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Offline BrianTopic starter

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Searching for unknown hardware for my fullspec machine
« on: February 28, 2007, 06:36:52 PM »
I have a pritty fullspec system but since I'm trying to create the ultimat maxed out system here I'm looking for a peice of hardware that fit the following specifications: standard PCI (for Mediator4000) or halflength Zorro2/3 with or without a backplane with a max depth of 3-4cm (will sit in front of the mediator bridge board so space is limited at the backplane).

Here's the catch... I already have this pritty much filled with all one can think of:

Soundcard (Toccata Zorro2)
VideoEd.card (VLabMotion Zorro2)
I/O controller (VarIO Zorro2-halflength)
Flash card (KickFlashOS4 Zorro2-halflength)
IDE controller (FastATA4000 Zorro3-halflength)
Graphiccard (Voodoo3 PCI)
TV Tuner (WinFast PCI)
Network card (RealTec PCI)
USB controller (Spider2 PCI)
Floppycontroller (CatweaselMK1 Internal-IDE-header)
Scandoubler (ScanMagic ClipOn)
SCSI controller (on CyberStormPPC CPU-slot)

(Have a Voodoo5500 that I think I can shoehorn in at the top PCI slot if I use the KickFlashOS4 at the Zorroslot behind and down from that PCI slot, the Toccata soundcard will be in the Zorroslot above PCI slots so will be almost sandwitched to the back of the graphiccard).

Personal thoughts... either Modem or ISDN (Preferr Modem since ISDN is not used here)... the SupraModem2400zi(plus or standard model) would fit the bill perfectly and add Modem connectivity to the computer... but is there something else that I should concider instead perhaps?

For the PCI slot I'm lost... can't think of anything to put there that is officialy supported and not in the system already... no SharkPPC will be pointless with CSPPC installed. What about 3rd party drivers... is there something that opens up for some fun hardware I've missed?

I also have an unused expansion port on the CSPPC, a clockport free on the VarIO and also one on the KickFlash... can they be used for something I don't have already?

One last thing... does anyone know if it's "safe" to fill a bussboard all the way like this?

Help me max this system please! :crazy:

Offline BrianTopic starter

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Re: Searching for unknown hardware for my fullspec machine
« Reply #1 on: March 01, 2007, 05:43:11 AM »
:bump:

No one who can give me some pointers as to what upgrade to get next?

Offline stopthegop

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Re: Searching for unknown hardware for my fullspec machine
« Reply #2 on: March 01, 2007, 06:20:13 AM »
I have mine very close to max'd.  I have an MPEG decoder in the video slot and also a Delfina and Subway connected to  various clockports.  You could always add storage?  Or how about another NIC?  Or another soundcard?  I have a fibre channel adapter that I'm working on porting a driver for.  If you know C at all, pick any PCI card that strikes your interest and work on writing or porting an Amiga driver for it..        
Primary:
A4000T. Phase5 PPC604e-233mhz/060-66mhz. Mediator, Z3 Fastlane, Voodoo5, Delfina, X-Surf, AD516, Peggy Plus.

Collection:
A4000D, A1200, A500, Milan060 (Atari clone), Atari MegaSTE, Atari TT030, C64, C128, Mattel Aquarius, (2) HP Jornada....
 

Offline keropi

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Re: Searching for unknown hardware for my fullspec machine
« Reply #3 on: March 01, 2007, 06:53:05 AM »
hmmmmm .... imho isdn or modem cards are useless, why u need one?
I have these:

A4000 #1:
csppc 233mhz
G-Rex4000D ->voodoo3 -> NIC -> sound
Arxon Scandoubler
AlgorUSB PRO
scsi setup

A4000 #2:
csppc 200mhz
PicassoIV + concierto + paloma
GoldenGate486slc
KickFlashOS4 + subway
ISA VGA , ISA Sound (for goldengate)
IDE setup
 

Offline stopthegop

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Re: Searching for unknown hardware for my fullspec machine
« Reply #4 on: March 01, 2007, 07:01:55 AM »
Quote
A4000 #1:
csppc 233mhz
G-Rex4000D ->voodoo3 -> NIC -> sound
Arxon Scandoubler
AlgorUSB PRO
scsi setup

A4000 #2:
csppc 200mhz
PicassoIV + concierto + paloma
GoldenGate486slc
KickFlashOS4 + subway
ISA VGA , ISA Sound (for goldengate)
IDE setup


Now THAT is a nice Amiga!
Primary:
A4000T. Phase5 PPC604e-233mhz/060-66mhz. Mediator, Z3 Fastlane, Voodoo5, Delfina, X-Surf, AD516, Peggy Plus.

Collection:
A4000D, A1200, A500, Milan060 (Atari clone), Atari MegaSTE, Atari TT030, C64, C128, Mattel Aquarius, (2) HP Jornada....
 

Offline weirdami

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Re: Searching for unknown hardware for my fullspec machine
« Reply #5 on: March 01, 2007, 07:03:00 AM »
you don't have a time base corrector or genlock.
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Offline cv643d

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Re: Searching for unknown hardware for my fullspec machine
« Reply #6 on: March 01, 2007, 07:36:07 AM »
You should get a real video-slot scandoubler/flickerfixer instead of clip on.
Amiga articles
"New shell. It was finished a while back, but I still see bugs, haha" - SSolie
 

Offline Oli_hd

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Re: Searching for unknown hardware for my fullspec machine
« Reply #7 on: March 01, 2007, 12:24:41 PM »
Quote
the SupraModem2400zi(plus or standard model) would fit the bill perfectly and add Modem connectivity to the computer... but is there something else that I should concider instead perhaps?

