1200 accelerator question

batfatty · 09 January 2008, 21:49

I've finally given up on figuring out how to use the Amiga emulator, and decided to buy a 1200.

I'm going to use it for Deluxe Paint and Brilliance animation exclusively, and I was wondering which accelerator is the better of these two:
Phase 5 68030/50mhz
Cobra 68030/50mhz

would appreciate any advice you could gimmee!

DrF · 09 January 2008, 21:53

Since there the same CPU & same speed, I would guess the better of the 2 would be the one that can :

Take more ram
Have SCSI add-ons or other add ons.
Have more features than the other.

Some benchmarks & info here :

http://amiga.resource.cx/perf/sysspe...0#blizzard1220

Zetr0 · 09 January 2008, 22:08

@batfatty

hello there, Welcome to the EAB

theres plenty of mischief to get up to around here. so please take a moment, kick back, relax and enjoy that wonderful fluffy feeling of nostalgia induced retrodom!

An interesting question, so lets see if i can help..

The Cobra
this is a nice card, but it does have a limmitation of only being able to handle 3.0 kickstart, if you use a 3.1 Kickrom, you will need to update the firmware on this card otherwise it can only be used with out the ram.

The Blizzard 030

There are 4 revisions of this card, each with differing abilities so lets see...

Blizzard 030 (Mark 1)
Will accept upto 64MB of ram in two ports, there are some reports on some motherboards the PCMCIA port use has errors.

Blizzard 030 II (Mark 2)
Pretty much the same as the original Mark I with same reported issues with the PCMCIA

Blizzard 030 III (Mark 3)
This only has one memory port and can only have upto 32MB of ram. there are no reported issues with the PCMCIA usage.

Blizzard 030 IV (Mark 4)
This is the definitive blizzard version and definitely one of the best 030 cards for the Amiga. It has only one memory port, BUT can have upto 128MB of ram installed.

there are some reports and benchmarks THAT show the Apollo 030 Mk 3 slightly faster in writing to chip ram which is where graphics are done

if ya want i can post some linkies..

fc.studio · 09 January 2008, 22:28

I have a Blizzard 1230/IV @ 50 on my A1200 and I had a Cobra 68030 @ 28 in the past.

Cobra @ 28 version had performances similar to Blizzard 1220/4 or Apollo 1220 both with 68EC020 @ 28, but it wins Vs. them 'cause it has MMU (PCMCIA compatible), can mount RAM up to 128 MB, can have SCSI option. Surely this is a good and stable card, however the faster version is a 68EC030 @ 40 (slower and without MMU Vs. Blizzard 1230/IV). Then Cobra, together with other similar Viper cards, needs firmware update with kickstart 3.1 else it works only with memory removed. Software for update can be easily downloaded but then it will be detected as DKB 1240 (containing 68030 not 68040). You can disable the Real Time Clock by jumper.

About Blizzard 1230/IV, it has a real 50 MHz CPU (not overclocked), it can have up to 128 MB (+ further 128 if you mount SCSI add-on). Unfortunately with SCSI module mounted you have to set RAM speed to "slower" 70 ns.
You can easily disable it hitting the "2" key at the boot but it will be difficoult you need this.

Finally, I would go with no doubt for the Blizzard 1230/IV. I believe this is the best 68030 card available for A1200, very stable, and probably other faster 68030 boards don't exist.

adonay · 10 January 2008, 07:19

Never did try the Cobra but i can vote for the blizzard "IV" beeing a damn solid card for whdload games , demos etc.. And it can use a DMA scsi II controller that gives you around 6-7mbps transfere for almost free when thinking cpu load...

Zetr0 · 10 January 2008, 07:29

@adonay

I have to admit, I do fell that the Blizzy 030 Mk4 was the definitive 030 accelerator for the A1200, coupling that with a SCSI drive that reduces CPU load and gives you more memory is sheer heaven!

my second choice would be the Apollo 030 Mk3, which has a slightly faster transfer rate to chip ram. alas it can only handle upto 64MB RAM(with modification) and its SCSI controller is to be honest is completely fucking dire.

I have (wow just counting them now) 3 Apollo's , 1 060, 1 040 and 1 030Mk4 added to that I have 1 Gastiener 8MB RTC, and 1 CSMk2 060... mmmm loving that amiga accelerators ...

I used to have a Blizzy 030 Mk2 i think it was... personally i didnt feel it a good card, it had a lot of strange issues with being plugged in... even when changing the mobo rev. the memory... and if anything got plugged into the pcmcia it was instant lockup... pity.... the guy i sold it onto said it was the best behaved card he had ever had.... go figure that puppy out...

CU_AMiGA · 11 January 2008, 00:05

so then zetr0 any chance of you selling any of your blizzard or apollo a1200 accelerators!!?!?!

Zetr0 · 11 January 2008, 00:14

@CU_AMIGA

thems all mine.... MINE MINE I TELL YOU!!!!!

*ahem

alas not at the moment my friend.

CU_AMiGA · 11 January 2008, 00:27

awwww!

batfatty · 14 January 2008, 04:18

Thanks for the advice, everybody.I'm going to try and find a blizzard card and an 1200.

