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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: barney on May 17, 2010, 09:45:22 PM
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I am very tempted to buy the Mini Megi Chip. Would I really get much use out of this? Is there enough software/games out there to really get any use out of this expansion? Thanks.
Barney
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Is it for an A500 or A2000?
The Megi Chip is useful as long as you need CHIP RAM. It depends of what you want to do.
By the way, those expansion are rather difficult to find in PAL version.
Unfortunately i have an NTSC version in my PAL A2000 for years.
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I have one for sale right now on eBay. I'd be keeping it if I had an A2000 still. It's a very cool thing to have and one of the better/easier Amiga tweaks you can make. Can never enough too much Chip Ram! lol
http://cgi.ebay.com/DKB-MegaChip-w-clip-Amiga-500-2000-2MB-Chip-RAM-/300428660174?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45f2f18dce#ht_500wt_1154
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I have one for sale right now on eBay.
..and here my 500monster sits with only 9MB RAM, crying for an even 10MB.
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@Save: how much to ship to the UK - and obvious question: is this a PAL one ?
ta
Tom UK
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@Save: how much to ship to the UK - and obvious question: is this a PAL one ?
ta
Tom UK
Tis NTSC and I'd do $80 shipped to the U.K. transacted outside of eBay and 'gifted' from PayPal... LMK!
Oh and these work in both NTSC and PAL modes. If you're using an A2000, there is a jumper that'll natively force either standard. Can also be done to A500's also, but you'll have to do a search for your specific mobo mod.
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Do you know of any awesome games that require the 2MB chip ram? If there are only a few, I may not bother with it.
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Do you know of any awesome games that require the 2MB chip ram? If there are only a few, I may not bother with it.
Worms kicks arse and that requires 2mb Chip IIRC. Umm... there's a small handful that I can't think of at the moment, but yes... if an Amiga game is going to bother taking advantage of another Meg of Chip - you can at least expect more sounds/samples and prettier graphics out of the deal. I mostly just like seeing the extra Meg show up in the Workbench title bar and knowing it's there :) lol IF you did a lot of sound sampling, or other graphics intensive stuff like web surfing - right there are two good reasons to own it.
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I can't personally think of one, other than AGA games.
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..and here my 500monster sits with only 9MB RAM, crying for an even 10MB.
If it's the DKB MegaChip, then it doesn't give you an extra MB of RAM, it merely allows the Amiga to address one extra meg you already have as an extra megabyte of chip RAM. So you'd still have 9MB total.
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If it's the DKB MegaChip, then it doesn't give you an extra MB of RAM, it merely allows the Amiga to address one extra meg you already have as an extra megabyte of chip RAM. So you'd still have 9MB total.
Huh? That's incorrect. The MegaChip doo-dad from DKB I am selling includes 1mb of RAM onboard and I've had several of these. Never saw the one you're talking about that does not include onboard Ram. That would be queer. If Tone installed the product I am selling, he'd indeed have 10mb of RAM total. Even that larger board, the DKB MegaChip 2000 has its own RAM built in.
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Are those DKB's brand new or old stock? Are they any different than a typical brand new Mini Megi chip sold today?
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Well, mine is used - but tested. The new one for $80 + $20 shipping (guess?) from Amigakit has a socket in which you need to remove Gary to sneak under vs. simply clipping the lead from the DKB to him.
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Huh? That's incorrect. The MegaChip doo-dad from DKB I am selling includes 1mb of RAM onboard and I've had several of these. Never saw the one you're talking about that does not include onboard Ram. That would be queer. If Tone installed the product I am selling, he'd indeed have 10mb of RAM total. Even that larger board, the DKB MegaChip 2000 has its own RAM built in.
Oh sorry, I actually have one of these, but that Amiga hasn't functioned in a while, so I guess I forgot. I think my mind must have confused it with the way a half meg of fast RAM is "stolen" for chip RAM when you upgrade from OCS to ECS.
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I'm pretty sure Primal Rage (http://www.lemonamiga.com/games/details.php?id=1320) requires at least 1MB Chip, not sure if it needs 2MB. Most people assumed it was an AGA-only game because it wouldn't boot on their stock A500. The demo of Speris Legacy will run on a 2MB Chip OCS/ECS Amiga, and the full game of that is definitely for AGA machines only.
There would be a few games out there than need all 2MB, but not many. The main advantage you'll get from the extra ChipRAM is the amlunt of screens and windows you'll be able to have open at the same time in Workbench. You could work on much larger images in paint programs, load in larger sound samples and mods, and just feel generally comfortable with knowing you're not going to run out of Graphics Memory while you're running a bunch of programs. ChipRAM also gets used as regular system Memory when your FastRAM runs out (or it's always used if you don't have FastRAM) so it will generally increase your chances of being able to run anything, not just programs and games that need extra ChipRAM, but anything that requires more than 1MB at all to run!
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Didn't Dungeon Master II require 2mb of chip memory?
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Yes as Cammy said, this chip is most useful if you do a lot of graphics work (like in DPaint or ImageFX) or work with trackers or other music programs that use sound samples.
