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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: Rod_cl on November 02, 2005, 02:08:29 PM
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Hi:
ne1 has already bought a Mediator PCI 4000Di and uses it with the original A4000d case? Any problems?
Saludos
Rod
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Big problem; at least for me: No videoslot....
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So if you have a flicker fixer, and don't mind the card poking out of the case, you might be better off with a Promethius ?
:idea: :idea:
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No videoslot ???
Quote from Elbox site :
Features:
• 4 PCI slots (PCI 2.1 compatible)
• 3 Zorro III/II slots
• 66/33MHz PCI clock (transfer rate up to 264MB/s)
• 32-bit PCI datapath
• 4GB PCI memory space
• Busmastering/DMA in all PCI slots
• SDRAM/SGRAM of PCI gfx card as a fast DMA buffer
• DMA to A4000 motherboard space
• Address and data parity control support
• Interrupt controller (4 lines to each PCI card)
• Compatibility with all A4000 processor card models
• Simultaneous operation of up to four PCI and up to three Zorro III/II cards
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@ Effy
Your point being ?????
I don't see any mention of a standard Amiga video slot suitable for the A2320!
It may not be the best for an A4000, but if ya got it - use it.
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I really didn´t know that you can´t use a videoslot anymore with this busboard ...
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@Effy
You are aware that the video slot is a part of the Zorro busboard right?
The Mediator PCI 4000D has a video slot, it's the black one on the same side as the PCI slots.
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The videoslot is NOT part of the Zorro bus. Its inline with a Zorro socket but totally indipendent.
In the Madiator 4000Di, is not present at all.
@Rod_cl
the only problem with the 4000Di, is a lack on the power lines, in some heavy setup. (not having a separate Power plug, like the Mediator bus 4000D have)
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Double post, Sorry!
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@Framiga
I meant part of the Zorro busboard, as in it is installed on the actual Commodore Zorro busboard.
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@bludger
The Prometheus pci busboard can work in an A4000D with the case closed but you need some right-angle pci adaptors to make the pci cards fit. One of these should be the flexible ribbon-cable type if you plan to add a Voodoo3 card. Redrumloa did a nice 'how-to' about this subject maybe a year ago. This way you still have a couple ZIII slots and video slot available from the original busboard and a couple pci slots for let's say a Voodoo3 and a cheap pci ethernet card. One thing though, I suggest adding a good size internal fan on the busboard side of the A4000 because the Voodoo generates a lot of warmth.
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ah OK doctorq, sorry :-)
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Is the Prometheus a good board? What type of cards are supported?
Rod
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I recently ordered a Mediator 4000Di but it has not arrived yet.
The missing video slot did not bother me too much. Most video slot scandoublers don't work properly with the 4000's AGA or they don't fit the case properly. I had a Amber in my 4000 for a bit. Find an external or internal scandoubler instead. It's not even a problem with the OS 3.9 bb2 rom update that allows vga output during early startup.
If you have a Picasso IV w. SD,you'll probably moving to a cheaper PCI video card anyway. It only eliminates use of the Video toaster and older cards (Opal, IV24) that use the video slot.
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Rod_cl wrote:
Is the Prometheus a good board? What type of cards are supported?
Rod
My Prometheus has treated me well. Driver support isn't nearly as comprehensive as the Mediator. I think it's pretty much limited to video card and 10Mbit ethernet at the moment. Theoretically you should be able to use a certain sound card using the OpenPCI drivers, but supposedly it doesn't work at with the Prometheus at the moment. OpenPCI has a couple of other drivers, don't know if they work with the Prometheus though.
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How about G-Rex? Does it have a video slot?
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I don't believe the G-Rex replaces the Zorro busboard. It actually attaches to the PCI bus on a Cyberstorm MK III or Cyberstorm PPC. I have no idea how it actually mounts in the machine though.
It seems to have similar driver support to the Prometheus, but it has the advantage of being the fastest PCI busboard for classic Amigas because the data doesn't have to go over the slow Zorro bus.
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@MskoDestny:
The G-Rex both replaces the Zorro daughterboard and connects to the CSPPC/MK3 :). It also lets you keep the video port.
/Patrik
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spavatch wrote:
How about G-Rex? Does it have a video slot?
Yes; it does.
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patrik wrote:
The G-Rex both replaces the Zorro daughterboard and connects to the CSPPC/MK3 :). It also lets you keep the video port.
I stand corrected. I'd love to get my hands on one. Too bad MK3s and CSPPCs are out of my budget.
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Anybody know if there are any GRex's in the world still for sale? Looks like a powerful piece of kit for the A4000D.
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I'm thinking of buying one for myself :-) (for about $175 or 150 Euro for used one). Is it worth the money? Or in other words - if you were in my shoes would you buy G-Rex?
Or rather the Mediator? :-?
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That really depends. Do you need support for the extra devices supported by the Mediator? Do you have an appropriate Cyberstorm card (they're quite expensive). How important is having the fastest PCI busboard?
For me personally, if I had a CS MKIII or CSPPC I would definately buy one, but I can't justify the cost at the moment (which is why I bought a Prometheus instead).
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The G-Rex 4000D is actually the cheapest busboard I can get today. I don't know what's the price of Prometheus but it's sure cheaper than Mediator 4000Di. The G-Rex however is a used unit but it seems to be a minor drawback since I'll get a 6 month warranty along with it.
So... is it worth that 150 Euro? That's 25 Euro less than a new Mediator...
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I seem to remember getting my Prometheus for around $100 or so maybe a little more since I got it with a Voodoo 3 and RTL-8029 ethernet card, but that was in some kind of blowout sale.
The price I couldn't justify was for a Cyberstorm accelerator which is required to use a G-Rex 4000. You need either the MK III or PPC version both of which cost quite a bit more than 150 Euro just by themselves.
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MskoDestny wrote:
The price I couldn't justify was for a Cyberstorm accelerator which is required to use a G-Rex 4000. You need either the MK III or PPC version both of which cost quite a bit more than 150 Euro just by themselves.
I agree with you, buying both Cyberstorm PPC and G-Rex is very expensive indeed, but try to put yourself in my shoes. I have to upgrade anyway (A3640 inside...), so what are my options? Cyberstorm MkIII is almost as deer as the PPC version and going for half-the-price option called WarpEngine 040/40 is rather pointless, don't you think?
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@spavatch
If you don't own a Cyberstorm already, you're probably better off with the Mediator or better yet, a second hand Prometheus. There are other 68060 cards for the A4000 other that the Cyberstorm (e.g. GVP, Apollo, Macrosystem??). The Mediator will be slower but even if you did own a Cyberstorm, there's always a risk doing the flash update to the eeprom necessary to make the GRex operate, imho......
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@Effy
I have one Mediator4000Di AND IT DOESN'T HAVE VIDEO SLOT. I find it slightly annoying. I have a Prometheus too and at the moment don't count on more drivers than Ethernet10 and Voodoo3. Mediator would be better with a Video Slot but if you use an A1200 scandoubler/flickerfixer it's ok
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Crumb wrote:
@Effy
I have one Mediator4000Di AND IT DOESN'T HAVE VIDEO SLOT. I find it slightly annoying. I have a Prometheus too and at the moment don't count on more drivers than Ethernet10 and Voodoo3. Mediator would be better with a Video Slot but if you use an A1200 scandoubler/flickerfixer it's ok
There's a new bit of firmware to fix a DMA bug of some sort that allows the OpenPCI FM-801 sound card driver to work. Unfortunately, it's only in some form of beta test and there has been no announcement about when users will be able to send their boards in for reflashing.