Amiga.org

Amiga computer related discussion => General chat about Amiga topics => Topic started by: dingebre on November 09, 2023, 06:40:57 PM

Title: Advantages of A4000 SCSI
Post by: dingebre on November 09, 2023, 06:40:57 PM: I just bought an A4000 desktop in very nice condition. I've never owned or really used an actual A4000 before (not counting WinUAE) although I was craving one since I first saw one at my local Amiga store in the early 1990s. It's been upgraded with a 16gb compact flash IDE harddrive, and other repairs/restorations. It also has the A3640 CPU card and a CD drive installed already. Otherwise, it's pretty bare bones which is great. I have a blank canvas to work with. I will be adding a MTN ZZ9000 video/ethernet card simply because I really like them and they work great.

Backstory over, Is there an advantage or need to add a SCSI controller to this machine? Are there issues with the onboard IDE controller that are solved with a SCSI controller?

Thanks in advance for your advice and opinions.

David
Title: Re: Advantages of A4000 SCSI
Post by: zipper on November 09, 2023, 09:10:16 PM: SCSI is faster, that's all.
Title: Re: Advantages of A4000 SCSI
Post by: dingebre on November 10, 2023, 02:11:59 AM: Thank you! Exactly what I wanted to know.

David
Title: Re: Advantages of A4000 SCSI
Post by: zipper on November 10, 2023, 12:41:17 PM: And to add: SCSI doesn't use CPU like IDE during use. Or at least much less.
Title: Re: Advantages of A4000 SCSI
Post by: kolla on November 10, 2023, 05:01:01 PM: Yes, that’s the main difference really - the onboard IDE (though buffered on A4000) is “controlled” by the CPU is, while with SCSI there’s DMA and a dedicated controller chip and close to zero CPU usage.
Title: Re: Advantages of A4000 SCSI
Post by: dingebre on November 10, 2023, 05:23:02 PM: Thanks
David
Title: Re: Advantages of A4000 SCSI
Post by: miggyretro on November 10, 2023, 09:25:49 PM: Have a look at the new A4091 SCSI cards that are re-Amiga versions of the original back in the day.
Doug from 10Marc has just done a YouTube video on them in a A4000

https://youtu.be/kRrXMQk8uS0?si=X4Qjg9RgPK-b-dXx
Title: Re: Advantages of A4000 SCSI
Post by: dingebre on November 11, 2023, 03:01:26 AM: Quote from: miggyretro on November 10, 2023, 09:25:49 PM
Have a look at the new A4091 SCSI cards that are re-Amiga versions of the original back in the day.
Doug from 10Marc has just done a YouTube video on them in a A4000

https://youtu.be/kRrXMQk8uS0?si=X4Qjg9RgPK-b-dXx

Thanks for the link. Very interesting. I saw one Chris Edwards did on YouTube as well. I'm thinking about it.

David
Title: Re: Advantages of A4000 SCSI
Post by: NorthWay on November 11, 2023, 06:51:24 PM: Quote from: dingebre on November 11, 2023, 03:01:26 AM
Thanks for the link. Very interesting. I saw one Chris Edwards did on YouTube as well. I'm thinking about it.

David
The main problem is that you can't find any for sale. I don't know if it is because they feel the design is not 100% done yet.
Title: Re: Advantages of A4000 SCSI
Post by: dingebre on November 11, 2023, 10:22:21 PM: Quote from: NorthWay on November 11, 2023, 06:51:24 PM
The main problem is that you can't find any for sale. I don't know if it is because they feel the design is not 100% done yet.

I found one from Kavanoz 64. I've bought other things from him before. I have one ordered.

Thanks all!

David
Title: Re: Advantages of A4000 SCSI
Post by: Boing-ball on November 13, 2023, 09:30:15 PM: What are the contact details please?

Put in an interest over on scsi.me for 1 board fully made up like Doug’s at 10Marc
Title: Re: Advantages of A4000 SCSI
Post by: dingebre on November 13, 2023, 10:41:59 PM: Quote from: Boing-ball on November 13, 2023, 09:30:15 PM
What are the contact details please?

Put in an interest over on scsi.me for 1 board fully made up like Doug’s at 10Marc

I sent him an email asking how he would like me to share it. I'm sure he'll get back to me right away.
Title: Re: Advantages of A4000 SCSI
Post by: Boing-ball on November 13, 2023, 11:08:32 PM: Thanks…
Title: Re: Advantages of A4000 SCSI
Post by: dingebre on November 14, 2023, 01:51:22 AM: Quote from: Boing-ball on November 13, 2023, 11:08:32 PM
Thanks…

He said that the list at scsi.me is the best way to go.

David
Title: Re: Advantages of A4000 SCSI
Post by: Boing-ball on November 14, 2023, 08:51:21 AM: Cheers for asking… Will now play the waiting game.