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Offline BuzzfuzzTopic starter

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A500 ++ Prototype
« on: May 30, 2010, 12:34:45 AM »
Because some people here wanted some more info on the project done by Amiga-Digital, I asked if I could put it up here with a little translation from the Dutch Amigascene.nl site to here.
 
So what is this project about ?
Well his goal is to build a board that fits into an A500 housing and performs like an A500, with the added speed of an 68030.
Because of compatibility he has chosen for a SCSI controller.
The memory will be 4MB's, but later on the exact same banks of an A4000, so 16MB 32bit, will be added.
 
So if all goes well you should have a monster A500 with the speeds and memory of the A4000 and on top of that it will have a Zorro II slot, for expansion like a modified Picasso card.
However it's going to take some more time to actually get the proto board up and running, it's still a long way from actually being finished.
 

 
We already had a discussion on modern hardware, like DDR ram as with the Zorram or SATA, but that simply wouldn't work with the chips.
And if those where to be added it would need a lot more space, and the goal is still to leave it in an A500 housing.
However a SCSI > SATA adapter can be used.
As for memory, a Zorro II card could be added for another 8MB or more, but getting it all fitted in the A500 housing will become a challenge.
 
Believe me, I've seen the board like this with my very own eyes.
And we all can't wait to start testing :)
 
Now before everyone goes, where can i get this, the first few boards are going to be very limited for testing and Netherlands only.
Once the second version comes out, it might, pay attention MIGHT, go international, but it's still is up to him.
 
I will keep you all updated on this.
« Last Edit: May 30, 2010, 12:37:04 AM by Buzzfuzz »
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Offline Astral

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Re: A500 ++ Prototype
« Reply #1 on: May 30, 2010, 12:40:34 AM »
WOW! All these projects underway, being developed and released in the last few years - it really is a fantastic time to be in the Amiga scene!

I just had to check it wasn't April 1st :D
 

Offline cv643d

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Re: A500 ++ Prototype
« Reply #2 on: May 30, 2010, 12:52:30 AM »
Great project and great idea! Thanks for sharing.

I was just thinking so much work put into this project, off course the whole world WILL need access to it :)

At least make it open source or something so some company can produce it if I wont be able to buy one in the future.
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Offline BuzzfuzzTopic starter

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Re: A500 ++ Prototype
« Reply #3 on: May 30, 2010, 01:07:59 AM »
Quote from: Astral;561975
WOW! All these projects underway, being developed and released in the last few years - it really is a fantastic time to be in the Amiga scene!
 
I just had to check it wasn't April 1st :D

No it's no joke and you aren't dreaming :D
I've actually been thinking about a enhanced 060/PPC card, but I will need to get a Cyberstorm first for that, and it ain't easy.
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Offline Amiga_Nut

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Re: A500 ++ Prototype
« Reply #4 on: May 30, 2010, 01:31:52 AM »
Shame there isn't a similar project for the A1000. Good luck with it anyway though :)
 

Offline B00tDisk

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Re: A500 ++ Prototype
« Reply #5 on: May 30, 2010, 01:57:02 AM »
Quote from: Amiga_Nut;561981
Shame there isn't a similar project for the A1000. Good luck with it anyway though :)


what
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Offline Zac67

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Re: A500 ++ Prototype
« Reply #6 on: May 30, 2010, 12:21:24 PM »
I appreciate the enthusiasm but can't understand why they don't go AGA while they're at it...
 

Offline Karlos

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Re: A500 ++ Prototype
« Reply #7 on: May 30, 2010, 12:35:06 PM »
Quote from: Zac67;562032
I appreciate the enthusiasm but can't understand why they don't go AGA while they're at it...


Looking at that image, it looks like the OCS/ECS chips are to be transplanted from an existing A500/500+. That's not quite so easy to do on your AGA A1200 where the custom chips are all SMD.
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guest7146

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Re: A500 ++ Prototype
« Reply #8 on: May 30, 2010, 01:14:45 PM »
A very nice project indeed, please do keep us all updated! Very interesting!

AH.
 

Offline Zac67

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Re: A500 ++ Prototype
« Reply #9 on: May 30, 2010, 02:01:59 PM »
Quote from: Karlos;562034
Looking at that image, it looks like the OCS/ECS chips are to be transplanted from an existing A500/500+. That's not quite so easy to do on your AGA A1200 where the custom chips are all SMD.


Considering the necessary cost and effort they're facing, AGA wouldn't be adding too much to it. But then again, why not taking a 1200 plus '030 board in the first place?:juggler:
 

Offline mongo

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Re: A500 ++ Prototype
« Reply #10 on: May 30, 2010, 02:04:11 PM »
Why do a whole new motherboard when an 030 accelerator for an existing A500 would serve the same purpose for a much lower cost?
 

Offline mfilos

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Re: A500 ++ Prototype
« Reply #11 on: May 30, 2010, 02:12:01 PM »
030 accelerators for A500 are not so common and manage to sell at silly prices due to that.
Apart from that, making a new mobo (if it works) make's sure you got new hardware (with less possibilities of failing), embedded accelerator (plus RAM, or even IDE header etc), Zorro adapter inside etc. Try finding an Viper 530 first... in a decent price second :)

As you say it might be cheaper to find an 030 for A500 plus an A500 also... but DAMN that mobo is l33t and hurray for new Classic Amiga hardware @ 2010!!!
« Last Edit: May 30, 2010, 02:20:53 PM by mfilos »
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Offline Jakodemus

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Re: A500 ++ Prototype
« Reply #12 on: May 30, 2010, 02:13:47 PM »
Quote from: mongo;562049
Why do a whole new motherboard when an 030 accelerator for an existing A500 would serve the same purpose for a much lower cost?


Why do anything at all when you will always end up dying sooner or later? Maybe they are doing this just for fun?
 

guest7146

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Re: A500 ++ Prototype
« Reply #13 on: May 30, 2010, 02:30:36 PM »
Quote from: Jakodemus;562052
Why do anything at all when you will always end up dying sooner or later? Maybe they are doing this just for fun?

+1
 

Offline mongo

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Re: A500 ++ Prototype
« Reply #14 on: May 30, 2010, 03:40:38 PM »
Quote from: mfilos;562051
030 accelerators for A500 are not so common and manage to sell at silly prices due to that.
Apart from that, making a new mobo (if it works) make's sure you got new hardware (with less possibilities of failing), embedded accelerator (plus RAM, or even IDE header etc), Zorro adapter inside etc. Try finding an Viper 530 first... in a decent price second :)

As you say it might be cheaper to find an 030 for A500 plus an A500 also... but DAMN that mobo is l33t and hurray for new Classic Amiga hardware @ 2010!!!


You've missed the point.

Instead of designing a whole new motherboard, it would be better to just design a 030 accelerator for the A500. That way they could sell it for a much more reasonable cost and far more people would be willing to buy it.

No reason to do a whole new motherboard if the new motherboard doesn't offer you any benefit over the old motherboard + an accelerator.