Macintosh Performa 6420
 | |
| Macintosh Performa 6420/200 | |
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Apple Computer, Inc. |
| Type | Personal Computer |
| Released | November 12, 1996 |
| Discontinued | August 1, 1997 |
| Intro price | n/a |
| CPU | PowerPC 603ev @ 200 MHz |
| Memory | 16 MB RAM (Apple: ships with up to 24 MB), expandable to 136 MB |
| Storage | 2.4 GB IDE hard drive, 8X CD-ROM |
| Display | Supports up to 1024×768 @ 8-bit |
| Sound | 16-bit stereo in/out with SRS 3D Surround; one mono full-range speaker/subwoofer |
| Dimensions | 16.0" H × 7.8" W × 16.9" D (40.6 × 19.8 × 42.9 cm) |
| Weight | 44.5 lbs (20.2 kg) |
| OS / Firmware | System 7.5.3 – Mac OS 9.1 |
| Predecessor | Performa 6360 |
| Successor | Power Macintosh 6500 |
| Codename | Alchemy (logic board) |
| Model no. | M3548 |
The Macintosh Performa 6420 is a personal computer designed, manufactured and sold by Apple Computer from November 1996 to August 1997.[1] It is the European and Asian version of the Performa 6400/200, featuring identical specifications: a 200 MHz PowerPC 603e processor, 2.4 GB hard drive, and Apple's "InstaTower" mini-tower case with SRS 3D surround sound and integrated subwoofer.
The Performa 6420 shares its Alchemy logic board with the Performa 6400, Performa 6410, Performa 6360, and Power Macintosh 5400.
Hardware Overview
[edit | edit source]The Performa 6420 is functionally identical to the Performa 6400/200:
- Processor: PowerPC 603ev at 200 MHz with integrated FPU (soldered)
- RAM: 8 MB soldered on-board plus two 168-pin DIMM slots (70 ns), 16 MB standard, expandable to 136 MB
- Storage: 2.4 GB IDE hard drive, 8X CD-ROM, 1.44 MB floppy
- Video: 1 MB system RAM dedicated to video
- Audio: SRS 3D surround sound with integrated subwoofer
- Expansion: 2× PCI slots, communications slot, video I/O slot, TV tuner slot
- Modem: 28.8k internal modem
Regional Variants
[edit | edit source]| Model | CPU Speed | Hard Drive | Region | Order Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Performa 6400/200 | 200 MHz | 2.4 GB | North America | Various |
| Performa 6420/200 | 200 MHz | 2.4 GB | Europe, Asia, Japan | M5513J/A (Japan) |
Architecture and Processor
[edit | edit source]The Performa 6420 uses a PowerPC 603e processor soldered to the Alchemy logic board and cooled by a fanless heatsink. The processor is a 32-bit design with a 64-bit data path to main memory. The 40 MHz system bus provides communication between the CPU and other components.
Third-party processor upgrades are available that can override the soldered CPU via the L2 cache slot.
Memory and Storage
[edit | edit source]RAM Configuration
[edit | edit source]| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| RAM Type | 168-pin DIMM |
| RAM Speed | 70 ns |
| Standard RAM | 16 MB |
| Maximum RAM | 136 MB |
| Motherboard RAM | 8 MB (soldered) |
| RAM Slots | 2 |
Storage Systems
[edit | edit source]| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Hard Drive Interface | IDE |
| Standard Hard Drive | 2.4 GB |
| Optical Drive | 8X CD-ROM |
| Floppy Drive | 1.44 MB 3.5" (manual inject) |
Display and Graphics
[edit | edit source]Video memory is integrated, with 1 MB of system RAM dedicated to video functions:
| Resolution | Color Depth |
|---|---|
| 640×480 | 16-bit (Thousands) |
| 800×600 | 16-bit (Thousands) |
| 832×624 | 8-bit (256 colors) |
| 1024×768 | 8-bit (256 colors) |
A second display can be supported with the addition of a PCI video card.
Audio Capabilities
[edit | edit source]The Performa 6420's "InstaTower" case includes an integrated subwoofer speaker and supports SRS 3D surround sound. A bass level control knob on the rear of the case adjusts subwoofer output when external speakers are connected; without external speakers, the internal speaker provides full-range audio.
Two audio output jacks are provided—one on the front panel and one on the rear. Connecting headphones to the front jack disables the internal speaker and rear output.
General Maintenance
[edit | edit source]For detailed maintenance practices including cleaning, PRAM battery management, and general upkeep, refer to the dedicated Macintosh Performa 6400 General Maintenance page.
Capacitor Replacement Guide
[edit | edit source]Detailed capacitor replacement guidelines for the logic board can be found on the Macintosh Performa 6400 Capacitor Replacement Guide page.
Troubleshooting
[edit | edit source]A comprehensive troubleshooting guide addressing power issues, startup problems, video issues, and other common problems is available on the Macintosh Performa 6400 Troubleshooting page.
