New Amiga 600 Accelerator

[lesta_smsc]

Originally Posted by PR77

Hi All,

Check out my new Open Source Amiga 600 Accelerator here;

https://github.com/PR77/A600_ACCEL_RAM

• MC68SEC000 @40MHz
• 1.5MB FastRAM
• 0.5MB MapROM

Excellent work! Are you planning to make a run of these PCBs/kits as I'm sure compared to Furia these would be popular!

[Mathesar]

Originally Posted by PR77

Hi All,

Check out my new Open Source Amiga 600 Accelerator here;

https://github.com/PR77/A600_ACCEL_RAM

• MC68SEC000 @40MHz
• 1.5MB FastRAM
• 0.5MB MapROM

Very nice clean design! The PCB design looks "right" to me .
I am a fan of simple designs! The idea of putting the fast ram @ $C00000 is a good one. I am trying to fix the 14MHz accelerator posted here and there I am doing the same. The big advantage is that one does not have to implement the whole Zorro handshake thereby the logic can be reduced to just some address decoding. Ideal if one wants to keep things simple.
And to those who complain about compatibility with some old games:
The only truly 100% compatible Amiga when it comes to games is a Kickstart 1.2 512Kb + 512Kb Amiga 500.
An A600 is in itself already a step back in compatability, as is the 40MHz 68SEC000. I would not worry about some "slow" ram that isn't so slow anymore....

[PR77]

I’ve been doing more testing with WHDload and so far the only issue I’ve found are some glitches with some demos. I will try these without the accelerator and memory expansion when I get a chance. I also had MapROM disabled during the tests- but will try it also with it enabled.

So far I’m pretty happy with the performance and feature set.

P.s., for those also on A1K, there is a thread here - https://www.a1k.org/forum/index.php?threads/77837/

[Methanoid]

Originally Posted by lesta_smsc

Excellent work! Are you planning to make a run of these PCBs/kits as I'm sure compared to Furia these would be popular!

I think so too... would need a built one though as I am dangerous with an iron

[PR77]

Originally Posted by Methanoid

I think so too... would need a built one though as I am dangerous with an iron

I've been thinking about how to go about doing a production run actually. Over at a1k there has been a good response to the design - this makes me happy. I've been testing in the background with WHDLoad and so far that seems to work well.

If anyone has experience with small batch industrialisation projects please let me know. I am fairly certain some PCB changes would be necessary and perhaps a SMD PLCC68 socket may help.

Open to ideas!

[scu98rkr]

Hi, are these for sale anywhere ?

[PR77]

I may have bits and piece left to build 1 more - I will industrialise the design when I get more time - I need a good partner to bounce idea's around with.

[Jacques]

Hello, while the project is very nice, the amount of FAST-RAM is simply not enough for e.g. WHDLoad games preload.
Is there a chance for new, more capable version in the future, please?
Anyway, job well done

[80'$_Barbar1an]

Impressive job, Very interesting alternative to the Furia.
I agree with the others on the design of the pcb, very compact, do you have photos with the mounting holes equipped to connect to the hard drive cradle?

[PR77]

I've been thinking about a newer design with more RAM and possibly a faster processor. Currently however I need to finish some other projects before pushing another on the stack. Nevertheless, positive feedback and constructive criticisms are always welcome and of course helps to bring more energy into the project!