#Chip RAM question
15 messages in this thread
I think a product that is desperatly needed for the Amiga is a chip RAM
accelerator. Is such a beast possible?
This is a common question, I just hope I can answer it right.
Such a beast is 'probably' possible, I haven't spent alot of time
researching the problem but what time I have spent tells me the job
isn't going to be easy. How possible it is depends completely on just
what it is that you want. Some of the questions that need answers
are.
How compatable with current hardware does it need to be?
My answer is 100%. ie it'll work _reliably_ in every machine it's
designed for and with most third party hardware.
How compatable with current software does it need to be?
Again, I'd say 100%, but others might have different needs.
What price point will it sell at?
Dunno at this time, depends upon the results of the two previous
questions. Also depends on what it costs to develop and build.
Does it require any additional hardware to work?
The most direct route to accellerating CHIP ram access is to
connect it to a faster buss. Most likely a 32bit accellerator buss.
This would both add to the cost, (the accellerator) and reduce the
market.
There are many other technical issues that need to be examined
closely. I am looking at them, but I won't say what the final result
will be.
I tried to make a 30 frame animation in DPaint 4 at 600×400 res. With the
MegAChip I can do that but the load and setup time is VERY ling. Then if I
click on the "lightable" option there is another long wait. This is why I
was asking about the possibility of a chip RAM accelerator.
Leslie,
That has very little to do with CHIP ram speed. The problem here is
DPaint and the amount of data that needs to be moved in order to create the
animation. Your best bet here is to get a CPU accelerator.
Dean
DKB Software
Okay. I thought it was the chip RAM that was bogging down the system.
Will a "CPU" accelerator speed up, say, the speed at which a workbench
screen is drawn?
Leslie, nice to be talking to you again!
Re speeding up your screen redraws, a CPU accelerator (ie. 68030, 68040
board with some 32bit ram) will *really* make a difference. The key is
that you MUST have some 32bit ram with it as well. With 32bit ram you can
copy the system ROMs (which are on a 16 bit bus in the 68000 amiga) to the
32bit bus. These system routines are responsible for redraws,
requestors,etc , so you get a very significant speedup. Frankly, that is
the most 'noticable' reason for getting an accelerator IMHO, since it
directly affects my attitude towards the computer and interface. I like a
responsive interface, rather than having to wait for windows to open,
requestors to appear, etc. Of course the rendering speedup, animation
speedup, etc is nice too! 🙂
One factor to remember in real time animation, however, is that you can
quickly reach a 'chip ram' speed limitation. A 50mhz 040 may be able to
process 30 fps of data through it (?), but your animation will only go as
fast as data can be crammed through the much slower chip ram. While an
accelerator can make much of your animation faster and smoother, don't
expect miracles.
I think above description is basically correct. I'm sure that Dean will
correct any errors. ttfn
–jp–seattle–
Thanks for the long message! I feel about the same as far as speed goes
but it's tough to swing the money right now. (I'm still using a stock
68000.)
Leslie,
Most definatly. Getting an '030 board with some 32bit RAM and an MMU can
make a world of difference. Check out some ads in Amiga World, there is at
least one company in there selling CBM's 2630 for under $500. (this of
course assumes that you are running on an A2000)
Dean
DKB Software
Thanks for the tip on the A2630.
See the file CHPRAM.TXT in LIB 4 of AmigaUser: Announcement from
P.V.P/R.C.S. of their new fascinatinating product, Chipram
Accelerator. On all of the existing Amigas, graphic representing
speed is restricted upon speed of Chip Ram. This will Accelerate the
speed to possibly show DCTV fullscan image in full speed.
Thanks for the info. I'll look for that file.
Michael,
Hope you just bought a Fusion Fourty! Cuz thats what you need to hook up
to that currently vaporous Chipram Accelerator.
Dean
DKB Software
nah… I just remebered seeing the file, and figured I point the way to
it. <g>
Michael
…..on AutoPilot
Michael,
I can't find the file in lib 4, is it a cryptic title?
–Paul
The filename is: CHPRAM.TXT in lib 4 of AmigaUser.
Michael
…..on AutoPilot