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Wrangler Amiga Review of the new Z3660 Accelerator 👍🏻
- Thread starter Boing-ball
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I plan on watching this tonight after work. I wonder since it has SCSI to SD emulation if a UW SCSI physical port could be added. Regardless this looks like a combined BFG + ZZ9K?
After watching this. My thoughts are… It’s still too early yet. Like everything that comes out new for our Amigas. It needs more time to mature. Be interesting to see what the Network, RTG and Sound side brings to the party….
I put in for a card. You only live once and the project could go bust. You just never know what can happen. Jump when the opportunity presents itself.
Report back on your findings 
Watched the video finally. Well, once again another crazy awesome piece of kit. How is this stuff materializing for Amiga in 2024?
Big box systems are really getting theirs lately. A3660, BGF9060, TF4060, now Z3660. This Z3660 looks like a heck of a proposition value wise too for the feature set. I obviously really like the real 68K option. I'd like to see it support LC CPUs, which seems like there is no reason why it wouldn't eventually support it. I'd like to see 24bit RTG, which feels like will come as a surprise software upgrade. Even without these wish items, it's hardly anything to be hung up about.
This is basically a Vampire for big box Amigas delivering same "68080" type of performance, except with the killer option of real 68060 CPU. Wonderful. Congratulations to all who worked on this thing.
Big box systems are really getting theirs lately. A3660, BGF9060, TF4060, now Z3660. This Z3660 looks like a heck of a proposition value wise too for the feature set. I obviously really like the real 68K option. I'd like to see it support LC CPUs, which seems like there is no reason why it wouldn't eventually support it. I'd like to see 24bit RTG, which feels like will come as a surprise software upgrade. Even without these wish items, it's hardly anything to be hung up about.
This is basically a Vampire for big box Amigas delivering same "68080" type of performance, except with the killer option of real 68060 CPU. Wonderful. Congratulations to all who worked on this thing.
Part 2 now up… RTG, AHI, Network etc..
Just want to add that some of these Z3660's cards will be available from me soon
Nice
Hi all - glad you liked the videos! All credit though to Shanshe for creating the Z3660
To @YouKnowWho 's question above about 24 bit graphics - that is not likely to happen as it's a hardware limitation of the Z-turn daughter card as I understand it. LC 060s ought to work, as far as I know, though.
To @YouKnowWho 's question above about 24 bit graphics - that is not likely to happen as it's a hardware limitation of the Z-turn daughter card as I understand it. LC 060s ought to work, as far as I know, though.
@Wrangler, thank you.
Re: potential for 24bit, I was wondering if Z-Turn hardware limitation would play a role.
My only point of reference was the MISTer with that Intel Cyclone V device having 110K LEs listed on the FPGA spec section.
The Z3660 required Z-Turn MYS-7Z020-V2 in the mouser link PDF notes 85K logic cells listed on the FPGA spec section.
Are "LE" (logic elements?) of DE10 Nano same as "logic cells" of Z-Turn?
In the case of MISTer, with the FPGA looking like it is more capable hardware wise (potentially?), it can run the Amiga core (slower processor speed and 68020) plus 24bit RTG.
In the case of the Z-Turn, the FPGA has the duty to emulate 68040 CPU plus 16bit RTG.
But...what if the Z-Turn emulated CPU option/duty was able to be deactivated because the user has a real 68060/68LC060 installed? Would that potentially free more gates/logic cells on the Z-turn to be able to deliver 24bit RTG perhaps? Or is there another Z-Turn hardware limitation outside of these gates/logic cells that is in play? Forgive the question, my technical knowledge is very much limited on how that RTG or the Z-Turn actually do what they magically do.
Anyhow, the LC060 news is fantastic and huge plus, and the (current?) lack of 24bit RTG is by no means a deal breaker. 16bit is certainly a fantastic positive feature here, and unique among all accelerators made for big box Amigas. Plus, yet another Zorro slot free inside the 4000.
Re: potential for 24bit, I was wondering if Z-Turn hardware limitation would play a role.
My only point of reference was the MISTer with that Intel Cyclone V device having 110K LEs listed on the FPGA spec section.
The Z3660 required Z-Turn MYS-7Z020-V2 in the mouser link PDF notes 85K logic cells listed on the FPGA spec section.
Are "LE" (logic elements?) of DE10 Nano same as "logic cells" of Z-Turn?
In the case of MISTer, with the FPGA looking like it is more capable hardware wise (potentially?), it can run the Amiga core (slower processor speed and 68020) plus 24bit RTG.
In the case of the Z-Turn, the FPGA has the duty to emulate 68040 CPU plus 16bit RTG.
But...what if the Z-Turn emulated CPU option/duty was able to be deactivated because the user has a real 68060/68LC060 installed? Would that potentially free more gates/logic cells on the Z-turn to be able to deliver 24bit RTG perhaps? Or is there another Z-Turn hardware limitation outside of these gates/logic cells that is in play? Forgive the question, my technical knowledge is very much limited on how that RTG or the Z-Turn actually do what they magically do.
Anyhow, the LC060 news is fantastic and huge plus, and the (current?) lack of 24bit RTG is by no means a deal breaker. 16bit is certainly a fantastic positive feature here, and unique among all accelerators made for big box Amigas. Plus, yet another Zorro slot free inside the 4000.
@Wrangler will there be a part 3 later on when updates start to appear?
My Z3660 is on the way with UPS scheduled for delivery tomorrow. Now I just need Mouser to ship the daughterboard! Beautiful black PCB’s to match my main boards.
Jbbolcato
New member
It’s been a few weeks… Any update qz3fwd?
Did you receive your z3660, and zturn?
Tried it yet?
Ordering mine this weekend! (Will report back on how it fits, and behaves in a tight A3000!)
Did you receive your z3660, and zturn?
Tried it yet?
Ordering mine this weekend! (Will report back on how it fits, and behaves in a tight A3000!)
Yes I have the card and Z-turn board but am waiting on 060 from Eric eBay and work has been super busy which has not allowed me much other than unboxing the Amiga stuff and setting it aside to use when things slow down.
