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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: fatman2021 on June 20, 2003, 07:37:42 PM

Title: A500 ISA/PCI Expansion Boards
Post by: fatman2021 on June 20, 2003, 07:37:42 PM
Looking for A500 ISA/PCI expansion boards.
Title: Re: A500 ISA/PCI Expansion Boards
Post by: Jose on June 20, 2003, 08:16:23 PM
I was obcessed with the A500 once. If you wanna build an overexpanded one, get the CPU adaptor slot from Mikronic. Some years ago they made an adaptor that allows you to use A2000 CPU cards. As for PCI adaptors don't remember any for the A500, but maybe there was one for the A2000, so you'd have to use the CPU slot adaptor for the A2000 and then the PCI adaptor (but I'm not sure if anything for the A2000 existed, or if it'd work this way).
You'll of course need a tower to put the A500 motherboard.
Ok, what I should've told you in the begining before you got excited, was that the A2000 is more limited in capabilities than an A3/4000, and you'll spend lots and lots of cash with wich you could buy much better stuff for say an A1200.  
Title: Re: A500 ISA/PCI Expansion Boards
Post by: vortexau on June 21, 2003, 08:25:26 PM
fatman2021 told us:
Quote
Looking for A500 ISA/PCI expansion boards.

Somehow, that appears to be as difficult a quest as seeking ZorroII Boards for a SX486!?!
Title: Re: A500 ISA/PCI Expansion Boards
Post by: Cyberus on June 22, 2003, 12:36:12 AM
Jose said:
Quote
I was obcessed with the A500 once


I currently have a bit of an A500 obsession. I think perhaps its those childhood memories....

What I would like to do is to get hold of one of those Viper 530 expansions, with IDE, SCSI-II and 030 processor. Hmm, that would be a useable little machine...
Anyone got one they want to sell me  :-D
Title: Re: A500 ISA/PCI Expansion Boards
Post by: Matt_H on June 22, 2003, 03:43:52 AM
@ Cyberus

Personally, I still stand behind the GVP A530. Hard drive, SCSI, RAM, 030, and a disable switch (plus a separate kichswitcher) for 1.3 fallback. Only downside is that it maxes out at 8Mb. Can the Viper do more?

@ fatman2021

ISA expansion? You can get Zorro and ISA expansion for the A500, but you'll need a bridgeboard and such items are extremely rare now. To the best of my knowledge, A500 PCI expansion does not exist. If you're into hardware design, you could probably build a video slot for the 500, plug in a Picasso IV, and then try to expand the mini-PCI bus on that, but I don't even know if the correct signals are available for full compatibility. You're better off finding a 2000 and bridgeboard, or a 4000 and Mediator.
Title: Re: A500 ISA/PCI Expansion Boards
Post by: Cyberus on June 22, 2003, 11:36:49 AM
Quote
Can the Viper do more?


Well it comes with 1 x 2.5" IDE connector, 2 x 3.5" connectors, a 72-pin SIMM socket, supporting up to 128MB and an optional SCSI-II module, as well as an 030 with FPU