Faster than any 25-40MHz cache card on the market, and almost as fast as the Radius ‘040 Rocket (without the compatibility problems) at a much lower cost, the DayStar 50MHz PowerCache is breathing new life into my old Mac.
I recently added a PowerCache to my 3-year-old Mac IIcx, along with a memory upgrade to 20meg. I figured this would allow me to handle the larger, memory-intensive applications that try my patience while they’re executing.
The 50MHz PowerCache card is an excellent solution to those of you (and me) who require a significant speed increase without mortgaging the house. Approximate street prices for the DayStar PowerCache accelerators (without the FPU Math chip, which I didn’t buy) are: 33MHz ($599), 40MHz ($769), and 50MHz ($1089). Not peanuts—but not the price of a new, faster Mac either. If you decide you want to add the math chip later, the cost is around $300.
If you’re going to install the PowerCache yourself (which I didn’t), you’ll find the documentation excellent. It even comes with a wrist-grounding strap. One of my reasons for not installing it personally was the fact that some IIcx units do not provide a socket for the 68030. Instead, it is soldered into the motherboard. Naturally, mine was one of those units. As a result, I had to have the motherboard sent to DayStar, who performed the operation and returned it in 2 workdays. (To a Macaholic like myself, this was like sending your left arm out to get a ring put on your hand. What do you do while the arm is gone?).
CRANKING IT UP
Anticipation was at its peak as I was connecting the peripherals after I brought my Mac home. Having previously installed MODE 32, to allow the IIcx to access more than 8 meg of RAM, I hit the power switch.
My first observation was a shortened startup sound, versus the “normal” sound ‘030 Macs make when they boot up. INITS zipped by at about twice the speed and before I knew it, the desktop was there. The only problem was—my external hard drive icon was missing! A little research turned up an INIT called Desktop Reset that was preventing the hard drive from booting. How do I know? Because, when I removed it...ZOOM...I was cleaning bugs off my teeth! I did not investigate why this INIT caused the problem, but I guessed that it was not 32-bit clean, which is required under MODE 32.
TIME FOR TESTING
I started opening different applications and documents, trying to get a feel for how much faster my “new” Mac was. I double-clicked a 20-page PageMaker 4.2 document and it opened in 35 seconds! I had timed it at 1:15 BFC (Before PowerCache). Flipping between pages brought a significant increase in screen redraws, even with several EPS graphics. Changing from Fit in Window—to 100%—to 200% was not instantaneous—but it was fast! The PowerCache 50MHz 68030 chip supposedly boasts a clock speed 25% faster than that of the Mac IIfx stock 40MHz chip. Even though I have not worked on a IIfx, I would say this is a close assessment from the ones I’ve observed.
More testing followed. Database Finds and Sort commands are now almost real time. Check Spelling routines were significantly faster. Complex blends and graduated fills in TypeStyler didn’t remind me of watching grass grow anymore!
My only compatibility problem had nothing to do with the PowerCache. It had to do with Adobe Type Manager and MODE 32. I kept getting “Bus Error” messages every time I tried to select a PostScript font in a size other that the one installed in the System folder. After eliminating Suitcase as the problem, I proceeded to ATM. Sure enough, ATM 2.0 is not 32-bit clean. Upgrading to version 2.03 solved the problem.
WHY DAYSTAR?
I selected DayStar primarily because of their claims of 100% compatibility. Now that I’ve been using it, I feel that the DayStar PowerCache 50 is definitely the best bang for the buck! Compatibility, price, great documentation, fast service...it’s all there! If you’re thinking that your Mac is too slow for todays applications (or your personal preference), consider upgrading with a DayStar PowerCache. I read somewhere that there is one available for 10 different style Macs.
I almost forgot one other little item...If you change Macs after a PowerCache is installed...you can upgrade for the difference in price! Not bad, huh?
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