The PowerPC 601-based PowerCurve-series and its variants share a common logic board (aka Catalyst) with four DRAM DIMM slots and a 64-bit data bus. This computer requires 5-volt, 64-bit-wide, 168-pin fast-paged mode (FPM) 70ns DIMMs, and typically shipped with 16MB of RAM, with either a single 16MB DIMM or a pair of 8MB DIMMs in any of the four available slots. As there is no DRAM soldered to the logic board, the PowerCurve-series requires that at least one DIMM be installed for the computer to boot. Memory may be installed in any slot, in any order, without penalty. The maximum amount of usable memory is 256MB, in the form of four 64MB DIMMs.Note: Like other Power Macs of its generation, the PowerCurve does not require DIMMs to be installed in pairs. Unlike the 7500, 7600, 8200, 8500 and 9500-series, however, the PowerCurve's Platinum IC memory controller does not support memory interleaving, utilizing a linear memory architecture which is limited to 64-bit addressing rather than the more robust 128-bit addressing permitted by other PCI Power Mac motherboard designs.
This architecture is also significant for a sensitivity to DRAM type: Apple has published technical notes warning that installation of EDO DIMMs can damage Catalyst motherboards, going so far as to warn that "Any damage incurred from using EDO memory in the Power Macintosh 7200 computer may not be covered under Apple Computer's limited hardware warranty." Please see Power Mac 7200 EDO Memory (TECHINFO-0020101) for additional information. (Catalyst was modified by Power Computing, but shares a senstivity to EDO memory like its Power Mac 7200 relative).
MacGurus strongly advises against the attempted use of EDO memory in this logic board.
Specifications:
Logic Board RAM None Supported DIMMs 32MB, 64MB, 128MB Number DIMM Slots Four (4) Supported VRAM VRAM DIMM: 1024k Number VRAM Slots Three (3) L2 Cache Supported? L2 DIMM: 1MB DIMM Type 168-pin, FPM 64-bit, 2k or 4k refresh, 70ns or faster
The 7200-series additionally has 1MB of soldered VRAM on the logic board. When 1MB VRAM DIMMs are installed in the three available slots, a total of 4MBs VRAM is possible.