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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: DrValkyer on June 11, 2007, 06:27:09 PM

Title: G-Rex vs. Mediator?
Post by: DrValkyer on June 11, 2007, 06:27:09 PM
G-Rex and Mediator are both great PCI-bridge cards but which one is better?

I am asking this because I am planning to get one (eager to do some Voodoo tricks on my display :hat: ).

Well of course one good point for Mediator is that you don't need PPC(which I got) so you could use it also in non-PPC Amiga (when PPC breaks down). But on the other hand G-Rex cards seem to be cheaper.

Are there also some compatibility, stability and performance differences between these cards??


Cheers!  :pint:
Title: Re: G-Rex vs. Mediator?
Post by: keropi on June 11, 2007, 06:39:54 PM
I have used a grex1200 with my rev2 060 BPPC and now a G-Rex4000D . _never_ had any prob and I highly recommend them.
I have also used a mediatorZIV with the same BPPC, and I liked the grex better (better speed and compatibillity)
ofcourse the g-rex has the advantage of interfacing with the accelerator directly...

so for me, the G-Rex is a winner . You don't state if u use a BPPC or a CSPPC... u might not get the g-rex1200 working OK with an rev0/rev1 bppc (most of phase5 bppc's are that rev)
also the rtg software (picasso96) installation on mediator is at least LAME.
Title: Re: G-Rex vs. Mediator?
Post by: amigadave on June 11, 2007, 06:42:12 PM
I think G-Rex is much harder to find, but maybe you have found it easier than me.
Title: Re: G-Rex vs. Mediator?
Post by: x56h34 on June 11, 2007, 06:48:26 PM
I like the G-rex better for both A1200 and A4000 (I own both solutions, BTW).

If you have the compatible hardware (a CSPPC card in A4000's case and a rev2 BPPC card in A1200's case) then go for the G-rex by all means.
Title: BTW
Post by: DrValkyer on June 11, 2007, 06:58:48 PM
ok, thanks! :-)

BTW : How to check out the revision of the BPPC? (manufactured in 1997). Could rev0 have some serious problems with G-Rex?
Title: Re: BTW
Post by: d0pefish on June 11, 2007, 07:01:24 PM
G-Rex is a winner, fantastic for MorphOS PowerUP too. You just have to be lucky enough to find one for sale.
Title: Re: BTW
Post by: amigadave on June 11, 2007, 07:08:00 PM
Quote

d0pefish wrote:
G-Rex is a winner, fantastic for MorphOS PowerUP too. You just have to be lucky enough to find one for sale.


If you live in Australia, there is one on eBay right now.

I have not seen these come up on eBay hardly at all over the last several years, so if you want one, better snatch this one up quick.

I have sworn off buying any more Amiga hardware until I set up all the hardware I already have and get rid of the items I am not going to use.

Original software that is complete (and preferably boxed, but not sealed food bags  :lol: ) is another matter.
Title: Re: G-Rex vs. Mediator?
Post by: Reflex on June 11, 2007, 07:27:23 PM
I Had both on my amiga 4000 and... it's way better the mediator. G-rex isn't well supported, lack of drivers palyed the biggest role in my decision.

So go for a mediator without any doubt
Title: Re: BTW
Post by: keropi on June 11, 2007, 07:28:16 PM
Quote

DrValkyer wrote:
ok, thanks! :-)

BTW : How to check out the revision of the BPPC? (manufactured in 1997). Could rev0 have some serious problems with G-Rex?


is it a phase5 card? if yes then unfortunatelly it will/can have probs with grex (so I've heared)... only dce's bppc's that are rev2 work 100% OK with the grex...
Title: Re: G-Rex vs. Mediator?
Post by: Evillord68 on June 11, 2007, 07:41:52 PM
Here are some speedtests with, Mediator, Grex and Prometheus.
http://www.alinea-computer.de/amigaspeed/main.html
Title: Re: BTW
Post by: DrValkyer on June 11, 2007, 07:49:48 PM
Quote

is it a phase5 card? if yes then unfortunatelly it will/can have probs with grex (so I've heared)... only dce's bppc's that are rev2 work 100% OK with the grex...


Yes,it's phase5 card.
Title: Re: BTW
Post by: keropi on June 11, 2007, 07:52:01 PM
damn... maybe u can borrow a grex to test? (slim chance....)
Title: Re: BTW
Post by: CLS2086 on June 11, 2007, 07:55:32 PM
Hi,
GREX for me too.
Lack of drivers ? Are you sure ? The only lack it has, it's USB.

Try the utilities :
http://grex.amigaworld.de/index.php?lang=en&page=
Title: Re: BTW
Post by: DrValkyer on June 11, 2007, 08:00:05 PM
Quote

keropi wrote:
damn... maybe u can borrow a grex to test? (slim chance....)


 :-D  Heh unfortunately all my friends have exchanged their Amiga gear to cheap beer too many years ago!!! 8-)
Title: Re: BTW
Post by: a1200freak on June 11, 2007, 08:19:34 PM
Hi,

I just got my G-REX for A1200 today. I put out the mediator and installed the G-REX.

My impression is that now everything runs faster. I´m really impressed. I now will install Quake2 and so on and try.

To get a G-REX is really difficult. Or you look at amigakit.com which is very (in my opinion) expensive. I searched for a long time now and in this moment I am happy.

Regards

A1200Freak