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
  • Crucial 128 MB 60ns non-parity 3.3v EDO-RAM 72-pin SIMM CT32M32E4L6.M16TG
• 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-SD Card adapter such as BlueSCSI can be installed for a fast and 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)