Apple 820-0972-A G3 Mac PowerPC PCI Sound Card 343S0241-B Audio 1997-1998

Apple 820-0972-A G3 Mac PowerPC PCI Sound Card 343S0241-B Audio 1997-1998

The Apple 820-0972-A is an internal PCI sound card designed for the Apple Power Mac G3 line of PowerPC-based desktop computers. Built around Apple's proprietary 343S0241-B audio controller ASIC, it provides analog audio output and input through a machined aluminum rear bracket, integrating cleanly into the G3's expansion bay. The board is copyright-marked Apple Computer, Inc. 1997–1998, placing it squarely in the Power Mac G3 (Blue and White or Beige G3) era.

Specifications & What's Included

• Part Number: 820-0972-A
• Audio Controller Chip: Apple 343S0241-B (Apple proprietary audio ASIC)
• Board Copyright: Apple Computer, Inc. © 1997, 1998
• Interface: PCI (standard PCI edge connector)
• Rear Bracket Connectors: 2x 3.5mm analog audio jacks (line-out / headphone and line-in)
• Additional port on bracket: modem/phone-style port (left side of bracket)
• Internal Connectors: CD-audio header and ribbon/internal expansion connector on PCB
• Form Factor: Full-height PCI card with integrated aluminum rear bracket
• PCB: Green, multi-layer with SMD components
• Included: Card only — no cables or accessories

Applications

The Apple 820-0972-A was designed specifically for Apple Power Mac G3 desktop systems running on the PowerPC platform. These integrated sound cards were the primary audio interface for G3 towers in the late 1990s, providing analog audio output for speakers and headphones as well as line-level input for recording. The internal CD-audio header allowed direct connection to the optical drive for CD audio playback. Today this card is sought by collectors and technicians restoring or maintaining period-correct Power Mac G3 systems, where original Apple hardware ensures full driver and hardware compatibility under classic Mac OS and early Mac OS X. The G3 tower was Apple's workhorse desktop of the 1997–1999 era, bridging the transition from the older 604e-based Power Mac systems to the eventual G4 line.