Re: Zip GS questions

[Barry Rees <Barry.Rees@prodigy.net>]

Ben Lai wrote:
> 
> As a new IIgs owner, I am a little bit confused about the Zip
> accelerator for the IIgs..
> 
> At EGO System, they are selling a "ZipGS 8/16 accelerator", what does
> the 8 and the 16 stands for?  They claimed that the chips runs at 8 mhz,
> so I assume the 8 stands for megahertz, and the 16 stands for cache
> pershaps?
> 
> Yet, at Alltech they are selling 7mhz Zip Chips for a lot cheaper than
> the ones by EGO System ($140 versus $175), what is the difference
> between the two?
> 
> Also, I remember reading something about Zip GSX, what are these?
> 
> Any help would be much appreciated.
> 
> Ben Lai

There's been a lot of experience being shared here regarding CPU speed
vs. cache size. However, something to keep in mind is that the 600 mil
SRAMs are no longer made nor carried in stock by anyone that I know of
(including JDR Microdevices). If you can find any (32k x 8, 28 pins, 600
mil, 45ns or faster) SRAMs, you will be fortunate. That's what you will
need to go to a full 64k cache on any ZipGSX that has 600 mil sockets
installed. Those SRAMs are generally good to 12-12.5 MHz with an
oscillator and 65C816 CPU change -without- doing any surgery on the
board and getting involved with the 300 mil SRAMS. Of course, as always,
you mileage may vary.

To Ben or anyone else that's new to the IIGS: IMO, if you can find a
ZipGSX with all the CPU speed and SRAM cache that you want already
installed, you might consider buying one like that. Brand new ZipGSX
boards are still available with speed/cache from 7/8 up to 16/64. These
boards are already tested and offer the most amout of performance with
the least possiblity of headaches. 

Personally, if I were going to choose between speed and cache, I would
go for the cache. I have found a noticeable difference between 8 and 64k
when running programs such as AppleWorks v5.1, GraphicWriter III v2.0,
AppleWorks GS and ProSel-16. On the other hand, I have a 12/64 ZipGSX
that I updated myself from a 7/8 that I bought new. To me, 12MHz speed
(and) 64k cache is well worth having.

Barry Rees