in case you are interested to test new fpga accelerators for a600/a500

[IanP]

There is a version of the FPGA board that is 4 times bigger, so space for logic/features will not be an issue for those prepared to pay for it.

[guest11527]

so, thomas, in your opinion is gunnars design sufficient for a full blown core with fpu and with some sort of mmu eventually?

Well, I'm not an FPGA expert, so it's hard to judge. But from the size of the FPGA, it should be sufficient for these functions. However, this still means that somebody has to implement them.

[xboxOwn]

the card has LAN and a modern video output and it is promised that there will be RTG and a new improved amiga chipset added. At the start it is a accellerator with 128 MB RAM.

Is the new improved Amiga chipset something like Super AGA or something better than OCS/ECS/AGA but along the line of new improved custom chipset? Will it be backward compatible with OCS/ECS/AGA?

If we make games on the new improved custom chipset does that mean it will not run on Amiga CD 32/A500/1200/etc that do not have this chipset installed in their system?

Thank you OlafS3 for answering below. I will have the money ready on 26th and wish to preorder it. I will buy this card over ACA1233 (originally was intending on buying the ACA1233). How do I go about doing it?

[OlafS3]

Is the new improved Amiga chipset something like Super AGA or something better than OCS/ECS/AGA but along the line of new improved custom chipset? Will it be backward compatible with OCS/ECS/AGA?

If we make games on the new improved custom chipset does that mean it will not run on Amiga CD 32/A500/1200/etc that do not have this chipset installed in their system?

As I understand it the chipset is planned to be backward compatible and also with more advanced features. But I am not involved there so it is better gunnar answers that.

[kolla]

I do hope people realize these are developer boards, not really meant as end user products yet.

[Lurch]

the card has LAN and a modern video output and it is promised that there will be RTG and a new improved amiga chipset added. At the start it is a accellerator with 128 MB RAM.

Which from what I was reading can be enabled over time with firmware updates as the hardware is all there just not enabled?

Would like to be part of this if I can as it is about time a good accelerator appeared especially with the tech that is available now.

The price is spot on too, anyway will hurry up and wait. Hopefully they will sort out their forum or allow interest to be taken here.

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

I do hope people realize these are developer boards, not really meant as end user products yet.

Well, I like to assume that people have a reading comprehension above 3rd grade level, but probably best not to assume.  

The purpose of the production run is to enable more developers to  write drivers  - and to enable testers to better test for full 68020  compatiblity. This is NOT a sales run for normal customers.
The cards will be provided with programming cable.
The developers are expected to update the card regularly.

The  cards will be produced for the developers/testers for participation fee  on the production run. I expect this cost to be in the range of about  150 %&$#?@!%&$#?@!%&$#?@!8364; total.

So, they're for people willing to test the hardware, as well as developers.  I think several of us would fall squarely into that "tester" category.  

[OlafS3]

Which from what I was reading can be enabled over time with firmware updates as the hardware is all there just not enabled?

Would like to be part of this if I can as it is about time a good accelerator appeared especially with the tech that is available now.

The price is spot on too, anyway will hurry up and wait. Hopefully they will sort out their forum or allow interest to be taken here.

it will be updated over time. As someone already mentioned it is about developer boards to have more people testing and developing for it (like drivers). There will be updates over time. At the start it is accellerator with 128 MB RAM, other features will be added later.

I have left a comment there regarding registration problems and a link to this thread

[kolla]

So, they're for people willing to test the hardware, as well as developers.  I think several of us would fall squarely into that "tester" category.  

As long as you don't have too high expectations and are able to produce feedback that is usefull, sure. I see it mentioned here that RTG is promised - nothing is promised, everything is hopefully coming.

[Lurch]

Unexpected-Error: We are unable to activate your account.
For further assistance please contact us at info@natami.net

Still not working.

@OlafS3 Thanks for your help, hopefully we'll here some good news.

@kolla No expectations other than it's a fast card with 128MB RAM at this stage.

[biggun]

I'm talking about the vampire 2. That's "a bit bigger", but not much. Doubtful whether that's enough headroom for any extra. If you pick a completely different FPGA, sure, but there's no MMU design Gunnar has made. There are larger caches, superscalar cores and so on, but none that would feature a MMU for example.

Hello everbody.



First of all :  ALL FORUM ACCOUNT ARE NOW ACTIVATED.
So if you did sign up, you can use the account now.


2nd - if you ever have need to support - please visit the IRC channel.
There is always someone around..


3rd Lets quickly compare the cards to get a better overview.

The VAMPIRE-600-2 is product for the A600
It has a faster and bigger FPGA than the VAMPIRE-600-1.
Its a pure CPU Card. It will be pure Integer.
The maximum expected performance that we have for with
this card is something in the ballpark of a 100 MHz 68060.
But no guarantee for this yet.



The C5 Apollo Phoenix Card is a develop card for a program in the  Apollo website.
If has a much bigger FPGA. A lot more performane is here expected.
The C5 card has room for FPU.
But will be first deliveared with an Integer core.
The C5 is NOT available for end users - its a pure tester and developer program we want to do.

[wawrzon]

i must say im very tempted to find somewhere an a600 again, register at the apollo forum and get a test run board, even theough i swore myself tot to buy any more amiga rubbish () any soon, still im not sure if i can contribute much to testing, let alone the development. on the other hand, he more testers, the more current.

gunnar, when is the deadline one has to made up their mind?

[alphadec]

Hello everbody.

The C5 is NOT available for end users - its a pure tester and developer program we want to do.

So, to be a tester is there anyone special you are looking for or can anyone become a tester. ?

[Lurch]

Thanks biggun, managed to logon today. Hopefully I get to be involved.

[wawrzon]

errrm, guys, even being op in this thread, silly question, how have you managed to register?
im seriously starting to think about getting another a600;)

[OlafS3]

errrm, guys, even being op in this thread, silly question, how have you managed to register?
im seriously starting to think about getting another a600;)

A500 or A600

If the register not works Gunnar has another homepage and the email there should work. I do not know if the email on the register page works now or not. It seems there was a problem. If you have a problem I could also leave a message on the apollo core forum.