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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: jonbach on October 20, 2003, 06:05:53 PM

Title: Which accelerator?
Post by: jonbach on October 20, 2003, 06:05:53 PM

Hey everyone,

Just wondered if there are any significant differences between an Apollo 1260 and a Blizzard 1260?

Id  like to buy one, but dont know which is best.

Thanks

Title: Re: Which accelerator?
Post by: downix on October 20, 2003, 06:17:48 PM

@johnbach

IIRC, the Blizzard seemed to benchmark a bit faster.  But I've never run either, so I can't say from personal experience.

Title: Re: Which accelerator?
Post by: lorddef on October 20, 2003, 06:31:16 PM

afaik:

 blizzards are much better quality boards and have a dma connector for a scsi controller.

apollos have better ram access times.

EDIT

blizzards have maprom too

Title: Re: Which accelerator?
Post by: haymiggan on October 20, 2003, 06:36:26 PM

You can't get +64MB afaik...

Title: Re: Which accelerator?
Post by: Jono on October 20, 2003, 06:38:31 PM

I have the Apollo 1260 (never had the Blizzard), but I can say the difference in speed between this and the 68030 (28Mhz) I had was very noticable.  Combined with a Mediator you have a very usable system.

From memory the big difference between the Apollo and Blizzard was the SCSI controller on the Blizzard was usable.  Otherwise I don't think there was a great deal to set them apart.

Title: Re: Which accelerator?
Post by: Piru on October 20, 2003, 06:51:59 PM

Quote

Otherwise I don't think there was a great deal to set them apart.

Blizzard can take 256MB, Apollo only 64MB.

Title: Re: Which accelerator?
Post by: amiga1260 on October 20, 2003, 07:35:27 PM

Cyberpatcher is supplied by a Blizzard 1260 and Apollo 1260 not. This piece of software can emulate some fpu functions of a 68881 or 68882. If you want this software for an Apollo 1260 you have to buy Oxypatcher. A Blizzard1260 can be turned of with the '2' key.

Title: Re: Which accelerator?
Post by: Jiffy on October 21, 2003, 08:25:39 AM

The Blizzard 1260's SCSI hostadapter is nice & fast. In case of compatability problems, you can easily switch off the B1260 by pressing the '2'  key. And, also nice, if you have the optional Blizzard SCSI hostadapter, you can add a second 128 MB simm. IIRC, the Apollo won't go above 64 MB.

All in all, the Apollo is slightly cheaper, the Blizzard is better designed. Oh, and Cyberpatcher is very nice to have (and it comes only with the B1260).

Title: Re: Which accelerator?
Post by: jonbach on October 21, 2003, 09:50:15 AM

Thanks for your input guys.

I like the sound of being able to disable the Blizzard with a press of a key on startup.

Looks like the one to go for.

 :-)