Re: Cool eBay score

[datajerk <datajerk@gmail.com>]

On Jun 18, 3:34 pm, Steven Hirsch <snhir...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On 06/17/2010 11:18 AM, datajerk wrote:
>
> > After a
> > Google I take it that this upgrade gives me 8MHz (not needed, is it
> > software switchable?), Z80 (what MHz?), a clock, and 1MB.  I am most
> > interested in the Z80 and clock, but the rest is nice too.
>
> The Z80 is almost certainly a functional clone of the original Microsoft
> Softcard.  That implies that it needs a host processor running at the stock
> 1.x Mhz. speed.  I haven't installed the unit yet, but unless they're doing
> some sort of magic I bet you need to disable the Zip acceleration before
> booting CP/M.
>
> The Z80, in turn, runs at approx. 2Mhz. average speed.  IIRC, it sort of
> "stutters" up and down between motherboard refresh intervals (I'm sure
> somebody will correct me if this is wrong:-) ).
>
> You wouldn't want a rig like this for any real work under CP/M.  For that, I
> recommend a //e with ZipChip running a hot-rodded Applicard (8Mhz), a CardZ180
> (9.12 Mhz. Z180/64180 with 1 Meg of private memory) or a Freed Z80 card
> running at 20Mhz.  The last of these is just stunningly fast in a zip-chipped
> //e.
>
> Steve

Thanks Steve.  Yes, a tricked out //e would be sweet.  Something that
I'll eventually start working on.  For now an Ultra III //c is the
small footprint I am looking for.  All for fun, no *real* work.