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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: tokyoracer on November 04, 2009, 05:39:43 PM

Title: A600 68000 to 68010?
Post by: tokyoracer on November 04, 2009, 05:39:43 PM
It's been a while since I have had a good play with my A600 (spec as listed in my signature) but something that has always slightly botherd me is it's performance. On 3.1 its just that little bit too slow, even with an extra 1mb Fast RAM and would be nice for them windows to open a little faster which actually got me thinking...
Is it possible to fit a higher grade CPU to the motherboard (like a 010 or better)? If it is possible then what would I need to do for it to work effectively? Finally, would it be possible to fit a CPU plug so it can be removed with ease?
Even if it's a tiny increace in performance it will be more then worth it as it only needs that little boost so it's more useable.

Any help on this idea?
Title: Re: A600 68000 to 68010?
Post by: pan1k on November 04, 2009, 05:54:51 PM
I think it's almost 100% compatible, from what i've read. If it's just a gaming machine, leave it alone and you will be ok. If you do some research, you might see that some games don't like the '010
Title: Re: A600 68000 to 68010?
Post by: motrucker on November 04, 2009, 06:00:32 PM
I just recently had a 68010 in my A1000. It was not noticeably faster, and stopped about 30% of the games we play from working..
If you just use Spreadsheets, data bases, etc., it may be worth the upgrade. If games are in the mix, I would look for an '020 or '030 accelerator (hard as they are to find).
Title: Re: A600 68000 to 68010?
Post by: tokyoracer on November 04, 2009, 06:15:12 PM
Quote from: motrucker;528361
I just recently had a 68010 in my A1000. It was not noticeably faster, and stopped about 30% of the games we play from working..
If you just use Spreadsheets, data bases, etc., it may be worth the upgrade. If games are in the mix, I would look for an '020 or '030 accelerator (hard as they are to find).

Well it will mostly be used for MIDI stuff and the rare game blast but not often.

As for the accelerator route, it isn't really an option due to it's price and rarity (and is slightly pointless as I got a 030 powerd 1200 anyway).
Title: Re: A600 68000 to 68010?
Post by: tone007 on November 04, 2009, 07:15:51 PM
It's not really worth the effort of replacing a surface-mount 68000.  Benchmarks will show maybe 10% increase if that, and you'd be lucky to notice any difference.
Title: Re: A600 68000 to 68010?
Post by: tokyoracer on November 04, 2009, 07:34:20 PM
Quote from: tone007;528370
It's not really worth the effort of replacing a surface-mount 68000.  Benchmarks will show maybe 10% increase if that, and you'd be lucky to notice any difference.
I'm not fussed even if it's a tiny improvment.
What's the maximum fequency it can take? maybe if it was higher then it would be more worth while...?
Title: Re: A600 68000 to 68010?
Post by: tone007 on November 04, 2009, 07:45:09 PM
..if you're looking to change the clock frequency, don't bother with an '010.  There are hacks to run a 68000 at 14mhz on A500s, those would retain compatibility.  Whether or not the same mod can be done to an A600, I have no idea.
Title: Re: A600 68000 to 68010?
Post by: Jiffy on November 04, 2009, 08:18:03 PM
Quote from: tokyoracer;528372
I'm not fussed even if it's a tiny improvment.
What's the maximum fequency it can take? maybe if it was higher then it would be more worth while...?

The A600's chips (except the rom chip) are all SMD and not socketed. This makes replacing them very hard and requires excellent soldering skills, in contrast to older models like the A500/1000/2000/3000 in which replacing chips is very easy.

If you also want to increase the frequency of the cpu: forget it. This way, you will also increase the frequency of all other parts of your A600. There's no chance in hell this will work in any reliable way.

Making your own turbo board would be easier than replacing your A600's cpu ánd increasing its operating frequency at the same time. Seriously.

The only realistic chance you have on improving your A600's speed, is adding a real turbo board with an 68020 or 68030.
Title: Re: A600 68000 to 68010?
Post by: tokyoracer on November 04, 2009, 10:39:13 PM
Quote from: Jiffy;528376
The A600's chips (except the rom chip) are all SMD and not socketed. This makes replacing them very hard and requires excellent soldering skills, in contrast to older models like the A500/1000/2000/3000 in which replacing chips is very easy.

If you also want to increase the frequency of the cpu: forget it. This way, you will also increase the frequency of all other parts of your A600. There's no chance in hell this will work in any reliable way.

Making your own turbo board would be easier than replacing your A600's cpu ánd increasing its operating frequency at the same time. Seriously.

The only realistic chance you have on improving your A600's speed, is adding a real turbo board with an 68020 or 68030.

Damn that's a downer. :(

Thanks for the heads up though guys, looks like I will be giving this one a miss but at-least I have learned something.
Title: Re: A600 68000 to 68010?
Post by: rkauer on November 05, 2009, 05:44:09 AM
Quote from: Jiffy;528376
The A600's chips (except the rom chip) are all SMD and not socketed. This makes replacing them very hard and requires excellent soldering skills, in contrast to older models like the A500/1000/2000/3000 in which replacing chips is very easy.

 Depends on what chip you need to replace. The TTL units on mine A2000 are nearly impossible to dessolder.:hammer:

 And for the SMD CPU of A600, not much a problem if you know how to plug a socket backwards
.;)

Quote
If you also want to increase the frequency of the cpu: forget it. This way, you will also increase the frequency of all other parts of your A600. There's no chance in hell this will work in any reliable way.
Not true: the same old 14MHz trick of A500 era can be done with the A600, but you need different parts and a little modification to the original hack design due slight differences between A500 & A600.

 Not even need a PCB for this hack! Just a pair of SMD sockets, one 16MHz SMD 68000 (or higher speed), one SPDT switch and knowledge on how to solder and how to tinker with the Amiga.

 One guy on a1k.org made a similar hack, but he keeps the original clock and used a 68010 CPU in the A600.

BTW: the speed gain using a 68010 at the same speed is just meagre 3%


Quote
Making your own turbo board would be easier than replacing your A600's cpu and increasing its operating frequency at the same time. Seriously.
Yeah, right.:rolleyes:

Tell me about it.:razz:


Quote
The only realistic chance you have on improving your A600's speed, is adding a real turbo board with an 68020 or 68030.
In this I agree: without CPU directly accessible FAST RAM and a slight improvement on CPU (say: humble EC020 ;)) the A600 will not be comparable even with a naked A2000!
Title: Re: A600 68000 to 68010?
Post by: utri007 on November 05, 2009, 06:47:10 AM
If you use whdload, with 68010 you'll get workin quit button