Using VRAM as fast ram?

[danbeaver]

If you are using a Mediator, PCI.library ver 9.7, and the MedConfig tool, then it should be automatic.

[danbeaver]

If you are using a Mediator, PCI.library ver 9.7, and the MedConfig tool, then it should be automatic.

Can I ask a question, "Are you using a Mediator, PCI.library 9.7, the MedConfig utility and a compatible PCI video card with more than 1 MB of memory?

[danbeaver]

Be aware that any memory you do add from the video card will be a lot slower to access than regular fast ram.

Be aware that the ram speed is identical between motherboard and GPU vram due to the higher refresh rate of the vram. Those numbers are in the Hyperion Classic forums.  The fastest ram speed is found on a CPU card such as the CSPPC.

[danbeaver]

Probably just put in version 9.7 or 10 of PCI.library and reboot.

[danbeaver]

Use OS4.1

[danbeaver]

Although I haven't used them, MCP and Watcher have capabilities to add other items to the title bar.  OS4.1 has it as part of the Workbench Prefs program.  AmigaSYS4 has stuff in its title bar, but I don't know if it is an option.

[danbeaver]

...Avoid at all costs OS4 on Amiga hardware, as it noticeably degrades performance. OS4 is better suited to PPC motherboards such as the SAM and AmigaOne series.

As I have stated in the OS4 threads, OS4 on a Blizzard 603e is adversely affected by that hardware when compared to the CSPPC.  Even on a lowly 50/150 CSPPC, OS4.1 is a quick, modern and smooth experience.  The type of HDD interface will make all OS's appear slow or fast, with the UW-SCSI of the CSPPC reaching in the 30+ MB/s range.  The A1200 add ons just won't get near that number.  Having used OS4.1 on A4000D's, A4000T's and an X-1000, the experience is uniformly positive and similar.  The Classic Amiga hardware can not keep up with the graphics and HDD speed of the NG systems, but that is no reason to trash classic Amiga's running OS4.1.  Simply put, a 6 ounce sparrow cannot carry a one pound coconut, i.e., a 603e A1200 can't keep up with an A4000D/T.

As far as the RAM speeds of VRAM, MB RAM, Zorro3 RAM and CS RAM, the numbers are on the Hyperion forums; while the Zorro3 speed is in the middle in between MB/VRAM and on-board Cyberstorm RAM, the Zorro3 RAM is only marginally fast enough to use a swap memory in an OS4.1 system and MB/VRAM just will not cut the mustard. On a OS3.9 system, one would be hard pressed to use up 128 MB or even the 300+MB that can result from combined RAM use.

[danbeaver]

There's a version 10 of pci.library out?...
slaapliedje

Yes, Elbox sold Radeon 92XX cards that were not recognized in OS4.1 and their attempt to write a driver/library for a OS4.1 kernel resulted in version 10.  It can be used to build a kernel that can handle those cards, but it leaves the system unstable; it also does not allow any of Elbox's other PCI cards to run.  The OS4.1 team wrote their own device drivers for the PCI bus of the Mediator which is why there are two different PCI card sets: one for OS3.X and one for OS4.1.  They only overlap on the RTL8029 and the Radeon cards.

[danbeaver]

With the release of the version 1 of the Radeon HD driver (for use by the Radeon HD series of cards) by the OS4 team, that driver is described as being "ready for 3D drivers" to be written using not a Warp kludge, but something on the order of OpenGL.  Is seems all the 3D hardware systems code is available for the calls to have it implemented.  OS3.X users will have to rely upon the Voodoo and Radeon 92xx cards for implementation or on cards other than the few much slower Zorro based 3D RTG'S.  Best cost vs benefit card for an OS3.X system is a Voodoo3 2000 that can be over clocked to match the more expensive and harder to find Voodoo3 3000

[danbeaver]

Ha ha, I was just looking at the cards on eBay, there is still (pretty sure it's the same one that's been there for years) a Voodoo 5 5500 PCI card for $400...  Maybe I'll look into getting a Voodoo 3 2 or 3000 (seems there's both on ebay right now, though one a bit more pricey than I want to spend right now.)  

It'd be nice if someone had gotten 3D acceleration on the Radeon 92xx cards for OS3.x  It looked at one point like someone was going to work on it, but it was a few years back and I didn't see any downloads for it.

slaapliedje

Drivers for the Voodoo cards only support one of the two GPU's on the 5500, so a 4500 is the fastest for an absurd amount of money.  Then the fastest PCI bus for the cards is the Grex 4000 @ 50 mb/s.