A3000 RAM Expansion

[jmmijo]

I know there are many different ways to add more fast ram to the A3000, it seems that the ZIP ram sockets allow up to 16MB of fast ram using 1 x 4 Page or Static Column mode. My question is wether this is considered 16 or 32 bit fast ram? I'm thinking it's 32-bit as the sites I've reviewed seem to indicate this. Now if that's correct then why is fast ram added via a Zorro card only 16-bit ram? Must be the address size of the Zorro bus? Then this also means that by adding a faster cpu via the cpu slot you can then add 32-bit fast ram there as well, yes or no? And finally if adding a faster cpu via the cpu slot, can both this ram and the fast ram in the Zip sockets be used at the same time or is there a mapping issue there like not being able to use the zip ram with the dip sockets at the same time?

Man that's a lot of questions to answer but hey, I added a zorro card to my 3000 and the 8MB of ram is being seen as fast ram :) so I was thinking of adding some more via the zip sockets as well.

[adolescent]

If I remember correctly, it's been a while since I worked on my A3000.

Yes, I do believe the m/b ram is 32 bit fast ram.

If your card is an older Zorro II RAM card then it is 16 bit not 32 bit. It's still fast RAM though, just not chip. Even a PCMCIA card in an Amiga 1200 is fast RAM...

Yes, if you add a CPU card you can add memory on the accellerator card also (this is the best place to put memory, and usually the cheapest)

And, Yes, if you add the memory there, you can also use your m/b memory.

[DrBong]

Originally posted by jmmijo
I know there are many different ways to add more fast ram to the A3000, it seems that the ZIP ram sockets allow up to 16MB of fast ram using 1 x 4 Page or Static Column mode. My question is wether this is considered 16 or 32 bit fast ram? I'm thinking it's 32-bit as the sites I've reviewed seem to indicate this. Now if that's correct then why is fast ram added via a Zorro card only 16-bit ram? Must be the address size of the Zorro bus? Then this also means that by adding a faster cpu via the cpu slot you can then add 32-bit fast ram there as well, yes or no? And finally if adding a faster cpu via the cpu slot, can both this ram and the fast ram in the Zip sockets be used at the same time or is there a mapping issue there like not being able to use the zip ram with the dip sockets at the same time?

Ok, all very good questions.

The A3000 zip ram slots are 32 bit (as already confirmed).

Not all Zorro memory cards are 16 bit. The 16 bit ones that are Z2, and were made for the A2000 (although can be used in the A3/4000, but at suboptimal performance).

However, there are some Z3 memory cards or SCSI/memory combo cards available (e.g. DKB 3128, Z3 Fastlane, DKB 4091, C= 4091, and possibly, the GVP 4008) which provide 32 bit memory (30 or 72 pin simms). All accelerators made for the A3/4000 that have memory slots are 32 bit only (no real point being 16 bit as it would just slow the system down and be self-defeating).

If you add an accelerator via the CPU slot or the Zorro slot, then any onboard memory it carries *should* work blissfully with any zip ram on the A3000 motherboard. Any such problems, though, should be documented in Calum Tsang's A3000 Hardware Guide, or at the Big Book of Amiga Hardware site:

http://www.amiga-hardware.com/

Hope I've answered all your questions properly.

[jmmijo]

Yes all good answers, I kinda had a feeling that the GVP 4008 SCSI/RAM combo card is only a Z2 board (the one I have in the 3000 right now), hence it should be a 16-bit card. Can't swear to this however, I'll check out the guides to be sure ;)

EDIT: just did some checking at GVP's web site, the 4008 is indeed a 16-bit board :( Oh well, I figured it was. But since it's a stock 3000 (for now) it's not so bad really. I'll look into getting some zip ram for it then. Supposedly, Static Column is faster then Page mode ram. I think I read this on one of the guide pages. Does anyone know this for sure???

[adolescent]

Yes, static column is supposed to be faster. I've always had SC zips on my motherboard so I'm not sure if the difference in noticable. Also, if you can find an AmiFast SIMM adapter, those are great. I should have bought one when I had a chance.

[jmmijo]

Originally posted by adolescent
Yes, static column is supposed to be faster. I've always had SC zips on my motherboard so I'm not sure if the difference in noticable. Also, if you can find an AmiFast SIMM adapter, those are great. I should have bought one when I had a chance.

Thanks for the info, so far I've not been able to locate a ZIP 2 SIMM adapter myself. If anyone has a line on one, please lemme know :) SO far nothing on eBay :(