Amiga 500 upgrade help
- Thread starter Bmwfan
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if possible repair or replace the 512k trapdoor ram add on, mod for 1mb chip ram (if the req agnus version), upgrade to kick 3.1 and add an 8mb+ide cpu socket card for a small performance upgrade (real fast ram)
then you can run everything from a bootable workbench 3.1 setup via WHDLoad with the bonus of being able to run applications with 8mb of fast ram.
or save some money
do the same 1mb chip ram upgrade iff possible and replace internal floppy for a gotek and run everything from USB stick (slow loading like a real floppy and no performance increase).
other than the vampire (which will enable AGA , 2mb chip ram , hdmi etc) the "best" is probably a cpu socket upgrade 030 built new here on amibay or a real GVP external sidecar 030+HDD but hard to find.
but i do recommend the ACA500+ (plus version) comes with 8mb fast ram, 2 CF card slots, mapable roms switch between 1.3 - 3.1 or custom roms like 3.1.4, action replay and a CPU boost upto 42mhz but stable at 28mhz. and if possible (depending on your a500 version) it will map your 512k trapdoor ram as chip ram so no mods required.
then you can run everything from a bootable workbench 3.1 setup via WHDLoad with the bonus of being able to run applications with 8mb of fast ram.
or save some money
do the same 1mb chip ram upgrade iff possible and replace internal floppy for a gotek and run everything from USB stick (slow loading like a real floppy and no performance increase).
other than the vampire (which will enable AGA , 2mb chip ram , hdmi etc) the "best" is probably a cpu socket upgrade 030 built new here on amibay or a real GVP external sidecar 030+HDD but hard to find.
but i do recommend the ACA500+ (plus version) comes with 8mb fast ram, 2 CF card slots, mapable roms switch between 1.3 - 3.1 or custom roms like 3.1.4, action replay and a CPU boost upto 42mhz but stable at 28mhz. and if possible (depending on your a500 version) it will map your 512k trapdoor ram as chip ram so no mods required.
Ditto for ACA500+ it's a great bit of kit, especially if you want mod cons. If you want something internal there are various ram/IDE board that clip over the CPU socket.
If you want traditional GVP HD+8 or go wild and get the GVP A530, I had this beast on my A500+ and it was awesome.
If you want traditional GVP HD+8 or go wild and get the GVP A530, I had this beast on my A500+ and it was awesome.
So. This is what I would do:
Yeah, getting into the Amiga can be something you'll have to hide from friends and family...
- Get an A314 board. It's got more options than just extra memory... Info is here, and you might get one here.
- Get a TF534 card. A better CPU cannot be underestimated. Info is here, and you might buy it here, here or here.
- With an IDE interface on your Amiga, you can easily transfer files to it if you know how to mount a SD card as a harddrive under WinUAE or FS-UAE. So get an IDE to SD adapter like this for instance. Like this one here.
- Get a chip ram mod. 2MB chip and a good processor gives you a lot of WHDLoad goodness. Both these sellers are away ATM, but I expect them to be back. Get this goodie: here or here.
- Another route for easy transfer of files to the Amiga is the floppy emulator Gotek. You can buy it here.
- I think each generation of roms for the Amiga has it's charm. So a kickstart switcher is kick ass.
- A flicker fixer, it's not perfect to use an LCD with the Amiga, but is it easy?? Well, at least if you get an Indivision ESC. Can be bought here. Alternative is to hunt for a 15khz friendly LCD, which can be hit and miss.
Yeah, getting into the Amiga can be something you'll have to hide from friends and family...
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