Has anyone had any experience with either Software Hut or Amigakit.com?

Or does anybody here want to sell me one?

Zetr0 · 14 January 2008, 05:44

@batfatty

AmigaKit gets a huge vote in my book, although a little more expensive, you get a warrenty with the item AND to be sincerely honest their customer service is second to none!!

Softhut on the other hand, (atleast for most of us in Europe and Australia) either dont have the item they claim, and or ignore repeated emails and requests. and generally dont have a great rep over here.

heres some website reviews, I believe softhut is mentioned

http://eab.abime.net/forumdisplay.php?f=15

heres EAB's user review of AmigaKit.
http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=24736

heres SoftHut
http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=31972

batfatty · 15 January 2008, 06:30

Thanks, Zetro.

I think I'm going to go with Amigakit. Software hasn't gotten back to me on an email I sent yesterday, so I guess you're right.

Can anybody suggest a place to find a blizzard card besides EBAY?

Thanks again,
JP

Zetr0 · 15 January 2008, 10:10

you might get lucky on AmiBay (www.amibay.net) you can post a wanted add there.

DrF · 15 January 2008, 10:49

Zetr0 is right Softhut is a waste of a email, NEVER get a reply outta them, I would love to know why though.

Graham Humphrey · 15 January 2008, 18:08

They don't deal with customers outside North America do they? A reply wouldn't hurt though.

DrF · 15 January 2008, 20:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham Humphrey

They don't deal with customers outside North America do they? A reply wouldn't hurt though.

Thats what I mean, the shear amount of Amiga vendors on the web who don't bother to even say "sorry were not in buisness no more/item not in stock/we don't sell outside the Federated states of micronesia" would be nice

I would even accept "Please f*ck off" at least its A reply.

If SoftHut don't deal with customers outside of N.America why not make that point clear on there website, I looked before and never found it, never got a reply to that either... the cash is here if only there was a vendor to actually be serious and take the dam crusty notes from my sweaty palms! So much to buy and no where to buy it

Caius · 20 January 2008, 09:28

SoftHut has never refused to deal with me, and I live in Europe. Also, last time I sent them a mail I got an answer within a few hours.

DrF · 20 January 2008, 15:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caius

SoftHut has never refused to deal with me, and I live in Europe. Also, last time I sent them a mail I got an answer within a few hours.

Must be luck then I guess, quite a few members here have mailed them over the years and got nothing. Unless there just picky over what they want to answer and what they don't.

09 January 2008, 21:49	#1
batfatty Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: PORTLAND OREGON Posts: 14	1200 accelerator question I've finally given up on figuring out how to use the Amiga emulator, and decided to buy a 1200. I'm going to use it for Deluxe Paint and Brilliance animation exclusively, and I was wondering which accelerator is the better of these two: Phase 5 68030/50mhz Cobra 68030/50mhz would appreciate any advice you could gimmee!

09 January 2008, 22:08	#3
Zetr0 Ya' like it Retr0? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Age: 49 Posts: 9,768	@batfatty hello there, Welcome to the EAB theres plenty of mischief to get up to around here. so please take a moment, kick back, relax and enjoy that wonderful fluffy feeling of nostalgia induced retrodom! An interesting question, so lets see if i can help.. The Cobra this is a nice card, but it does have a limmitation of only being able to handle 3.0 kickstart, if you use a 3.1 Kickrom, you will need to update the firmware on this card otherwise it can only be used with out the ram. The Blizzard 030 There are 4 revisions of this card, each with differing abilities so lets see... Blizzard 030 (Mark 1) Will accept upto 64MB of ram in two ports, there are some reports on some motherboards the PCMCIA port use has errors. Blizzard 030 II (Mark 2) Pretty much the same as the original Mark I with same reported issues with the PCMCIA Blizzard 030 III (Mark 3) This only has one memory port and can only have upto 32MB of ram. there are no reported issues with the PCMCIA usage. Blizzard 030 IV (Mark 4) This is the definitive blizzard version and definitely one of the best 030 cards for the Amiga. It has only one memory port, BUT can have upto 128MB of ram installed. there are some reports and benchmarks THAT show the Apollo 030 Mk 3 slightly faster in writing to chip ram which is where graphics are done if ya want i can post some linkies.. Last edited by Zetr0; 14 January 2008 at 05:33. Reason: silly typos

09 January 2008, 22:28	#4
fc.studio Cat lover Join Date: May 2004 Location: Italy Age: 54 Posts: 804	I have a Blizzard 1230/IV @ 50 on my A1200 and I had a Cobra 68030 @ 28 in the past. Cobra @ 28 version had performances similar to Blizzard 1220/4 or Apollo 1220 both with 68EC020 @ 28, but it wins Vs. them 'cause it has MMU (PCMCIA compatible), can mount RAM up to 128 MB, can have SCSI option. Surely this is a good and stable card, however the faster version is a 68EC030 @ 40 (slower and without MMU Vs. Blizzard 1230/IV). Then Cobra, together with other similar Viper cards, needs firmware update with kickstart 3.1 else it works only with memory removed. Software for update can be easily downloaded but then it will be detected as DKB 1240 (containing 68030 not 68040). You can disable the Real Time Clock by jumper. About Blizzard 1230/IV, it has a real 50 MHz CPU (not overclocked), it can have up to 128 MB (+ further 128 if you mount SCSI add-on). Unfortunately with SCSI module mounted you have to set RAM speed to "slower" 70 ns. You can easily disable it hitting the "2" key at the boot but it will be difficoult you need this. Finally, I would go with no doubt for the Blizzard 1230/IV. I believe this is the best 68030 card available for A1200, very stable, and probably other faster 68030 boards don't exist. Last edited by fc.studio; 10 January 2008 at 09:19.

