Expansion board for the CD32

[alexh]

Originally Posted by matthey

Doesn't most fast ram have wait states and refresh delays though?

Absolutely.

It could be as fast as a slow clocked 68030 with fast memory that has large wait states.

Dream on.

Those new ACA accelerators get an extra 10%-20% boost from having faster memory than the old accelerator memory types.

A lot of that comes from the design of the memory controller and supporting 68030 bursts.

In any case, it should wake up the old CD32 performance. Games like Alien Breed 3D and TFX should be playable and games like UFO and Wing Commander should be a lot more enjoyable.

If they were written to support fast RAM yes. if not then no.

[Amigajay]

Originally Posted by matthey

Games like Alien Breed 3D and TFX should be playable and games like UFO and Wing Commander should be a lot more enjoyable.

Well i had a SX1 with 8mb fast ram and games like Alien Breed 3D and Fears still aren't fast enough to be playable (and fun!), Wing Commander isn't too bad...and T.F.X you are kidding right!?

[matthey]

Originally Posted by Amigajay

Well i had a SX1 with 8mb fast ram and games like Alien Breed 3D and Fears still aren't fast enough to be playable (and fun!), Wing Commander isn't too bad...and T.F.X you are kidding right!?

I guess that depends on your definition of playable. Alien Breed 3D should be playable at more than the size of a postage stamp with 2x2 c2p now. Ok, TFX would probably still be a slide show at 1/4 screen with all the visuals set to minimum but maybe it would start now. The SRAM should be faster than the memory in your SX1.

[Amigajay]

Originally Posted by matthey

I guess that depends on your definition of playable. Alien Breed 3D should be playable at more than the size of a postage stamp with 2x2 c2p now. Ok, TFX would probably still be a slide show at 1/4 screen with all the visuals set to minimum but maybe it would start now. The SRAM should be faster than the memory in your SX1.

I just don't think AB3D is worth playing at any speed is i guess what i am saying!

Well T.F.X did start with my SX-1 but as you say, I've seen faster slideshows than that game. How it even got promised to come out on A1200/CD32 is beyond belief, what did Commodore say to Ocean in early 1992 that these machines had inside them!
Maybe true about the memory, though how much is unknown until its done, and theres no guarantee it will speed up beyond my old ram, bottlenecks and all that.

[Rebel-CD32]

TFX may still not be playable, but there are other AGA flight sims that CD32 users will be able to run nicely thanks to the extra performance boost of some Fast RAM, such as Tornado, Jet Pilot, Coala, and Gunship 2000.

Even DOOM is playable in a smaller window with extra RAM in a CD32, thanks to Akiko it runs better than it does on an A1200 with Fast RAM.

[Lord Aga]

All right now, time to dust off the old CD32
Actually, more than that. Time to open it up for closer inspection. This might be useful for everyone planning to add this new hardware, since it will add some (minute, but still) stress to the bare system.

How to disconnect the laser cable ? There are no nooks to loosen the clamp, like with the A1200/A600 keyboard connector. Should it just be pulled out ? What about scraping the cable ?

Check your caps boys. I have two bulging ones (not yet open, but still...).
Also, what about the infamous wrong orientation caps ? Is there a precise/easy way to determine the right orientation ?

It's a Rev 3 board.

[bubbob42]

Originally Posted by Jope

I'm glad someone finally took the time to measure those old caps. I'll be referring to this post over and over again in the future. :-)

Yeah, until you get something like this (same cap, before and after removal. Board looked like new):

[kipper2k]

If you don't have the meters and the knowledge how to use them then sometimes its worth it just to swap them out. Better to be safe than sorry

[Amiga1992]

Yeah what is the point in opening the CD32, risking the laser cable, etc.etc.? Give it a rest.

[bubbob42]

The laser cable is available from at least two german amiga dealers. I still use the first even after opening the case half a dozen times. Didn't use a crowbar, though...

[Lord Aga]

Sooo, the cable doesn't get scraped from pulling it out of the connector ?
I can just yank it out ?

[fitzsteve]

Originally Posted by Lord Aga

Sooo, the cable doesn't get scraped from pulling it out of the connector ?
I can just yank it out ?

Yeah just pull that bad boy out don't be scared!

In my experience CD32 and A600 are the worst for cap leakage, better open them and change the caps ASAP.

Many say don't fix if it aint broke but as has been shown its hard to tell they're leaking, better be safe then sorry IMHO.

[Lord Aga]

Thanks for the pep talk Steve
I went ahead and pulled it out.
It actually has a clamp mechanism similar to A1200/A600, but it is on the hidden (left) side, and I couldn't see it until I removed the top of the case + metal shielding.
Still, no harm done to the cable. Looks tougher than squiddly diddly keyboard cables of A1200/A600.

I still need a PSU though to test if it is actually working That's on its way too hopefully.

[kipper2k]

that ribbon cable is pretty tough to put back in with the EMF shield in place, Commodore really cheaped out on the length of that. took me a few minutes to get the damn thing back in

[Lord Aga]

Yes, I am now considering leaving it off for good. Or cutting a bigger hole around the cable connector. Will probably leave it off at first, since I'm lazy, and will tinker around more with the mobo once your expansion board and Stedy's goodies card come

Hi I would like one cd32 board please all made up,please put me on the list.

Originally Posted by kipper2k

Hi all,

I was able to source the expansion port connectors for the CD32. I intend on making an expansion board that will allow people to make their own boards and just plug in their boards to my header (their board would be internal hopefully). And no, its not going to be expensive



Basically the board will have 2 connectors on it, one that plugs into the CD32 expansion port and the other slot will allow people to plug in their own boards. The idea being that people can create their own boards without worrying about finding the edge board connectors, they simply just make their boards to plug into a connector.

I think the lack of connectors has made expansion for the CD32 difficult and i believe there are people who would love extra ram, acceleration, IDE, Scart, sound, usb etc so now is your chance to make this real

[bebek]

Originally Posted by Akira

Yeah what is the point in opening the CD32, risking the laser cable, etc.etc.? Give it a rest.

There is a point. To replace caps as most of them are vicious in CD32, worst I have seen in Amigas, beats even A4000 (probably because there is much more of them in it).

[Amiga1992]

That much has been set clear now. But I still feel afraid to open it up.
Unless I have a very good reason, I'll leave it be.

[kipper2k]

when i done a recap, thee was only the 2 main power input caps that were bulging, all the others "appeared" ok but while the case was open i changed them

[Stedy]

Hi,

I will write a simple guide on overhauling the CD32 after taking it out of storage (where mine has been for 7/8 years now, and put it on my website. I have a simple method to determine if capacitors need replacement too. Also have pictures showing the correct orientation of the two 1000uF power capacitors.

Have not finished costing the expansion board yet as I'm finalising a few features. Anyone got a suggested name for this expansion board?

Do not expect a RAM expansion to magically increase the speed more than 2X stock. It will never give performance on par with a 25 MHz 68030, the RAM/CPU in the CD32 runs at 14 MHz!

Also want to re-iterate that the earliest possible date for prototype hardware would be end of May. I am interested in how many people would want an expansion card, this will help gauge the manufacturing costs. One step at a time.