Tuesday, September 15, 2015

HC508 Amiga 500 accelerator card

Finally, the project has reached a stage when complete system tests are possible The integrated CF + IDE allows running the complete OS 3.1 with WHDLoad.

Key features:
  • 68HC000 CPU running at 50 MHz (100% MC68000 compatible)
  • 40 pin IDE connector for HDD, CD ROM etc.
  • Integrated CF card connector
  • 8 MB Fast RAM (1 wait state)
  • 512k FlashROM for Kickstart (1 wait state)
  • Utility for disabling / enabling every module separately (XCPU, XRAM, XROM, IDE)

The HDD read rate is really great: with an IDE HDD it produces 4.8-5 MB/s, while the CF card's transfer rate varies around 3.2 MB/s. On the picture below the IDE HDD read speed is shown.


As before, this (3rd) prototype board is also home made. Top and bottom views are available below:


And a small video which demonstrates the system performance. The complete OS 3.1 boots in 2 seconds from a CF card. Frontier is running with 40-50 FPS. Who needs more? :)

38 comments:

  1. Wow! I think I still have my A500 somewhere in the garage bunker. Fantastic project, my hat's off very deeply.

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  2. got your board art and code up anywhere?

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  3. Thank You guys for the moral support. :)

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  4. Very nice, I enjoy for finaly product.

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  5. this is it, maximum respect.
    just trying to revive a rusty a500... if i succeed, i'm looking forward to build this!

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  6. That's pretty cool. What's the second chip there, a CPLD to generate the RAS/CAS or does it do a bit more?

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  7. It is a XC95144XL, the "heart" of the whole system. It controls the:

    -RAM access, refresh
    -external CPU
    -Flash ROM
    -Autoconfig
    -IDE

    etc.

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  8. Impressive. Sell it as a DIY solder kit and I'd buy one :)

    Is that '000 overclocked from 16MHz?

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  9. Brilliant, where can I buy it? ;)

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  10. Not yet available, still in testing phase.

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  11. Excellent! Will it be available for sale ?

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  12. Hi, any news on this or is the project dead?

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  13. Really impressive work!
    It's a lot of work to build such clean multi-layer PCB's with SMD components and home made connectors.
    Good luck with the project.

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  14. Hope this is still in the works. I am fixing up a few A500s I got my hands on.

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  15. Hi, any news on this or is the project dead?

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  16. 2 prototypes exist, both are running fine. ;)

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  17. 1. Hello, would this be a direct replacement for my Kipper2k A508HD card, which already has a CF card hard disk running my A500? In other words, would it allow me to run my existing CF card and boot as normal (only faster)?

    2. Where may I sign up to know when it is officially released so you can STFU and take my money? ;)

    –Starglider

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  18. Hello Starglider, thank You for the message.

    Yes, any Amiga formatted CF card can be used with it, like in A1200 / A600. The CF performance is very good (3-4 MB/s read rate).

    I'll never accept payment in advance while there are no cards available for sale. You can use the contact form on the right side to send a PM.

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  19. Hi, have you something new???

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  20. Waiting for components from China...

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  21. Hi mc68, I have been googling for an open project amiga 500 ide controller but I found something much much better. :D. You did a wonderful job. :)
    What is that header near cpu for?

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  22. Hi, You are using a scandoubler? Or this monitor is capable to work with Amiga mhz?

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  23. Using scandoubler, of course. ;)

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  24. Why didn't you tell him that scandoubler is your own product? ;-)

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  25. Absolutely stunning. I've been hoping to come across something like this for awhile now. Consider this site bookmarked!

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  26. Hello, more than 6 months passed after last post, is this project still alive? Where can i buy one?

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  27. Dear Juri,

    I have a few units for sale. Please PM me for the details.

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  28. Hi, I got three questions.

    Would be possible to build and to sell this card without CPU to use the card as a device for connecting IDE hard drive or CF card? Would it still work without CPU? And how much would it cost?

    There has been an option for A600 users to buy CF IDE hard drive for yeras and only for 20 pounds. Amiga 500 users dont have such option to buy a hard drive device. It would be perfect option for those who do not need accelerators at all. I myself am RPG and adventure gamer and wanna have hard drive on my bare A500, do not need accelerator at all.

    I know such device would be interesting for many many more Amiga 500 users. Think about selling another version of HC508 (HD 508 for instance). People can always buy cpu from you later and put them into the cpu socket.

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  29. We are using selected CPUs from a batch of 300 pieces. If You purchase 1-2 pieces 68HC000 CPU, there is a small chance it will work at 50 MHz. We sell completely tested boards only, with 50 MHz tested CPU.

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  30. Hi, what is the price of those ? do you have any left ?

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  31. Dear Marco,

    please contact me in private message for details.

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  32. Is this possible to use at an A1000?

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  33. I like the card and I buy one, but I have problems in the early startup no boot sequence, the machine always bug.

    it may be necessary to update it with new firmware.

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  34. No need for a new firmware. The problem should be in your Amiga. Try a different machine. These are 30 years old machines...

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