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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga community support ideas => Topic started by: wmaciv on March 13, 2018, 11:00:54 PM

Title: Simple 68040/68060 w/RAM for BigBox Amigas...
Post by: wmaciv on March 13, 2018, 11:00:54 PM
I still do not see how this has not happened yet... I would jump at something like this. No SCSI, just a really fast RAM interface to the CPU, 040/060 selectable. Maybe in the 650-750 USD range? I know Chucky has been putting a lot of love into the 3660, but the real leap is RAM local to the CPU... Modern components, cool running, and really fast, low latency RAM. To make it even cheaper, assume surface mount 128MB, non expandable... Seems like there are enough A3000/A4000's out there to make it worth while.
Title: Re: Simple 68040/68060 w/RAM for BigBox Amigas...
Post by: amiadudeorwat on March 14, 2018, 12:17:42 AM
Quote from: wmaciv;837309
I still do not see how this has not happened yet...  I would jump at something like this.  No SCSI, just a really fast RAM interface to the CPU, 040/060 selectable.  Maybe in the 650-750 USD range?  I know Chucky has been putting a lot of love into the 3660, but the real leap is RAM local to the CPU...  Modern components, cool running, and really fast, low latency RAM.  To make it even cheaper, assume surface mount 128GB, non expandable...  Seems like there are enough A3000/A4000's out there to make it worth while.

Chucky has been working a new A3660 with RAM, but 128GB is a lot!
Title: Re: Simple 68040/68060 w/RAM for BigBox Amigas...
Post by: mechy on March 14, 2018, 03:30:13 AM
Quote from: wmaciv;837309
I still do not see how this has not happened yet... I would jump at something like this. No SCSI, just a really fast RAM interface to the CPU, 040/060 selectable. Maybe in the 650-750 USD range? I know Chucky has been putting a lot of love into the 3660, but the real leap is RAM local to the CPU... Modern components, cool running, and really fast, low latency RAM. To make it even cheaper, assume surface mount 128MB, non expandable... Seems like there are enough A3000/A4000's out there to make it worth while.

I agree, but accelerators to interface with zorro3 are not a simple thing.
I disagree with no scsi, or at least faster ide/sata.. the 4k is horrible at 2-3MB/s on ide. its painful if you use any large files. But a accelerator with ram(256MB+better) would be a better than nothing.
Title: Re: Simple 68040/68060 w/RAM for BigBox Amigas...
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on March 14, 2018, 04:21:46 AM
Blows my mind that no one's done a SATA connector on an accelerator yet. The standard has existed for almost a 20 years and is a much smaller connector than either IDE or SCSI. Would make a perfect fit on an accelerator card...
Title: Re: Simple 68040/68060 w/RAM for BigBox Amigas...
Post by: nyteschayde on March 14, 2018, 04:33:37 AM
Quote from: Oldsmobile_Mike;837321
Blows my mind that no one's done a SATA connector on an accelerator yet. The standard has existed for almost a 20 years and is a much smaller connector than either IDE or SCSI. Would make a perfect fit on an accelerator card...


I completely agree. In fact, I ended up ordering one of these (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0185LC04Y/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) for use with my Vampire. Got a 40-pin variant for use with my Buddha 2018.
Title: Re: Simple 68040/68060 w/RAM for BigBox Amigas...
Post by: Oldsmobile_Mike on March 14, 2018, 04:51:59 AM
Quote from: nyteschayde;837322
I completely agree. In fact, I ended up ordering one of these (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0185LC04Y/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) for use with my Vampire. Got a 40-pin variant for use with my Buddha 2018.

Nice! Wonder if it would work on an A1200 motherboard header?
Title: Re: Simple 68040/68060 w/RAM for BigBox Amigas...
Post by: LoadWB on March 14, 2018, 05:11:50 AM
Quote from: Oldsmobile_Mike;837321
Blows my mind that no one's done a SATA connector on an accelerator yet. The standard has existed for almost a 20 years and is a much smaller connector than either IDE or SCSI. Would make a perfect fit on an accelerator card...


I catch flak for mentioning SATA when IDE-to-SATA adapters are so prevalent, SATA is more complex than IDE, the Amiga can't make full use of SATA, etc.

So, like others, I have my favorite IDE-to-SATA adapters in both 40- an 44-pin varieties which work just fine with Amiga, Solaris x86, and more.
Title: Re: Simple 68040/68060 w/RAM for BigBox Amigas...
Post by: salax54 on March 14, 2018, 09:12:24 AM
Quote from: nyteschayde;837322
I completely agree. In fact, I ended up ordering one of these (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0185LC04Y/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) for use with my Vampire. Got a 40-pin variant for use with my Buddha 2018.

I highly doubt you can use this on an Amiga, since its purpose is to convert your old IDE drive to a SATA one. The question is, where do you then plug the 'IDE-to-SATA' drive? Maybe you're talking about the exact opposite? (i don't know if the Vampire has a SATA port)
Title: Re: Simple 68040/68060 w/RAM for BigBox Amigas...
Post by: wmaciv on March 14, 2018, 10:49:37 AM
Ok, how about a fresh run of Warp Engines, 128/256MB surface mount (no SIMM sockets), simplified layout and reduced part count (more CPLD; less GAL), and instead of a classic HD interface, a CF / SD onboard with the freed up space?
Title: Re: Simple 68040/68060 w/RAM for BigBox Amigas...
Post by: trixster on March 14, 2018, 03:14:36 PM
I believe Chucky is actively working on a new revision of the A3660 with onboard fast ram.
Title: Re: Simple 68040/68060 w/RAM for BigBox Amigas...
Post by: Chucky on March 14, 2018, 04:42:25 PM
I am working on stuff.. but it sure can take time.  we have to see.. :)