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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: mendark on April 09, 2003, 11:13:16 AM
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Hi all!
Sorry if this post is a RTMF type of thing (or n00b as PC lamers call it) but I could use some advice/help on this topic :-D
I'm the proud owner of an A4k and A3k (both desktop) which both are catching a lot of dust.
My plan was to sell the A3k and keep the A4k.
BUT then I realised that I would be better off with the A3k instead.
The only thing is which I have to scrafice is processor powerrrrrrr :-o
The A4k got an 040 and the A3k an 030. Tricky :-?
My plan was to switch daughterboards so I could fully use the A3k at max w/o buying cyberstorm etc.
Anyone got experience with this kind of swap/trick?
Will it rock? Recommendations?
Big thnx,
Mendark
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Once you crack the A3000 open with the 040 card in hand, you'll notice that you can't remove the 030 CPU from the A3000's motherboard.. :-)
Basically, if you have a flickerfixer/scandoubler + scsi adapter in your A4000, it's about as good as the A3k
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I presume the 68040 daughtercard is Commos A3640 and it fits like a glove for both machines. At least the 040 on my A4000 was on a A3640 card.
So go for it :).
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It is possible to use the standard C= A3640 CPU board from an A4000/040 in the CPU slot of an A3000 but there are a number of issues you should be aware of, in particular only certain revisions of the 3640 work well in most A3000s. There is an excelent document that used to be hosted on National Amiga explaining many of the issues, here is a link to a mirror of it (http://www.l8r.net/technical/t-a3640.shtml). It also has other useful info such as the correct motherboard jumper positions.
HTH
Robert
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Rhino said it all.
As someone who has experience of using an A3640 in an A3k, I would say to think of it first before going on.
There are problems with the thing. There are workarounds, but your system will never be 100% stable.
Do a search on google (+ groups) for A3000 and A3640.
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Hi mendark -)
The most annoying with the A3640 in an A3000 is HEAT! Huge HEAT of the 68040 will cause you multiple boredoms.
Ther is NO space in an A3000 to set up a bigger
disspator and even less for the big fan than would be necessary to keep it cool enough.
You better go for a used cyberstorm as you will get more power than the A3640, Ultra Wide SCSI and a cool 68060.
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Ok ok, thnx for the replies fellows..
I'm still not really convinced. I have to admit that I haven't opened either one of them so I really can't get it straight atm.
I also hear some different experiences.
Anyone maybe in for some other idea's expect buying new stuff?
Keep the A4k and ditch (gently!) the A3k e.g?
Thnx,
Mendark
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Why exactly do you think you'd be better off with the A3000 than the A4000? I have an A3000 myself, but sometimes I think that perhaps an A4000 would cause me less headaches, mostly because the inside of the A3000 is so incredibly cramped.
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Keeping an A4000 or an A3000 is a tough choice. :)
I have both. The A3000 is very solidly built, has built in scsi, flicker-fixer. It's biggest problem is ECS, not a big issue now if you get a graphics card. Oh and you'll need to mod your board if you want to use the UWSCSI on a CyberStorm Mk3.
The A4000 has IDE (although perhaps not the best IDE implementation) and AGA. You'll need a scandoubler/flicker fixer, but you can kind of get buy without a GFX card for a little bit...
If you manage to use the C=3640 in your A3000, you'll need to get a daughtercard for your A4000. You might be able to pick up another daughter 3640 of the 030 one that came with the 4000/30.
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There's quite some space (?) in the A3kD if you
bring out the big toolbox :-)
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Keeping an A4000 or an A3000 is a tough choice. :)
That's why I call on you my friends, my helping hand, in my time of need /Brandy *not Groove Armada*
sigh, sorry been a though day
I have both. The A3000 is very solidly built, has built in scsi, flicker-fixer. It's biggest problem is ECS, not a big issue now if you get a graphics card. Oh and you'll need to mod your board if you want to use the UWSCSI on a CyberStorm Mk3.
