CompuServe Messages

Well, the 68020 has a lot of advantages internally, and they (unfortunately) are most useful with things like compression/decompression, which datatyoes datatypes use in the picture formats (JPG, GIF, TIFF). There are few things that require 030, 040, 060 etc. but the extra instructions available with the 020 are sufficient to nudge programmers in that direction. If you really want to extend the life of your A500, I'd recommend an 020 or 030 accelerator, and a 68881 or 882 math coprocessor. Even a fairly low speed 68020 would give you a jump over your current configuration, consider a 68020 at 14 MHz, like the a1200, is equivalent to a 28MHz 68000. If you can find a board, 68020 and 68030 just aren't expensive anymore, the problem would be getting a board from someone. But I would do it if I were you, since they are hard to find for the A500. Don't be surprised if a future version of the OS does not even support the 68000 at all. If you get a 020/881 combo, you will have a lot more speed, compatibility, and ability, and your A500 will last you quite a while longer. If you don't you will see more and more people release code requiring the 68020, simply because its more efficient and faster code (and smaller), and nowadays a huge number of users have an '020 or better, as will any potential new Amiga users, since all 1200s and 4000s will have 68020s – 68060 chips.