Upgrading a stock A1200. What do I need? :D

[Bytestorm]

Just realize I want to spend some money on my old A1200!

My goal is to use my A1200 for classic gaming with the help of WHDLOAD.

What do I need to buy for my stock unit?

Is it enough with a 4 or 8 meg fastram expansion card to run all whdload games?

Is it recomended to recap the mainboard and powersupply if this is never done? Before something happens? (a1200 stock kick 3.0.. dont know how old this is).

Anything special to think about when getting a IDE to CF adapter? Size, angle, brand?



Thanks for your time!

 

[ajk]

In my opinion the ultimate gaming A1200 will have a hard drive (which can be a CF card), an 030 accelerator (40+ MHz), and maybe 16 or 32MB of fast RAM. This will allow you to run practically all games at full speed, and Workbench will also be very smooth to use.

If you can't get your hands on an accelerator for a decent price, 4-8 megs of fast RAM by itself is a must-have upgrade.

Depending on your monitor situation you may want an Indivision scandoubler.

A CF card reader or ethernet card in the PCMCIA slot will allow you to communicate with the outside world. Or in a pinch, serial or parallel connection.

 

[portarinos]

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I couldn't agree more! Of course it all depends on what you are willing to do with an A1200 and on the money you intend to spend. My dream machine (which i already have built through the years) is an NOS A1200 with Indivision AGA I, 2.5 inch hard drive, Blizzard 030 MKIV, 128mb fast RAM, PCMCIA WiFi card, PCMCIA CF Adapter, Amiga OS 3.9 (which is pretty much responsive and close to a perfectly smooth everyday use). I can also run Amikit for classics and the experience is very good i 'd rather say. Make a choice and go for it but beware that this isn't going to be a cheap endeavour, so beware

 

[mjnurney]

For easy amiga whdload gaming a fast 030 - 40/50 MHz and 16mb ram or more
for some big amiga or pc games then an 040 or above with 32mb
for high end demos 060 & pc task 64mb or above

but after 030 , power , cooling and stability can be an issue ...

mike

 

[supaduper]

Agree with the guys above, and yes I would recap the A1200 motherboard definitely before the enevitable happens and destroys your treasured possession

 

[Bytestorm]

Allright, thanks all for the inputs!
So the minimum seems to be to find a accellerator card at minimum 40mhz / 16mb fastram instead of the 8mb ram expansion.
I got the idea that ppl were generaly satisfied with 8mb fastram expansion card only for perfect whdl classic gaming, but seeing all you posting the same makes me wonder
Thou blizzard cards at 40mhz + seems to be way over 200-400£ on ebay. Some 28mhz cards were found but I guess thats too slow?

Gotta scan the "sales" section here instead

 

[ajk]

@Bytestorm

The problem is that you can't really have an 8MB expansion if you also want to use the PCMCIA slot, so it would be limited to 4MB, which may not be enough (or at least not optimal) for some games. However with an accelerator you get a new CPU with its own memory space and it won't interfere with the PCMCIA at all. So it would be better to get a "proper" accelerator if you can just find one at an agreeable price.

But you can always get the RAM expansion first, and later upgrade when the opportunity arises

 

[Bytestorm]

@Bytestorm

The problem is that you can't really have an 8MB expansion if you also want to use the PCMCIA slot, so it would be limited to 4MB, which may not be enough (or at least not optimal) for some games. However with an accelerator you get a new CPU with its own memory space and it won't interfere with the PCMCIA at all. So it would be better to get a "proper" accelerator if you can just find one at an agreeable price.

But you can always get the RAM expansion first, and later upgrade when the opportunity arises

Well, I have no "need" for the PCMCIA slot if I can just install the operating system on my CF card. As it is now I only have Amiga Explorer installed since I reinstalled the workbench with the help of my PC throu the comport (null modem).

If the 8mb expansioncard is enough to play the classics like beneath a steel sky, cannon fodder etc perfect, then I guess that would be an easy place to start, and later upgrade to something heavier if it seems needed

Since I didnt use it for maaaany years now, +200£ is quite hefty to fork up.

