HARDWARE UPGRADES

RAM UPGRADES

• RAM expandable to 132MB by installing a single 80ns or faster 72-pin 128MB SIMM
• Accepts 1MB, 2MB, 4MB, 8MB, 16MB, 32MB, 64MB or 128MB SIMM
• 64 MB SIMMs must be single-banked not double-banked
• Most 128MB SIMMs should work fine in the Quadra 605. Confirmed compatible 128MB SIMMs include:
  • Micro Memory Bank 128MB 32×32 60ns EDO non-parity 5v 72-pin SIMM EDO-D3232-60BA
  • Micron 128MB 60ns 16c 16×4 1Rx4 EDO 5v 72-pin SIMM 128T16E164-60KO
  • MemoryTen 128MB Apple Performa 630 Series 72-pin SIMM APL72P128
  • Samsung 128MB 32×36 60ns ECC 72-pin SIMM KMM53632000AK-6U
  • HP NetServer LX Pro 128MB Memory Module HPD4893A
• There are field reports of successful installation of 260MB of RAM in a Quadra 605 by using two 128MB SIMMs in a SIMM Doubler, however it is unlikely there is enough room to close the lid with this configuration
• Note that cold boot times will be significantly longer with larger amounts of RAM due to the automatic memory test at system startup (approximately 50-55 seconds before video initializes with a 128MB SIMM installed). There is no way to bypass this memory test on the Quadra 605.

CPU UPGRADES

• 68040 Upgrade
  • The stock 68LC040 25 MHz processor can be swapped with a 25 MHz or faster full 68040
  • The 68040 has a built-in FPU making some applications run significantly faster
  • You can usually find 68040 CPUs available for sale on eBay
  • There are field reports of successful installation of the Sonnet Technologies QuadDoubler 50/100 in a Quadra 605 however there is not enough room to close the lid
  • See how a QuadDoubler was made to fit in an LC 475 case here (the LC 475 is identical to the Quadra 605 with a different case)
• PowerPC Upgrade
  • Apple PowerPC Upgrade card – 66 MHz PowerPC 601 (can also be overclocked)
  • DayStar PowerCard – 50, 66, or 100 MHz PowerPC 601 (can also be overclocked)
  • Sonnet Presto PPC 605 – 100 MHz PowerPC 601

CPU OVERCLOCKING

• The stock MC680LC40 or full MC68040 can be overclocked to 33 MHz by moving two small resistors on the underside of the motherboard
• This modification results in a 31% increase in CPU clock speed and 42% increase in graphics speed with no stability issues
• Benchmark results here
• No additional parts are needed, however a little careful soldering is required
• A guide to perform this simple upgrade is available here
• Photograph of the resistors that need to be moved for the 33 MHz overclock is available here
• As a precaution, a low-profile heat sink on the CPU is recommended after performing this upgrade
• Overclocking a Quadra 605 to 40 MHz is possible, however:
  • the procedure is more complicated and requires additional parts
  • upgrading the CPU to a full 68040 is required
  • it will no longer be possible display resolutions greater than 640×480
  • Read about the 40 MHz overclock procedure here

CPU CACHE CARD

• The MicroMac 128KB Quadra Cache Card reportedly improves performance up to 125%
• To install you first remove the CPU, install the Cache card in the CPU socket then install the CPU in the Cache card

VIDEO CARDS

• Various video cards were manufactured that fit in the Processor Direct Slot (PDS) of the Quadra 605:
  • Envisio Quick16
  • Focus L*TV LC
  • Focus L*TV Pro LC
  • Focus L*TV Pro/E LC
  • Radius Color Pivot LC – Image | Drivers

VRAM UPGRADE

• The Quadra 605 shipped with two 68-pin 256 KB VRAM SIMMs for a total of 512 KB of VRAM
• Standard 512 KB VRAM supports 8-bit color for 256 colors at resolutions up to 832×624 and 16 colors at resolutions up to 1152×870
• Upgrading to 1 MB VRAM provides 16-bit color for thousands of colors at resolutions up to 832×624 and 256 colors at resolutions up to 1152×870
• You can upgrade to 1 MB by replacing the 256 KB VRAM SIMMs with two 512 KB 68-pin 80ns VRAM SIMMs
• VRAM Expansion Kit (two kits required for expansion to 1MB VRAM) is Apple part number M0517LL/A. Available for sale here

HARD DRIVE UPGRADE

• Any standard height 3.5″ 50-pin SCSI hard drive should be compatible with the Quadra 605
• A SCSI-to-SATA bridge allows the installation of quieter and more readily-available SATA hard drives
  • Acard ARS-2000SUP SCSI-to-SATA II bridge box – View product manual
  • Acard ARS-2000SU SCSI-to-SATA II bridge box (discontinued) – View product manual
• A combination of SCSI-to-SATA bridge plus an SATA-to-Compact Flash (CF) adapter can also be installed for a completely silent solution
• Further discussion of SCSI hard disk replacement options available on the 68kMLA Wiki

QUIET CASE FAN

• Installing a 150 ohm 1/4 watt resistor on the positive (red) lead of the case fan will slow the speed of the fan
• This will result in considerably less noise while maintaining sufficient cooling

REMOVE CASE YELLOWING

• Retr0bright – a simple treatment with hydrogen peroxide will remove any yellowing from plastic parts of the case

CUSTOM CASES

• Tombstone Mac Custom Quadra 605 Case also featured in Wired magazine (pdf version here)