It would also be useful if you like fancy workbench backdrops, or maybe fancy icons.
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I have always dreamt about having a minimeg chip back when I had my A500. But then, it was too expensive. :(
Then I moved on to the A1200, but still from time to time I miss my A500.
And Cammy is right, you will get a better experience out of your Amiga with more chipram.
Good luck!
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Is that the super agnus already installed in the DKB, or does the extra 1mb ram on the board make a regular Agnus a "super agnus".
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Is that the super agnus already installed in the DKB, or does the extra 1mb ram on the board make a regular Agnus a "super agnus".
Yes, the Super Agnus (8375, different from what you have installed) is already on the board. Remove your old Agnus, pop the board into her socket and clip the plug onto pin #36 of Gary and away you go!
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I take it the extra chip ram will make everything seem a lot snappier? This may definitely come in handy.
One question...I heard somewhere that having this extra 1mb ram conflicts with the compatibility of software out there. Is that true?
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I take it the extra chip ram will make everything seem a lot snappier? This may definitely come in handy.
One question...I heard somewhere that having this extra 1mb ram conflicts with the compatibility of software out there. Is that true?
Not any software worth using ;) Never experienced conflicts myself and yes, 2MB Chip Ram on an Amiga is where it's at!
You *want* the MegaChip board. You want to maximize your Amiga's abilities... BIN quick before someone beats you to it. lol
http://cgi.ebay.com/DKB-MegaChip-w-clip-Amiga-500-2000-2MB-Chip-RAM-/300428660174?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45f2f18dce#ht_500wt_1154
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I take it the extra chip ram will make everything seem a lot snappier? This may definitely come in handy.
One question...I heard somewhere that having this extra 1mb ram conflicts with the compatibility of software out there. Is that true?
Don't believe a word of it. I have used a DKB 2Mb setup for years - never had one problem with it or any software because of it.
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You *want* the MegaChip board. You want to maximize your Amiga's abilities... BIN quick before someone beats you to it. lol
BIN? Pssh. That's the dark side talking........ You want Sith, you've gotta go to AW.net or Amigans.net.:laughing:
Everyone here is a "scoundrel" at best. ;)
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LMAO! I'm more than willing to transact this outside of ePay and save the fees :)
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I'm fairly new to this whole thing, but the 2 meg of chip ram solved 90% of my WHDLoad game troubles. Was well worth it to me.
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I was looking at the Amigakit site and it stated that this Mini Megi goes along great with the Indivision ECS. In what way are they speaking of? I assume games.
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I was looking at the Amigakit site and it stated that this Mini Megi goes along great with the Indivision ECS. In what way are they speaking of? I assume games.
I doubt they mean games, probably more for the higher resolutions the Indivision ECS can give you in Workbench (which of course uses more Chip memory.)
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I was looking at the Amigakit site and it stated that this Mini Megi goes along great with the Indivision ECS. In what way are they speaking of? I assume games.
No, no, no. Like we've all said - there's only a small handful of games that take advantage of the extra RAM. Your Workbench experience is "greatly" enhanced with the extra Chip RAM and some productivity software such as samplers and graphics programs too.
And from Amigakit's perspective, it's logical to assume that someone wishing to invest in ECS and/or ECS Indivision will probably want to upgrade their Chip RAM as well. A3000 was the first computer to use ECS and 2MB Chip Ram... and who doesn't want their computer to be like an A3000? :)
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Save2600: You mentioned that its possible for the NTSC version of the mini mega to work on PAL A2000's, how is this possible? Is the jumper you speak off on the A2000 motherboard or the mini mega itself?
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I'm fairly new to this whole thing, but the 2 meg of chip ram solved 90% of my WHDLoad game troubles. Was well worth it to me.
Oh yeah, my stock A2000 only had 512K with an 8370 Agnus, that's why the 2MB helped my games so much. Told ya I was new.
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I always thought that if your chip mem got used up, you would default to your surplus fast ram. Is this incorrect?
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I always thought that if your chip mem got used up, you would default to your surplus fast ram. Is this incorrect?
It's the other way around.
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Save2600: You mentioned that its possible for the NTSC version of the mini mega to work on PAL A2000's, how is this possible? Is the jumper you speak off on the A2000 motherboard or the mini mega itself?
Jumper is on the A2000's mobo (JP102). There are no jumpers on the MegaChip. Reading the BBOAH, they make mention that the 8375 Agnus does not "switch" and that they made separate NTSC/PAL versions. Hmm... is that to say that perhaps, you cannot boot natively in one mode or the other? I can verify this tomorrow - but I think something's wrong here. I know for a fact that the 8375 can indeed switch modes through software on the fly. Software such as Degrader for instance.
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Jumper is on the A2000's mobo (JP102). There are no jumpers on the MegaChip. Reading the BBOAH, they make mention that the 8375 Agnus does not "switch" and that they made separate NTSC/PAL versions. Hmm... is that to say that perhaps, you cannot boot natively in one mode or the other? I can verify this tomorrow - but I think something's wrong here. I know for a fact that the 8375 can indeed switch modes through software on the fly. Software such as Degrader for instance.
