Review of Powerlogix's Single/Dual G4 7447A and 7457 CPU Upgrades

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Review: Powerlogix's 7447A & 7457 CPU Upgrades
(Single and Dual CPU - 1.2GHz to 1.8GHz)
Tests in Quicksilver G4/733
By Mike
Published: 7/1/2005
Updated: 8/9/2005 (for 1.7/1.8GHz models)

Details of the Powerlogix Dual CPU Upgrades

Intro | Benchmarks | Apps Tests | Game Tests | Installation | Specs/Design

Powerlogix Dual G4/1.2GHz 7447A Specs: (from sample provided)

Two Motorola 7447A CPUs

512KB on-chip L2 cache (at full CPU speed)
Fan: 80mm x 15mm Bi-Sonic BS801512M, 12 Volt DC.
(2500rpm, 32 CFM, 31dBA per specs)

Powerlogix Dual G4/1.2GHz 7457 Specs: (from sample provided)

Two Motorola 7457 CPUs

512KB on-chip L2 cache (at full CPU speed)
2MB SDR L3 Cache per CPU (at 200MHz)
Fan: 80mm x 15mm Panaflo FBA08T12H, 12 Volt DC.
(3100 RPM, 33.5 CFM, 34dBA (per the Specs PDF file)

Powerlogix single 1.8GHz 7447A Specs: (from sample provided)

Motorola 7447A CPU

512KB on-chip L2 cache (at full CPU speed)
Fan: 80mm x 15mm Bi-Sonic BS801512M, 12 Volt DC.
(2500rpm, 32 CFM, 31dBA per specs)

Powerlogix Dual 1.8GHz 7447A Specs: (from sample provided)

Two Motorola 7447A CPUs (MC7447A HX1600PC - 1.6GHz rated)

512KB on-chip L2 cache (at full CPU speed)
Fan: 80mm x 15mm Bi-Sonic BS801512M, 12 Volt DC.
(2500rpm, 32 CFM, 31dBA per specs)

Powerlogix Dual 1.7GHz 7447A Specs: (from sample provided)

Two Motorola 7447A CPUs (MC7447A HX1420PC - 1.42GHz rated)

512KB on-chip L2 cache (at full CPU speed)
Fan: 80mm x 15mm Bi-Sonic BS801512M, 12 Volt DC.
(2500rpm, 32 CFM, 31dBA per specs)

NOTE: As with all brands I know of - all the higher speed 7447A CPU upgrades are overclocked. (Typically 1.6GHz rated CPUs used in 1.8GHz models and 1.42GHz rated CPUs in 1.7GHz models for instance.) I was originally concerned about a 1.42GHz rated 7447A running at 1.73GHz, but saw no problems in weeks of using it including a 100% CPU load/24hr stress test. Larry of OWC wrote:

" Sonnet has been shipping at 1.7GHz since December last year using the 1.42GHz 7447. ... the die is very good and yields continue to improve.
It's a whole new game out there. But there is no 'naturally aspirated' speed 7447 upgrade shipping today. PL, Sonnet, and Giga 7447s are all clocked. For our part - PowerLogix goes through extensive and detailed methodology to produce these products with a optimal and safely configured core voltage and power supply for the speeds we guarantee. And the result is a cooler running, far more efficient solution even without DFS.
-Larry O'Connor
(head of OWC) "

The DFS (Dynamic Frequency Switching) feature of CPU Director 2.1 can be a plus (reduced heat/power) for 7447A's (and 750FX/GX) CPUs which can have their PLL (bus multiplier) changed via software on-the-fly. It can be enabled or disabled via CPU Director's options tab, but it can only be enabled if the bus multiplier is an integer number. I.E. for the 1.8GHz model in a 133MHz bus mac it can't be enabled as the multiplier is 13.5x, but for a 100MHz bus system the multiplier would be 18x and DFS could be used. All tests here of the Dual 1.7GHz (running at 1.73GHz in the QS) had DFS enabled as it was using a 13x bus multiplier.
Temperature Monitoring/Reporting:
All the new model PL upgrades also feature an on-board temperature monitoring feature. CPU Director reports this temperature as well as graphs it over time. See the separate page on CPU Director for screenshots and more info.
Warranty:
The Powerlogix dual 7447A has a 3 year limited warranty, the dual 7457 has a 2 year limited warranty per the product pages. Both have a 30-day 100% Money Back Guarantee per OWC. See their PowerForce upgrades page for more info.

L3 Cache - SDR vs DDR:
Powerlogix's 7457 upgrade uses 2MB of SDR L3 cache per CPU, rather than DDR L3 cache on some other AGP CPU upgrades. Powerlogix previously posted a white paper (PDF file) on DDR vs SDR L3 cache performance. (The 7447A CPU doesn't support L3 cache.)

For owner reports on CPU upgrades (any brand/mac model), search my Rate Your CPU Upgrade database.

I stress that owners of any upgrade should use it for several weeks at least before posting an entry in my database. If there are problems - contact the vendor immediately, they often can provide a solution or identify the source of the problem.

Index of PL 7447A/7457 CPU Upgrades Review Pages
Intro | Benchmarks | Apps Tests | Game Tests | Installation | Specs/Design

- or -
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Copyright © 2005.

