Macintosh Performa 6400CD
 | |
| Macintosh Performa 6400CD | |
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Apple Computer, Inc. |
| Type | Personal Computer |
| Released | August 7, 1996 |
| Discontinued | August 1, 1997 |
| Intro price | US$2,100–$2,800 |
| CPU | PowerPC 603ev @ 180 or 200 MHz |
| Memory | 16 MB RAM (8 MB on-board, expandable to 136 MB) |
| Storage | 1.6–2.4 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 6400CD is an alternate name for the Macintosh Performa 6400, emphasizing the included 8X CD-ROM drive.[1] All Performa 6400 models shipped with a CD-ROM drive; the "6400CD" designation was used in some marketing materials and regional markets.
The Performa 6400 is a personal computer designed, manufactured and sold by Apple Computer from August 1996 to August 1997. It is the only Macintosh mini-tower to be branded as a Performa, and was one of the last new Performa-branded models introduced by Apple.
Model Variants
The Performa 6400/6400CD was sold in several configurations:
| Model | CPU Speed | Hard Drive | Region | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Performa 6400/180 | 180 MHz | 1.2 GB (Apple) | North America | Base consumer model, with a 4X AppleCD 600i |
| Performa 6400/200 | 200 MHz | 2.4 GB | North America | Higher-end consumer model, 8X AppleCD 1200i |
| Performa 6410 | 180 MHz | 1.6 GB | Europe, Asia | Regional variant of 6400/180 |
| Performa 6420 | 200 MHz | 2.4 GB | Europe, Asia | Regional variant of 6400/200 |
Hardware Overview
- Processor: PowerPC 603ev at 180 or 200 MHz with integrated FPU (soldered)
- RAM: 16 MB standard, expandable to 136 MB in two 168-pin DIMM sockets. The DIMM specification differs between the Performa and the Power Macintosh versions of this machine: Apple gives the Performa 6400/6410/6420 as fast-paged mode, 70 ns or faster, 2K refresh and the Power Macintosh 6400 as extended data out (EDO), 60 ns or faster — the sockets look identical[2]
- Storage: 1.6 GB or 2.4 GB IDE hard drive, 8X CD-ROM, 1.44 MB floppy
- Video: 1 MB system RAM dedicated to video
- Audio: 16-bit stereo in and out with SRS 3D Surround Sound, through one built-in full-range monophonic speaker/subwoofer — stereo comes only from external speakers, headphones or the monitor[2]
- Expansion: 2× PCI slots, communications slot, video I/O slot, TV tuner slot
The logic board, codenamed "Alchemy", is shared with the Power Macintosh 5400 all-in-one and Performa 6360 desktop models.
General Maintenance
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
Detailed capacitor replacement guidelines for the logic board can be found on the Macintosh Performa 6400 Capacitor Replacement Guide page.
Troubleshooting
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
System Architecture at a Glance
| Sub-system | Specification (Macintosh Performa 6400CD, 1996) |
|---|---|
| CPU | PowerPC 603ev @ 180/200 MHz |
| Bus width | 64-bit data path |
| ROM | 4 MB |
| RAM | 16 MB (expandable to 136 MB) |
| Video | Up to 1024×768 @ 8-bit |
| Sound | SRS 3D surround with subwoofer |
| Storage | 1.6–2.4 GB IDE HDD, 8X CD-ROM |
| Ports | ADB, Serial × 2, SCSI, Audio I/O |
Apple service data
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 at 180 MHz (6400/180, 6410) or 200 MHz (6400/200, 6420); 64-bit processor bus at 40 MHz |
| DRAM | 16 MB; the 6420 ships with up to 24 MB. Expandable to 136 MB in two sockets |
| ROM / PRAM | 4 MB ROM; 8K of non-volatile parameter memory |
| VRAM | 1 MB built in |
| Level 2 cache | Optional 256K on the 6400 and 6410; standard 256K on the 6420 and on the 6400/200 with Zip drive |
| CD-ROM | AppleCD 600i (4X) on the 6400; AppleCD 1200i (8X) on the 6410, 6420 and the 6400/200 with Zip drive |
| Hard drive | 1.2 GB IDE (6400), 1.6 GB (6410), 2.4 GB (6420 and 6400/200 with Zip) |
| SCSI | One external port, up to six devices, or five if the optional Zip drive is fitted |
| Expansion | Two PCI slots; one communications slot; a TV/FM tuner port; a video-in slot with a 60-pin DAV connector, plus an adapter cable for backward compatibility with Power Macintosh 5200 DVA cards |
| Expansion bay | Configured for 5.25-inch SCSI devices; a 3.5-inch device fits with a modified carrier |
| Sound | 16-bit stereo in and out with SRS 3D Surround; sample rates 11.025, 22.05, 44.1 kHz |
| Speaker | One built-in, full-range, monophonic speaker/subwoofer |
| Electrical | 90–130 or 180–264 VAC, set manually on the rear voltage switch; 47–63 Hz; 220 W maximum continuous |
| 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 |
| PRAM battery | On a hook-and-loop base with a pull-up connector; verify on the 10 V DC scale and 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
Apple's wording is that the voltage switch "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. Check it against the local supply on any machine of unknown history before applying power.[2]
Things that are not faults
- With external speakers attached the subwoofer works as a bass speaker; without them it produces
full-range sound instead of just bass, and 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.[2]
See Also
References
- ↑ Apple Macintosh Performa 6400/180 Specs, EveryMac.com—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 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.