A4000T + Vortex GoldenGate 486slc , do they work together?

[keropi]

I am thinking about migrating to an original A4000T , so I need to know if goldengate cards work OK with the original A4000T mobo.
I know for sure that they don't work fine with 3rd party tower-zorro-busboards (tried once an RBM tower conversion kit) but what is the status of original C hardware? anyone has this combo?
thanks!  :-)

[Tahoe]

I think you need to switch off CPU caches, other then that it should work!

[keropi]

yes ofcourse, but I need someone who actually USE this combination...
with a 030 and upwards it is MANDATORY to switch off cpu-caches for the GG, no matter what amiga model you are using.

[Jeff]

@Keropi

As per your advice, the only way I could make my Goldengate run stable was to use it in the top slot of the A4000D motherboard. I did try it in my A4000T but without any luck. I didn't spend a lot of time on it though. You might have better luck but be prepared to try different slots and spend a lot of time messing with it.

My advice would be that if yours is working in the Top SLot of an A4000D leave it alone and buy another Bridgeboard for the A4000T. Perhaps an old A2386SX with a clip on 486 chip.

Good Luck,
-Jeff

[amigadave]

keropi wrote:
yes ofcourse, but I need someone who actually USE this combination...
with a 030 and upwards it is MANDATORY to switch off cpu-caches for the GG, no matter what amiga model you are using.

I used to have my A2000 set up with a IVS Vortex030 and ran a GG386sx and didn't turn off the caches of the 030.  I didn't use the GG extensively, but it seemed to work fine IIRC.

Perhaps my memory is faulty, or turning off the caches is only needed for the 486slc and not the 386sx?

[spirantho]

GG 486 runs just fine on my A1500 Apollo 2030@50MHz. It's basically a 25MHz SLC but I've clipped on a 50MHz SLC2 on top and it still works fine with all caches on.

I don't think you'll have any problem with an A4000T, I think it's a backplane problem with things like the RBM (doesn't work with the Eagle tower backplane either)... but you're wise to try and find out.

[keropi]

the whole point is to know for sure about the A4000T _before_ I get it... else there is no point for me since I really want to have an A4000+gg486 . one machine covers all my retro-game needs, both amiga and 386 DOS games.

[keropi]

:bump:

surelly someone uses this combo!

[Nostalgiac]

just want to clear my own thoughts on this.

If I understand, a GG486SLC requires you to switch off the CPU caches ? Is that true for a A2060 card as well ? If so, I can eliminate the 486slc from my wish list :-/ (and focus on a A2386 card only)

Tom UK

[Jeff]

I have multiple A2000 (yes I am aware of the GG adapter) A3000(D/T) and A4000(D/T) machines and the only one that I could get mine to work reliably in was the top slot of the A4000D. It won't even work correctly in the next slot down of the same machine.

Your mileage may vary of course but I am convinced that the Goldengate 486SLC Bridgeboard is VERY finicky. My advice is that if you have it working leave it alone and buy the A4000T anyway:-D

@Keropi It was you that helped me get mine running! Thank you.

-Jeff

[keropi]

np Jeff I am glad you get it working, it is a super-cool card to have  :-D

GG cards needs cpu-caches off ONLY when they operate, so this is not a big deal, you just make a script to disable and re-enable them after quitting the gg software ...

[spirantho]

Maybe I was just lucky with my 486SLC then - never any problems in my A4000D or my A1500, with all caches on from a loaded WB. Only the third party busboard stopped it working.