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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Marketplace => Topic started by: Lunarnut on December 04, 2007, 06:10:56 AM

Title: Amiga 4000T vs 4000 purchasing questions
Post by: Lunarnut on December 04, 2007, 06:10:56 AM
Hi all

I've been reading the specs for the Amiga 4000 and 4000T. One of the main differences is the addition of the extra video slot. I'm looking to build a toaster system but I also want a Cybervision PPC card. It *looks* like that setup will work in a standard Amiga 4000 but I wanted to ask if anyone here has done it. I also was wondering if the Cybervision 64/3D has any advantages over a Cybervision PPC that I could not compensate for with additional hardware. I would also like to play games on this system.

I have the following ideas about a setup

Accelerator - Cyberstorm PPC604e
Video Toaster - Video Toaster 4000/Flyer
Sound - Delfina DSP Plus
Ethernet - XSurf
Video Cybervision PPC (Not sure if this will fit though, as the Big Book of Amiga Hardware indicates it has a ribbon cable)

So with the following in mind...

1) Would the Amiga 4000 work with a Cybervision PPC/Toaster setup as indicated above?

I've searched the forums and I have seen the Amiga 4000T on Ebay in Europe. Shipping would be horrific and I'm not certain how well it would make the trip.

2) What is the going rate for an Amiga 4000T vs an Amiga 4000 (preferably revision D motherboard) in good condition? (I live in the states)

3) Is there a place other than Ebay listings and here that would be a good place to start looking for either?

4) What are things to look for in a purchase (aside from the battery issue on non-revision D motherboards)?

5) What's an optimal hardware setup with consideration of the new OS 4 (keeping in mind that I want to keep as much 'original' era hardware on it that I can.

6) Am I attempting to do too much with one system - Would it be better to make one for the toaster and one for the gaming?

Thanks in advance everyone!!
Title: Re: Amiga 4000T vs 4000 purchasing questions
Post by: pan1k on December 04, 2007, 06:27:40 AM
Just buy the 4000T! I wish I had one. That's a good setup. Be prepared to drop large sums of money! Cyberstorm PPC cards arent cheap. Most of the other stuff can be had for about ~200USD each. Cyberstorm PPC is almost 700-800USD. Not worth the power/price for me.  Tower has more slots, you can spread your cards out so it wont run hot. Oh, and if you get a cyberstorm ppc, get the cybervision PPC, one of the fastest video cards for the Amiga!
Title: Re: Amiga 4000T vs 4000 purchasing questions
Post by: Matt_H on December 04, 2007, 07:10:55 AM
4000T. End of discussion.

The CVisionPPC is a superior card but be advised that it runs very hot and you'll probably need the version with both edge connectors or you'll have trouble fitting it.
Title: Re: Amiga 4000T vs 4000 purchasing questions
Post by: McVenco on December 04, 2007, 07:28:15 AM
The CybervisionPPC connects to the PPC card so you don't need an extra videoslot for that. That way, an A4000D could do as well, but you'll need lots of cooling.

My advise: find a Picasso IV. It's by far the best graphics card available for the Amiga. Oh, and go for the A4000T, too. It's much better (more room, SCSI onboard)
Title: Re: Amiga 4000T vs 4000 purchasing questions
Post by: A4000_Mad on December 04, 2007, 08:26:58 AM
Naaaa! You want the A4000TB (Tower Block) with 6 video slots.

(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o164/Cyberstorm604e/A4000TowerBlock.jpg)

But prepare yourself for one hell of a creek in the neck :lol:
Title: Re: Amiga 4000T vs 4000 purchasing questions
Post by: Crumb on December 04, 2007, 08:55:39 AM
Hi

Buying an A4000D or A4000T depends on how much you want to expand it. You can always put your A4000D in an Elbox mirage tower with Mediator and PCI slots and get a nice system, but if your accelerator dies you'll lose scsi.

Buy the A4000T if you don't plan to put the A4000D inside an Elbox tower.

If you plan to put the A4000D into a tower it has the advantage of having more replacement parts available. The A4000D are usually slightly older and their capacitors leak.

