Advice on an accelerator please.

[drewz21]

Hello all, I'm looking to get an accelerator for my A4000D and I've got 2 in mind.

The expensive option is a Cyberstorm Mk-II 68060 @ 50MHz with what appears to be 32MB RAM, expandable to 128MB, for well over $300.

The other option is a MacroSystems Warp Engine 68040 @40MHz with 128MB RAM for $260.

What is everyone's opinion on these 2 please?

Thanks in advance.

[keropi]

the 060 mk2 board will be way faster...

[McVenco]

I'd choose the 060, without any doubt.

The amount of RAM doesn't say much, since you can get that anywhere, and if you look around a while, you'll be able to find some SIMMs for just a few dollars, or even for free. (I got two 32MB SIMMS for free a while ago and I bought some "obsolete" 64MB ones at a local computer dump store for €2,50 a piece).

[Amigaz]

Also note that the CSMKII won't need a fan because it runs cooler so it's better suited for an A4000D

[clemenza]

Well, I do have the 040/40 Warp Engine on my A4000D (with 128 megs), and I can assure you that it's a huge speed improvement over the 'stock' 040/25 A4000D. If you want to pay more, then I think you should go straight for the Cyberstorm PPC...

[drewz21]

Is either one of them more compatible than the other with software?  Either one have any issues with the AmigaOS?

Thanks again!

[clemenza]

Hmmm, I don't think I encountered any compatibility problems with the Warp Engine - ever! Overal, I'm very satisfied with it but I payed for it about $ 100, so...

[ltstanfo]

drewz21 wrote:
Is either one of them more compatible than the other with software?  Either one have any issues with the AmigaOS?

Thanks again!

Drewz21,

I've owned both in my "AMIGA career" and have come to some personal conclusions (your mileage may vary):

1.  The CS060 is the fastest accellerator for the A4000 series unless you want the bragging rights to a PPC card (I never owned a PPC card since there was little software to use the PPC and the price was just rediculous).
2.  The 060 does not need a fan since it runs cooler than the 040.  The 040 can be run using a large, flat metal heat sink in place of a fan (if you have the space to do so).
2.  If you are using WB3.1 then you will get better versatility out of the Warp Engine (I had the 4040).  Recall that as of WB3.1, all software was written to run native on the 040, using the C= supplied .040 library.  While the 060 will run WB3.1 apps quite nicely, I did encounter more than just a few software issues that required work around to fix (I could fix about 90% of them).  One thing to remember is that there are relatively few programs written / optimized to take advantage of the 060 CPU so while you are "running" faster than an 040, the faster cpu is not realling being taken adantage of (IMO).
3.  If you are running WB3.9 then there is little to choose between the 040 and the 060.  In that case, I would go with whichever one makes you happy.

Regards,
Ltstanfo

[drewz21]

Great advice, thanks.  I'll let you know what I decided.

[stopthegop]

The 060 without any doubt.  As far as price, the 060 costs more because it is worth more.  You're not really "losing" anything by paying more for the 060.  I disagree with the statement that too little software is optimized for the 68060 (or the ppc for that matter).  Search aminet for "060" and/or "ppc" if you doubt this...  Quite a few commercial programs are optimized for these CPUs as well.  Imagine6, ImageFX, Hollywood, Pagestream...  I could go on.    

[Piru]

And even if the software isn't 060 optimized, 060 still runs it faster than 040.

[X-ray]

With those prices, there is no doubt: 060 !!

[drewz21]

Looks like the 060 may get to $400 now.  Making me think more...

[drewz21]

This is the 060 I'm considering, by the way.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=013&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=230091922308&rd=1&rd=1

[derringer3]

If the difference is $40, go for 060 card. (if you have the money of course.)
I have a ppc card with 040, and one of the big bandwith robber is the slow 040 and the ide port which is not using dma mode, so all  the data which i copied heavily use the 040 cpu. So that's why i will change to scsi.

Anyway i think if you have good luck (or shark ppc will ever see the sunlight) you can buy a ppc card a little bit higher price. It is Worth it. Ah and don't forget os4, it will run only ppc.