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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: easy_john on November 12, 2008, 06:13:06 PM

Title: PCI bridgeboard selection
Post by: easy_john on November 12, 2008, 06:13:06 PM
Hi.
I decide try to add PCI slots to my a1200 or a4000d.
I plan to use 3dxf, net and tv-tuner card in aos 3.x, 4 and MorphOS.

Many people say to me, that i must buy Mediator.
But looks like G-REX is faster than Mediator and better supported in some OS..(?)
Is there some troubles with G-REX? Why mediator?
At least - what busboard is better and why?

PS sorry for my english.
Title: Re: PCI bridgeboard selection
Post by: Kronos on November 12, 2008, 06:30:30 PM
GRex is supported by MOS not by OS4.

Mediator works with OS4 (not sure if thats true for all models and drivers), not with MOS.

And than there is Elbox's history of stolen drivers (P96, Poseidon) and harddrive-killing "copy-protection"-code.
Title: Re: PCI bridgeboard selection
Post by: easy_john on November 12, 2008, 09:01:36 PM
Aha!
MOS only support G-rex, and AOS4 only mediator.
Not good for me..

Can you please explain you last phrase, i don't understand.
Title: Re: PCI bridgeboard selection
Post by: Bazzaq on November 12, 2008, 09:28:16 PM
What about a prometheus, works with os3,os4, not sure about morphos.

not sure about tv tuner either, but works with 3dfx and lan.
Title: Re: PCI bridgeboard selection
Post by: easy_john on November 12, 2008, 09:48:54 PM
Prometheus... is not bad solution for my a4000, but not for a1200?

And what speed of Prometheus compare to G-REX and Mediator?
Not all PCI card work with Prometheus?

P.S. What latest version of MOS is running on 1200/4000 with PPC? I can't find amiga in compatibiliti list os MOS2.
Title: Re: PCI bridgeboard selection
Post by: alexh on November 12, 2008, 09:52:55 PM
The deciding factor surely is : Mediator is on sale today the other are not.

Not to mention G-Rex is highly sought (especially G-Rex 4000D) after meaning sky high second hand prices.
Title: Re: PCI bridgeboard selection
Post by: easy_john on November 12, 2008, 10:09:17 PM
Yes, but i see g-rex and Prometheus on some auctions.
And I need busboard, that work good with my OS, and not what on sale today.

Its better to hunt for some old, but good, than buy new but not work.

But at this moment i don't know what is best sollution for me. So many limitation with OS.. :(
Title: Re: PCI bridgeboard selection
Post by: Tension on November 12, 2008, 10:56:19 PM
I have an A4000D in a big micronik tower with the custom daughterboard.  What PCI busboard would i need?  I think it would be cheaper to get a PCI busboard and a few cheap PCI cards than getting a Picasso IV, Prelude etc.
Title: Re: PCI bridgeboard selection
Post by: Kin-Hell on November 13, 2008, 02:31:23 PM
Quote

Tension wrote:
I have an A4000D in a big micronik tower with the custom daughterboard.  What PCI busboard would i need?  I think it would be cheaper to get a PCI busboard and a few cheap PCI cards than getting a Picasso IV, Prelude etc.


You would need the Elbox Mediator PCI 4000D.

Here's an Advert I temp. took off sale:

Linky (http://www.amibay.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=1114)

Prometheus is probably the worst PCI solution there is for the Amiga. OS4 on a Classic Amiga is just a waste of time imo. OS3.9 running on G-REX 4000D is just awesome. 10Mbit NIC totally floors 100Mbit NIC on the Mediator boards.

As alexh said earlier, G-REX boards are as rare as Dodo Dung & last I heard, there were only 9-ish known working boards!  :-o
Title: Re: PCI bridgeboard selection
Post by: easy_john on November 13, 2008, 03:40:27 PM
OK, And why Prometheus is worst?
Some card not work? Slow transfer? Some bugs? Not supported on some OS?

I already buy G-REX 1200...
And now I think that if it work only in MOS, then on a1200 I install MOS, and use AOS3-4 on a4000.

And again - what latest version MOS is running on 1200PPC?