Thanks!

 

[Puni/Void]

Allright, thanks all for the inputs!
So the minimum seems to be to find a accellerator card at minimum 40mhz / 16mb fastram instead of the 8mb ram expansion.
I got the idea that ppl were generaly satisfied with 8mb fastram expansion card only for perfect whdl classic gaming, but seeing all you posting the same makes me wonder
Thou blizzard cards at 40mhz + seems to be way over 200-400£ on ebay. Some 28mhz cards were found but I guess thats too slow?

Gotta scan the "sales" section here instead

I use a RAM-expansion and it works well for WHD-Load, but I will have to upgrade (again) to get better speed on FPS titles like Gloom, Alien Breed 3D, Breathless and so forth. Same goes for those cool Amiga demos.

Extra memory does wonders for the A1200 though, but soon you'll want some more juice. So my advice is to get an accelerator (030, 040, 060) now instead of later. Believe me, you will get to a point thinking.. man.. why didn't I go 030 right away!

If you are into gaming, I recommend a big TV (CRT) instead of Indivision + LCD - the Amiga games just look fantastic on a *real* TV. If you are going to use the machine for more productive tasks, LCD is ok. I went the Indivision route some years ago, but these days I'm happy using a TV. Be sure to get a customized SCART-TV cable for the Amiga if you use CRT TV, so you'll get the best possible image.

I also recommend getting a mouse-adapter (Micromys for example) from AmigaKit that lets you use optical mice. Ball-mouse is a pain to use when you're used to optical.

Can't think of more right now, other than prices on accelerators.. prices on eBay can be a bit high some times. If you look here on AmiBay you can get a decent 030 for under £100.

My dream is to get a 060 for my machine, but I can never afford it.

 

[Bytestorm]

Allright, thanks all for the inputs!
So the minimum seems to be to find a accellerator card at minimum 40mhz / 16mb fastram instead of the 8mb ram expansion.
I got the idea that ppl were generaly satisfied with 8mb fastram expansion card only for perfect whdl classic gaming, but seeing all you posting the same makes me wonder
Thou blizzard cards at 40mhz + seems to be way over 200-400£ on ebay. Some 28mhz cards were found but I guess thats too slow?

Gotta scan the "sales" section here instead

I use a RAM-expansion and it works well for WHD-Load, but I will have to upgrade (again) to get better speed on FPS titles like Gloom, Alien Breed 3D, Breathless and so forth. Same goes for those cool Amiga demos.

Extra memory does wonders for the A1200 though, but soon you'll want some more juice. So my advice is to get an accelerator (030, 040, 060) now instead of later. Believe me, you will get to a point thinking.. man.. why didn't I go 030 right away!

If you are into gaming, I recommend a big TV (CRT) instead of Indivision + LCD - the Amiga games just look fantastic on a *real* TV. If you are going to use the machine for more productive tasks, LCD is ok. I went the Indivision route some years ago, but these days I'm happy using a TV. Be sure to get a customized SCART-TV cable for the Amiga if you use CRT TV, so you'll get the best possible image.

I also recommend getting a mouse-adapter (Micromys for example) from AmigaKit that lets you use optical mice. Ball-mouse is a pain to use when you're used to optical.

Can't think of more right now, other than prices on accelerators.. prices on eBay can be a bit high some times. If you look here on AmiBay you can get a decent 030 for under £100.

My dream is to get a 060 for my machine, but I can never afford it.

Is it possible to overclock any cards? Since I can find 28mhz cards affordable 40mhz + cards still seems to go way high

 

[CrazyC]

Get a blizzard 1230 MKIV with FPU and it should be less that you are quoting (£200+). I don't want to get told off for price driving though. AFAIK this will avoid any potential timing fixes needing to be done as well.

 

[Bytestorm]

Get a blizzard 1230 MKIV with FPU and it should be less that you are quoting (£200+). I don't want to get told off for price driving though. AFAIK this will avoid any potential timing fixes needing to be done as well.