14 January 2008, 04:18	#10
batfatty Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: PORTLAND OREGON Posts: 14	Amigakit or Software Hut? Thanks for the advice, everybody.I'm going to try and find a blizzard card and an 1200. Has anyone had any experience with either Software Hut or Amigakit.com? Or does anybody here want to sell me one?

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09 January 2008, 21:53	#2
DrF Blessed A1200 Of TeH Rat Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bham, UK Age: 42 Posts: 496	Since there the same CPU & same speed, I would guess the better of the 2 would be the one that can : Take more ram Have SCSI add-ons or other add ons. Have more features than the other. Some benchmarks & info here : http://amiga.resource.cx/perf/sysspe...0#blizzard1220

10 January 2008, 07:19	#5
adonay active amiga 1200 user Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Either Haugesund /Norway or Vaxjø Sweden Posts: 220	Never did try the Cobra but i can vote for the blizzard "IV" beeing a damn solid card for whdload games , demos etc.. And it can use a DMA scsi II controller that gives you around 6-7mbps transfere for almost free when thinking cpu load...

10 January 2008, 07:29	#6
Zetr0 Ya' like it Retr0? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Age: 49 Posts: 9,768	@adonay I have to admit, I do fell that the Blizzy 030 Mk4 was the definitive 030 accelerator for the A1200, coupling that with a SCSI drive that reduces CPU load and gives you more memory is sheer heaven! my second choice would be the Apollo 030 Mk3, which has a slightly faster transfer rate to chip ram. alas it can only handle upto 64MB RAM(with modification) and its SCSI controller is to be honest is completely fucking dire. I have (wow just counting them now) 3 Apollo's , 1 060, 1 040 and 1 030Mk4 added to that I have 1 Gastiener 8MB RTC, and 1 CSMk2 060... mmmm loving that amiga accelerators ... I used to have a Blizzy 030 Mk2 i think it was... personally i didnt feel it a good card, it had a lot of strange issues with being plugged in... even when changing the mobo rev. the memory... and if anything got plugged into the pcmcia it was instant lockup... pity.... the guy i sold it onto said it was the best behaved card he had ever had.... go figure that puppy out...

11 January 2008, 00:05	#7
CU_AMiGA Banned Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Exeter Age: 39 Posts: 970	so then zetr0 any chance of you selling any of your blizzard or apollo a1200 accelerators!!?!?!

11 January 2008, 00:14	#8
Zetr0 Ya' like it Retr0? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Age: 49 Posts: 9,768	@CU_AMIGA thems all mine.... MINE MINE I TELL YOU!!!!! *ahem alas not at the moment my friend.

11 January 2008, 00:27	#9
CU_AMiGA Banned Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Exeter Age: 39 Posts: 970	awwww!

14 January 2008, 05:44	#11
Zetr0 Ya' like it Retr0? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Age: 49 Posts: 9,768	@batfatty AmigaKit gets a huge vote in my book, although a little more expensive, you get a warrenty with the item AND to be sincerely honest their customer service is second to none!! Softhut on the other hand, (atleast for most of us in Europe and Australia) either dont have the item they claim, and or ignore repeated emails and requests. and generally dont have a great rep over here. heres some website reviews, I believe softhut is mentioned http://eab.abime.net/forumdisplay.php?f=15 heres EAB's user review of AmigaKit. http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=24736 heres SoftHut http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=31972

15 January 2008, 06:30	#12
batfatty Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: PORTLAND OREGON Posts: 14	Thanks, Zetro. I think I'm going to go with Amigakit. Software hasn't gotten back to me on an email I sent yesterday, so I guess you're right. Can anybody suggest a place to find a blizzard card besides EBAY? Thanks again, JP

15 January 2008, 10:10	#13
Zetr0 Ya' like it Retr0? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Age: 49 Posts: 9,768	you might get lucky on AmiBay (www.amibay.net) you can post a wanted add there.

15 January 2008, 10:49	#14
DrF Blessed A1200 Of TeH Rat Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bham, UK Age: 42 Posts: 496	Zetr0 is right Softhut is a waste of a email, NEVER get a reply outta them, I would love to know why though.

15 January 2008, 18:08	#15
Graham Humphrey Moderator Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK Age: 37 Posts: 11,167	They don't deal with customers outside North America do they? A reply wouldn't hurt though.

20 January 2008, 09:28	#17
Caius Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Norway Posts: 26	SoftHut has never refused to deal with me, and I live in Europe. Also, last time I sent them a mail I got an answer within a few hours.

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