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Mini-FAQ update - Upgrading the TransWarp GS/Zip GS
- Subject: Mini-FAQ update - Upgrading the TransWarp GS/Zip GS
- From: fmlin@netcom.com (Frank M. Lin)
- Date: Mon, 2 Aug 1993 22:58:00 GMT
- Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
- Organization: EMG
Mini-FAQ ( frequently asked questions ) for upgrading TransWarp GS or Zip GS.
Last updated: 8-2-93
:::::::::: disclaimer
Feel free to distribute this anywhere you think it might be of help.
I make no gurantee about any of the information provided below. If you
choose to do any part of the upgrade, you are taking the rist. I will
not responsible for anything.
If any information is incorrect and/or misleading, let me know.
you can reach me at:
Compuserve,
GEnie,
America Online,
ProLine with Internet feed,
METAL/FV with Internet feed,
Internet: fmlin@netcom.com
OggNet: capsule, user #6 @ House of Games
:::::::::: table of contents
1. Where can I buy the 32k cache for Transwarp GS?
2. Should I buy the Sanyo chips? Or WDC ones?
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?
:::::::::: common questions & answers
1. Where can I buy the 32k cache for Transwarp GS?
LRO Computer Sales (800) ASK-4LRO
TMS Peripherals 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.
2. Should I buy the Sanyo chips? Or WDC ones?
Sanyo re-engineered the 816, but WDC sells them.
3. 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.
4. 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!
5. 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 $20 for _each_ GAL you order.
AE Technical Support BBS (214) 241-6677
24 hours, 7 days a week
I would guess the BBS functions the same. But I never called
it before.
6. Where can I buy crystal oscillators?
Digi-Key Corporation
(800) 344-4539 voice
(218) 681-3380 fax
From May-June 1993 catalog:
Epson America, Inc.: 1/2 TTL for TWGS
Part No. Frequency Price ($) 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 3.44 8 mHz
CTX175 40 3.44 10
CTX176 50 3.44 12.5
CTX177 64 4.70 16
CTX178 66.6666 4.70 16.6667
CTX179 80 10.59 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. Is that right? As the disclaimer
said, do it at your own risk.
for Zip you need:
1/2 TTL or full TTL? Speak up Zip owners!
7. What speed of static cache RAMs do I need?
I have read 35ns is enough for 12.5 mHz. 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 32k cache:
3 - 32k x 8 SRAM .3 mils ( also called half size ) try to get
low-power models if possible.
for Zip you need:
speak up Zip owners...
8. Where can I buy the SRAMs?
AMT International
2393 Qume Drive
San Jose, CA 95131
(408) 942-9695 voice
(408) 942-5509 fax
Monday through Friday 8 am to 6 pm (PST), Sat. 9 am - 3 pm
32k x 8 SRAM @ 20ns $4.95 each
32k x 8 SRAM @ 15ns $5.00 each
In case you want 2 - 1mb x 4 DRAM to upgrade your RamFAST rev. D
to 1mb cache.
1mb x 4 DRAM @ 80ns $17.00 each
9. Do I really need to increase the voltage?
You can learn to read your shmoo plot by reading the article
sent by WDC. In my case, I was suppose to supply 4.75v - 5.25v
to run at 12.82 mHz, 5.5v - 5.75v for 13.51 mHz, and 6v for
14.71 mHz.
But I'm suppling 5v @ 13.75 mHz, and about 5.2v @ 15 mHz. Your
milege may vary. It's easy to tell if you need voltage. If
continuous test fails, you need more voltage, or possibly faster
SRAMs, or both.
10. How do I increase the voltage?
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.
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
| | || - see above -
| |
| |
| |
| |
|oooooooooo = - wires to your motherboard
|oooooooooo |
|oooooooooo |
|oooooooooo | - pot it located about 3" from the bottom &
|oooooooooo | 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 small, 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.
11. 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 fora TWGS, or if
you have a few cards in your GS.
LRO also carries the MPD power supply, see above for their
phone number.
12. Is it true that Zip can only go about 12.5 mHz?
Need more info...
13. Where can I get replacement 7400 for my Zip?
Need more info...
14. What kind of performance increase can one expect?
][gs ROM 1, with 4mb RAM
Transwarp GS ROM v1.8s with 32k 15ns cache
GALs - 1A 2B 3E 4B 5A 6A 7A 8B
Dhrystone v1.3 & Benchmark v5.0 under shift-booted System 6 in GNO v1.1b
clock spd 2.8 15 13.75 12.5 12 10 9 8 7
======= ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ======
Sieve 410.00 99.90 108.00 118.00
String 1151.20 270.40 292.00 306.33
Float 1 472.00 92.70 87.00 123.33
Float 2 1535.00 317.00 394.00 419.33
Fibinacci 2006.00 605.20 634.00 652.33
Integer 1553.40 307.40 330.00 352.33
Actual mHz 2.8 11.56 10.81 9.60
Dhrystone 236 1136 1063 1000
* 1351
* Dhrystone v1.1 re-compiled under ORCA/C v2.0.1
You're welcome to submit your results.
{end of mini-FAQ}
--
frank m. lin
fmlin@netcom.com