Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
Forums
« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2 3   Go Down

Author Topic: A3000 hardware  (Read 5676 times)

Description:

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline MPVarnerTopic starter

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Join Date: Nov 2003
  • Posts: 24
    • Show only replies by MPVarner
A3000 hardware
« on: November 10, 2003, 09:29:58 AM »
I have an A3000 that I"m looking to update. Currently it has 2.04 and whatever roms came with it. 2meg chip 11 fast. I'd like to add a  cdrom, network card and maybe a video card.  Possably some more memery depending on cost.
I've also considered buying the 1200 tower as it may be less expensive to upgrade. I'm looking for bang for the buck stuff.
Any specifics (as in what model and namebrand of network card ) I would get would be great as I'm not very familiar with what's out there.

Thanks in advance for any infos.
Logged
Just because I think everybody is out to get me doesn\\\'t mean that they\\\'re not.
 

Offline MrZammler

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Join Date: Feb 2002
  • Posts: 720
    • Show only replies by MrZammler
Re: A3000 hardware
« Reply #1 on: November 10, 2003, 10:31:16 AM »
Ok, first of all get a set of 3.1 roms. Vesalia has them, maybe kdh too. That will kick the machine into todays standards, and will enable you to run OS3.9.

While there, you can consider getting an X-Surf2 network card. Works great here, no problems at all.

From there on, try searching ebay for a CV64 or similar graphics card.
Logged
Anyway is the only way
 

Offline Cyberus

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Join Date: Feb 2003
  • Posts: 5696
    • Show only replies by Cyberus
Re: A3000 hardware
« Reply #2 on: November 10, 2003, 10:34:52 AM »
If you're thinking of getting an A1200 tower, than I'd advise you to do what Mr Zammler said, AND buy the A1200 :-)

Another option is towering the A3000 and getting a mediator - unfortunately I'm about to start work and cannot go into more detail.

see amiga-hardware.com to see what is available
Logged
I like Amigas
 

Offline bloodline

  • Master Sock Abuser
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2002
  • Posts: 12114
    • Show only replies by bloodline
    • http://www.troubled-mind.com
Re: A3000 hardware
« Reply #3 on: November 10, 2003, 10:38:02 AM »
I think that if you want to use your A3000, then a PCI bus board would be good. THen you can add a modern GFX card, modern Sound card and a cheap network card. All of which would be cheaper and faster than native Amiga Hardware.
Logged
 

Offline prowler

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Join Date: Sep 2002
  • Posts: 182
    • Show only replies by prowler
Re: A3000 hardware
« Reply #4 on: November 10, 2003, 10:42:59 AM »
As already mentioned, getting 3.1 KS ROMs is a definate. (It's needed for 3.9). 3.9 comes with a TCP/IP stack as well etc so if you want to get on the internet with it you have the software needed.

Also, the motherboard can take upto 16Megs fast, you might want to see if you can pick up some second hand cheap memory.

You also have a 31kHz monitor port on an A3000 so you can use cheap PC monitors with native modes and also if you get a GFX card it will work fine with one of them as well.

If you don't want to buy an IDE controller, get some old SCSI I/II devices like CD-ROM drives/HDs (Ebay is good).

Accellerators and more RAM are a pain and can be expensive though. You just need to keep an eye out for good deals.

A3000 = ECS, A1200 = AGA, so if you want to play AGA games etc, the 3000 is no good.
Logged
 

Offline Brian

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2003
  • Posts: 1604
    • Show only replies by Brian
    • http://www.syntaxsociety.se
Re: A3000 hardware
« Reply #5 on: November 10, 2003, 11:05:05 AM »
If you're realy looking for "bang for the buck" struff then you should not buy a card here and a card there but instead try to find good deals on a complete secondhand system with the cards that you want.

Often you will get the cards much cheaper than buying them one by one and you will have a system extra that you can use or sell to make the deal even more preferable.

Ofcause it's not easy to find good deals on sweet systems without having a bunch of other ppl finding the same thing but once in a while one will get lucky if you have patience. Having many Amiga contacts and using a big search area will help you in you're quest for the most "bang for the buck". :-D
Logged
 

Offline MPVarnerTopic starter

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Join Date: Nov 2003
  • Posts: 24
    • Show only replies by MPVarner
Re: A3000 hardware
« Reply #6 on: November 10, 2003, 07:33:15 PM »
Thanks for all the info. I  have looked at getting the tower pci setup for the A3000, but, it seems that I could get the A1200 tower for a whole lot cheaper. I'm sure there must be some drawbacks that I'm not aware of.
I don't have an Amiga monitor anymore so I may have to stick with the A3000.
I  was looking at the place that was listed for the roms. They seemed to have decent prices compared to Softhut, (the only place I know in US that I can get roms and stuff for but I'm sure the shipping would make up for the savings.
Logged
Just because I think everybody is out to get me doesn\\\'t mean that they\\\'re not.
 

