The Best Amiga Computer Is An A3000?

[amiga92570]

Crumb wrote:
@dannyp1

He said that the A3000 was actually the best computer Amiga had made. Is there any truth in this?

I have owned/own various amiga models (A500/A600/A2000/A3000/A4000/A4000T)

A3000 is overrated. IMHO it's crap compared to an A4000:
-It doesn't have ROM3.1 (you have to buy it)
-It doesn't have Buster11 (you have to buy it)
-It has a crap and slow SCSI interface that heats up DMAC chip and usually has problems with multiple devices. A4000T has IDE and a much better SCSI controller.
-It doesn't have IDE interface. A4000 has IDE.
-You may have to replace DMAC+Ramsey because ZorroIII sucks on A3000. In addition to that A3640 has problems with it so forget about cheap accelerators.
-The case is rubbish. You have to modify it (cutting it) to fit a proper accelerator and it doesn't have space for CDROM. A4000 in contrast has space for 4 3.5" devices and one 5.15" device. A3000 loses with just 3 3.5" devices but cut that to two if you fit an accelerator. In addition to that A3000 doesn't provide good air flow to the cpu accelerator. It doesn't provide you space to put a proper scsi controller external connector so you have to cut the case (again).
-You can't put inside an internal Mediator4000Di or GREX4000. The only solution is using a Prometheus and waste a lot of slot space.
-Oh yes, it doesn't have AGA. That means it's useless for demoscene stuff and even a crap A1200 will be much more fun for that.
-It uses crap ZIP memory. For those who don't know what's that it means you have to deal with small chips that don't want to fit inside the damn socket, have 200 more chances of failing than SIMMs due to bad contacts and that are expensive and hard to find.

The only good point A3000 has is the internal flickerfixer. But it's useless and rubbish compared to PicassoIV flickerfixer.

In addition to that you can add a cheap scandoubler to your A4000 that will make your A4000 run rings around the old A3000. You may argue that "oh, an scandoubler doesn't come as standard" but it's much cheaper and better than upgrading an A3000.

A4000T is clearly the best if you want to expand it.

A1200 is the best features/price if you don't plan to expand it much.

A3000 is a hole where you can throw a lot of money and you won't get a system that can do all you can do with the two previous.


For those who think I hate A3000 I must say I own one with CSPPC, CV64, Toccata, Prometheus... but it's crap compared to my previous A4000 and I had to waste a lot of money upgrading it. And after wasting a lot of money it won't never be as good as an A4000 (Tower or desktop).

You have to buy 3.1 for all amigas except 4000T, unless you purchased very late in the game. Most amiga 4000s did not come with buster 11 except for 4000T. I never experienced ZorroIII problems with 3000 providing you swap the buster to REV 11. The 3640 REV 3.1 and above has no problems with 3000 providing you have 3.1 roms. I have all models of amigas and I like them all. I think AGA is pretty useless as most of the good games run on RTG anyway. I think if you want to play around with the Amiga computer platform, just try to buy something that works and doesn't strain your budget, and most any of the amiga models will give you your fix.

[amiga92570]

Boy, there are endless opinions on this subject. I wonder if any actually answered the posters question? I will add one other thing. If you want to run OS 4.0 with the hardware supported so far 3000(T) and 4000(T) will work equally well. I hope Amigakit gets my OS 4.0 soon.

[amiga92570]

Starrfoxx wrote:
I never had a 3000, but I do have a couple of 4000d's.  I personally think that WinUAE is the best Amiga, because it's the cheapest solution.   :-D

Too bad it can't run the Video Toaster though, otherwise it would be perfect for what I want.

What WinUAE, Ugly case, no hardware support, no scsi, etc, etc... :lol:

[amiga92570]

I used to Service Amigas and most 4000D came with buster REV 9. DMAC REV 1 was not officially used in 3000. 3000's came with dmac rev 2. The only thing that used DMAC rev 1 was a2091. All my 3000's have buster 11, ramsey-07, and DMAC-04 anyway. But, most of this is useless banter anyway. Since the system is obsolete most of the still functioning computers have most of the upgrades already. I know if I were to sell any of my Amiga computers it would take me a while to decide which to sell, because I think they are all perfect. I have 2 3000T's, 1 4000D, 2 1200, and 1 3000D with PPC's. I am looking to test which works best with OS 4.0.

[amiga92570]

I am glad someone got a laugh. :-D

[amiga92570]

The 3000 also had HD 1.76mb drives. I have high density drives in all my 3000's. I think if the price is right, grag the 3000. You can always pick up a nice 1200 for aga. Software hut and amigakit have 1200's, and software hut has some with accelerators on there web site right now.

[amiga92570]

TjLaZer wrote:

The 3000 also had HD 1.76mb drives. I have high density drives in all my 3000's.

They did not come standard though.  I have yet to see a A3000 with a HD drive installed on ebay, that all are 880k.  Can it be added?  Yes. Even the A500/2000's can have a HD drive added (with OS 2.x + of course)

Yes they can be added, but the 3000 was offered standard with the HD drive. I am not choosing sides here, I own all amiga models and like them all. I just state the truth.  :-) There is nothing other than aga and ide as opposed to SCSI on the 3000 that is different hardware wise. OH, except for the built in scandoubler/flicker fixer of the 3000. :-o

I like this Thread! :-D

[amiga92570]

Oh, I did not notice TjLaZer Wrote he did not see one 3000 on Ebay with 1.76 drive. I must be mistaken.  :roflmao:

[amiga92570]

I think Amigadave hit the nail on the head! :smack:

[amiga92570]

Demos, if you want to watch demos go to Youtube.com.  :lol: