Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!sun-barr!rutgers!cbmvax!daveh
From: daveh@cbmvax.commodore.com (Dave Haynie)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.hardware
Subject: Re: A3000: 16mhz vs. 25mhz
Keywords: A3000
Message-ID: <21450@cbmvax.commodore.com>
Date: 9 May 91 18:56:36 GMT
References: <11064@uwm.edu> <3858@ux.acs.umn.edu> <5308@network.ucsd.edu>
Reply-To: daveh@cbmvax.commodore.com (Dave Haynie)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Commodore, West Chester, PA
Lines: 33

In article <5308@network.ucsd.edu> simon@ivem1.uucp (Simon) writes:
>Does anyone know the exact difference between a 16mhz A3000 and
>a 25 mhz A3000 other than these numbers?  Another words, is there
>a way that I could upgrade a 16mhz A3000 to a 25mhz A3000, by say
>replacing the crystal or the 68030 chip.  I'd like to get the
>16mhz A3000 w/ PowerUp program, and upgrade myself to a 25mhz.

There are three component differences, and a couple of jumper settings.  The
three components:

	16MHz				25MHz

	32.000 MHz Crystal Module	50.000 MHz Crystal Module
	MC68030-16, PQFP		MC68030-25, PQFP
	MC68881-16, PLCC		MC68882-25, PLCC

The deal is, all of these parts are soldered in.  You really don't want to
de-solder a 140 pin Plastic Quad Flat Pack like the 68030 unless you REALLY
know what you're doing.  That usually involves special tools.  I wouldn't
attempt it myself, though we do have technicians capable of it here.  No real
need to mention that this would violate your warrenty bigtime, is there?

It would be very, very easy for someone to build a dirt cheap 16MHz->25MHz
upgrade board.  All it would need (off the top of my head...) is 68882, 68030, 
a 50MHz clock module, a 10ns delay line, and a PAL or similar logic to effect
the takeover of the A3000 bus from the 16MHz system.  Thing is, most of the 
companies contemplating such upgrade things are thinking much bigger.


-- 
Dave Haynie Commodore-Amiga (Amiga 3000) "The Crew That Never Rests"
   {uunet|pyramid|rutgers}!cbmvax!daveh      PLINK: hazy     BIX: hazy
      "That's me in the corner, that's me in the spotlight" -R.E.M.