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Re: Please repost Accel FAQ



In article <Cxqwoo.85n@tiamet.uucp>, Ken O Burtch <ken@tiamet.uucp> wrote:
>I lost my copy.  Could someone please repost it?  Thanks.

   Frank M. Lin, the author, said that he lost his copy, so it looks
like I have one of the few semi-official copies on my www pages. Here's
a copy of the faq, htmlized by myself, and converted back to text by
lynx:

Nathan Mates



                 MINI-FAQ FOR UPGRADING TRANSWARP GS OR ZIP GS
                                       


Last updated:   08-22-94 - Major update, availability of true 14 MHz parts!!
                         - New feature for table of content, hope you like
                           it!

                08-02-94 updated reliability (~~15)
                07-26-94 Toshi Morita (tm@netcom.com) added some comments
                         Zip GS
                07-08-94 updated/checked prices on osciallators and SRAM,
                         and some minor changes which hopefully made it
                         easier to read
                06-24-94 AE is dead now, so GALs are probably not available
                         anymore.  Parts like 32 KB cache should still be
                         obtainable from resellers.
                03-14-94 replaced all mHz with MHz
                01-22-94 included which 74HC00 to get for the zip (~~13)
                12-22-93 minor appearence update, and some new test results
                12-11-93 finally cleaned it up!
                12-09-93 update the crystal oscillators, SRAM, & RAM prices
                ??-??-93 first version...

   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
Disclaimer

   Feel free to distribute this anywhere you think it might be of help.
   
   I make no guarantee about any of the information provided below. If
   you choose to do any part of the upgrade, you are taking the risk. I
   will not responsible for anything.
   
   Let me know if any information is incorrect and/or misleading.
   
   Internet: fmlin@netcom.com, fmlin@winternet.com,
   fmlin@grind.isca.uiowa.edu
   FutureNet: Capsule, user #9 @ Boycot BBS (#9@#8)
   IRC: PoTTy
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
Table of Contents

   <<Note: This FAQ was originally designed for a text editor, and only
   html formatting codes inserted, but the style of the table of contents
   was outdated, so it was removed, and filled with relative links. If
   they do not work, you may have an outdated www viewer, like Lynx pre
   v2.4>>
   
    1. Where can I buy the 32 KB cache for Transwarp GS?
    2. Does it really run at 14 MHz?
    3. Where can I buy the high-speed 65816?
    4. What GALs version do I need for my TWGS?
    5. Where can I buy the GALs?
    6. Where can I buy crystal oscillators?
    7. What speed of static cache RAMs do I need?
    8. Where can I buy the SRAMs?
    9. Do I really need to increase the voltage?
   10. How do I increase the voltage?
   11. Where can I buy the heavy duty power supply?
   12. Is it true that Zip can only go about 12.5 Mhz?
   13. Where can I get replacement 7400 for my Zip?
   14. What kind of performance increase can one expect?
   15. Is it reliable?
       
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   
   
Where can I buy the 32 KB cache for Transwarp GS?

   

        LRO Computer Sales      (800) ASK-4LRO

   It costs about $80.
   
   It requires you to cut two little traces at the back of TWGS. Cut it
   _lightly_, it's fairly easy to cut too deep. So just take it easy.
   
   TMS Peripherals [now, out of business. NJM 8/3/94] does not carry any
   AE stuff.
   
   It costs about $80. You can also buy it from AE, but prepare to pay
   retail.
   
   It requires you to cut two little traces at the back of TWGS. Cut it
   _lightly_, it's fairly easy to cut too deep. So just take it easy.
   
   Note: Not too sure if LRO nor TMS exists anymore...
   [Note: LRO now seems to be called 'Other World Computing', with maybe
   a different phone #. NJM 8/3/84]
   
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   
   
Does it really run at 14 MHz?

   WDC now has true 14 MHz parts, they will run 14 MHz at the stock 5 V.
   It is possible because of the 0.8 micron chip fabrication process.
   (formerlly 1.0 micron I believe)
   
   If you run it with 5+ volts, higher speeds should be possible.
   
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   
   
Where can I buy the high-speed 65816?

