Macintosh Performa 5400CD

The Macintosh Performa 5400CD is an all-in-one personal computer released by Apple Computer on April 22, 1996. Based on the Alchemy architecture, it was the consumer version of the Power Macintosh 5400 educational line. The Performa 5400 series was the last of Apple's 5xxx all-in-one Macintosh computers before the transition to the Performa 5500 series.

Macintosh Performa 5400CD

Macintosh Performa 5400CD
Specifications
Manufacturer	Apple Computer, Inc.
Type	All-in-one Personal Computer
Released	April 22, 1996
Discontinued	February 1, 1997
CPU	PowerPC 603e @ 120 MHz
Memory	16 MB RAM (expandable to 136 MB)
Storage	1.6 GB IDE hard drive, 4X CD-ROM
Display	15" shadow mask CRT (640×480 16-bit, 832×624 8-bit)
Sound	16-bit stereo output, 16-bit mono input, SRS surround
Dimensions	17.5" H × 15.1" W × 16.0" D (44.5 × 38.4 × 40.6 cm)
Weight	47 lbs (21.3 kg)
OS / Firmware	System 7.5.3 – Mac OS 9.1
Predecessor	Performa 5300
Successor	Performa 5500
Codename	Alchemy, Excalibur
Model no.	M3046

The 5400CD featured a 120 MHz PowerPC 603e processor in the same case design as the earlier Performa 5200, but with substantial internal improvements including the first use of 168-pin DIMM memory sockets and a PCI expansion slot in the LC line.

Model Variants

The Performa 5400 series includes several regional and speed variants sharing the same Alchemy logic board:

Model	CPU Speed	CD-ROM	RAM	HDD	Case	Region
Performa 5400CD	120 MHz	4X	16 MB	1.6 GB	Platinum	Worldwide
Performa 5410CD	120 MHz	4X	16 MB	1.6 GB	Platinum	Europe
Performa 5420CD	120 MHz	4X	16 MB	1.6 GB	Platinum	Asia
Performa 5400/160	160 MHz	8X	16 MB	1.6 GB	Platinum	Europe/Asia
Performa 5430	160 MHz	8X	16 MB	1.6 GB	Platinum	Europe
Performa 5440	180 MHz	8X	16 MB	1.6 GB	Black	Europe/Asia

The educational versions were sold as the Power Macintosh 5400/120, 5400/160, and 5400/180 in North America.

Architecture and Processor

Processor

The Performa 5400CD uses a PowerPC 603e processor running at 120 MHz on a 40 MHz system bus. The 603e is a 32-bit processor with a 64-bit data path and integrated floating-point unit. Higher-speed variants used 160 MHz or 180 MHz versions of the same processor.

Cache

The processor includes 32 KB of L1 cache (16 KB instruction, 16 KB data). An optional 256 KB L2 cache DIMM slot is available. The 120 MHz and 180 MHz models shipped without L2 cache by default, while higher configurations often included it.

Memory and Storage

RAM Configuration

The Performa 5400 series uses 168-pin 70 ns DIMM modules, the first use of this memory type in the LC line. The logic board includes 8 MB of soldered RAM with two DIMM expansion slots supporting up to 136 MB total.

Video RAM

1 MB of system RAM is dedicated to video function. This VRAM allocation cannot be expanded.

Storage Systems

The base 5400CD includes a 1.6 GB IDE hard drive and 4X CD-ROM. Later models shipped with 8X CD-ROM drives. A 1.44 MB manual-eject floppy drive is standard. External SCSI devices are supported via the DB-25 SCSI port.

Display and Graphics

The built-in 15" shadow mask CRT supports:

• 640×480 at 16-bit color (thousands of colors)
• 800×600 at 16-bit color (higher-speed models)
• 832×624 at 8-bit color (256 colors)
• 1024×768 at 8-bit color (higher-speed models, external mirror only)

An external display can mirror the internal display at supported resolutions.

Audio Capabilities

The Performa 5400 series features enhanced audio capabilities including:

• 16-bit stereo output via 3.5mm jack
• 16-bit mono input via 3.5mm jack
• Built-in stereo speakers
• SRS surround sound support (first Macintosh with this feature)
• Microphone included

Input/Output and Expansion

Port Configuration

• 1× ADB port (keyboard and mouse)
• 2× GeoPort serial ports (modem and printer, Mini DIN-8)
• 1× DB-25 SCSI port (external devices)
• 10Base-T Ethernet (built-in on some models, optional on others)
• 3.5mm stereo audio output
• 3.5mm mono audio input

Expansion Slots

The Alchemy logic board includes:

• 1× 7" PCI slot (first PCI slot in an LC)
• 1× Communications slot
• 1× Video I/O slot
• 1× TV tuner slot

General Maintenance

For detailed maintenance practices including cleaning, PRAM battery management, connector corrosion prevention, and voltage adjustments, refer to the dedicated Macintosh Performa 5400 General Maintenance page.

PCB Schematics & Service Manual

Apple Service Manual

The Performa 5400 series shares service documentation with the Power Macintosh 5400 line.

All Apple Service Manuals can be found on the Apple Service Source page.

Capacitor Replacement Guide

Detailed capacitor replacement guidelines for the logic board can be found on the Macintosh Performa 5400 Capacitor Replacement Guide page.

Retrobrite

To address plastic yellowing (particularly on platinum models), detailed instructions can be found on the Retrobrite page.

Troubleshooting

A comprehensive troubleshooting guide addressing no power, video issues, intermittent operation, and common failure points is available on the Macintosh Performa 5400 Troubleshooting page.

Technical Details

System Architecture

Sub-system	Specification
CPU	PowerPC 603e @ 120/160/180 MHz
Bus Speed	40 MHz
Data Path	64-bit
ROM	4 MB
RAM	8 MB onboard + 2× DIMM (max 136 MB)
Video	1 MB (from system RAM)
Storage	IDE hard drive, ATAPI CD-ROM, 1.44 MB floppy
Expansion	1× PCI, Comm slot, Video I/O slot, TV slot

Processor Specifications

Component	Specification
CPU	PowerPC 603e
Clock Speed	120/160/180 MHz (by model)
L1 Cache	32 KB (16 KB I + 16 KB D)
L2 Cache	256 KB (optional)
FPU	Integrated
Data Bus	64-bit
Address Bus	32-bit

See Also

• Power Macintosh 5400 – Educational version
• Performa 5500 – Successor
• Performa 6400 – Tower counterpart with same logic board