A3000 upgrade recommendations.

[callumdavidson]

Hello,

I recently acquired an A1000, A3000 and A4000 (D/40) in really nice condition and am working on restoring each as a pastime and for my personal collection. My questions for now are about the A3000.

It seems to be an earlier model with no obvious modifications, but does have a Video Toaster and an AD516 sound card fitted, plus various external adaptors/interfaces included as well. It's a nice machine.

I've had great input so far from users here re: spares, etc. so wanted to ask for advice on:

- Capacitor replacement kit, if one is available?
- RAM Upgrades?
- Accelerator Cards (it's a stock /25)?
- External drives (SD? Gotek?)
- Secondary Internal HDD (Maxtor 20MB already fitted)?
- Secondary Internal FDD?
- ROM/OS Upgrades?

I have, of course, done some independent research but am confused as there seems to be a few options and I can't decide between them so though I'd ask for input from those who know better.

My current projects are to replace the LED panel (I think I broke it...oops..,) a couple of keys, the battery and undoubtedly a full recap. I'd like to turn each machine into a "daily driver" whilst maintaining the "integrity" of the original as much as possible.

Oh, and not breaking anything by overly-enthusiastic accident; that'd be ideal

Thanks in advance for any guidance,

Callum A. Davidson

 

[nickrb]

I recommend the TF4060 for A3000. Works great with onboard scsi. Also make sure you cut out the original battery if it is still present.

 

[Boing-ball]

I recommend the TF4060 for A3000. Works great with onboard scsi. Also make sure you cut out the original battery if it is still present.

If you can wait for a bit, the new FPGA SuperDMAC replacement chip should be released soon which allows the BFG9060 to also work with the onboard SCSI.
The world is your oyster and will depend on your budget.

 

[callumdavidson]

Thank you for replying. I'd looked at the TF and it seems to be a good choice so I'll go ahead and get one.

It was mentioned that it can generate a lot of heat (fair enough) so I'll add a heatsink also, and have ordered a replacement battery board suitable for a CR-2032 for both the A3000 & the A4000. I found a Cap. set so that helps me greatly.

Very much appreciate your input.

 

[callumdavidson]

If you can wait for a bit, the new FPGA SuperDMAC replacement chip should be released soon which allows the BFG9060 to also work with the onboard SCSI.
The world is your oyster and will depend on your budget.

Hello,

It's a labo(u)r of Love, so I'm not necessarily worried about the cost (within sensible reason) These are really special machines to me and I'd like to enjoy them again, or like I never could have before but read about every month in magazines.

I believe I saw a video on YT recently about the new DMAC and will look into it more carefully.

Thank you for your suggestion, I appreciate it.

 

[qz3fwd]

Congratulations on you new systems. Recap that board, snip the Varta killer, and check your PSU and Open your wallet as these machines get expensive. Sorry if I missed other hardware projects in what follows.

In general current CPU accelerators for big boxes (3000/4000) include BFG9060 (060), TF4060 (060), and Z3660 (060 and FPGA CPU emulation).

CPU Accel: For 3000 the TF4060 without ReSDMAC works. BFG9060 works with ReSDMAC according to Dr Chris Edwards.
(Some accelerator cards require INT2/6 mods)
Storage: Many people use CF cards in place of spinning mechanical drives together with ZuluSCSI.
RTG: ZZ9000 card is popular and has ethernet, but be prepared to wait up to several months-it has HDMI output for modern displays.
Flicker Fixer: Indivision MK IV for 3000 does not have HDMI out, only analog, while Indivision AGA MK III for your 4000 has digital video out which is nice. ZZ9000 has integrated flicker fixer.
OS: Versions 3141 & 322 support >4GB drives/partitions which is nice. ROM's and the OS are avaliable through many online stores.
Sound: Amiblaster and Prelude remake cards are avaliable from builders.
USB: Must haves for me are USB and Freeway cards are avaliable. http://freeway.mattymuc.de/freeway.html Older Denebs command insane $$$$.
Ethernet: Another must have for me. ZZ9K above has ethernet. Z3660 has ethernet, as does Zorro IDE-CP-LAN card.
IDE: Several exist including Zorro IDE-CP-LAN card, TF4060 has IDE, Ripple, FastATA (Elbox), Buddha (IComp)

Brand new mainboards and daughterboards exist for 3000 & 4000 should you need either.

More esoteric things like Mediator, Liberator, Firebird PCI implementations exist together with PowerPC carrier cards, Voodoo cards, Soundblaster, Radeon if you want to go nuts.
I2C Zorro cards for temperature sensors and such exist.
A RGB controller called Solas is hitting the hands of lucky folks, but you need a clockport which would have to be on a zorro card.

Info sources include: Here of course, a1k.org, various Discords like ACILL Classics, ReSDMAC, Chris Edwards Pimiga , Z3660 Turbo Board and others.

Happy hunting.

 

[callumdavidson]

Hello,

Well, that'll certainly keep me busy & happily occupied for a while!

I had picked out an SD Card reader but was contemplating a Gotek from the same site, including a DF0:/DF1 switcher for convenience. I purchased the Clock & Component spares kits via here earlier today and was zero-ing in on the TF060, but didn't consider some of the +/-'s of the other options you mentioned in detail so will pause, dig a little more, and rethink. Ethernet would be very valuable to me, as would USB and, although I have a couple of monitors that work well, I'm mindful that they won't last forever and I'll eventually have to go HDMI anyway.

So, that's really good information and is very helpful. I do appreciate you taking the time and giving great input.

Thank you very much!

Callum A. Davidson

 

[sbrentson]

Cost not being a consideration:

TF4060 with rev 6 68060. This includes 256MB fast SDRam that should outperform most other fast ram options. The integrated IDE header with the ehide.device should also outperform the internal SCSI and avoid DMAC issues entirely. With MapROM enabled, drive access and WB render times will be zippy.

I’ll also wholeheartedly recommend the zz9000. Worth the wait. Since we’re not worried about the budget - add the audio encoder to it. I think it also comes with its own 256mb ram, too? I’m not sure if a mix of the z3 and onboard cpu expansion ram will negatively impact performance.

Ditch the spinning rust. There are plenty of SSD options available for IDE and SCSI. If not for the fact that the disk will fail if it hasn’t already, these old drives have been known to drive a person to madness with how loud they are.

On the topic of noise a the single most important upgrade for your 3000 : replace the PSU fan. 12v 80mm Notua will save your live. Trust me. An Amiga 3000 is a fine woman. She’s one sexy specimen so long as she can keep quiet.