   

        The Western Design Center, Inc.
        2166 East Brown Road
        Mesa, Arizona 85213

        (602) 962-4545 voice
        (602) 835-6442 fax

   I'm told they don't require you to get a copy of the article anymore.
   If they still have it, I still recommend you to read it through
   carefully. It provided me useful informations.
   
   price: should be $95 each. NAUG (National AppleWorks Users Group)
   members should be able to buy at $71.25 each. If you're a NAUG member,
   be sure to ask if they still honor it.
   
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   
   
What GALs version do I need for my TWGS?

   Basically, you have to have the following GALs to go over 10 MHz:
   

        1A, 2B, 3E, 4B, 5A, 6A, 7A, 8B

   All TWGS should have the A GALs. So you need:
   
        
        2B - DMA fix
        3E - for above 10 MHz operation
        4B - dunno
        8B - dunno

   2B DMA fix was available for free. You need to call AE's 900 number
   and ask for it. You might need to pay shipping. Couple of people say
   it's no longer free. But it's worth asking though. Hint: be
   persistent!
   
    [Note: AE's RIP. NJM 8/3/94]
   
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   
   
Where can I buy the GALs?

   You can order the GALs only though AE's technical support line.
   
        
        AE Technical Support
        (900) 884-0123
        $1.50 per minute
        9 AM to 5 PM (CST) Monday through Friday

   It's $20 for _each_ GAL you order.
   

        AE Technical Support BBS (214) 241-6677
        24 hours, 7 days a week

   I would guess the BBS functions the same. But I never called it
   before.
   
   Note: as recent as July of '93, somebody was able to order one or more
   of the GALs from the technical support. However, some one else also
   reported they don't have it. I guess you should ask for someone who's
   familiar with the TWGS.
   
   NOTE!!! AE is gone, completely (no more Macintosh products neither).
   You can not get GALs from AE anymore. If you get lucky, you might find
   used TWGS with the correct GAL revisions.
   
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   
   
Where can I buy crystal oscillators?

   For TWGS and Zip GS, the crystal oscillators runs at 4 times the
   speed of the 65816. So to run a TWGS/Zip GS at 10 MHz, you would need
   a 40 MHz oscillator.
   

        Digi-Key Corporation

        (800) 344-4539 voice
        (218) 681-3380 fax

        From May/June 1994 catalog:

        Epson America, Inc.: 1/2 TTL for TWGS
        Part No.        Frequency       Price ($)       TWGS speed
        SE1101          32 MHz          3.60            8 MHz
        SE1102          33.3333         3.60            8.3333
        SE1103          36              3.60            9
        SE1104          40              3.60            10
        SE1105          42              3.60            10.5
        SE1106          46              3.60            11.5
        SE1107          48              3.60            12
        SE1108          50              3.60            12.5
        SE1109          55              3.60            13.75
        SE1110          60              4.35            15

   They have new half size oscillators from CTS. Looks like it's
   compatible with the above ones. But if you order, you're responsible
   to confirm compatability. The only reason I'm mentioning these new CTS
   ones is because they have over 60 MHz frequency. Just in case you want
   to try beyond 15 MHz.
   

        CTS Clock Oscillators: 1/2 TTL for TWGS
        Part No.        Frequency       Price ($)       TWGS speed
        CTX174          32 MHz          3.25            8 MHz
        CTX175          40              3.25            10
        CTX177          64              4.45            16
        CTX178          66.6666         4.45            16.6667
        CTX179          80              10.01           20

   Orders under $25 costs $5 to ship, over $25 is free..
   
   My understanding is that, if you over clock a CPU. It just won't
   function. You can't damage it. As the disclaimer said, do it at your
   own risk.
   
   for Zip you need: (by Long)
   
   The Zip can use three types of crystals including the common 4-pin
   full TTL crystal oscillator, 4-pin 1/2 TTL crystal oscillator (also
   used on TWGS) and 2-pin crystal (little metal canister about 1/4 the
   size of 1/2 TTL). To be able to use a 2-pin crystal, your Zip must
   have a resistor at R1 and capacitors at C13 and C14. I've found these
   three parts to be missing from current Zips. No big loss since 2-pin
   crystals are less common and are only available up to a certain
   frequency. I have the values of those parts written down somewhere and
   will post them when I find them.
   
