Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!wuarchive!udel!sbcs!umcvmb!c506634 From: c506634@umcvmb.missouri.edu (Eric Edwards) Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.hardware Subject: SUMMARY: A500 Hard Drive options Message-ID: Date: 12 May 91 07:54:27 GMT Sender: usenet@sbcs.sunysb.edu (Usenet poster) Followup-To: comp.sys.amiga.hardware Organization: Hackers without Hard Drives Lines: 88 In article pk1s+@andrew.cmu.edu (Paul A. Karlin) writes: > > Okay, after a few weeks of gathering info (and some delay due to final > exams), here's what I have gathered together: > > IVS TRUMPCARD 500 & TRUMPCARD 500 PROFESSIONAL > ---------------------------------------------- > * Big and ugly but inexpensive (under $150 for normal, under $200 for pro) That's cheap. Places that I have called say $190 and $240 and that is without a power supply. I've seen people selling used ones in .marketplace for that price though. > GVP SERIES II > ------------- > * No bus pass-through (special GVP "mini-slot" instead), but allows for > 8MB RAM (SIMMs directly on controller) Recently I was talking with a non-technical person who was thinking about buying a GVP. The dealer had quoted him what I thought was an exorbant price to add memory to this beast. I could figure out why since I knew the dealer and his prices were very competitive. Then I looked closely at the ad in AmigaWhirled. The darn thing uses 2 meg simms, the same ones used in Mac IIsi. This is an odd part. Hard to find and expensive when you do find them. > > DATAFLYER 500 > ------------- > * Expandable to 8MB RAM (with separate card, like with TrumpCard) Too bad you can't buy one of these cards. There has not been an announced shipping date. No product announcement. Not even a MAST style vaporware announcment. Me thinks this critter doesn't even exist yet. > > SUPRADRIVE 500XP > ---------------- > * Typical package comes with 512K or 2MB RAM and 20/40/52MB HD (Quantum(?)) Yes, they are Quantums. Seems like almost everybody is using Quantums. > * RAM expansion is up to 8MB, but uses D-RAM (more expensive thanSIMMS) Up to 2 meg can be added on the main board with DIP style Drams. The going rate per byte for Simms and DIPS is almost *exactly* the same. Above 2 meg you need a special board that uses 4 meg Zips. Those are quite expensive. > * Power supply available spearately -- may be necessary even though > Supra claims the controller is "very low-power" ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 'Course it doesn't matter. The drive will draw more power than the controler anyway unless the controler is really power hungry and you are using an ultra low power drive. The manual for my 105 meg Quantum 105S states that it needs 1.6 amps at 12 volts to power up. That's more than my Phoenix CPS500's entire 12 volt rating. I shudder at using the standard power supply. > ICD AdIDE > --------- > * NOT SCSI! (Very big important distinction here) Funny thing is, right now SCSI is slightly cheaper on average than IDE. I don't know how long this market anomoly will continue but remember, just becuase you've heard that IDE is cheaper than SCSI doesn't mean it is always so. > XETEC FASTTRAK > -------------- > * Rather expensive Not too bad actualy providing you don't get suckered into buying the case for the drive. That little luxury will set you back $100. Drive cases with power supply can be had for $75 and many places will put the drive in a box for you for only $50 above the cost of the bare drive. > * RAM expandable (2MB?) 8 meg but requires an extra, $75 board. Eric Edwards: c506634 @ "I say we take off and nuke the entire site Inet: umcvmb.missouri.edu from orbit. It's the only way to be sure." Bitnet: umcvmb.bitnet -- Sigourney Weaver, _Aliens_