PCI Mediator without expansion

[FLiP79]

I'd like to buy a PCI Mediator (1200 TX) with a Radeon 9200 128MB. Since my Viper accelerator is broken, I don't know if I can simply attach the mediator with the GFX card and use a part of its memory as system RAM, like it is advertised on AmigaStore, without (for the moment) the need of an accelerator/expansion...?

[Hedeon]

No. That requires an MMU as far as I know. Also, remember that access to that RAM is about the speed of CHIP RAM (so very slow).

[torsti76]

Originally Posted by FLiP79

I'd like to buy a PCI Mediator (1200 TX) with a Radeon 9200 128MB. Since my Viper accelerator is broken, I don't know if I can simply attach the mediator with the GFX card and use a part of its memory as system RAM, like it is advertised on AmigaStore, without (for the moment) the need of an accelerator/expansion...?

You can, but the memory will be dead slow. But at least a proper RTG setup will free up most of your ChipMEM.

[torsti76]

Originally Posted by Hedeon

No. That requires an MMU as far as I know. Also, remember that access to that RAM is about the speed of CHIP RAM (so very slow).

Well, good point about the MMU.

[FLiP79]

Thank you very much for your answers!!!

[FLiP79]

Sorry, another question: if I get a plain RAM expansion (let's say with 4MB or 8MB of Fast RAM), can I take advantage of the mediator, e.g. use the graphic card, or connect to the Internet with a cheap ethernet card, without the need of a new CPU? I'm asking this because accelerator cards are so expansive and I can't afford both the mediator and a new accelerator. But RAM-only expansions are cheaper, I could buy one of them and then the mediator... and an accelerator for my next birthday

[HardStep]

According to Elbox:

The minimum hardware configuration is: Amiga 1200 in tower case with a 4MB RAM expansion card.

You could always get another accelerator later on.

[Hedeon]

If you use an 8mb card, pci cards cannot be addressed, if the ram expansion card uses Zorro 2 space.

[FLiP79]

Originally Posted by Hedeon

If you use an 8mb card, pci cards cannot be addressed, if the ram expansion card uses Zorro 2 space.

This is not specified by Elbox' minimum requirements cited by HardStep. How can I know if the expansion card uses Zorro 2 space, before I buy?

[Hedeon]

No clue. Ask before you buy.

But one of the jumper of the mediator is regarding Z2 space. It can be set to 0, 4 and 8. If you use ram or a pcmcia card you have to set this jumper appropriately.

If there is 8mb ram occupying that space then the jumper must be set to 0 mb.

Then the mediator manual says:

PCI memory space unavailable, access only to PCI I/O space;
allows using PCI Ethernet, sound, modem, etc. cards; use of graphic cards disabled.

Actually, they mean ethernet cards like rtl8039. Not the ones that need DMA.

[torsti76]

Originally Posted by Hedeon

No clue. Ask before you buy.

But one of the jumper of the mediator is regarding Z2 space. It can be set to 0, 4 and 8. If you use ram or a pcmcia card you have to set this jumper appropriately.

If there is 8mb ram occupying that space then the jumper must be set to 0 mb.

Then the mediator manual says:

PCI memory space unavailable, access only to PCI I/O space;
allows using PCI Ethernet, sound, modem, etc. cards; use of graphic cards disabled.

Actually, they mean ethernet cards like rtl8039. Not the ones that need DMA.

IMHO, even the RTL8139 does need the PCI DMA buffers provided by a working graphics card.
You'd be stuck with RTL8129 then (like on AmigaOS 4). I don't think that a Mediator without working PCI memory is worth its money and the effort needed to install it.

I guess the OP's best option is to get at least a 030 accelerator w/ some RAM. If you keep your eyes open, you can still find Blizzard 030s in good condition for a (speaking in Amiga terms) "reasonable " price.

[Hedeon]

I made a typo. I meant RTL8029, not RTL8039.

[torsti76]

Originally Posted by Hedeon

I made a typo. I meant RTL8029, not RTL8039.

Oh, ok sorry. And yes, it's 8029 not 8129 as I wrote.