Offline Amiga4k

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Join Date: Feb 2002
  • Posts: 300
    • Show only replies by Amiga4k
Re: A3000 hardware
« Reply #7 on: November 11, 2003, 06:47:19 AM »
Is this A3000 an 68030 x 16 or 68030 x 25. Some older 2.04 units were shipped with 16 Mhz. You never stated this. An older 68030 x 16 is more limited in upgrade (not suited for 3.5 or 3.9).
Alas, you withheld your location area, so I am unable to offer parts without that information.
Logged
Won\'t hide my location.
"I know if you have been good or bad!"
 

Offline Acill

Re: A3000 hardware
« Reply #8 on: November 11, 2003, 07:29:02 AM »
Mediator is the best way to go! I have one in my A3000 in a Mirage Tower case and love it! Elbox is doing a special now and will ship all items for free if you buy from them direct. For the price of a CV64 and an X-surf you can get the tower and the mediator just about. Check them out at www.elbox.com for more information.
Logged
Proud Retired Navy Chief!

A4000T - CSPPC - Mediator
Powerbook G4 15", 17"
Powermac G5 2GHZ
AmigaOne X5000
Need Amiga recap or other services in the US? Visit my website at http://www.acill.com and take a look or on facebook at http://facebook.com/acillclassics
 

Offline Effy

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Join Date: Aug 2002
  • Posts: 2053
    • Show only replies by Effy
Re: A3000 hardware
« Reply #9 on: November 11, 2003, 08:25:46 AM »
I suggest, if you're not extremely rich, to try that Xsurf after you installed those 3.1 Roms. The big adcvantage of that network card is the extra IDE port on it, so you don't need to buy an extra IDE controller. Okay, you can not boot from that one but you can still boot from your internal scsi harddisc and use for example a cheap ultrafast cdrom that is connected to that IDE controller on the network card ...
Logged
 

Offline MPVarnerTopic starter

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Join Date: Nov 2003
  • Posts: 24
    • Show only replies by MPVarner
Re: A3000 hardware
« Reply #10 on: November 12, 2003, 08:51:14 AM »
I'm located in CA, US.
I'm not sure what the processor is in the A3000. I think it is the 25 because I  shows 68882 fpu but I am just guessing.
Logged
Just because I think everybody is out to get me doesn\\\'t mean that they\\\'re not.
 

Offline melott

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2002
  • Posts: 989
    • Show only replies by melott
Re: A3000 hardware
« Reply #11 on: November 12, 2003, 03:55:06 PM »
About a year ago I came back to my A3k after
leaving it set for about 4 years.
I did some upgrading ..  my machine was an
030-25 which it sounds like you have the same.
I added a WarpEngine 040- 40mhz with onboard
ram 64 megs.( much cheaper than zips)
3.1 Rom chips as they said are a must.
I added a CyberVision64 gfx accellerator.
I also have an external 2 drive scsi box with
CD Rom and 2nd hard drive.
The other things mentioned by the other people
are good if you have the money but I found the
Mediator card expencive so I chose to go the
way I did and I'm very happy with my A3k.


Logged
Stealth ONE  8-)
 

Offline CU_AMiGA

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Join Date: Aug 2003
  • Posts: 1807
    • Show only replies by CU_AMiGA
Re: A3000 hardware
« Reply #12 on: November 12, 2003, 04:15:17 PM »
Can't you emulate Workbench 3.1 on 2.04 ROMS?
Logged
A1200D / AGA / B1260 / 64MB RAM / KS 3.1 / AOS 3.9 / 4GB HD
 

Offline MPVarnerTopic starter

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Join Date: Nov 2003
  • Posts: 24
    • Show only replies by MPVarner
Re: A3000 hardware
« Reply #13 on: November 13, 2003, 03:23:57 AM »
From what I've read I can run os 3.9 on the hardware I have minus the roms. I wondering for most basic stuff will the 030/25 be enought? I'd really like to get the roms, os and network card for now if that will get me up and running.  What kind of stuff would I need and accel and more memory for? I mean like will most stuff run on what I have or will most not run on what I er... will have. (which will be the hardware listed plus 3.1 roms, os 3.9 and a network card)
edit
oh, and I'd like to be able to run higher res then the stock a3000 so I'm guessing that means video card too.
Logged
Just because I think everybody is out to get me doesn\\\'t mean that they\\\'re not.
 

Offline melott

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2002
  • Posts: 989
    • Show only replies by melott
Re: A3000 hardware
« Reply #14 on: November 13, 2003, 07:17:14 PM »
I guess if money is tight ...
Them the one best upgrade (imho) would
be a GFX card. But if you go that route make
sure you get a Zorro III card, not a Z2 card.
You can pick up a good card on EBay for usually
around $150.00 or less. IMHO that would be the
best single upgrade you can make.
If you want to install an accelerator then the
3.1 Roms are a must since all the good one
(I think) require 3.1 Roms.

Logged
Stealth ONE  8-)
 
Pages: [1] 2 3   Go Up
« previous next »