   For experimenting with different frequencies it makes it easier if you
   install a socket for the crystal oscillator. It's also a good idea to
   secure it down with one of those zip tie bands. Only 6 of the 14 pins
   are used (picture A). The ground (GND) pins 1, 4 and 7 are connected
   together. The power pins 11 and 14 are connected together. Full TTL
   crystal oscillators use pins 1, 7, 8 and 14 (refer to picture B). 1/2
   TTL crystal oscillators use the bottom four pine (4, 7, 8 and 14;
   picture C). Make sure it's oriented correctly with the corner (usually
   with a dot printed next to it) at about 11 o'clock.
   
  *WARNING* THE CRYSTAL OSCILLATOR WILL BE DAMAGED IF INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
                                         _______
        GND  1 o  \/  o 14  POWER     1 |o      \  14
        NC     x      x     NC          |        |
        NC     x      x     NC          |  FULL  |           ______
        GND  4 o      o 11  POWER       |  TTL   |        4 |o     \  14
        NC     x      x     NC          |        |          |  1/2  |
        NC     x      x     NC          |        |          |  TTL  |
        GND  7 o      o  8  CLOCK     7  \______/   8     7  \_____/   8

                 (A)                       (B)                 (C)

        x - no connection (NC)

   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   
   
What speed of static cache RAMs do I need?

   I have read 35ns is enough for 12.5 MHz. I'm not sure about the
   requirement of 13.75 MHz or 15 MHz. 15ns costs only slightly more than
   20ns, so I recommand getting 15ns.
   
   For TWGS with the 32 KB cache:
   3 - 32 KB x 8 SRAM .3 mils (also called half size) try to get
   low-power models if possible.
   
   for TWGS with older 8k cache:
   upgrade to 32 KB cache first. big speed improvements!
   
   for Zip you need: (by Long)
   
   <me, Frank: Zips uses wide SRAM (.6 mil) standard. You can use wide
   SRAMs if you can find them (they're harder to come by). Below, Long
   has a good illustration of how to make it accept wide or skinny (.3
   mil) SRAMs>
   
   I've found Japanese and American static rams to work the best (20 ns
   in tag and 25 ns in data). The Zip can use narrow (.3 mil) or wide (.6
   mil) static rams. It all depends on the sockets that are installed on
   your Zip. With a little modification you can make a Zip with wide
   sockets accept both wide and skinny SRAMs. Ground yourself then
   carefully pry out the static rams. Look at the socket and you will
   notice two or three horizontal bars holding both sides of the socket
   together (picture D). Carefully cut those out. This will expose a
   column of holes where you will solder in half of a socket. Refer to
   picture E, position skinny (.3 mil) static rams over the left and
   center columns and wide static rams over outer most columns and making
   sure the notch on the static ram is facing 12 o'clock.
   
  *WARNING* PLUG THE STATIC RAMS IN WRONG AND YOU WILL DESTROY THEM.

            CUT
            ___           ___________ Skinny (.3 mil)
           |   |         |   |
         ____ ____       _   _   _
        |o __V__ o|     |o| |o| |o|
        |o|  o  |o|     |o| |o| |o|
        |o|  o  |o|     |o| |o| |o|
        |o|  o  |o|     |o| |o| |o|
        |o|  o  |o|     |o| |o| |o|
        |o|  o  |o|     |o| |o| |o|
        |o|__o__|o|     |o| |o| |o|
        |o _____ o|     |o| |o| |o|
        |o|  o  |o|     |o| |o| |o|
        |o|  o  |o|     |o| |o| |o|
        |o|  o  |o|     |o| |o| |o|
        |o|  o  |o|     |o| |o| |o|
        |o|__o__|o|     |o| |o| |o|
        |o _____ o|     |o| |o| |o|

                         |_______|___ Wide (.6 mil)

            (D)             (E)

   Toshi's (tm@netcom.com) notes: I've pulled out all four of my SRAM
   sockets and installed carefully cut machine-pin SIPP sockets in mine
   and seems to work pretty well.
   
   Frank: Toshi's had to de-solder all the sockets and, so it isn't
   easier than Long's way. Toshi's came out looking cleaner and neater
   though.
   
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   
   
Where can I buy the SRAMs?