About gfx card Picasso4 is nice because it includes monitor switcher and a very good flicker fixer. As a gfx card CVPPC is much better (it's faster, has more bandwitch than any other card, allows more resolutions, has native drivers on OS4/MOS and 3D support) but it lacks the built in monitor switcher and flicker fixer, so you would have to buy one. On the other hand the CSPPC firmware patches the OS when you boot your miggy so you can see early boot menu through the CVPPC without using an scandoubler. Another good thing about CVPPC is that it won't eat a zorro slot.
Title: Re: Amiga 4000T vs 4000 purchasing questions
Post by: meega on December 04, 2007, 08:57:47 AM
@A4000_Mad

 :roflmao:
Title: Re: Amiga 4000T vs 4000 purchasing questions
Post by: tokyoracer on December 04, 2007, 09:49:34 AM
@A4000 - I think I have smelt something because what im seeing is 6... yes 6 A4000's! :-o

"But prepare yourself for one hell of a creek in the neck"

Any creeks from the table holding that lot!?
Title: Re: Amiga 4000T vs 4000 purchasing questions
Post by: Retro_71 on December 04, 2007, 12:27:41 PM
@A4000_MAD ... WOW so that where all the A4000's have gone.....  :roflmao:   ;-)
Title: Re: Amiga 4000T vs 4000 purchasing questions
Post by: Lunarnut on December 05, 2007, 01:31:23 AM
Thanks everyone for your comments.

So here are my current thoughts: Get an Amiga 4000 desktop (and deal with the cooling issues). The 4000 will have better parts avaliblilty and it's possible to stuff all the hardware I want in the box. It will most likely be a lot cheaper (still wondering what the cost differences are).

The Picasso IV card looks nice but won't work if I want a toaster system. :(

The expansion cover at the back of the Amiga looks like a good place to mount the cable from the PPC video card.

I'm still wondering if anyone has suggestions on the Ethernet/Sound options? Are these the best or would there be better options to look at.

Sound - Delfina DSP Plus
Ethernet - XSurf

Title: Re: Amiga 4000T vs 4000 purchasing questions
Post by: Pyromania on December 05, 2007, 01:53:10 AM
If the AHI driver ever gets done for the Flyer you can use that as your Amiga sound card. You will not have any battery issues if you buy a A4000T.
Title: Re: Amiga 4000T vs 4000 purchasing questions
Post by: Vlabguy1 on December 05, 2007, 01:58:01 AM
Ha..I love it.. :-)..

Rich
ny



Quote

A4000_Mad wrote:
Naaaa! You want the A4000TB (Tower Block) with 6 video slots.

(http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o164/Cyberstorm604e/A4000TowerBlock.jpg)

But prepare yourself for one hell of a creek in the neck :lol:
Title: Re: Amiga 4000T vs 4000 purchasing questions
Post by: Vlabguy1 on December 05, 2007, 02:03:55 AM
Def. buy the 4000T.  More expansion, better air-flow..etc.  as things do heat up once you put your toaster + flyer and any other cards you might want to add.

I had a 4000D once and I wanted to put a CD rom drive in and man is it tight against the PS.  I did not like it, although Im sure it would have been fine..but thats just me I like things to be perfect.

Dont settle for the 4000D.. get the 4000T :-)..plus the resale value in the future if it ever comes to that.. :-).

Rich
ny
Title: Re: Amiga 4000T vs 4000 purchasing questions
Post by: Lunarnut on December 05, 2007, 02:06:37 AM
So what's a good price to pay for an Amiga 4000 and 4000T?
Title: Re: Amiga 4000T vs 4000 purchasing questions
Post by: Vlabguy1 on December 05, 2007, 02:14:31 AM
Well..not sure what "good" means to you.  If you have an idea of your
budget..then look at it from that perspective.  For the 4000 I would
watch ebay and see what they go for.  As far as 4000T..well I think
you might see one on ebay..but not as often as a 4000D.  Where are
you located?
I may have a source for NEW 4000Ts..just need to dig through some
files..to confirm ..

Rich
ny



Quote

Lunarnut wrote:
So what's a good price to pay for an Amiga 4000 and 4000T?
Title: Re: Amiga 4000T vs 4000 purchasing questions
Post by: Pyromania on December 05, 2007, 02:16:16 AM
Picasso IV & the Video Toaster 4000 will work in a A4000T since it has two video slots.