SupraTurbo 28
16 messages in this thread
SupraTurbo 28 – An Economical way to Speed Things Up!
I've been a Beta Tester for a device called the SupraTurbo 28, from Supra
Corp of Albany Oregon. Most well informed or well read Amigoids know
about it already. Amiga World has run the add for it the past several
months, even though Supra hasn't officially released it for sale.
Quite simply, the SupraTurbo is an inexpensive way to make your Amiga
500 or 2000 run faster than a stock Amiga 1200 and 2/3 as fast as the
Amiga 3000. For about $200 you get a SupraTurbo 28 (500 or 2000 version,)
the only difference is the case the 500 version comes in. You also get a
well written manual and a program called "SupraTurbo." Installation is
easy. On the 500 you remove the expansion access panel on the side of the
computer if it isn't already. Remove the expansion pass-through on the
ST28 case if you have a hard drive or memory expansion. The ST28 has to
be closest to the computer. Install your other devices (HD or Memory
module) and then turn the ST28 switch on, then your machine.
It is just as easy to install on the 2000. You do have to install
the on/off switch so it goes outside your case if you intend to use it.
You could jumper the to leave it on, but I don't recommed that. One word
of caution, if you are using a GVP Series II A500-HD+ with memory
installed, you have to make sure the ROM is version 3.14 or higher. Mine
wasn't, so I called GVP and had them send me their FaastRom Upgrade kit.
Until I got it (I had the 3.07 ROM) I was dead in the water if I wanted to
use my hard drive while accellerated. I could use it in turbo mode as
long as I was accessing memory or floppy. Since installing the new 4.14
ROM, I've been flying at 28.4 Mhz. ProPage is faster (it actually keeps
up with my typing now). I haven't found anything that isn't compatible
yet! I don't expect to. My system is a Amiga 500 with a fully populated
Baseboard (4 megs memory), B-Pal option on the Baseboard, 2.04 ROM with WB
2.1, a GVP SII A500+ 4 megs memory and now the SupraTurbo 28.
All in all, I am very excited over the SupraTurbo 28. It is a fine
product from a really caring company. Supra is definitely in it for the
long haul with Amiga's. If your dealer hasn't gotten it yet, ask them too
order one.
Rodger
Could you give me a little more indo on the A2000 version of ST28?
What slot does it plug into and does it take an external power supply?
Leslie, I'll break in;
The A2000 version of the ST28 (which I've been testing) plugs in to the
Processor Expansion Slot (on the mother board between the drive bay area
and the normal expansion slots). It lays parallel to the motherboard, down
pretty low, and should not interfere with normal expansion cards. The
defeat switch is cabled to be placed at the back of the system through the
popout plates. No external power; <EXTREMELY> easy to install if you know
how to take your case off.
I like mine a great deal, and have to hand it to Supra not only for a fine
product, but for the extensive field-beta-testing they've done, including
followup calls!
Too bad the switch is in the back of the A2000. It's a pain in the
neck for me to reach back there. Can't the ST28 be left ON all the time?
Thanks for the info.
Well, the switch is in the back; the <USE> of the switch is to set the
default condition on powerup. If you set it on, you'll powerup at 28, if
you set it off you'll powerup at 7.14 🙁
There is a tiny software program to control it from Workbench (quite
simple…two gadgets, one depressed, labelled "Fast" and "Slow" 🙂
So you can leave the ST28 on <ALL> the time or change it at your whim.
Oh, okay. That doesn't sound bad at all especially if there is a software
switch too. Are there any other changes to make? Is there anything to
add to the user-startup?
Nope, nothing to change at all. It's real plug&play. The only concerns are
for poorly written programs that can't handle a cache on a 68000. I
haven't personally observed one of those, but the manual, as I recall,
mentioned a couple of things (like bridgeboard use) and how to get around
some of them.
I called a couple places about the ST28 and it appears it isn't avalible
yet. I'm hearing the first of next month. Is this true?
Hmm. I'm just a betatester, so I don't have any inside info on actual
release. However, judging from my last conversation with Mike @ Supra, I
would guess they're pretty close. Just a guess, though.
Hee Hee. Saw you on the last 5 callers to Omega last night Small Virtual
World 🙂
->Omega
That had to be me! (Tough to hide a name like mine.) The problem is
that the board or the phone line keeps kicking me off when I upload or
download a large file.
Ouch! I hate it when that happens. I love that board, but have the
durndest time getting around the filebase. Rinaldo tried to walk me
through it, but I guess I'm just dense 🙂
Dose the SupraTurbo 28 use/need any 32 bit memory or does it use the standard
16 bit memory?
Terry Williams, Vancouver, BC, Canada – via Whap!
It uses your standard memory. It's a 68000 going at 28, so there's no
advantage to adding 32bit memory.
First you need to make sure your 2000 wasn't made in Germany. Check the
motherboard. If it is a 4 layer board, don't buy the ST28. If it is a two
layer board you're ok.
Next the ST28 plugs inot the 86-pin CPU slot next to the existing 68000
CPU.
Rodger
I've had my A2000 apart more times than I can remember but never noticed
the number of layers the motherboard has. I'm pretty certain it is not
one of the German models. I think those models had small function keys.
My model was one of the earlier units that came with AmigaDOS 1.3.
No external power supply. It is powered off the Amiga BUS!