A little upgrade for this 4000

jman · 19 July 2011, 22:49

I'd like to gift this 4000 I've just put on its feet a little performace upgrade, I'm evaluating prices and options.

I'll be using this 4000 just for (simple) programming, and since at some point I could be asked to give it back to the legitimate owner :-) probably it's not worth pumping it up too much.

What do I need?

a) A better display. Please let me use my 17" LCD at a comfortable resolution. I'm afraid that for this I need to buy an IndivisionAGA + an RTG card, correct? The Indivision is a little bit pricey, so what are my options if I want to save something on the RTG card? I don't need raw power, I just need more pixels on screen...

b) This A4000 comes with 2+4 mb RAM. I could increase to 16mb fast ram at (relatively) low cost, but is it worth?

c) A faster CPU? Compiling times are awful (yes, I'm spoiled by WinUAE on a last-gen PC) even for just a couple lines of code. What are my options for this? Do I have to invest on an external CPU board? Is *any* stuff sporting a 060 pricey?

Thank you

alexh · 19 July 2011, 23:38

If you have to ask then you cannot afford it.

RTG starts at €100-200 the best buy is a Picasso IV
CPU board wise you're looking at €300+ for an 060 so perhaps go for a fast 040? Best buy is an Apollo 4040

The only low cost upgrades are :

1) A3640@25MHz ~€40
2) 16Mbyte RAM ~€10
3) HighGFX software for AGA = free (Assuming your monitor supports 22KHz)

jman · 20 July 2011, 09:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexh

If you have to ask then you cannot afford it.

Huh... you're right :-)

I'm just slightly confused about the Picasso IV. I see that it has a flickerfixer too, oes that mean that I can skip the Indivision card?

Thank you Alex, I'll see what I can find around.

ajk · 20 July 2011, 10:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by jman

I'm just slightly confused about the Picasso IV. I see that it has a flickerfixer too, oes that mean that I can skip the Indivision card?

Yes, though the Indivision may still offer better compatibility as far as LCD monitors go. The PIV uses an uncommon output resolution better suited for CRTs.

alexh · 20 July 2011, 11:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajk

Yes, though the Indivision may still offer better compatibility as far as LCD monitors go. The PIV uses an uncommon output resolution better suited for CRTs.

??? Never heard that.

Both offer progressive 31KHz Horizontal, 60Hz Vertical screens that work well with LCD monitors.

AFAIK, the Indivision would offer better scan rate conversion. You need scan rate conversion because 50Hz (PAL) vertical refresh is rarely supported by LCD monitors. Any scan rate conversion will affect smooth scrolling.

fitzsteve · 20 July 2011, 14:07

PicassoIV is working well on my LCD screen :-)

ajk · 20 July 2011, 16:33

@alexh

PIV outputs at 760x603 (PAL), most monitors expect 800x600. I posted a thread about this about a year ago. I did eventually find a monitor and settings combination that worked, but the Indivision required no such trickery.

@fitzsteve

Be that as it may, the point is that it is not as compatible as the Indivision which outputs a "regular" resolution.

19 July 2011, 22:49	#1
jman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: . Posts: 351	A little upgrade for this 4000 I'd like to gift this 4000 I've just put on its feet a little performace upgrade, I'm evaluating prices and options. I'll be using this 4000 just for (simple) programming, and since at some point I could be asked to give it back to the legitimate owner :-) probably it's not worth pumping it up too much. What do I need? a) A better display. Please let me use my 17" LCD at a comfortable resolution. I'm afraid that for this I need to buy an IndivisionAGA + an RTG card, correct? The Indivision is a little bit pricey, so what are my options if I want to save something on the RTG card? I don't need raw power, I just need more pixels on screen... b) This A4000 comes with 2+4 mb RAM. I could increase to 16mb fast ram at (relatively) low cost, but is it worth? c) A faster CPU? Compiling times are awful (yes, I'm spoiled by WinUAE on a last-gen PC) even for just a couple lines of code. What are my options for this? Do I have to invest on an external CPU board? Is any stuff sporting a 060 pricey? Thank you

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19 July 2011, 23:38	#2
alexh Thalion Webshrine Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Oxford Posts: 14,337	If you have to ask then you cannot afford it. RTG starts at €100-200 the best buy is a Picasso IV CPU board wise you're looking at €300+ for an 060 so perhaps go for a fast 040? Best buy is an Apollo 4040 The only low cost upgrades are : 1) A3640@25MHz ~€40 2) 16Mbyte RAM ~€10 3) HighGFX software for AGA = free (Assuming your monitor supports 22KHz)

20 July 2011, 14:07	#6
fitzsteve Professional slacker! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kent, UK Age: 44 Posts: 6,683	PicassoIV is working well on my LCD screen :-)

20 July 2011, 16:33	#7
ajk Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Helsinki, Finland Posts: 1,341	@alexh PIV outputs at 760x603 (PAL), most monitors expect 800x600. I posted a thread about this about a year ago. I did eventually find a monitor and settings combination that worked, but the Indivision required no such trickery. @fitzsteve Be that as it may, the point is that it is not as compatible as the Indivision which outputs a "regular" resolution.

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