Re: ZIP-GS ACCELERATOR: Questions

[schultp@aa.wl.com (Paul Schultz)]

Stephen Buggie (sebugg@presby.edu) wrote:
:                        QUESTIONS ON ZIP-GS
:                        ===================

: After much consideration, I am thinking of buying a ZIP-GS accelerator board

: QUESTIONS:

: 1.   Is ZIP still in business?  I heard rumors that they quit.
:      Is the ZIP-GS still in production?   Will a factory warranty be
:      available on ZIP-GS?

Yes, They go by the name MCTA Inc. I believe the address is in one of
the FAQ files.

: 2.  What is the difference between the 16K cache and the 32K cache?
:     Do you just add RAM chips to increase the cache?  How do they
:     perform differently?

Yes, there is a difference in the size of the cache. In fact, upgrading
your cache memory will indeed improve performance. Particularly from a
low of 8K to 64K. The cache memory used in the ZipGS are SRAMs. Most
ZipGS cache sockets I've seen are 600 mil (0.6 inch) wide. Most of the
faster SRAMs available today are sold in the 300 mil size. So, if you
ever want to upgrade your SRAMs be prepared for the possibility of having
to modify your SRAM sockets (i.e., add the necessary sockets to handle
the skinnier SRAMs). This is particularly true if you should decide to
perform the high speed upgrade of your ZipGS in the future. Perhaps the
newer ZipGS's have sockets for 300 mil SRAM chips. This would be a good
question to ask when ordering.

: 3.  Is the 8MZ version highly reliable?
:         (I bought a used Transwarp GS that was dead on arrival).

Yes.

: 4.  How COMPATIBLE is it with other IIGS items?
:         Here is my system:
:         ROM 01 CPU
:         Apple Rev. C scsi card with 40 meg SCSI external HD
:         Two 5.25" drives plus two 3.5" grey drives
:         Sonic Blaster AE card
:         AE Heavy Duty IIGS power supply
:         parallel printer card
:         AE Datalink 2400 modem
:         RAM 4000 4 meg memory card

The ZipGS is very compatible. I have a ROM 01, RamFAST SCSI, Sonic Blaster,
the AE Power Supply and have never had a compatibility problem.

: 5.
: Is it compatible with the RAMFAST scsi card (am considering getting one.)

Yes, I have a RamFAST.

: 6.  What sellers have ZIP-GS?   (I have a quote from one seller of
: $189 for the 8 MHz/16K cache model)

I believe Alltech, Ego Systems (GS+ Magazine fame), and One World Computing
(formerly LRO, if they are still around).

: 6.  CPU CHIP model vs. Interface Card model:  In the Fen 1991 issue of
: Incoder/A+ there is an ad showing two versions:  A CPU Chip model (actually
: a tiny card that plugs into the CPU socket) and a full sized interface
: card.  Which model is preferred?  Does the interface card model consume
: more power???    [If the power demand is the same, I would go for the
: interface card model, based on tricky pin-insertions with ZRAM boards
: in my IICs]

They never introduced the CPU chip model. The card accelerator is the only
one available.


Paul Schultz

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