Buddha Flash Gold vs. FastATA 4000

Worfje · 20 January 2005, 21:19

I have difficulties choosing which IDE controller would be better/more compatible/easier to use within a A3000. I'm currently thinking about getting a:

1. Buddha Flash Gold (50 euro)
2. FastATA 4000 (108 euro)

I want to put it in my A3000 with 2Mb chip, 12Mb fast, Kickrom 3.1 and install 3.5 or 3.9 on it. I'll put in a IDE harddisk and CDROM.

Which one should i buy?

adolescent · 21 January 2005, 03:47

Of the two, the FastATA 4000 is much faster. But, neither support DMA so your performance will suffer either way. Also, since the A3000 can't support an internal CD-ROM device (without hacking it up) you're out of luck for an IDE solution.

IMHO, you're better off using the standard SCSI. It supports DMA so there's less CPU load during transfers, and it allows you to connect a standard external CD-ROM. If you're worried about high SCSI disk prices, you can get a SCSIDE (SCSI to IDE) adapter and use a cheap IDE drive.

alexh · 21 January 2005, 10:20

I agree, your better off with an External SCSI CD ROM, SCSI internal hard drive. Get a second hand one of ebay. You wont need much above a couple of Gig.

If you wanted to go a bit further, perhaps even upgrade the WD SCSI chip in your A3000 to the Non Proto version.

Worfje · 21 January 2005, 17:51

Okay, thanks for the info!

alewis · 22 January 2005, 00:31

SCSI drives aren't exactly expensive - the A3000 can only use narrow SCSI, and these drives are practically two-a-penny. Probably be harder trying to find one than pay for one.... you *can* use a wide->narrow adaptor, to fit an ultra-wide (68pin) drive to a narrow (50pin) cable and HBA, but these can be problematical and lead to data corruption.

Another advantage of SCSI; as your budget permits, buy a cheap PC case, move the external cd-rom inside, add additional drives, readers/writers, dvd etc. I did this as the cost of external SCSI cases is more than they are worth, and I outgrew the cases (2 x 5.25" bays) I had. SCSI components such as writers, readers and DVD can be found for peanuts on ebay.

20 January 2005, 21:19	#1
Worfje Moderator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 125	Buddha Flash Gold vs. FastATA 4000 I have difficulties choosing which IDE controller would be better/more compatible/easier to use within a A3000. I'm currently thinking about getting a: 1. Buddha Flash Gold (50 euro) 2. FastATA 4000 (108 euro) I want to put it in my A3000 with 2Mb chip, 12Mb fast, Kickrom 3.1 and install 3.5 or 3.9 on it. I'll put in a IDE harddisk and CDROM. Which one should i buy?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
FS : Buddha Flash Phoenix Edition	o0Nosferatu0o	MarketPlace	4	23 June 2013 14:51
Buddha Flash Phoenix & CF	hese	support.Hardware	4	05 November 2009 13:52
Buddha Flash Phoenix Edition	Fingerlickin_B	support.Hardware	8	13 June 2008 16:56
For Sale: Buddha Flash Gold Phoenix edition	keropi	MarketPlace	7	27 February 2007 17:06
Anyone installed a Buddha Flash PHOENIX ed. Z2 controller on an A3000/4000 ?	keropi	support.Hardware	10	29 December 2006 09:23

21 January 2005, 03:47	#2
adolescent Powered by Motorola Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Age: 52 Posts: 1,065	Of the two, the FastATA 4000 is much faster. But, neither support DMA so your performance will suffer either way. Also, since the A3000 can't support an internal CD-ROM device (without hacking it up) you're out of luck for an IDE solution. IMHO, you're better off using the standard SCSI. It supports DMA so there's less CPU load during transfers, and it allows you to connect a standard external CD-ROM. If you're worried about high SCSI disk prices, you can get a SCSIDE (SCSI to IDE) adapter and use a cheap IDE drive.

21 January 2005, 10:20	#3
alexh Thalion Webshrine Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Oxford Posts: 14,480	I agree, your better off with an External SCSI CD ROM, SCSI internal hard drive. Get a second hand one of ebay. You wont need much above a couple of Gig. If you wanted to go a bit further, perhaps even upgrade the WD SCSI chip in your A3000 to the Non Proto version.

21 January 2005, 17:51	#4
Worfje Moderator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 125	Okay, thanks for the info!

22 January 2005, 00:31	#5
alewis Monochrome and 8 bit Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Underbarrow, Gods Country Age: 57 Posts: 600	SCSI drives aren't exactly expensive - the A3000 can only use narrow SCSI, and these drives are practically two-a-penny. Probably be harder trying to find one than pay for one.... you can use a wide->narrow adaptor, to fit an ultra-wide (68pin) drive to a narrow (50pin) cable and HBA, but these can be problematical and lead to data corruption. Another advantage of SCSI; as your budget permits, buy a cheap PC case, move the external cd-rom inside, add additional drives, readers/writers, dvd etc. I did this as the cost of external SCSI cases is more than they are worth, and I outgrew the cases (2 x 5.25" bays) I had. SCSI components such as writers, readers and DVD can be found for peanuts on ebay.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)