Dear Amibayers,
I made a batch of PCI PMC carriers to use the famous "Apocalypse" and "Ragnarok" cards in PCI-equipped Amigas.
While designing the cards, I followed three main goals:
The cards are available in purple and black.
The price per card is 80 EUR + shipping.
Shipping cost:
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Please note that the brackets are made out of aluminum PCBs. The paint cracked while I bent them. If you don't like this, don't buy it!
View attachment 2487828
FAQ:
F: Why does it say "passive" on the board? Didn't you mention that it has a DC-DC module?
A: "Passive" means the signals are directly routed to the PCI connector. Active carriers use a bridge chip for additional features that aren't useful in an Amiga.
F: Your carrier card has two connectors, while my PPC board has four. Does this work?
A: TLDR; yes, it works. Connectors JN1 and JN2 are equivalent to a 32-bit PCI slot. JN3 is an extension to 64-bit, unavailable on Amiga bus boards. If JN3 is not connected, the PPC card switches to 32-bit mode automatically. JN4 is available to the manufacturer for extensions and is not used on "Apocalypse" or "Ragnarok."
F: Why isn't the fan in the spot where the PPC chip is?
A: There's no room. The standard defines a "keep-out area" where the fan is placed. The manufacturers of PMC cards aren't allowed to use high components or coolers in that area. It's the only sensible place for a fan.
F: What's the /MONARCH jumper for?
A: Leave it open! It sets the PPC card into Monarch mode, where it can control the PCI bus. This is not useful in an Amiga.
F: What's the "5V Key"?
A: PCI distinguishes between supply and signaling voltage. Older PCI cards are 5V for both; the supply voltage was later changed to 3.3V. During a transition phase and in industrial applications, cards accepted both 3.3V and 5V as signaling voltage. All Amiga bus boards use 5V signaling. The 5V key prevents you from plugging in a 3.3V signaling-only PMC card. "Apocalypse" and "Ragnarok" can accept 3.3V and 5V as signaling voltage.
Please declare your interest here in the thread, stating how many purple and how many black carriers you need. Send me a PM afterwards as per the rules. Thank you!
I'll be on vacation from 25th May to 31st May. You can continue to declare interest (while stock lasts), but shipping will commence on 3rd June.
Edit: @Moderators. This was a double post, please delete this thread. Thank you!
I made a batch of PCI PMC carriers to use the famous "Apocalypse" and "Ragnarok" cards in PCI-equipped Amigas.
While designing the cards, I followed three main goals:
- The carriers should strictly adhere to the PMC standard defined by IEEE and ANSI/VITA. I bought the necessary documents from these organizations and designed the carriers from scratch.
- Flexible 3.3V power supply. All carriers come with a DC module that can deliver 10A at 3.3V, generated from the 12V rail in the Amiga. The DC-DC module is only activated to avoid unnecessary heat sources if your PCI bus board does not provide 3.3V. Hese's Firebird bus boards do that, as do newer Mediators.
- Availability of components. I've learned in the past years that using components with sustained availability is essential. I tried my best to ensure future supply.
The cards are available in purple and black.
The price per card is 80 EUR + shipping.
Shipping cost:
- Germany: 6 EUR
- Most of the EU: 15 EUR
- All others: Ask for a quote
View attachment 2487823
View attachment 2487824
View attachment 2487825
View attachment 2487826
View attachment 2487827
Please note that the brackets are made out of aluminum PCBs. The paint cracked while I bent them. If you don't like this, don't buy it!
View attachment 2487828
FAQ:
F: Why does it say "passive" on the board? Didn't you mention that it has a DC-DC module?
A: "Passive" means the signals are directly routed to the PCI connector. Active carriers use a bridge chip for additional features that aren't useful in an Amiga.
F: Your carrier card has two connectors, while my PPC board has four. Does this work?
A: TLDR; yes, it works. Connectors JN1 and JN2 are equivalent to a 32-bit PCI slot. JN3 is an extension to 64-bit, unavailable on Amiga bus boards. If JN3 is not connected, the PPC card switches to 32-bit mode automatically. JN4 is available to the manufacturer for extensions and is not used on "Apocalypse" or "Ragnarok."
F: Why isn't the fan in the spot where the PPC chip is?
A: There's no room. The standard defines a "keep-out area" where the fan is placed. The manufacturers of PMC cards aren't allowed to use high components or coolers in that area. It's the only sensible place for a fan.
F: What's the /MONARCH jumper for?
A: Leave it open! It sets the PPC card into Monarch mode, where it can control the PCI bus. This is not useful in an Amiga.
F: What's the "5V Key"?
A: PCI distinguishes between supply and signaling voltage. Older PCI cards are 5V for both; the supply voltage was later changed to 3.3V. During a transition phase and in industrial applications, cards accepted both 3.3V and 5V as signaling voltage. All Amiga bus boards use 5V signaling. The 5V key prevents you from plugging in a 3.3V signaling-only PMC card. "Apocalypse" and "Ragnarok" can accept 3.3V and 5V as signaling voltage.
Please declare your interest here in the thread, stating how many purple and how many black carriers you need. Send me a PM afterwards as per the rules. Thank you!
I'll be on vacation from 25th May to 31st May. You can continue to declare interest (while stock lasts), but shipping will commence on 3rd June.
Edit: @Moderators. This was a double post, please delete this thread. Thank you!
