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OlegMishin / A500_8MB_ide

Amiga 500 8MB FastRAM and IDE interface
GNU General Public License v3.0
31 stars 2 forks source link

Your feedback would be appreciated :) #4

Open OlegMishin opened 1 year ago

OlegMishin commented 1 year ago

If sombody has a positive build experience, I would appreciate if you write a couple of words here. Thanks!

ceztko commented 1 year ago

I'm sorry, I can't provide any feedback but I ask you how your project compares to LIV2's GottaGoFastRAM (which is also based on RAM68K/MEM68K) + IDE68K. It seems you redesigned the 2 RAM+IDE projects to mount on a single PCB and you have a 44 pin header while I believe IDE68K has a 40 pin header (do you also carry power?). Is your project sold from any store? Because I just bought a GottaGoFastRAM+IDE68K from AmigaStore.eu and I still have to install it and I'm already disappointed because your project looks better :).

OlegMishin commented 1 year ago

Hi Francesco, thanks for your comments. I can not say how much in details my design differs to GottaGoFastRAM. But comparing source codes I found one weakness of my board - it doesn't support CDTV. This I will try to improve. Regarding IDE connector, that is right, the 44pin connector has 5V supply pins, so it can power a small HDD. I use CF to IDE or SD to IDE adapters. My project is not presented in any store. Sometimes I sell some of my samples on eBay or Kleinanzeigen (I'm in Germany) but not on a regular basis. At the moment I have a couple of free A500_8MB_ide2 boards. This is the next generation of the project. If you are interested, please contact me via linkedin or I can drop you an email which is on your Github page. Regards Oleg

ceztko commented 1 year ago

Sorry, I have the other board to try right now, but I will pass here from time to time to check for news. Of course if you find a shop/sponsor it would be very useful to receive more feedback (maybe you could contact Lotharek's Lair?). I also recommend you to ensure compatibility with AmigaOS/Kickstart 3.2.x. You know, that's the trend now...

I give you another possible suggestion: would it be possible in the current form factor to offer freezer like features? For example ACA500 from Individual Computer comes with Whdload Quit-key support (that otherwise would require a 68010+ CPU), and HRTmon/AR3. Would it be possible to implement those on top of the CPU socket (like your board), as opposed to be a full external expansion?

krug3rf commented 1 year ago

Hi @OlegMishin :) No stock on digikey, mouser, etc. X9572XL can't be used (more easy to ordering) like GottaGoFastRAM or IDE68K

OlegMishin commented 1 year ago

Hi @krug3rf, There is some flexibility with the CPLD. You can use ATF1508AS/ASV (TQFP-100) or EPM7128STC100/STI100 with speed grade up to 15ns(which I tested). Also 25ns should work, but I've not tested. Altera's EPM is much cheaper now. With some luck you can order them in China. I don't plan to move to Xilinx to not mess with 3.3/5V levels. True 5V CPLD gives more flexibility in adding new functions. Anyway, there is already "IDE68K + GottaGo FastRAM 8MB" project based on Xilinx. Maybe it is not open source though.

Regards Oleg

krug3rf commented 1 year ago

Thx for advise ;) About "there is already "IDE68K + GottaGo FastRAM 8MB" project based on Xilinx", I know I have both :;) But your project is smart and build an "all in one" is better than a PCB sandwitches mode :D :D

OlegMishin commented 1 year ago

Thanks :) Have a look at the next version of the project "A500_8MB_ide2". This one doesn't require INT2 and OVR wires.

krug3rf commented 1 year ago

Thanks :) Have a look at the next version of the project "A500_8MB_ide2". This one doesn't require INT2 and OVR wires.

Ooohh without INT2 and OVR ! I stay tuned from your futur v2

rmueller83 commented 1 year ago

I found 2 minor mistakes in the BOM:

Another question: is it preferable to have a straight or an angled IDE connector? I think I saw both variants on the picture.