>I have the opportunity to acquire both a PowerTower Pro and/or a 9600 with >the intent to upgrade with G3/400 or better; added RAM; improved video card; >added HD's - all of which I have on hand - just needing the right box. > >Appreciate comments as to pros and cons of each.
Power Tower Pro - nice machine for what is basically an ATX case with an 8-slot (RAM) 1.0 GB max 9500-typw motherboard stuffed in it. I have two, and they are reliable machines. 9600 - arguably the very best case Apple ever made. If a 250 or faster, then the ROM update to allow speculative processing is already in the ROM, so any G3 or G4 card should work; if a 233 or slower, then the ROM will be the older ROM, and your selection of cards will be more limited. I'd take the 9600, particularly if a Mach 5 model (250, 300, 350 MHz). 12-slot (RAM), 1.5 GB max. The ROM situation is basically: 9500/PTP < 9600 (non-Mach 5) < 9600 (Mach 5) The Mach 5 8600 and 9600 models represent the zenith of the all-SCSI motherboard development art. I have run four UATA cards in a 9600, thereby giving the machine its own two native SCSI busses plus the eight added by the UATA cards. The machine will hang with five UATA cards. Probably a limit of eight SCSI busses in SCSI Manager 4.3. -- PCI-PowerMacs is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- Sonnet & PowerLogix Upgrades - start at $169 | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> PCI-PowerMacs list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/pci-powermacs.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[email protected]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive:<http://www.mail-archive.com/pci-powermacs%40mail.maclaunch.com/> iPod Accessories for Less at 1-800-iPOD.COM Fast Delivery, Low Price, Good Deal www.1800ipod.com
