Power Macintosh 6500
 | |
| Power Macintosh 6500 | |
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Apple Computer, Inc. |
| Type | Personal Computer |
| Released | February 17, 1997 |
| Discontinued | March 14, 1998 |
| Intro price | US$1,800–$3,000 |
| CPU | PowerPC 603ev @ 225–300 MHz |
| Memory | 32–64 MB RAM (expandable to 128 MB) |
| Storage | 2.0–6.0 GB IDE hard drive, 1.44 MB floppy, 12X–24X CD-ROM |
| Display | 32-bit to 800×600; up to 1280×1024 at 8-bit (2 MB SGRAM) |
| 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 | Mac OS 7.5.5 – 9.1 |
| Predecessor | Macintosh Performa 6400 |
| Successor | Power Macintosh G3 (Desktop) |
| Codename | Gazelle |
| Model no. | M3548 |
The Power Macintosh 6500 is a series of personal computers introduced by Apple Computer on February 17, 1997.[1] Based on the "Gazelle" architecture, the 6500 series used the same tower case design as the Macintosh Performa 6400 but featured faster PowerPC 603e processors ranging from 225 MHz to 300 MHz. The 6500 included 2D/3D graphics acceleration, an SRS 3D surround sound system with subwoofer, and various expansion options including PCI slots and internal Zip drives.
Model Variants
[edit | edit source]The Power Macintosh 6500 was available in four processor configurations, with various sub-configurations for education, consumer, and small business markets:[2]
| Model | Processor | Standard RAM | Hard Drive | CD-ROM | Zip Drive | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6500/225 (Education) | 225 MHz | 32 MB | 2.0 GB | 12X | Yes | $2,000 |
| 6500/225 (Consumer) | 225 MHz | 32 MB | 3.0 GB | 12X | No | $1,800 |
| 6500/250 (Education) | 250 MHz | 32 MB | 3.0 GB | 12X | Yes | $2,100 |
| 6500/250 (Consumer) | 250 MHz | 32 MB | 4.0 GB | 24X | Yes | $2,300 |
| 6500/250 (Small Business) | 250 MHz | 48 MB | 4.0 GB | 12X | Yes | $2,600 |
| 6500/275 (Consumer) | 275 MHz | 32 MB | 4.0–6.0 GB | 24X | Yes | $3,000 |
| 6500/275 (Small Business) | 275 MHz | 48 MB | 6.0 GB | 12X | Yes | $3,000 |
| 6500/300 | 300 MHz | 64 MB | 4.0–6.0 GB | 12X–24X | Yes | $3,000 |
Architecture and Processor
[edit | edit source]The Power Macintosh 6500 uses the PowerPC 603e processor, a 32-bit RISC processor with a 64-bit data path.[3] All models feature an integrated floating-point unit (FPU) and operate on a 50 MHz system bus.
Cache Configuration
[edit | edit source]- L1 Cache: 32 KB (on-die)
- L2 Cache: 256 KB (225/250 MHz models), 512 KB (275/300 MHz models)
ROM
[edit | edit source]The 6500 series includes 4 MB of ROM, a significant increase from earlier Macintosh models, allowing for faster startup and more efficient system software operation.
Memory and Storage
[edit | edit source]RAM Configuration
[edit | edit source]- RAM Type: 168-pin DIMM (60 ns minimum)
- RAM Slots: 2
- Standard RAM: 32–64 MB (varies by configuration)
- Maximum RAM: 128 MB
- Interleaving: Not supported
Storage Systems
[edit | edit source]- Hard Drive: 2.0–6.0 GB IDE (varies by configuration)
- Floppy Drive: 1.44 MB 3.5" (manual eject)
- CD-ROM: 12X or 24X (varies by configuration)
- Zip Drive: Internal Zip 100 (most configurations)
Display and Graphics
[edit | edit source]The Power Macintosh 6500 features dedicated 2D/3D graphics acceleration with 2 MB of onboard SGRAM (60 ns) that cannot be upgraded.