Mendark
I like the fact it's solid idd. I got a spare CV3D so ECS is not a problem and with flickerfixer so the A4k's output is neither a problem. Confusing.
If you manage to use the C=3640 in your A3000, you'll need to get a daughtercard for your A4000. You might be able to pick up another daughter 3640 of the 030 one that came with the 4000/30.
My idea was to just switch them. So the A3k got the 040 and the A4k get the 030.
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The stonkin' classic model to own is the A3000T!
(http://www.zimmers.net/cbmpics/cbm/amiga/a3000t.gif)
Big pic (http://www.amigis.nl/images/tower.jpg)
3000, 3000UX, & 3000T (http://www.zimmers.net/cbmpics/ca3000.html)
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You can't switch the "daughterboards". The A3000 has the CPU and FPU soldered onto the motherboard directly. AFAIK, only some of the A3000T's and the prototype (A3000's that had the DSP and AGA on them) didn't have the CPU on the motherboard. Although you might have to check it out for yourself.
The one big problem with the A3000 is that you need to take the whole thing apart to get to the ram, cpu slot, buster, ROM chips.
The A3000 also uses ZIP chips for ram, the A4000 has SIMM slots. ZIPs are a pain to find, a pain to put in. Both systems top up at 16 megs fast so you'll need to look at an accelerator board with SIMM slots on them if you want more. (The 3640 houses only the CPU, nothing else.)
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sdesros wrote:
You can't switch the "daughterboards". The A3000 has the CPU and FPU soldered onto the motherboard directly. AFAIK, only some of the A3000T's and the prototype (A3000's that had the DSP and AGA on them) didn't have the CPU on the motherboard. Although you might have to check it out for yourself.
The A3000 and the A4000 has the exact same cpu-lot (well most A3ks don't have the INT-2 but thats easy to fix). Yes the 68030 is soldered onto the mobo but is automatically disabled when you use the cpu-slot.
One really nice thing about the A3000 is that almost everything on the mobo is socketed, thus no need for soldering when upgrading/repairing.
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Sorry, need to reword this. ;) I know that the A3000 and A4000 share the same CPU slot (save for one missing connection required for the CSMKIII/PPC SCSI controller). I've used both, and have swapped several accelerators between both. :P It's just that an A3000 running with the default 030 configuration usually has it's CPU on the motherboard so there is no daughterboard that can be swapped out.
Mendark will need to get another daughterboard for his A4000. After hearing horror stories with trying to fit A3640's in A3000D's, I would recommend that Mendark try and get his hand on another accelerator board for his A3000. Possibly with the money he gets from selling his A4000.
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sdesros wrote:
Sorry, need to reword this. ;) I know that the A3000 and A4000 share the same CPU slot (save for one missing connection required for the CSMKIII/PPC SCSI controller). I've used both, and have swapped several accelerators between both. :P It's just that an A3000 running with the default 030 configuration usually has it's CPU on the motherboard so there is no daughterboard that can be swapped out.
Mendark will need to get another daughterboard for his A4000. After hearing horror stories with trying to fit A3640's in A3000D's, I would recommend that Mendark try and get his hand on another accelerator board for his A3000. Possibly with the money he gets from selling his A4000.
ah! :-)
I should have read that more carefully!
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Hmmm.. First of all is the A3k a 25 or a 16 mhz.
If its a 25mhz then don't bother with the A3640.
My A3k is a 25mhz and I added the A3640 card.
The A3640 runs at 25mhz. There is a little gain
from the card but not that much to bother with.
As for the 16mhz machine, the A3640 card helps
quite a bit. The a3640 card in a 16mhz is worth
while.
I glued a large HeatSink to the 040 chip and mine
hasn't given me any trouble. Its stable.
And when installing the A3640 card in an A3k,
first make sure its the correct version, and
the correct roms and get the correct jumper
settings.
The A3640 card won't work with Version 37 roms.
Its best with 3.1 roms.
Blow the dust out of the machine and clean the
fan in the power supply.
Mel Ott