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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: HardStep on June 18, 2006, 06:42:06 PM

Title: PCI busboards, A1200 options?
Post by: HardStep on June 18, 2006, 06:42:06 PM

Hi,
as my spare brand new A1200 seems to be functional, i started wondering about getting her towered and get a PCI busboard (as well as PCI gpx, sound, network boards etc).
So, as i understand, there are Mediator and G-Rex available right now. Can anyone pin out pros and cons of these boards?
Also, next step, which Voodoo card is the best one and supported by Amiga as well?
Thanks.

Title: Re: PCI busboards, A1200 options?
Post by: Amigaz on June 18, 2006, 06:52:37 PM

Have heard that G-Rex is suppose to have faster PCI bus than Mediator.
But Mediator have better driver support more more PCI cards.
IMHO Voodoo 3 is the best gfx card, Voodoo 5 will only give you 16mb more graphics memory an incompatibilities with some games like Nightlong and Earth 2140 (weird colours in the games)

Title: Re: PCI busboards, A1200 options?
Post by: humppa on June 18, 2006, 06:58:51 PM

Unless you consider to buy second hand: The Mediator-series is still being produced/sold while the G-Rex has been discontinued

Title: Re: PCI busboards, A1200 options?
Post by: CLS2086 on June 18, 2006, 08:15:58 PM

But Mediator have better driver support more more PCI cards.
-> Not so true, Grex gets better performances since ages for videos and highier reliability in 68k/Warp3D/PPC/Mos PUP mode. And there are some drivers bonus with MorphOS (100Mbps, SB,...).
Under AOS, the best card for 3D is the Voodoo 3-3000 (not the 3-2000).
Under AOS, the best card for 2D are the chip card based on the Permedia2 (like the bppc)
Under MOS (GREX only), it's the Voodoo 3-3000 (but the 5-5500 is sightly faster but need to tweak for 15/16 BE/LE modes).
I have no echos about a real GREX and Mediator support for AOS4, some said it works some said it doesn"t.
Mediator only support it specific USB cards with it's excellent past history of RDB killer, but you can choose the safety way : subway on clockport (seems to work well on MOS).
But for GREX you'll need to find a compatible BPPC rev0 or a rev2, that's the hardest side of the thing. But it still cheaper that a second hand Mediator.
 :lol:

Title: Re: PCI busboards, A1200 options?
Post by: doctorq on June 18, 2006, 08:31:36 PM

What does it help that a G-Rex is cheaper, if you don't have the supported Blizzard PPC already? Will just make it a rather expensive experience.

Title: Re: PCI busboards, A1200 options?
Post by: Comi on June 18, 2006, 10:24:58 PM

 Mediator 1200 SX, best option!

Title: Re: PCI busboards, A1200 options?
Post by: amigakit on June 18, 2006, 11:06:21 PM

The GRex isn't available anymore as it is a discontinued product but we have Mediator busboards in stock now:

However the Mediator SX (http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=329) is, this is 6-slot PCI and can be used with an ATX PSU.

The smaller Mediator LT4 (http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=330) is 4-slot PCI

The latest tower to use the Mediator range with is the D-Box 1200 (http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=307) tower system