   From June 27, 1994 MicroTimes, note IMD appears to have the best
   price, but other are listed if you wish to call...
   

        International Micro Devices (IMD)
        1630 Oakland Road A108
        San Jose, CA 95131

        (408) 452-7700 voice
        (408) 452-7771 fax

        Monday-Friday 9 AM to 5:30 PM, Saturday 10 AM - 2 PM (Pacific time)

        32 KB x 8 SRAM @ 25ns   $4.00 each
        32 KB x 8 SRAM @ 20ns   $5.00 each
        32 KB x 8 SRAM @ 15ns   $5.50 each

        ---
        AMT International
        2393 Qume Drive
        San Jose, CA 95131

        (408) 383-9044 voice
        (408) 383-9047 fax
        (408) 944 9801 fax

        Monday-Friday 9 AM to 5 PM (Pafific time)

        32 KB x 8 SRAM @ 20ns   $5.95 each
        32 KB x 8 SRAM @ 15ns   $6.95 each
        
        ---
        C. B. Memory & Computers
        1319 Jacklin Road
        Milpitas, CA 95035

        (408) 946-5174 voice
        (408) 946-5175 voice
        (408) 946-5376 fax
        
        Hours unkown, probably same as AMT International.

   Note: SRAM prices went up recently (and isn't stable), so call for the
   latest prices...
   
   Toshi's (tm@netcom.com) notes:
        
        SRAMs known to work in ZipGS:

        NEC  D43256AC-10L (100ns, .6 DIP)
        SONY CXK58258P-35 ( 35ns, .6 DIP)
        Intel P51256SL-07 ( 70ns, .6 DIP)

        SRAM known NOT to work in ZipGS:

        Goldstar GM76C256AL-70 ( 70ns, .6 DIP)

   Frank: Toshi used 70ns SRAM and still ran up to 12 MHz on his Zip GS
   (with 7400 upgraded). I thought at least 35ns was required for 12 MHz.
   I'll be sending Toshi some benchmark tests and we'll see how fast his
   is.
   
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   
   
Do I really need to increase the voltage?

   If you just want to run at 14 MHz, no. But you might need to if you
   want to go faster.
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   
   
10. How do I increase the voltage (with the heavy duty power supply)?

   
   
  WARNING: GENERALLY, IT'S NOT RECOMMENDED TO DO THIS. YOU MIGHT DECREASE THE
  LIFE OF YOUR GS. ADJUSTING THE POT EXPOSE YOU TO HIGH-VOLTAGES WHICH CAN BE
  FATAL!!! IF YOU FEEL AT ALL IN-COMPETENT, IT IS RECOMMENDED YOU STICK TO 5V,
  OR LET A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN DO IT ($$$).
  
  ANOTHER REASON IS, PERFORMANCE INCREASE FROM ~12 MHZ TO 13.75 OR 15 MHZ ISN'T
  AS IMPRESSIVE AS FROM 7 TO 9/10 MHZ, PROBABLY BECAUSE THE GS'S 1 MHZ BUS
  LIMIT. SO IT MIGHT NOT WORTH THE RISK/TIME/EFFORT TO TRY BEYOND 5V. YOU'RE
  ALSO AT A MUCH HIGHER RISK OF DAMANGING YOUR TWGS/ZIP/GS.
  
   
   
   Note: I've drove my GS to as high as 6 volts. Nothing blow up, except
   the computer just sorta reset it self. I don't recommend you to try
   this. :-) It's just a side note.
   
   The easiest way would be to purchase AE's heavy duty power supply.
   Memory Plus Distributor (MPD sells the exact same supply (except with
   out the AE sticker & price) for slightly cheaper. LRO also carries the
   MPD power supply.
   
   The power connector on the mother board:
   

         _______
        |  _   _|
        | |_| |_        pin 1: ground
        |       |
        |  _   _|
        | |_| |_        pin 2: ground
        |       |
        |  _   _|
        | |_| |_        pin 3: no connection; not used
        |       |
        |  _   _|
        | |_| |_        pin 4: +5  volt supply
        |       |
        |  _   _|
        | |_| |_        pin 5: +12 volt supply
        |       |
        |  _   _|
        | |_| |_        pin 6: -12 volt supply
        |       |
        |  _   _|
        | |_| |_        pin 7: -5 volt supply
        |_______|

   Attach the volt meter's gound to either gound pin, then the positive
   to the +5v supply. That should give a reading of 5v.
   