No part of this sites content or images are to be reproduced or distributed in any form without written permission.
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The Source for Mac Performance News and Reviews
Review: Powerlogix's 7447A & 7457 CPU Upgrades (Single and Dual CPU - 1.2GHz to 1.8GHz) Tests in Quicksilver G4/733 By Mike Published: 7/1/2005 Updated: 8/9/2005 (for 1.7/1.8GHz models)
Details of the Powerlogix Dual CPU Upgrades
Intro \| Benchmarks \| Apps Tests \| Game Tests \| Installation \| Specs/Design

Powerlogix Dual G4/1.2GHz 7447A Specs: (from sample provided) Two Motorola 7447A CPUs 512KB on-chip L2 cache (at full CPU speed) Fan: 80mm x 15mm Bi-Sonic BS801512M, 12 Volt DC. (2500rpm, 32 CFM, 31dBA per specs) Powerlogix Dual G4/1.2GHz 7457 Specs: (from sample provided) Two Motorola 7457 CPUs 512KB on-chip L2 cache (at full CPU speed) 2MB SDR L3 Cache per CPU (at 200MHz) Fan: 80mm x 15mm Panaflo FBA08T12H, 12 Volt DC. (3100 RPM, 33.5 CFM, 34dBA (per the Specs PDF file) Powerlogix single 1.8GHz 7447A Specs: (from sample provided) Motorola 7447A CPU 512KB on-chip L2 cache (at full CPU speed) Fan: 80mm x 15mm Bi-Sonic BS801512M, 12 Volt DC. (2500rpm, 32 CFM, 31dBA per specs) Powerlogix Dual 1.8GHz 7447A Specs: (from sample provided) Two Motorola 7447A CPUs (MC7447A HX1600PC - 1.6GHz rated) 512KB on-chip L2 cache (at full CPU speed) Fan: 80mm x 15mm Bi-Sonic BS801512M, 12 Volt DC. (2500rpm, 32 CFM, 31dBA per specs) Powerlogix Dual 1.7GHz 7447A Specs: (from sample provided) Two Motorola 7447A CPUs (MC7447A HX1420PC - 1.42GHz rated) 512KB on-chip L2 cache (at full CPU speed) Fan: 80mm x 15mm Bi-Sonic BS801512M, 12 Volt DC. (2500rpm, 32 CFM, 31dBA per specs) NOTE: As with all brands I know of - all the higher speed 7447A CPU upgrades are overclocked. (Typically 1.6GHz rated CPUs used in 1.8GHz models and 1.42GHz rated CPUs in 1.7GHz models for instance.) I was originally concerned about a 1.42GHz rated 7447A running at 1.73GHz, but saw no problems in weeks of using it including a 100% CPU load/24hr stress test. Larry of OWC wrote: " Sonnet has been shipping at 1.7GHz since December last year using the 1.42GHz 7447. ... the die is very good and yields continue to improve. It's a whole new game out there. But there is no 'naturally aspirated' speed 7447 upgrade shipping today. PL, Sonnet, and Giga 7447s are all clocked. For our part - PowerLogix goes through extensive and detailed methodology to produce these products with a optimal and safely configured core voltage and power supply for the speeds we guarantee. And the result is a cooler running, far more efficient solution even without DFS. -Larry O'Connor (head of OWC) " The DFS (Dynamic Frequency Switching) feature of CPU Director 2.1 can be a plus (reduced heat/power) for 7447A's (and 750FX/GX) CPUs which can have their PLL (bus multiplier) changed via software on-the-fly. It can be enabled or disabled via CPU Director's options tab, but it can only be enabled if the bus multiplier is an integer number. I.E. for the 1.8GHz model in a 133MHz bus mac it can't be enabled as the multiplier is 13.5x, but for a 100MHz bus system the multiplier would be 18x and DFS could be used. All tests here of the Dual 1.7GHz (running at 1.73GHz in the QS) had DFS enabled as it was using a 13x bus multiplier. Temperature Monitoring/Reporting: All the new model PL upgrades also feature an on-board temperature monitoring feature. CPU Director reports this temperature as well as graphs it over time. See the separate page on CPU Director for screenshots and more info. Warranty: The Powerlogix dual 7447A has a 3 year limited warranty, the dual 7457 has a 2 year limited warranty per the product pages. Both have a 30-day 100% Money Back Guarantee per OWC. See their PowerForce upgrades page for more info. L3 Cache - SDR vs DDR: Powerlogix's 7457 upgrade uses 2MB of SDR L3 cache per CPU, rather than DDR L3 cache on some other AGP CPU upgrades. Powerlogix previously posted a white paper (PDF file) on DDR vs SDR L3 cache performance. (The 7447A CPU doesn't support L3 cache.) For owner reports on CPU upgrades (any brand/mac model), search my Rate Your CPU Upgrade database. I stress that owners of any upgrade should use it for several weeks at least before posting an entry in my database. If there are problems - contact the vendor immediately, they often can provide a solution or identify the source of the problem.

Index of PL 7447A/7457 CPU Upgrades Review Pages Intro \| Benchmarks \| Apps Tests \| Game Tests \| Installation \| Specs/Design - or - Back to WWW.XLR8YOURMAC.COM
Copyright © 2005. No part of this sites content or images are to be reproduced or distributed in any form without written permission. All brand or product names mentioned here are properties of their respective companies. Users of the web site must read and are bound by the terms and conditions of use.