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Author Topic: Why doesn't the AmigaOne just include the custom chips?  (Read 4573 times)

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  • Guest
Why doesn't the AmigaOne just include the custom chips?
« on: November 05, 2002, 01:44:43 AM »
Wouldn't it be easier to engineer the mobo with the chips already onboard, as opposed to building an interface for the 'classic' mobo's.  It would certainly eliminate any compatibility issues that the A1 might with older boards.  
The only reason I can think of is cost, but how much could those older chips cost?

Anyway, maybe someone can set me straight on this.
 

  • Guest
Re: Why doesn't the AmigaOne just include the custom chips?
« Reply #1 on: November 05, 2002, 01:47:50 AM »
Because it would destroy the value of the motherboard.

It would be much, much better to put the custom chips on a pci card that would integrate itself into the motherboard.

As a matter of a fact.

That is the only sensible way to do it.
 

Offline hnl_dk

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Re: Why doesn't the AmigaOne just include the custom chips?
« Reply #2 on: November 05, 2002, 02:00:28 AM »
I would like "ECS on PCI"-card, that would be nice :-D

I don't want AGA, I want ECS :-D

Who has the IP for the ECS chips???

Maybe they could combine it into one chip, might make it 64/128/256bit but remain the compatibility :-o
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Henning Nielsen Lund [Denmark]...
 

Offline Argo

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Re: Why doesn't the AmigaOne just include the custom chips?
« Reply #3 on: November 05, 2002, 02:04:02 AM »
And where would you get these mystical custom chips?
 

Offline SlimJim

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Re: Why doesn't the AmigaOne just include the custom chips?
« Reply #4 on: November 05, 2002, 02:16:01 AM »
Is that AOne <--> A1200 interface still planned? I
have an A1200 just lying here...
.
SlimJim
 

  • Guest
Re: Why doesn't the AmigaOne just include the custom chips?
« Reply #5 on: November 05, 2002, 02:52:17 AM »
I think he's talking about an 'integrated' board?..
I thought of that myself...if the A1 where built like one of the P3 era HP-Asus boards.

Integrated

Sound
video
Ethernet
etc

but it had AGP/PCI slots on it aswell...
That is 'kinda' how the classic amiga was and I thought it might make game dev easier/etc.

custom chips on a PCI card would be great though...that would be really cool...
 

Offline T_Bone

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Re: Why doesn't the AmigaOne just include the custom chips?
« Reply #6 on: November 05, 2002, 03:45:17 AM »
Quote

SlimJim wrote:
Is that AOne <--> A1200 interface still planned? I
have an A1200 just lying here...
.
SlimJim


You mean that bridgeboard that was to connect the AmigaONE to a legacy A1200/A4000? hehehe....

They havent talked about THAT since just before the "dark silent period 2001" and havent talked about it since the TeronCX replaced the AmigaOldONE.

Usually when something has been cancelled, it doesn't get talked about... at all.  :-o
this space for rent
 

Offline DethKnight

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Re: Why doesn't the AmigaOne just include the custom chips?
« Reply #7 on: November 05, 2002, 04:32:32 AM »
ummm
Didn't Mick Tinker already try this concept

"amiga chipset on a pci card"

siamese pci or whatever they called it
wanted; NONfunctional A3K keyboard wanted
 

Offline Argo

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Re: Why doesn't the AmigaOne just include the custom chips?
« Reply #8 on: November 05, 2002, 04:41:33 AM »
yeah, The Siamese Inside Out card. I believe he was having to redesign the AGA chipset as, well, they are not made any more...
 

Offline ShadesOfGrey

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Re: Why doesn't the AmigaOne just include the custom chips?
« Reply #9 on: November 05, 2002, 05:33:24 AM »
Yup.  Both the BoXer and SiamesePCI/InsideOut card were based on the AA+ chip set designed by Mick Tinker.  I'm not certain, but the AA+ may have died along with the BoXer and Anti-Gravity...

Anybody know fo sure???

Anyway, it would be the ideal solution.  IIRC, it's conceivable it could have provided 100% compatibility for the OCS, ECS, and AGA/AA chip sets...  Not to mention it's own additions, plus fact it could/would have been software upgradeable too.
Unless otherwise explicitly stated, this message is not meant to affirm nor deny, defend nor offend any faction within the \\\'Amiga\\\' Community.
 

Offline Marky_D_Sahd

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Re: Why doesn
« Reply #10 on: November 05, 2002, 06:39:54 AM »
re: Cost of reinventing antique chips:

1.  Find present chip manufacturer willing to waste vast amounts of time for little return or start up your own company.

2.  Ramp-up costs

3. Quality control and testing

4. production begins on 15 year old technology because, fer shur, Paula really does sound better than the latest Sound Blaster, and a naked AGA set looks soooooo much better than a Voodoo card display.

Price: Overwhelming.  Returns:  Next to none.  Usefullness: Questionable

Hey, this is a NEW Amiga!  Get used to it.
Now featuring new and improved G4 AmigaOne, with Mozilla!
 

Offline whabang

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Re: Why doesn
« Reply #11 on: November 05, 2002, 07:12:51 AM »
Yeah, but it would still be cool!!!
Beating the dead horse since 2002.
 

  • Guest
Re: Why doesn't the AmigaOne just include the custom chips?
« Reply #12 on: November 05, 2002, 08:08:08 AM »
I don't see how manufacturing the old chips would be a problem.  All the necessary logic could now be contained on a single die, and I doubt any semiconductor company would turn down a paying contract.  If that is the case, though, it could be done easily on a PLD, although that would increase the cost of the mobo by about US$60.  The old chips could always be recycled, too, but I guess that's not practical.
Anyway, I guess it's kind of a moot point anyway if the A1 is indeed intended to be a 'fresh start' for the hardware.
 I'm not yet up to date on what's been going on with the Amiga (a lot has happened since my A500 days, and it's a bit confusing), but I was under the impression that we wouldn't see a completely new hardware philosophy until OS5.  I guess I was mistaken.  
Of, course at this rate we won't see OS5 until 2010, so I guess the A1 will be around for a while, and  I guess it wouldn't be good to saddle it with 'legacy' hardware.

And yes, I realize I do a lot of 'guessing' but that's because I don't want to sound like a know-it-all.  This really isn't my area of expertise (yet) but I have at least a passing understanding of computer electronics.
 

Offline Minion

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Re: Why doesn't the AmigaOne just include the custom chips?
« Reply #13 on: November 05, 2002, 08:40:03 AM »
I doubt that Amiga inc would be willing to risk appx £40,000 to design the chip, and another £40,000 to start production, and about £60 per chip.  If you like OCS/ECS/AGA so much then buy a classic amiga.
Good judgement comes from experience.  Experience comes from bad judgement.
 

Offline Doobrey

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Re: Why doesn't the AmigaOne just include the custom chips?
« Reply #14 on: November 05, 2002, 04:58:15 PM »
It`s not just the cost of producing new custom chips..
Where the hell would they plug into the A1?
As for sticking them on a PCI card, there are precious few slots on it as it is.

On schedule, and suing