   To turn up the voltage, simply open the HD (heavy duty) power supply.
   There is a pot (which you can turn with a screw) to adjust the
   voltage.
   

               ||      - power cord
        -------------
        |           |
        |           |  ||  - 7 pin connector on your motherboard
        |           |  ||
        |           |
        |           |
        |           |
        |           |
        |oooooooooo =  - wires to your motherboard
        |oooooooooo |
        |oooooooooo |
        |oooooooooo |  - pot is located about 3" from the bottom &
        |oooooooooo |                   about 1" from the right
        |oooooooooo |
        |oooooooooo |       turn clock wise to increase the voltage
        -------------    counter clock wise to decrease the voltage

                         turn it SLOWLY!  supplying over 5.5v is not
                         recommended.

   If you have a skinny, long screw driver, you can adjust the pot with
   out opening the power supply. However, I think it's actually easier if
   you open it. Just don't touch anything but the pot.
   
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   
   
Where can I buy the heavy duty power supply?

   

        Memory Plus Distributors, Inc.
        7902 East Pierce Street
        Scottsdale, Arizona 85257

        (602) 820-8819 voice
        (602) 968-3211 fax

        Monday through Friday 9 am to 4 pm (MST)

        7 amp GS power supply - $75
        GS internal cooling fan - $19.95

   Internal cooling fan is highly recommended for a TWGS, or if you have
   a few cards in your GS.
   
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   
   
Is it true that Zip can only go about 12.5 MHz?

   The Zip need to have the 74F00 replaced with 74HC00. You might also
   need faster SRAM and additional voltage.
   
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   
   
Where can I get replacement 7400 for my Zip?

   Digi-Key Corporation (800) 344-4539 voice (218) 681-3380 fax ---
   National Semiconductor - 74HC00 Series CMOS (last updated 07-08-94)
   Digi-Key part number description chip package price MM74HC00N-ND quad
   2-In NAND Gate 14-dip .28
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   
   
What kind of performance increase can one expect?

   This is just to give you a rough estimate of how much faster you
   might go...
   

        BenchMark v5.0 results:

        cpu         stock   twgs   twgs   twgs      zip    zip   zip
        version    ROM 01   1.8s   1.8s   1.8s    1.0.2  1.0.2  1.0.2
        cache/spd         32k/15 32k/15 32k/15   64k/?? 64k/?? 64k/??
        clock spd     2.8     15  13.75   12.5       16     15     14
                  ======= ====== ====== ======   ====== ====== ======
        Sieve      410.00  99.00 108.00 117.00    98.00  99.00 110.00
        String    1151.20 270.00 292.00 303.67   259.00 262.00 282.00
        Float 1    472.00  92.33  87.00 111.33   123.00 128.00 135.00
        Float 2   1535.00 317.00 394.00 381.67   395.00 415.00 432.00
        Fibinacci 2006.00 605.00 634.00 645.33   507.00 523.00 548.00
        Integer   1553.40 307.00 330.00 346.67   420.00 431.00 443.00

        Dhrystone     236   1136   1063   1000       NA     NA     NA
                *           1351          1183     1282     NA     NA

        * Dhrystone v1.1 re-compiled under ORCA/C v2.0.1

   If you look at the numbers, a 12 MHz or faster TWGS/Zip will make
   everything just about 4x faster than a stock //gs.
   

        System Software 5.0 QuickDraw II improvement test:

        stock //gs:     5648 ticks
        TWGS 15 MHz:    1332 ticks (over 4x faster than stock)

   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   
   
Is it reliable?

   Yes.
   
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   Back to the Apple II Resources page
    Converted to html by Nathan Mates, nathan@cco.caltech.edu



-- 
* Nathan Mates   http://www.ugcs.caltech.edu/~nathan/               *
* Ftp humor archiver: ftp to cco.caltech.edu, look in pub/humor     *
* "Always listen to experts. They'll tell what can't be done, and   *
*  why. Then do it."  -- Robert A. Heinlein, Lazarus Long           *