Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!ncar!gatech!hubcap!ncrcae!ncr-sd!sagpd1!monty
From: monty@sagpd1
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.hardware
Subject: Re: Mega-Midget Racer
Message-ID: <1991Apr9.162145.22020@sagpd1>
Date: 9 Apr 91 16:21:45 GMT
References: <8449@crash.cts.com>
Reply-To: monty@sagpd1.UUCP (Monty Saine)
Organization: Scientific Atlanta, Government Products Div, San Diego, CA
Lines: 32

In article <8449@crash.cts.com> lkoop@pnet01.cts.com (Lamonte Koop) writes:
>peterb@intacc.uucp (Peter James Bowmar) writes:
>The main reason the programs you mention are not faster is that they are
>utilizing CHIP RAM quite a bit.  Since the accelerator has to in effect
>"throttle back" when operating out of this domain you won't see a tremendous
>speed increase.  Now, on MMU-equipped systems, the ROM image can be relocated
>into FAST RAM for quicker access....however, since you have a non-MMU 68030,
>and apparently no FAST RAM (yet), you are unable to do this particular
>operation.

    This posting finaly made me remember why it is so important to have the
    static ram installed on the mega-midget racer!!! The hardware on the
    mega-midget racer AUTOMATICALLY transfers the rom image into static
    ram! This was why they could get away without the MMU version of the
    030. If you have no static ram you are choking the 030 off when ever it 
    needs something out of the roms. Not only are you throttling back the
    030 on fast memory access, the same thing occurs for rom access. 
	One other point was made by the manufacturer during our user group
    demonstartion in March, the static ram will hold more than 512K on board
    but most of us cannot afford the statics required. The board is
    wired to hold full JEDEC compatible 32 pin static rams. I believe that 
    this allows 2 Meg bytes of Static ram on board. Of course these chips
    will probably cost as much each as the midget does, but it is possible!

	The board does have clearance problems on an A1000 though. They will
    retro-fit your A1000 by installing a new disk drive and cutting away the 
    shield so that the "extended" midget will fit, for a nominal fee.o

    I have no affiliation with CSA and am only reporting what was told us at
    the SDAUG metting in March.

    Monty Saine