Conference hydra::amiga_v1

    You need external power cos you poor little Amy 500 han't got enough.

    Re .0:
    
>   I'm thinking of buying SupraRAM 500RX here in the U.K. for my:
>    Amiga500 + original A501 + External drive -.
    
    More RAM is certainly indicated.  A hard drive (40MB+) and more RAM is
    even better.  My completely subjective ranking for A500 enhancement
    priority as a mostly-productivity user (word processing/spreadsheet/
    desktop publishing) is as follows:
    1.	A501 memory/clock (or equivalent -- you already have that)
    2.	Second 3.5" floppy drive (unless you get a hard disk from the
    	outset).
    3.	At least 512KB of Fast RAM, bringing the system total to 1.5-2MB.
    	This greatly reduces the probability that memory-intensive programs
    	will cause GURUs by depleting CHIP RAM.
    4.	At least 20MB of hard disk.  (The A590 is fine as long as you don't
    	have to share it with your family or have serious disk space
    	requirements. 8^)
    5.	More Fast RAM, bringing the system total to 3MB.
    6.	A CPU accelerator (68020/68881 preferred, especially if you're
    	doing CPU-intensive work).
    7.	Bigger/faster hard disk.  (I recently swapped the 20MB drive in
    	my A590 for a Quantum Pro 105 SCSI drive.  Wow!)
    8.	Still more RAM, to keep up with the accelerator and hard drive.
    
>   I expect to want upgrade up to 8MB one day (unless chips very cheap
>   then it would be today).
    
    IMHO, an unaccelerated A500 is nicely balanced at 2-3MB of RAM (what
    you have now plus 2MB of Fast RAM).  If you're doing memory-intensive
    work like DTP (desktop publishing) or CAD (computer-aided design),
    you'll probably need more memory and will want a CPU accelerator.

>   Five questions:
    
    I'll deal with 3 of them.
    
>   * Does it make any difference to use faster then 120 ns. if I haven't
>   got an accelarator of some sort?
    
    No.  Even if you DID have an accelerator, the faster clock would apply
    to the CPU but not the rest of the system.
    
>   * What are the best- read cheap/reliable/fast(er)- chips currently
>   available?
    
    For the most part, RAM chips are interchangeable.  If you want to
    minimize risk, then just make sure all your chips come from the same
    source.
    
>   * Why can't we upgrade 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 and then 8MB (1MB every two months
>   or so)?
    
    The simplest (and therefore cheapest) way for a memory controller to
    configure memory chips is in powers of two.  One moves a jumper to
    indicate how many chip selection lines to use.  My A590 controller,
    which uses 4x256KB DIPs, allows specification of "Amnesia" (no memory),
    512KB, 1MB, and 2MB.
    
    In your case, since you're planning to exceed 2MB, start with 2MB of
    4x1MB ZIPs.  (That should hold you for a year or so. 8^)

    
    OK, I'll add a couple of questions here.
    
    I am looking at the same product and wonder about the various methods
    for upgrading. What I really need now is one meg more of fast ram at
    the cheapest price possible. This may mean trying to go without the
    extra power supply.  
    
    I've seen the 500rx with 1 meg for about $130. This route means I can
    expand to only 2 meg right? I've also seen the 2 meg version for about
    $200, which I assume uses the 4x1MB zips and can expand to 8 megs.
    
    Naturally I'd like to be able to expand further eventually, but I need
    to consider power requirements of chips/zips and the cost of throwing 
    away the first meg against future mail order prices of the zips. Any 
    gamblers out there care to run this through their spreadsheet? ;-)
    And, how much is the extra Supra power supply? 
    
    Dave 
    (no longer a STAR:: I guess :^) )
    
    
    
    
      

    Dave,
    
    Is it $ dollars or � pounds ? 
    
    $200 dollars is less then the price for an unpopolated one in the U.K.
    and that was at the computer show !
    
    Patrick

    I'm going from memory on US mail order ads in "AmigaWorld" magazine.
    $130 & $200 US Dollars.
    
    Dave

    Has anyone got a cheap,fast, reliable order place in the U.K. for:
    1Mb x 4 Zip Dram chips looking for 2 or more Mb ? -Can exchange 1mb of
    256K x 4 Zip Dram-
    
    Cheers, Patrick 

    Patrick,
    
    I think steve Goldstein had some chips, he may still be able to get
    some. I think his mail id is arrods::goldstein
    
    
    Greg

    
    	I'm afraid I've only got 256*4 zip at the moment...
    
    	I'll keep my eye's open for a good source...
    
    	Steve G

    Suggestion mark 2!
    
    Pick up a mag like computer shopper or PC direct and scan the pages for
    a bargain!
    
    
    Greg

    Greg,
    
    I've done this but there is little info none of the add meet the exact
    definition of the manual comming with the 500RX, and as you might
    already have guessed I'm totally illeterate in electronics......
    
    Cheers anyway, Patrick

    Well what does it want? It must just be SIMMS or ZIPS or something?
    
    What exactly does the manual say it needs and I\ll flick through a mag
    for you!
    
    
    Greg

    Greg, 
    
    Thanks for the offer the requirements are as follow: 1MB x 4 Zip
    Dram chips at least 120ns so faster better i think ?!
    
    Cheers, Patrick 

    Patrick,
    
    First Choice in Leeds do 1 Mb by 4 ZIPS for 22.99  (0532 637988)
    
    Couple of number to try!
    
    Memory Solutions: 0480 496467
    Memory Direct 0252 316060
    H. Co Computer Products 0101 714 833 3222 *advertise as meeting USA
    prices*
    
    
    Also a number of other companies do Supra stuff, they haven't
    advertised as selling chips. Get any AMiga mag, and ring up the one's
    that sell your plug on board!
    
    Greg

    
    This is great. I'll be phoning the first choice add seems a good price.
    
    Cheers, Patrick