Apple Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics) vs Apple Power Mac G4 (PCI Graphics)

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Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics) compared with Power Mac G4 (PCI Graphics)
ApplePower Mac G4 (AGP Graphics)ApplePower Mac G4 (PCI Graphics)
Overview
Released1999August 1999
Performance
ProcessorPowerPC G4 350 MHz (Power Mac AGP Graphics), PowerPC G4 400 MHz (Power Mac AGP Graphics), PowerPC G4 450 MHz (Power Mac AGP Graphics) or PowerPC G4 500 MHz (Power Mac AGP Graphics)PowerPC G4 350 MHz (Power Mac PCI Graphics) or PowerPC G4 400 MHz (Power Mac PCI Graphics)
CPU cores11
GraphicsATI RAGE 128 Pro (16 MB) or ATI RAGE 128 (16 MB)ATI RAGE 128 (16 MB)
Memory64 MB, 128 MB, 256 MB or 1.5 GB (better)64 MB or 1 GB
Storage10 GB to 27 GB (better)10 GB
CPUSingle 350, 400, 450 or 500 MHz PowerPC G4 with 1 MB backside L2 cache at half processor speed and 100 MHz system bus. Unknown silicon supplier omitted. Original 500 MHz announcement never shipped; only the actual February 2000 option is represented.Single 350 or 400 MHz PowerPC G4 with Velocity Engine; 100 MHz system bus. Exact EveryMac PCI sheets specify 1 MB backside L2 cache; the retained maker page lists 512 KB or 1 MB without exact ties. No silicon supplier is inferred from Apple/Motorola/IBM co-development.
GPU16 MB ATI RAGE 128 AGP 2x originally, changed to RAGE 128 Pro in December 1999 (EveryMac). Pro adds DVI and supports up to 1920 × 1200, versus original VGA up to 1600 × 1200.ATI RAGE 128 PCI graphics with 16 MB SDRAM. This is the PCI/Yikes board, distinct from the contemporary AGP model.
Memory typeFour PC100 DIMM slots, maker-supported maximum 1.5 GB. Base memory varies with dated factory configuration; higher unofficial capacities are excluded.64 MB PC100 SDRAM standard. Four DIMM slots support up to 1 GB. Configurations preserve 10 GB factory storage at base and maximum RAM.
Storage typeDated stock changes (EveryMac): original 450 MHz 128 MB/20 GB/DVD-ROM; October 400 MHz 128 MB/20 GB/DVD-ROM and 450 MHz 256 MB/27 GB/DVD-RAM. December adds 350 MHz 64 MB/10 GB/DVD-ROM and replaces graphics with Pro. February 2000 maker confirms 400 MHz 64 MB/10 GB/DVD-ROM, 450 MHz 128 MB/20 GB/DVD-ROM and 500 MHz 256 MB/27 GB/DVD-RAM. Zip included on original 450, October 400/450, and February 450/500; identical optical-only variants are kept in details. No unproven SCSI/drive cross-combinations.400 MHz launch configuration: 10 GB Ultra ATA/33 and 32x CD-ROM; October 1999 speed-reduced 350 MHz retains those factory specifications (EveryMac). Retained Apple sheet also lists 24x CD-ROM without precise configuration ties. Optional drives are not expanded into unsupported cross-combinations.
Expansion slotsThree open full-length 64-bit 33 MHz PCI slots and one AGP 2x slot used by graphics.Three open 33 MHz PCI slots plus the 66 MHz PCI slot used by graphics.
Display
ScreenNone built inNone built in
Connections
Ports2 × USB-A, Ethernet2 × USB-A, Ethernet
Ethernet0.1 Gb/s0.1 Gb/s
Back portsTwo independent 12 Mbps USB ports; two external FireWire 400 ports and one internal connector; VGA, 10/100BASE-T Ethernet, analog audio input/output and optional 11 Mbps AirPort card. 56K modem is standard except the top February 500 MHz configuration where it is optional. Keyboard USB excluded.Two chassis USB ports at 12 Mbps, two external FireWire 400 ports, VGA, 10/100BASE-T Ethernet, 56K modem and analog audio input/output. The retained maker FireWire count of three is not supported by the exact PCI port specification (EveryMac). No AirPort slot; keyboard ports are not included.
External displays–VGA output from the PCI graphics card.
SpeakersBuilt-in speaker; analog audio input and output.Built-in speaker. Audio line-out is not counted as a dedicated headphone jack.
Keyboard and mouseApple USB Keyboard and Apple USB Mouse.Apple USB Keyboard and Apple USB Mouse.
Design and power
TypeTowerTower
Weight13.6 kg–
Width × depth × height226 × 467 × 432 mm–
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Size and weight detailExact Japanese maker sheet publishes 43.2 cm height, 22.6 cm width, 46.7 cm depth and 13.6 kg weight; configuration-dependent.Maker publishes 17-inch height, 8.9-inch width, 18.4-inch depth and 30-pound weight. Metric main fields omitted; no unit conversion or sibling measurements.
Power supplyMaximum continuous power 200 W.Maximum continuous power 200 W.
In the boxMac OS 8.6 originally. September 1999 introduction and a few original 450 MHz channel shipments are documented by Apple-History, but the first shipping month is not established; release stays at year precision. February 2000 maker release confirms immediate availability of the revised range.Mac OS 8.6. Full contemporary AppleInsider report says Jobs confirmed the 400 MHz configuration shipping immediately on 31 August 1999; the Canadian maker release instead promises September. First-sale month uses the named US report without implying universal regional availability.

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