or inability to use the information within. For complete disclaimer and copyright information please read and understand the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy before using EveryMac.com. Copying, scraping, or use of any content without expressed permission is not allowed, although links to any page are welcomed and appreciated.