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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: anagrama on September 19, 2010, 11:26:53 PM

Title: Blizzard 1260 confusion
Post by: anagrama on September 19, 2010, 11:26:53 PM
New member here in need of a little help to clear up some confusion!

Ive just got myself a Blizzard Phase 5 1260 accelerator with 128mb ram for my 1200 set-up, however after plugging it in and checking it on the system I noticed it only flagged as a 68040 processor. So back into my Amiga I went and luckily could just manage to see the processor model which was almost covered by the attached fan. The model was  XC68040RC40M and it comes fitted with an 80mhz oscillator.

I noticed that some of these cards had sockets for the processor and oscillator but unfortunately this one does not, which is why im confused as the card says that its a Blizzard 1260 yet only has a 68040 processor installed. Was this standard procedure back in the day or am I missing something?

Any advice would be much appreciated

Thanks in advance
Title: Re: Blizzard 1260 confusion
Post by: tone007 on September 19, 2010, 11:34:11 PM
They're the same card basically, just different chips.

http://amiga.resource.cx/exp/blizzard1260#m_blizzard1260

You're not alone!
Title: Re: Blizzard 1260 confusion
Post by: fitzsteve on September 19, 2010, 11:45:02 PM
As tone says its the same PCB so you have a Blizzard 1240 there, the Oscilator running at 80mhz means your 040 is running at 40mhz which is a very capable card.

They can be upgraded to an 060 but the desoldering work is pretty hard going and you'l need a voltage regulator for 3.5v there is a chap on these boards and over at EAB/Amibay called stachu100 he can do this work and from what I've seen his work is top notch!

My A4000 runs an 040 @ 40mhz and is a very quick machine indeed :)

Steve.
Title: Re: Blizzard 1260 confusion
Post by: anagrama on September 20, 2010, 12:02:33 AM
Thanks guys, I just thought it was strange. The back of the PCB clearly states its a Blizzard Phase 5 1260 in a lighter shade of green opposed to the darker green PCB colour. Why would Blizzard use a 1260 board and only put a 68040 chip onto it, it just doesnt make sense!

Did they not realised that in 15 years time some unsuspecting idiot like myself would shell out a small fortune for one thinking they were actually getting a 1260 68060 accelerator! :roflmao:
Title: Re: Blizzard 1260 confusion
Post by: tone007 on September 20, 2010, 12:04:23 AM
Quote from: anagrama;580302
Did they not realised that in 15 years time some unsuspecting idiot like myself would shell out a small fortune for one thinking they were actually getting a 1260 68060 accelerator! :roflmao:


That does stink. I bet the seller just sold it as a 1260 board and didn't mention what processor it had, too.
Title: Re: Blizzard 1260 confusion
Post by: anagrama on September 20, 2010, 12:13:25 AM
@ Tone - They did yes, basically they sold it as the 1260 as it said it on the card, im quite sure they didnt mislead me on purpose. They made it clear they hadnt used it in the last 10 years so its possible that they didnt know themselves. Im not going to worry about it as I think I got it for a fair price anyway, I paid £150 all in so its not quite the bargain I imagined but I guess its still good?

@ Steve - Do you know how much stachu100 charges for such work?
Title: Re: Blizzard 1260 confusion
Post by: tone007 on September 20, 2010, 12:14:59 AM
I'd say £150 is a fair price for the card.
Title: Re: Blizzard 1260 confusion
Post by: tone007 on September 20, 2010, 12:31:11 AM
..and if you're looking for some competing quotes on the work, Per Gunnar is supposed to be a complete badass at '040 to '060 swaps: http://www.amiga.org/forums/showthread.php?t=41468&p=453288

I have a card that was supposed to have been upgraded by him and the work looks good to me.
Title: Re: Blizzard 1260 confusion
Post by: Piru on September 20, 2010, 06:17:49 AM
Quote from: anagrama;580302
Why would Blizzard use a 1260 board and only put a 68040 chip onto it, it just doesnt make sense!

The same PCB was used for both 1260 (http://www.amiga-hardware.com/showhardware.cgi?HARDID=115) and 1240-T/ERC (http://www.amiga-hardware.com/showhardware.cgi?HARDID=114). It clearly made more sense to share the board rather than design separate PCBs for the cards.
Title: Re: Blizzard 1260 confusion
Post by: alexh on September 20, 2010, 03:07:14 PM
Quote from: anagrama;580304
I paid £150 all in so its not quite the bargain I imagined but I guess its still good?
That is what you pay for a 1240. No way anyone who knew what they had would have sold you a 1260 for £150.

http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=43&products_id=161

Quote from: anagrama;580304
@ Steve - Do you know how much stachu100 charges for such work?
I think it was around €120 + shipping + insurance. But ask him.