Supported Resolutions
[edit | edit source]| Resolution | Color Depth |
|---|---|
| 512×384 | 24-bit |
| 640×480 | 24-bit |
| 800×600 | 24-bit |
| 832×624 | 24-bit |
| 1024×768 | 16-bit |
| 1152×870 | 16-bit |
| 1280×1024 | 8-bit |
A second display can be supported with the addition of a PCI video card.
Audio Capabilities
[edit | edit source]The Power Macintosh 6500 includes an SRS 3D surround sound system with integrated subwoofer, providing enhanced audio compared to earlier Macintosh models.
Input/Output and Expansion
[edit | edit source]Port Configuration
[edit | edit source]- Serial Ports: 2× Geoport (printer and modem)
- ADB Ports: 1× Apple Desktop Bus
- SCSI: External SCSI port
- Video Out: DB-15 monitor port
- Audio: Stereo audio in/out
Expansion Slots
[edit | edit source]- PCI Slots: 2
- Comm-II Slot: 1 (occupied by modem in consumer configurations)
- Video Input Slot: 1 (optional video input card)
- TV Slot: 1 (optional TV/FM tuner card)
Networking
[edit | edit source]- Modem: 33.6k internal (consumer models; absent in education models)
- Ethernet: 10Base-T available as optional upgrade
General Maintenance
[edit | edit source]For detailed maintenance practices including cleaning, PRAM battery management, connector corrosion prevention, and general upkeep, refer to the dedicated Power Macintosh 6500 General Maintenance page.
Troubleshooting
[edit | edit source]A comprehensive troubleshooting guide addressing common issues such as power problems, startup failures, and video issues is available on the Power Macintosh 6500 Troubleshooting page.
Capacitor Replacement Guide
[edit | edit source]Detailed capacitor replacement guidelines can be found on the Power Macintosh 6500 Capacitor Replacement Guide page.
Specifications
[edit | edit source]Full technical specifications are available on the Power Macintosh 6500 Specifications page.
Technical Details
[edit | edit source]System Architecture at a Glance
[edit | edit source]| Sub-system | Specification (Power Macintosh 6500, 1997) |
|---|---|
| CPU | PowerPC 603e @ 225–300 MHz |
| Bus width | 32-bit processor, 64-bit data path |
| System Bus | 50 MHz |
| ROM | 4 MB |
| RAM | 32–64 MB standard (128 MB max) |
| Video | 2 MB SGRAM, 832×624 @ 24-bit max |
| Sound | SRS 3D surround with subwoofer |
| Storage | 2.0–6.0 GB IDE, 12X–24X CD-ROM |
| Ports | Serial ×2, ADB, SCSI, Audio |
| Expansion | 2× PCI, Comm-II, Video In, TV |
Service documentation
[edit | edit source]Apple's own service manual is hosted here as Performa/Power Macintosh 6400 and 6500 Series Service Source. It gives the 6500 a maximum continuous power of 140 W against 220 W for the 6400, and — importantly — a line voltage of 90–130 or 180–264 VAC, configured manually. This is not an auto-ranging supply, and the Basics chapter has a dedicated Voltage Switch section. A machine imported between regions can arrive set for the wrong mains. The PRAM cell threshold is replace below 3.0 V.[4]
Additional Procedures in that volume carries "6500 — Distinguishing Video Jitter from Blur" and a "Blurry Video Solution", which is Apple documenting a known display fault on this model, plus a Processor Fan procedure.[4]
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.[5]
| 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.[5]
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.[5]
- 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.[5]
See Also
[edit | edit source]- Macintosh Performa 6400
- Power Macintosh G3 (Desktop)
- Power Macintosh 5500
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ Power Macintosh 6500/225 Specs, EveryMac.com—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
- ↑ Power Macintosh 6500/250 Specs, EveryMac.com—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
- ↑ Power Macintosh 6500/275 Specs, EveryMac.com—link(accessed 2026-02-10)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Apple Computer, Performa/Power Macintosh 6400 and 6500 Series, Service Source, 232 pp, PDF distilled 19 February 1997. Hosted here as the wiki page linked above (File:powermac.perf_6400.6500.pdf). Specifications chapter, and Additional Procedures — Battery Verification where a threshold is quoted.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 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.