This mod was performed at http://homepage.mac.com/tracer302/bluecube/PhotoAlbum25.html and shows how to install a Radeon 7500 into a cube.
ATI Radeon 7500 Installation
by Rich C
Final Release
Revised 2/23/03
For more information about video cards for the Cube, visit
cubeowner.com then
click on Graphics/Video Card Upgrades. This site is excellent
and I highly recommend any cube owner to check it out, thanks
Laurie!!!
I chose the ATI Radeon 7500 because it was much more available
on eBay than the nVidia GeForce 3, although video cards for the
Cube are generally very scarce. Both cards were available on PowerMac
G4 towers, thus are pulled from those units for sale on eBay.
The nVidia GeForce 3MX is also much more expensive, the last
one I looked at went for over $350.00. But is does perform better
than the ATI Radeon 7500, visit xlr8yourmac.com
for more information on these cards performances, thanks Mike!!!
I did a lot of research all over the web before I decided on
the 7500, much of the information was scattered all over and incomplete,
just enough information to get you interested but not enough to
actually see how to do it.
Let me start off by saying that this project requires familiarity
with using cutting tools, specifically the Dremel Tool with cutting
wheels, so it's not exactly for the novice, previous knowledge
required such as removing the video card from the cube.
That being said, lets get on with it:
Disclaimer/Warning:
This page is for reference information only.
I am not responsible for any damage you cause to yourself
or your computer.
Here are both cards together
Here's another view, notice both card fences indicated
by the red arrows
Here's a view of the fences removed 7500 on the left
Both card fences removed placed back to back. You can
now see why you can't
just switch fences as with other video cards.
Testing the 7500 with fence removed, note how close
the card comes to the dc power board,
which is why a taller card will not work such as the new ATI 9700
Pro
Although someone did shoehorn a ATI 8500 in a cube
over at xlr8yourmac.com
The card will work without the fence, but will put
stress on the AGP riser card and AGP Slot
Match ADC connectors together on both fences and then
mark holes as indicated by the red
arrows with a fine tip sharpie.
Here are the sharpie marks indicated by the red
arrows.
Center punch the marks with a center punch
Here's with the center punch, makes drilling much easier,
use a 1/8" drill bit
Here's what you get when your done, two new holes.
Dremel cuttng tool time, cut off the left and right
sides first.
Like this
Then this, sorry about the flash
Now mark the top of the fence like this, I used a no
2 pencil and the ATI Rage fence as a guide
Cut the top portion of the fence off, no need to remove
the bottom, fits as is
I used this piece of aluminum as a guide with the vice
grips in order to cut a straigth line.
Here's the completed fence
Bolted back on the 7500
I had to remove one of the jack screws on the VGA connector
to make it fit.
Fully installed and running fine. Quake 3 is MUCH better
now.
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