The Cube motherboard was manufactured by NeXT in two different ways which affect installation. On some motherboards, the 68040 CPU was installed in a socket; on later motherboards, the CPU was soldered directly to the motherboard. Before ordering Pyro you must inspect your motherboard by removing it from the Cube. Locate the CPU with its cooling fins, and compare it to the diagram in Figure 1.
If you have a soldered CPU, upon receipt of a qualified order, we send you a specially modified motherboard with the Pyro preinstalled. You remove the memory and ROM chip from your existing motherboard following the simple included instructions, and send back your motherboard in the shipping container in which the modified board was sent. You then install the Pyro-equipped board in slot 2, one slot to the right of the original mounting location. A core deposit of $600 is required which is funded upon receipt of your original board.
If you have a socketed CPU, you have the option of ordering a motherboard swap as described above. Alternatively, we can send you simple instructions for modifying the motherboard so that it will run in the slot immediately adjacent to the factory location. This provides the required clearance for Pyro's CPU cooling fan.
LIke the Cube, Mono and Color Stations (slabs) were manufactured by NeXT in two different ways : socketed and soldered. In the first case, ordering and installation is simple. We send you the Pyro board with a special tool and instructions to remove the CPU. You mount the Pyro board in the now vacant CPU socket, and your installation is complete.
However, if your CPU is soldered, the same procedure as with the soldered Cube version must be followed. That is, we send you a motherboard with Pyro preinstalled, you swap memory and ROM chip, and return your original motherboard to us.
In ordering your Pyro, please be prepared to state the type of system(s) (Cube, Station, Color Station), and whether your CPU is socketed or soldered to the motherboard. If you have questions about determining your CPU type, please contact Spherical Solutions for instructions.
Additional quantity discounts and reseller pricing also available. Please inquire.
*Academic Price: $809.00 (10% discount), or for orders of 10 or more.