This Amiga 4000D has a secret:-D

[redrumloa]

Guess what secret this A4000D holds? It's in a stock, unmodified case...



It plays Quake 2 fast, it's connected to the local network.. And..

It has a Prometheus inside:-)

Yup it was said it couldn't be done, yet I did it in an hour. This A4000D has a prommy using 2 PCI cards, a voodoo 3 and a 8029 ethernet, and still has 2 free un-obstructed zorro slots(plus a third free semi-obstructed zorro). Anyone want a do it yourself guide? Or should I sell a desktop kit? The case itself is 100% unmodified.

[redrumloa]

x56h34 wrote:
Any pictures of the back of the case?

You ask you shall receive:-)

Please keep in mind this was a first attempt. I will refine it a little more.. I have an idea to get the ethernet connector on the back slot plate. The video card connector is the one on the card itself.



The bottom 2 zorro slots are empty and can use full size zorro boards. The third zorro slot from the bottom has the isa slot blocked, but could use a short zorro card like a kickflash.

[redrumloa]

So the video slot is free, as well?

Absolutely.

Any shots with the top of the case off, so we can see how it all fits together?

Will do shortly. Needless to say I am very happy with the results. I'm really kind of suprised no one has done this before.

just not going to stop until I get one of these for my other A4000, are you?

I wouldn't be a very good salesman if I was content to let stock sit on the self collecting dust, and not getting use in your computer now would I? :-D

[redrumloa]

Too bad about your speakers.
 

LOL! Yes they suck :lol:

No worries, that is my 'testing' speakers. My main computer(s) have better speakers than that :-D

[redrumloa]

Smoke and mirrors?

Not quite, pretty easy really. Only one part of the conversion was a "hack" and I doesn't touch the case at all.

Here's a few pictures of the this first conversion.

[redrumloa]

The internals of your 4k seems to be very dusty...

It sure is:-) This A4k isn't my personal one, it's a recent purchase we use for testing.. Yes I do need to tear it down and give it a bath some day soon :lol:

Did you buy those PCI cable extension thingies?

The right angle adapter is a direct off the shelf part.

The pci-flex cable was specially made, but is very close to an off the shelf part.

[redrumloa]

Wow, that looks like it would actually fit into an A3000D!

Sure it will, why not! Actually I have an A3000D here which I will test to make sure. I'll probably take pictures of that to.

I think if you used 2 of the ribbon type extenders you could run the netcard out the back also.

It can be done, but the end result is actually much less clean and you end up losing a 3rd slot. The biggest limitation is the length of the cable, you really can't go any longer than the current cable.

Now, to wait for more price drops.

Honestly there probably won't one any time soon. I simply wanted to gauge the potential market, in an obviously narrow way, but still it gave me enough feedback. The current stock will need to be exhausted at the current price. (We're not getting rich, trust me).

[redrumloa]

the network connector should be at the back (possibly on the same backplate as the voodoo card),

Yeah, that would be nice.. I'm trying to find parts to do such a thing..

as it is now it looks like the 2nd and 3rd PCI slot is next to impossible to extend and with such a card one more PCI slot would be freed up

Actually no! I can easily use a third PCI card in this setup. I can move the 8029 over over, and the prometheus down one slot, and use a taller right angle adapter in the back slot. I actually like the outcome of the right angle adapter over the flex cable, and the original idea was to only use right angle adapters. Unfortunately the voodoo 3 is simply too damn long. Even in the very back slot it is about 1/4 inch too long and the case won't close:-(

Not seen on the picture but most likely there is some isolasion fo the top PCI card so it won't short against the top of the case.

Aaah you are VERY observent, aren't you! :-D Good call and yes you are right. The nic card as is, is dangerously close to the case. It doesn't quite touch, but I certainly wouldn't take the chance. So yes, this does require some insulation between the card and case. For testing I simply used a layer of black electrical tape, it worked but is not an elegant solution. I have a better idea, which I am almost certain will be a perfect permenant solution.

I'm concerned about heat though... does it run hot already?

As it sits right now, no. There is enough room between the voodoo and the rest of the cards for it to breathe. I also have the CS-PPC unobrstructed. The Prometheus itself and the 8029 nic don't create much heat themselves.

and what then when scandoubler and 2 full length Zorro cards get in there aswell?

I guess that depends on the boards, though I don't think most old zorro expansions were known as heaters. Heat has always been a concern for desktop cases, but IMO not really for the hlaf of the case with the zorro slots. The big heat concern is the side of the case with the ultra expensive accelerator. Especially the A3000D, there really is no room there for the accelerator to breathe. I really don't think this prommy setup will contribute much if any to the heat on the turbocard side of the case.

[redrumloa]

@tjaoz

Welcome back Tojaz! It's been a while, I was worried about you. How are things in Krakow?

[redrumloa]

I've experiemted with the A3000 and come to a couple of conclusions. It can be implemented cleaner, but you either lose a 3rd zorro slot, or you lose the video slot. The A3000D case is shorter and wider. The extra width makes it possible to simply use 2 right angle adapters, and no flex adpater cable. Interesteing.. More testing, and experimenting going on....

[redrumloa]

Well - Redrumloa excellent hack

Thanks, though what was shown above was only an initial try just to prove it could be done. The idea is for the final product to not be a hack at all.

For a price comparison - how much for the mediator and the pci extender and cables compared to the price of the 4000D mediator?

I'm not going to get into a slagging match against a competitor. Let's just say the final cost will still be less.
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For those of you interested I've proven the concept in an A3000D, without the need for a flex cable at all. Using 2 PCI slots will take up the real estate of 3 zorro slot. Everything is nice and neat, and tight. The video slot is unobstructed. When ready, which I expect for late next week, this will be the *ONLY* PCI solution for Amiga 3000 users who wish to retain their stock case.

[redrumloa]

I was wondering if you have any pictures of the Prometheus fitted into  the Amiga 3000 desktop case?

You ask you shall receive! Here's a few pictures of a Prometheus using one card, a Voodoo 3. In this confirguartion there are 2 free zorro slots (and the video slot is free).







As you can see the case closed and this is a clean implentation. I have more brackets on order, I will take more pictures next week showing the A3kD using 2 PCI cards.

[redrumloa]

Glaucus wrote:
Good job Red! Maybe you should send one of those puppies over and I'll do an in-depth review of the whole conversion! ;-) And if you let me keep it, I'll be sure to make it a glowing review!  :-P
 

You do an in depth review and I will sell you one at cost, or maybe slightly below cost. If interested contact me directly. I don't want a terribly slanted review though, just a fair and thought out one:-) By the way Mike, do you have an A3k or A4k?

[redrumloa]

Any Amiga 3000T and Amiga 4000T owners reading this? If so could you please measue the width from the zorro slots to the edge of the case? I suspect only the Amiga 4000D will need a flex cable.

[redrumloa]

@Crusher

Those are some really nice pics:-)

Just say if you want some more.

Please:-) A picture a little zoomed out showing the whole bottom half of the A3000T would be nice! Thanks!