Amiga Classic vs Modern, need help

Hello all!

I'm at a crossroad and could use some advice and direction.

I have an A1200 and am in the process of going through the classic Amiga experience. I'm enjoying it, but have been starting to think "long term". So, I have been considering one of two options. Either adding a nice accelerator to the A1200, or building up an A4000D.

My question is, what can I do on a decked-out A4000 in the modern age? I know I can add PCI, and I know there are a variety of accelerators out there from 68K ones to PowerPC one. I know it's possible to run a more modern graphics card. But, what can I actually do on a modern loaded Amiga A4000 that might make it worth the extra cost? Anything goes. Games, productivity, music, etc. I have no idea what the landscape is for games that would do nicely on a decked-out A4000 vs a slightly beefed up A1200.

Note, I am looking at desktop versions here. I am considering the A4000D (and Mediator 4000Di) as an alternative to towerizing a 1200.

Just need some direction/input. Thanks everyone!
Greg

[Thorham]

Welcome to the forums

My humble opinion: Don't bother with PPC+graphics card+sound card. It only serves to transform an Amiga into a PPC based PC where the Amiga acts as nothing more than glue. You'll be stuck between Amiga and current PCs, and have something that has little to do with Amigas while still not being up to date. Not to mention that such a setup is VERY expensive (may not be a issue for you).

Stick with your A1200, get an accelerator (68030 or 68060) and maybe a PCMCIA network card (standard 16 bit PCMCIA from PCs).

Anyway, just my opinion

Originally Posted by Thorham

Welcome to the forums

My humble opinion: Don't bother with PPC+graphics card+sound card. It only serves to transform an Amiga into a PPC based PC where the Amiga acts as nothing more than glue. You'll be stuck between Amiga and current PCs, and have something that has little to do with Amigas while still not being up to date. Not to mention that such a setup is VERY expensive (may not be a issue for you).

Stick with your A1200, get an accelerator (68030 or 68060) and maybe a PCMCIA network card (standard 16 bit PCMCIA from PCs).

Anyway, just my opinion

Thanks Thorham!

I was suspecting such. Money is an issue, but not a deal breaker. I could build up an A4000D over time. But, this also means that there has to be justification for me. I think it's cool to do modern PC things on an A4000, but if it's utility is really limited, I'd much rather just save my money.

Any idea how many AGA or newer Amiga games require something better than an 030? Would a bone-stock A4000/040 make any sense (vs an 030 or 060 for the 1200)?

Thanks!
Greg

[ajk]

Any idea how many AGA or newer Amiga games require something better than an 030? Would a bone-stock A4000/040 make any sense (vs an 030 or 060 for the 1200)?

There are very few games from the Commodore era (or even a little after) that benefit from, let alone require a faster CPU than an 030. The few games that do are various 3D ones, such as flight simulators and later Doom/Quake-type games.

Still, an 060 (or less preferably 040) and RTG are nice to have if you can get them, they speed up Workbench and other serious software use significantly. But for games they make no difference.

Thank you both.

Seems that for most intents & purposes the A1200 is a completely competent machine to build/use for 95%+ of classic use cases. WHDLoad games, AGA graphics, basic web, etc. (I admit I am rather fond of the one I have.)

The A4000 is really just a better blank-slate for doing the historically less mainstream things - toaster, PPC apps, RTG, MP3, USB, PCI, etc. (Easy to lust after, much harder to justify.)

A very personal choice, but much more clear-cut now.

[ajk]

You've pretty much got it - A1200 for mainly games purposes, A4000 if you also want to tinker with the serious software/hardware aspect of the Amiga. Other models only if you don't mind not having AGA.

[Thorham]

Originally Posted by ajk

A1200 for mainly games purposes, A4000 if you also want to tinker with the serious software/hardware aspect of the Amiga.

An A1200 with 68030 or 68060 and 64 MB ram is perfectly fine for serious 68K software, though. For hardware it's rather limited of course. Then again, what do you really need? An HD and a network PCMCIA card, and you're all set. Great for gaming and most applications.

To gsoravil:

Just remember that although a 68060 is a good bit faster than a 68030, it's also a lot more expensive. You're looking at 300 to 400 Euros, no joke.

[ajk]

The A4000 mainly becomes a necessity when you want RTG, video toaster and things like that. While it's of course possible to tower up an A1200 it's just not very convenient. In almost all other situations an A1200 in the desktop case is a very nice and compact system.