Macintosh Performa 6400CD: Difference between revisions
Apple Service Source: the DIMM specification differs between the Performa (fast-page 70 ns) and Power Macintosh (EDO 60 ns) versions of this machine although the sockets look identical; Apple gives the 6400/180 a 1.2 GB drive and a 4X AppleCD 600i, not 1.6 GB and 8X; the built-in speaker is a single MONO full-range speaker/subwoofer with stereo only from external speakers; the 6420 ships with up to 24 MB and has 256K L2 as standard; added the manually set 90-130 / 180-264 VAC voltage switch w... |
Red-link sweep: retarget delegation links to the pages that actually exist (LC 550/LC 580/Performa 6100 sub-pages do not, the Performa 550/580 and Power Macintosh 6100 ones do), fix the malformed 'Macintosh Power Macintosh 5400' title, and de-link targets with no page |
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* '''Expansion''': 2× PCI slots, communications slot, video I/O slot, TV tuner slot | * '''Expansion''': 2× PCI slots, communications slot, video I/O slot, TV tuner slot | ||
The logic board, codenamed "Alchemy", is shared with the [[ | The logic board, codenamed "Alchemy", is shared with the [[Power Macintosh 5400|Power Macintosh 5400]] all-in-one and [[Macintosh Performa 6360|Performa 6360]] desktop models. | ||
== General Maintenance == | == General Maintenance == | ||
Latest revision as of 14:15, 27 September 2026
 | |
| 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
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]- 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
[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 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
[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 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
[edit | edit source]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
[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, 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
[edit | edit source]References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ 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.