From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2003 15:47:31 EDT
In a message dated 6/29/03 11:30:36 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
<< Was it specifically stated that this was for "six-slot Macs"?
IIRC, the "six slot solution" was in the form of a ZIF carrier which
specifically included hardware in support of six slots. There are other ZIF carriers
which specifically support dual processors.
Unless otherwise stated, a processor card (or ZIF) intended for pre-Beige Macs should be assumed not to support six slots and, if a ZIF, not to support dual processors.
Six slot support is only needed if you are using a G4 processor. The G3 does not have the known issue with six slot machines. Also, while the Umax S900 technically has six PCI slots, it does not have the six slot problem when using a G4 processor because its PCI architecture is different from the 9500, 9600 and PowerTower Pro.
The "six slot problem" is a bus arbitration problem between the G4 processor and two Bandit chips on the motherboard. Only the six slot machines have dual Bandit chips. The Umax S900 has six slots while only using one Bandit chip, hence its exemption. G3 processors do not cause this arbitration problem.
XLR8 marketed a ZIF carrier which they said solved the six slot problem for G4 processors shortly before they went under. Reports were mixed on how effective it was. There is evidence to suggest that one early batch of the SSM ZIF Carriers were faulty and that others work as advertised, but I'm not sure.
The Sonnet G4/800 also solves the six slot problem. However, the G4/800 has a few other compatibility issues such as not working at all with the Atto UL2D dual channel SCSI card.
Jeff Walther
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