Hello!

Thanks for the tip! Wont hold you responsible if the price is higher or lower of course Just good to get a general picture about the prices.

Are there some cards that are known to cause timing problems?

Will keep my eyes open .

 

[CrazyC]

Someone else will provide more details, as I have not used ACA cards myself.
As I understand it, they are newer and come loaded with memory to which they have fast access, so you can buy them brand new if you want.
It seems that they can require some timing fixes (minor stuff really, but I would need someone else to do it as I am no good at soldering etc) on some boards and not others - it seems to be more of a lucky dip rather than find the right board version.
Have you seen Andy's guide? https://www.amibay.com/showthread.php?16681-A1200-accelerator-cards-A-buyer-s-guide

I personally have used a number of Blizzard Mk 4s and have never had an issue.

It really does all depend on what you want to use the machine for. I started like you 2 years ago but then the madness took hold and........Somehow I have got myself a Blizzard 1260 which is fantastic, but you know what, I could run my existing system quite adequately with a Blizzard 1230Mk4.
Aahh hindsight. but as I have the 1260 I am not letting it go.

 

[Bytestorm]

Someone else will provide more details, as I have not used ACA cards myself.
As I understand it, they are newer and come loaded with memory to which they have fast access, so you can buy them brand new if you want.
It seems that they can require some timing fixes (minor stuff really, but I would need someone else to do it as I am no good at soldering etc) on some boards and not others - it seems to be more of a lucky dip rather than find the right board version.
Have you seen Andy's guide? https://www.amibay.com/showthread.php?16681-A1200-accelerator-cards-A-buyer-s-guide

I personally have used a number of Blizzard Mk 4s and have never had an issue.

It really does all depend on what you want to use the machine for. I started like you 2 years ago but then the madness took hold and........Somehow I have got myself a Blizzard 1260 which is fantastic, but you know what, I could run my existing system quite adequately with a Blizzard 1230Mk4.
Aahh hindsight. but as I have the 1260 I am not letting it go.

I will use it to play some old games . I have no plan to do some heavy music/image/video things, just playing some of my childhood classics again. So just a card that will let me relive the classics in their perfection!

 

[snoopy77]

Beware of fixed price ebay listings on accelerators etc. they are often double true market value. Watch what things get here and the buy once you have good data to judge it.

Would go for a blizzard 1230/iv if you can afford it. The true and only king of 030. Ok except for the aca 56mhz but they are hard to buy with potential timing issues.

 

[CrazyC]

I will use it to play some old games . I have no plan to do some heavy music/image/video things, just playing some of my childhood classics again. So just a card that will let me relive the classics in their perfection!

Yeah - I had the same plans........I got a RAM card at first. 2 weeks later I got a Blizzard MK 4 and regretted bothering with the RAM card.
I see quite a few wanted threads for RAM cards where people dont want an accelerator and it seems the ram cards are coming up less and less often although its all a question of luck and good timing usually.
Depends on how patient you are as well.

For me, its a CF hard drive, and a Blizzard MK4.
As I wanted to have a higher resolution workbench running on an LCD, that also meant an Indy Mk2. But I like to tinker.
If you can draw the line at games only and can run via SCART happily then yeah you can probably get away with a ram card if you can find one (or an ACA 1220).
But will you be happy.......

 

[Firthy2002]

Gotta echo what has been said, a nice 030 accelerator and 32MB Fast RAM will be sufficient for most gaming.

 

[Amiga Forever]

8MB Ram should be enough to play all games.

 

[Bytestorm]

Hahaha .. Ok. I Will need to buy both and try . Whichever pops up first!

I can't believe all started with my thinking about selling the Amiga last week... But when I sat down and took photos of all the stuff I haven't used for years, I started to feel a strong urge to use it again.. And I am sure that if I sell it, I will regret it later on. So here I am now and thinking about investing in it instead of selling hahaha

 

[rickenee]

Hey,

I have a cheap 4MB Ram expansion for sale btw (see the For Sale thread). Always used it with WHD Load without any problems