My PAL A2000 with NTSC Megichip is working NTSC.
However, using the early startup menu, it is possible to select PAL and then it works PAL until the next reboot.
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My PAL A2000 with NTSC Megichip is working NTSC.
However, using the early startup menu, it is possible to select PAL and then it works PAL until the next reboot.
Oh - are you saying that JP102 is in PAL mode, but the 8375 ignores that and forces NTSC anyway?
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Oh - are you saying that JP102 is in PAL mode, but the 8375 ignores that and forces NTSC anyway?
Yes, unless i check PAL mode in the early startup-menu.
I have searched for years for an Agnus 318069-10 (PAL) to replace the 318069-11 (NTSC) of my megichip but i have only found other 8375 Agnus not suitable for this expansion.
I am pretty sure that it all depends of the Agnus on the Megichip.
According to BBoAH:
Agnus (512K) 8361 252125-01 A1000 (NTSC), A2000A (NTSC)
Agnus (512K) 8361 R3
Agnus (512K) 8367 252362-01 A1000 (PAL), A2000A (PAL)
Agnus (512K) 8370 318070-01 A500 (NTSC), A2000 (NTSC)
Agnus (512K) 8371 318071-01 A500 (PAL), A2000 (PAL)
Agnus (1MB) 8372A 318069-02 A500 (PAL), A2000 (PAL/NTSC)
Agnus (1MB) 8372A 318069-029 A500 (PAL), A2000 (PAL/NTSC)
Agnus (2MB) 8372AB 318069-03 A3000 (PAL), A3000T (PAL) (came after 8375B)
Agnus (2MB) 8372AB 318069-039 A3000 (NTSC)
Agnus (2MB) 8372B 318069-03 MegAChip (NTSC)
Agnus (2MB) 8375 R0 318069-18 A500+ (PAL), A600 (PAL)
Agnus (2MB) 8375 318069-10 A600 (PAL)
Agnus (2MB) 8375 R2 318069-10 A500+ (PAL), A600 (PAL)
Agnus (2MB) 8375 318069-11 A600 (NTSC), MegAChip (NTSC), Mini Megi Chip (NTSC)
Agnus (2MB) 8375 R2 318069-11 Mini Mega Chip (NTSC)
Agnus (2MB) 8375 318069-17 A500 (NTSC), A2000 (NTSC)
Agnus (2MB) 8375 318069-19 A3000 (NTSC), A3000T (NTSC)
Agnus (2MB) 8375 390544-01 A500+ (PAL), A600 (PAL)
Agnus (2MB) 8375 390544-02 A500+ (NTSC), A600 (NTSC)
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For the European and U.K. members, why are you waiting years for a PAL 8375 when it looks like you could just purchase an A500+ and take it out of there?
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For the European and U.K. members, why are you waiting years for a PAL 8375 when it looks like you could just purchase an A500+ and take it out of there?
Looks like the Mini Megi Chip (http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/images/mini-megi-chip.jpg) from AmigaKit (http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=915&lcsid=b2a5e69cce40c78b219b1b00d35c4b1e) has no socket. The Agnus is soldered directly to the board, so no quick exchange possible. What a shame...:(
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For the European and U.K. members, why are you waiting years for a PAL 8375 when it looks like you could just purchase an A500+ and take it out of there?
In fact i have tried the Agnus from my A500 Plus and the one from another dead A500 Plus, both of them turned to be 8375 390544-01, and none worked in the Megichip. It can boot but suffers major graphic glitches.
I have read somewhere that all Agnuses are not pin compatible.
Thus, i believe that xxx-11 should be swapable for xxx-10 only.
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It's the other way around.
So in my case, how would this megi chip help me? I have 20MB fast ram and 1MB of chip RAM. If the computer uses the Fast Ram First, since I have 20MB, I should never run out. Is the extra 1MB of chip ram going to really benefit me with all the Fast Ram I have installed?
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Barney, I think you don't quite understand the concept of Chip vs. Fast RAM. Chip RAM is used by the custom chips (Agnus,Denise,Paula) OK, if you run out of fast RAM, the system will use the slower chip ram, but the custom chips can use ONLY chip RAM, at least directly* .... So, if you ever run out of chip ram when it's needed, something will go amok.
*Some clever programs can store e.g. ,sound samples in fast Ram until they are needed, to minimize the chip ram usage. (EaglePlayer) Or, some graphics programs might keep only 2 frames of an .ANIM in chip ram, and leave the rest in fast ram, until needed. (DPaint5, I think?) BUT, when that graphics/sound data is needed, it has to be in chip ram.
So, that's why more WHDLoad games run, Worms is playable, etc. when you have that extra 1MB chip ram.
So you have 20MB fast ram and 'should never run out' .... :lol: Well, depends on what you do with your miggy.... I have a single Lightwave scene that requires ~128MB just to load. :roflmao:
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Ok, I have a better idea how memory works. Thanks.
Barney