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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: Astral on February 10, 2012, 07:21:38 AM
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I'm thinking about purchasing a Grex4000D. Would like to get an idea on the pros/cons of this setup vs a Mediator and so on.
I heard the Grex isn't compatible with OS4.0/4.1.
How does one compare speed wise with other solutions? How compatible/stable are they? Can you use graphics mem as fast mem?
Any other help would be great :D
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OK I present some differences between GREX 4000 busboard comparing to the Mediator 4000 ones.
- GREX can't be purchased nowadays while Mediator can.
- GREX requires the existence of a CSPPC accelerator while Mediator works with every accelerator available.
- GREX is taking advantage of CSPPC's PPC bus using full DMA on all PCI slots (even for Network Cards and Sound cards)
- GREX isn't compatible with OS4.x for classics but with MorphOS for PUP, while Mediator isn't compatible with MorphOS for PUP but compatible with OS4.x
- GREX isn't supported these days, while Mediator does and new drivers are being written from time to time. That means that you can't use Radeon Gfx cards, Spider USB etc.
- GREX can only use Voodoo Gfx cards on CybergraphX RTG system while Mediator can use Voodoos and Radeon ones via Picasso96 RTG system.
- GREX is really stable (at least I never had any problem with it) but it's as stable as Mediator if configured correctly.
Most important problem is that GREX hardware are really rare and hard to get. Especially the 4000 versions are really limited and rare. If you happen to find such a card, just be proud of what you have and forget about OS4.x.
OS3.9 with Voodoo3 just flies on the GREX and since I used both a Mediator and the GREX I can say that GREX is faster.
Also the usage of CGX instead of P96 is a pure advantage imho, cause setting custon screenmodes (like 1360x768) was a LOT easier with the CGX as opposed to P96. This is purely my opinion though :)
If you want OS4.1 or MorphOS 2.x (and soon 3.0) releases, you should get the systems that are designed better for these like Macs and SAM's. For using both in one machine you can try searching for a Pegasos system.
Good luck with your search.
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mfilos, we are still waiting for some videos...
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- GREX isn't compatible with OS4.x for classics but with MorphOS for PUP, while Mediator isn't compatible with MorphOS for PUP but compatible with OS4.x
- GREX isn't supported these days, while Mediator does and new drivers are being written from time to time. That means that you can't use Radeon Gfx cards, Spider USB etc.
- GREX can only use Voodoo Gfx cards on CybergraphX RTG system while Mediator can use Voodoos and Radeon ones via Picasso96 RTG system.
- p96 os4 dev.release includes grex drivers.
- i like to support grex, but first i must know if it provides 5v & 3.3v or only 5v vcc
- radeon/p96/grex .. why not
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Ratte mate, AFAIK GREX only provides 5V but that wouldn't be a problem for the 5V Radeon version that works on Mediator (without the 3.3 mod).
I remember an old post of Piru that there are the issues with the driver assuming that the card BIOS has been executed.
I didn't know about P96 support for GREX. I can try that with Voodoo to see how it works.
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Raising my hand as a long-term G-Rex user and fan :)
I'm currently working with strim to help test his new NetBSD G-Rex driver - we have had a lot of success so far:
http://www.amibay.com/showthread.php?t=18613
What's this about P96, Ratte? :)
Can you tell us more? Does this mean that OS4 may finally have a chance to work on the G-Rex?
Either way, I'm a very willing tester of anything for the G-Rex; though I do not own OS4.x classic.
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libs/picasso96/3dlabspermedia.chip (7.17 16.09.03)
libs/picasso96/cvisionppc.card (2.5 16.09.03)
libs/picasso96/grex.card
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Can you use 4 x Zorro cards and 4 x PCI cards at the SAME time?
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Under some conditions: yes.
The same as in Mediator.
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If you want OS4.1 or MorphOS 2.x (and soon 3.0) releases, you should get the systems that are designed better for these like Macs and SAM's. For using both in one machine you can try searching for a Pegasos system.
Good luck with your search.
Actually, it is a Pegasos2 that is supported by MorphOS2.x and OS4.x, not the original Pegasos systems. I am sure that is what mfilos meant to type.
I must agree with him, that if you are considering running OS4.x, and/or MorphOS2.x (and soon 3.0), buy a Pegasos2 for running them both, or buy one of the other more modern supported hardware choices, instead of trying to find the ultra rare G-Rex cards, that are getting quite old, and enjoy the better performance of a G4, or at least the SAM460ex's 1.15GHz SOC processor (I think that is the correct clock rate of the 460ex?), instead of a maximum of a 233MHz 604e (unless modified by Stachu to a maximum of 366MHz). You will be happier with the increased performance and RAM capacity, and probably spend less money and have less headaches.
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Under some conditions: yes.
The same as in Mediator.
What kind of conditions are we talking Stachu?
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It's really simple actually and based on logic :) ...
You can't use Full Zorro cards and PCI in the same time since they occupy the same backplate space.
That means that you can use all 4xPCI and 4xZorro slots as long as the Zorro cards that you use are not full. For example cards that could work just fine are:
- Deneb USB,
- ZorRAM,
- Budha IDE,
- FastATA 4000,
- KickFlash,
- etc...
Also for info:
- GREX 4000 gives: 4xPCI, 4xZorroIII (one of which has also a videoslot)
- Original daughterboard gives: 3xISA, 4xZorroIII (one of which has also a videoslot)
- Mediator 4000Di gives: 5xPCI, 4xZorroIII (4xPCI and 3xZorro can be used due to the bridge card that is required)
... and here's a pic for the 3 of them to check them out
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/939939/Pics/Daughterboards.jpg)
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Thanks to the NetBSD docs we are hopefully running a grex-radeon-combo today.
http://www.a1k.org/forum/showthread.php?p=555509
:)
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The G-Rex was always a heartbreaker in my opinion because it really was a way forward: when used with the associated PPC card that card's chipset had direct access to the PCI slots rather than across the Amiga's system bus. It was truly (very nearly) a whole motherboard solution. Alas it was not to be :(
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Where are the G-Rex blueprints? Maybe the makers would be willing to let them go as they don't like to manufacture them anymore. They could be enhanced and and a batch could be made.
Just 2 cents here...
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Where are the G-Rex blueprints? Maybe the makers would be willing to let them go as they don't like to manufacture them anymore. They could be enhanced and and a batch could be made.
Just 2 cents here...
Even assuming you could get an "audience" with some ex-DCE engineer, they'd tell you flatly that they wanted an exorbitant amount of dollars for the "blueprints". They once quoted someone (don't remember if the thread was over here or at aw.net) $250,000 for the PPC card design (excuse me, desing) alone.
I'd imagine they'd ask a cool million for the G-Rex and PPC card that matches it.
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Even assuming you could get an "audience" with some ex-DCE engineer, they'd tell you flatly that they wanted an exorbitant amount of dollars for the "blueprints". They once quoted someone (don't remember if the thread was over here or at aw.net) $250,000 for the PPC card design (excuse me, desing) alone.
I'd imagine they'd ask a cool million for the G-Rex and PPC card that matches it.
Hence the "2 cents" ;)...
This was expected but sometimes it's nice to dream...
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Hence the "2 cents" ;)...
This was expected but sometimes it's nice to dream...
Yeah you'd have to either be some kind of insane philanthropist/hobbyist, or charge $25,000 for each one you sold (because let's face it, the total number of A4000D and A3000D users out there is probably in the low hundreds, if that). :P