Crazy Idea to get a A1200?

[save2600]

Great idea! If you've got the cash, inclination, like to tinker and are patient - can't think of a better hobby-computing experience than an A1200 (or any Miggy really). Advantage of the 1200 is the readily available processor upgrades (and yes, an 060 is THAT much better all around for an ultimate Amiga experience), but for games only and some other minor utility type stuff - a high end 030 (50mhz) might be plenty. I'll admit, I had more fun upgrading and enjoy my big box Amiga than I ever did my A1200, but either way - you'll be happy tinkering with a 1200 if you're just used to a 500.

BTW: plan on spending a small fortune no matter what you do Amiga wise and Jens' Indivison AGA (native VGA out) is also highly recommended. OS3.9 on an 030 equipped A1200 *is* going to seem a little sluggish today - FYI, but it is what it is. Tons of patches to get the most out of your system on Aminet and here. If I were to go back to a 1200, the Boing Bag 3 patches would be a must for me, now that I'm used to an 060 machine.

Enjoy!

[save2600]

I thought 040's ran hot and didnt really have that much more performance increase?

Yeah, I'm not sure why you'd want to go that route. Maybe Tension meant to say 060? 040's run at 5vcc whilst the 060 runs at 3vcc. Then you're gonna to have to raise the desktop case, install a fan, etc., etc. Unless of course, you get a Blizzard 1240, remove the 040 and install an 060 you got for dirt cheap somewhere    

That would make sense methinks... lol

I had an 040 25mhz card in my A2500 for a very short stint and feel it did not give me that much more improvement speed wise than my 030 @ 40mhz. But I'm talking general desktop usage. Perhaps somebody rendering or using their machines a little more professionally would disagree. But then I'd think they'd want to invest in an 060 anyway.

And yeah, like Crom00 said, no need to worry about compatibility any longer. Everything is patched with WHDLoad AND there are Degrader programs as well as Kickstart disks/programs that force a Kickstart 1.3 environment. Kickstart ROMS are dirt cheap if you want to stay on the "up and up" of things.

[save2600]

I love the sound of Australia - "empty" and all