Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!ucsd!ames!pacbell!att!dptg!lzaz!hcj
From: hcj@lzaz.ATT.COM (HC Johnson)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: Request for comments about Atari ST RAM upgrades
Summary: I have EZ-ram - solderless 2.5 meg and like it
Keywords: Atari ST RAM DRAM upgrade DTP
Message-ID: <820@lzaz.ATT.COM>
Date: 13 Oct 89 13:13:09 GMT
References: <868@eplrx7.UUCP>
Distribution: na
Organization: AT&T ISL Lincroft NJ USA
Lines: 45

In article <868@eplrx7.UUCP>, wyant@eplrx7.UUCP (wyant) writes:
> 
>    We have recently acquired a hard disk and several software utilities
> about the the possibilities for a RAM upgrade, perhaps to 2.5 MBytes.
> being between $305 and over $400 (US).  So, now a list:

	$305 or so for 1) a board and 2) 16 1-meg drams sounds good.
> 
>    A) Is such a RAM upgrade desirable?  Our Atari serves both for games
> and desktop publishing.  The utilities/accessories might be expected to
> occupy up to 0.25 MBytes.

	I would think extra mem would be particularly useful for DTP.
	I run MINIX-ST it it loves extra RAM.
> 
>    B) What is the difference between the solderless and conventional
> upgrades?  Is a solderless upgrade merely a DRAM swap?
> 

	solderless uses 1) a pass-thru socket to pick up most signals 
	from the video shifter. 2) a press on thing to pick up signals
	from the MMU.

	solder: you get to locate and tack down lots of wires. 

	DRAM is not swapped.  .5 meg stays used, .5 meg is lost. the board
	adds 2 meg in 16 1 meg DRAMS.

>    C) What about the extra heat generated by all those RAM's in such a
> small (ST) box?  Is it substantially greater than for the standard 1 MB?
> 

	DRAMS are cool running -- I've seen no difference.
	
>    D) Do you have any recommended places for us to consider having such
> an upgrade performed?  Do they perform an infant mortality test?
> 
	Most places supply a board and a phone number.  You supply the 
	DRAMS and install it.  Its pretty easy for solderless.


Howard C. Johnson
ATT Bell Labs
att!lzaz!hcj
hcj@lzaz.att.com