Technical Details
[edit | edit source]System Architecture at a Glance
[edit | edit source]| Sub-system | Specification (Macintosh Performa 6420, 1996) |
|---|---|
| CPU | PowerPC 603ev @ 200 MHz |
| Bus width | 64-bit data path |
| System Bus | 40 MHz |
| ROM | 4 MB |
| RAM | 16 MB (expandable to 136 MB) |
| L1 Cache | 32 KB |
| L2 Cache | 256K, standard on the 6420 |
| Video | Up to 1024×768 @ 8-bit |
| Sound | SRS 3D surround with subwoofer |
| Storage | 2.4 GB IDE HDD, 8X CD-ROM |
| Ports | ADB, Serial × 2, SCSI, Audio I/O |
Power Specifications
[edit | edit source]| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Input voltage | 90–130 or 180–264 VAC, set manually on the rear voltage switch |
| Frequency | 47–63 Hz |
| Maximum power | 220 W continuous (Performa/Power Macintosh 6400); 140 W on the 6500 |
Apple service data
[edit | edit source]Apple's own figures, from the Performa/Power Macintosh 6400 and 6500 Series Service Source volume hosted on this wiki.[2]
| Item | Apple's figure |
|---|---|
| Processor | PowerPC 603ev throughout: 180 MHz (6400/180, 6410), 200 MHz (6400/200, 6420), 225/250/275/300 MHz (6500) |
| Processor bus | 64-bit wide, 40 MHz on the 6400 and 50 MHz on the 6500, supporting split address and data tenures |
| DRAM (Performa 6400, 6410, 6420) | 16 MB — the 6420 ships with up to 24 MB — expandable to 136 MB in two sockets, 168-pin fast-paged mode, 70 ns or faster, 2K refresh |
| DRAM (Power Macintosh 6400) | 16 MB, expandable to 136 MB, 168-pin extended data out (EDO), 60 ns or faster, 1K or 2K refresh — not the same part as the Performa takes |
| DRAM (6500) | 32 MB (48 MB on some /275, 64 MB on the /300), expandable to 128 MB, 168-pin 5-volt buffered EDO, 60 ns or faster, 2K refresh |
| ROM / PRAM | 4 MB ROM; 8K of non-volatile parameter memory |
| VRAM | 1 MB built in on the 6400; 2 MB of 88 MHz synchronous graphic RAM on the 6500 |
| Level 2 cache | Optional 256K on the 6400, 6410 and 6500/225–250 base; standard 256K on the 6420 and on the 6400/200 with Zip drive; standard 512K on the 6500/275 and 6500/300 |
| CD-ROM | AppleCD 600i on the 6400 (4X); AppleCD 1200i 8X on the 6410, 6420 and the 6400/200 with Zip; 12X or 24X on the 6500 |
| Hard drive | 1.2 GB IDE (6400), 1.6 GB (6410), 2.4 GB (6420 and 6400/200 with Zip), 2 GB (6500/225), 3 or 4 GB (6500/250), 4 or 6 GB (6500/275, /300) |
| SCSI | One external port supporting up to six external devices, or five if the optional Zip drive is fitted |
| Expansion | Two PCI slots; one communications slot (PCI-bus configuration); a TV/FM tuner port; a video-in slot whose 60-pin DAV connector takes an optional real-time video card, with an adapter cable for backward compatibility with Power Macintosh 5200 DVA cards |
| Sound | 16-bit stereo in and out with SRS 3D Surround Sound; sample rates 11.025, 22.05 and 44.1 kHz; one rear line-level output, one front headphone jack, one stereo input |
| Speaker | One built-in, full-range, monophonic speaker/subwoofer. Stereo comes only from external speakers, headphones or the monitor |
| Electrical | 90–130 or 180–264 VAC, set manually by the voltage switch; 47–63 Hz. 220 W maximum continuous on the 6400; 140 W maximum continuous on the 6500 |
| Case | Height 16 in. (406 mm), width 7 13/16 in. (198 mm), depth 16 7/8 in. (428 mm); 44.5 lb. (20.18 kg) without CD-ROM |
| Expansion bay | Configured for 5.25-inch SCSI devices; a 3.5-inch SCSI device fits with a modified carrier |
| PRAM battery | On a hook-and-loop base with a pull-up connector. Verify on the 10 V DC scale; replace below 3.0 V. Apple warns it is a lithium pack that could explode if mishandled — neutralise leakage with sodium bicarbonate, never vinegar |
The voltage switch
[edit | edit source]This machine has a manually set voltage switch and Apple's own wording is that it "must be set correctly to avoid damaging the computer." Insert a screwdriver in the slot and set it to show "115" for supplies between 100 and 130 V or "230" for supplies between 200 and 270 V. Apple gives the line voltage as 90–130 or 180–264 VAC configured manually, at 47–63 Hz — not a universal auto-ranging input. Apple's volume also prints a country-by-country voltage table, and notes that some countries use two standardised voltages.[2]
Things that are not faults
[edit | edit source]- With external speakers attached the subwoofer works as a bass speaker; without them it produces
full-range sound instead of just bass. The subwoofer balance control only does anything when external speakers are connected.[2]
- Inserting a plug into either output jack disconnects the internal speaker, and the rear jack is
muted when headphones are in the front jack. That is by design.[2]
See Also
[edit | edit source]References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ Apple Macintosh Performa 6420/200 Specs, EveryMac.com—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Apple Computer, Performa/Power Macintosh 6400 and 6500 Series, Service Source. Hosted here as Performa/Power Macintosh 6400 and 6500 Series Service Source (File:Powermac.perf_6400.6500.pdf). Basics, Specifications and Additional Procedures — Battery Verification chapters.