I have used nothing but US Robotics modems and I love them (although Im on broadband at the moment), they did the 56K messenger which worked when the computer was turned off, taking calls and all sorts.. it worked great with STFax too.
That said, how about you try and find the Amiga modem made for the A1200 surfer pack, gut it and stick a 56K modem inside, it will have an Amiga brand but be fast. (Bit like an Amiga One then ;-) )
 

Offline BrianTopic starter

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Re: Searching for unknown hardware for my fullspec machine
« Reply #8 on: March 01, 2007, 05:32:08 PM »
@stopthegop
Delfina not needed as I have the Toccata soundcard (using this as it works together with the VLabMotion card, had PCI card before). Subway not needed since I have the Spider2 with regged Poseidon already. Seccondary soundcard can be troublesome, what to connect where and such.. have a front I/O panel that needs to be feeded to two soundcards. Honestly the Toccata should be enough for me since I've always been very satisfied with the original sound of me Amigas chip. Add storage in what way? I have the FastATA and the UWSCSI of my CSPPC, should be enough no? Sadly I have no C skills else I'd be hunting for geek PCI cards atm, sa I have to rely on other skilled persons to write 3rd party PCI drivers. :-D

@weirdami
Can you point me to a halflength zorro TBC or Genlock then please... I've not found any though.

@cv643d
Have other scandoublers but the videoport is blocked by my VLabMotion card and there's no other place to put that so I'm forced to stick with the clipon version or no scandoubler at all... and to be hones the clipon works just fine by me as most graphic should go through the Voodoo card anyway.

@keropi
True modems are more or less useless these days, especialy 2K4 baud ones such as the SupraModem but I'm only interested in the connectivity... the ability to connect that way in an emergency situation or just for kicks. Trying to maximize the system and be true to that name so MAX it should be... hence all things you can think of that can be internaly should be installed no matter how utterly useless they might be. :roll:

@Oli_hd
Am not looking for external units but internal units. Hence the available modems are very limited and only one being helflenght zorro is the supramodem afaik. (Was concidereing the HyperCom3+/4+ once but it fell on a VarIO due to availability, that meens I only have 1 serailport that goes to the back and therefore I can't even have an external modem connected inside using an internal Serial connector, else that would have been an option that would open for fast modems without taking up any Zorro/PCI slots.)

Have been thinking about the "PCI POST-Code display" as a card for the last PCI slot but I doubt it's Amiga compatible. :-?

My towers backside and inside, note that there's now also 2 fullsize zorro cards (Toccata and Vlabmotion) in the two upper slots and the PCI soundcard is removed. The hole story (not updated in a while though the spec on the toprightside should be up to date) @ MAXXED OUT A4000

Offline guru-666

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Re: Searching for unknown hardware for my fullspec machine
« Reply #9 on: March 01, 2007, 05:33:59 PM »
do you realy need help craming more stuff in there?  I would say you are doing just fine...  nice setup!
 

Offline BrianTopic starter

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Re: Searching for unknown hardware for my fullspec machine
« Reply #10 on: March 01, 2007, 05:46:43 PM »
Trying to put it at #1. I see alot of "maxed systems" that honestly to me doesn't spell maxed so I want to make this true to the name so noone sits and think to them selves... "It's surely is missing that to be called "MAX" in my book".

It now have all the essencial bits and bobs and good lot more but it can have a bit more still... I know it... I just need you out there to enlighten me cause I'm starting to draw blanks here. :headwall:

Offline keropi

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Re: Searching for unknown hardware for my fullspec machine
« Reply #11 on: March 01, 2007, 06:44:19 PM »
excellent work on the custom tower man! congrats!  :-D  :-D  :-D
 

Offline X-ray

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Re: Searching for unknown hardware for my fullspec machine
« Reply #12 on: March 01, 2007, 06:56:02 PM »
Maxing is fun.
I would like to max my A4000T too. It is quite a good spec at the moment:

PPC 233/060 (64mHz) 128mb RAM
PIV, Concierto, Paloma
DKB3128 128mb RAM
Kickflash + Subway USB
CF to IDE adapter

External components: genlock, sound digitizer, Vidi digitizer, various SCSI items.

What I could probably add:

Zorro network card
VLAB motion or PAR
another DKB board  :-D

The only thing is, I can't justify having internet access on my Miggy. And I can't envisage making use of a PAR when I can get better hardware for my dual core PC.
Maybe I should just go for DKB boards  :-D
 

Offline BrianTopic starter

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Re: Searching for unknown hardware for my fullspec machine
« Reply #13 on: March 01, 2007, 07:49:48 PM »
If you're ever concider shopping for a PAR I got a REV4 one that I can part with, now that I got the VLab Motion. :-D

Offline motrucker

Re: Searching for unknown hardware for my fullspec machine
« Reply #14 on: March 02, 2007, 01:37:48 AM »
A paltry V-Lab?:) Why not a Video Toaster setup? Now THAT would be a stuffed system. Of course then you would really need a TBC.

A2000 GVP 40MHz \'030, 21Mb RAM SD/FF, 2 floppies, internal CD-ROM drive, micromys v3 w/laser mouse
A1000 Microbotics Starboard II w/2Mb 1080, & external floppy (AIRdrive)
C-128 w/1571, 1750, & Final Cartridge III+