#XA fallback?
12 messages in this thread
No, it doesn't. There is no good way to do this and yet preserve access to the
memory since the memory is "high" and the EC020 can't address it due to its
limitations. There shouldn't be any reason to "fallback" inasmuch as all the
software you should find youself using on an A1200 should be well-behaved
(otherwise AmigaDOS 3.0 and AGA will not like it much either). And the 020 and
the 030 are much closer in structure than the 030 and the 68000. Regards,
–Redmond
Redmond,
OK, thanks, I just wanted to know about that ahead of time. No big
deal.
I was originally intending to get an MBX1200z, but since I now have a
quite substantial credit at my deeler, I'm thinking of taking the plunge and
getting an M1230XA.
(That is if your people and my dealer can ever manage to get in touch
with each other!)
Joe
Who is your dealer, Joe? Tell him that American Software carries the XA. Also:
you can buy an XA through Computer Basics/Amigaman (advertised in AmigaWorld).
–Redmond
Redmond,
Thanks.
For the time being, I'd like to see what kind of deal my local shop can
get for me. If he can come within shouting distance of mail order, I'll go
with him. (Only two good local Amiga dealers – at least that I frequent – and
I'd like to keep him going.).
Joe
I respect your support for your local dealer, Joe. I'm amazed you have TWO
available to you. –Redmond
Redmond,
The dealer I got my 1200 from has made an offer at just about the
average mail order price for the 'EC030 40/0/0 (I have a 4MB SIMM and may take
the plunge for a 25 ro 33MHz FPU).
By next weekend I should be able to give you my verdict on the board!
🙂
Keep up the great work.
Joe
Great, Joe. Since the processor is socketed PGA style, you can upgrade to a
50MHz at some future date. BTW: I just got a load module done of AIBB
benchmarks on the A4000/30 and compared it to the XA. …XA beats the
bat-puckey out of the 4000/30 on all tests. –Redmond
Can't wait to see how well the 50 Mhz XA does, I just ordered one. 🙂
Bob Comer — Cruising the nets on AutoPilot from Cheyenne, Wyoming
Redmond,
Yes, I should know about this by Thursday.
If you get an FPU rated at or above the clock on the CPU, can you use
the one clock to drive them both, or do you still need a seperate clock to
drive the FPU?
Oh, yeah…when you say the "XA beats the bat-pucky out of the 4000/030
on all tests", what clock speed are you running the XA at? Verses what, 25MHz
for the 4000/030?
Thanks. Looking forward to the new toy.
Joe
We sell the XA at 33, 40, and 50 MHz. It beats the 4000/30 at all
configurations. The 4000/30 is only a 25MHz EC unit (for reasons I can only
guess at). Is it thus a fair comparison? Certainly on a price/performance basis
it is! If you clock a faster math chip at the CPU speed, that's not a problem.
Clocking a SLOWER one is. With a separate crystal, you can even use a slow 881
with an fast XA. Even a slow (14MHz) 881 is lots faster than no math chip on
float ops. –Redmond
Redmond,
Thanks for that information.
I was certain that a slower FPU would need the seperate crystal, but
was unsure if the a faster FPU needed its own as well.
Now if I can find a cheap '882! 🙂
Joe
Joe: you can use a FASTER FPU at a slower speed without problem. Only the
reverse situation is a problem (you should never overclock a math chip
regardless of what any mfr might tell you in order to make his product sound
faster in terms of MHz). –Redmond