Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sun-barr!rutgers!cbmvax!daveh From: daveh@cbmvax.commodore.com (Dave Haynie) Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.hardware Subject: Re: RAMs for the A3000 Keywords: ZIPs or SIPPs Message-ID: <21813@cbmvax.commodore.com> Date: 22 May 91 21:07:58 GMT References: <1991May17.170845.8740@informatik.uni-erlangen.de> Reply-To: daveh@cbmvax.commodore.com (Dave Haynie) Organization: Commodore, West Chester, PA Lines: 44 In article johns@dworkin.Amber.COM (John Silvia) writes: >> Could anyone please tell me, which RAMs are necessary to upgrade an >> A3000? Someone told me, that I need 1MB x 8 SIPPs and somebody else >> told me, that I need 1MBx1 ZIPs. Can anyone, who owns such a bugger >> look into the manual and send me a mail? First of all, there's no such thing as a "SIPP". The name refers to the part's physical configuration. A3000s with 1MB of Fast RAM come with DIP (Dual In-line Pin) parts installed. The expansion RAM for these is called ZIP (Zig-zag In-line Pin). Most Macintoshes use one kind of SIMM (Single In-line Memory Module) memories, which are tiny circuit boards with a mess of memories attached. Another kind of SIMM is popular in the PClone market since IBM first used it on their PS/2 line. >There are two types of expansion ram for an A3000. There is PAGE MODE and >STATIC COLUMN mode. The Page Mode chips are 256X4, and the Static Column >chips are1024X4. 8 of either types of these chips are required for the >minimum memory expansion. Actually, Page Mode and Static Column memories are available in both densities. >STATIC COLUMN chips offer more storage, and greater speed, and are more >expensive than PAGE MODE chips. Average Static Column pricing is around >$35-$42 per chip. That's because you're being gouged for those parts. They cost the manufacturer the same to make, since, in most cases, the DRAM are from the same dice, and the choice of Page or Static Column is a bonding option. Some dealers will charge more, since they know that an A3000 goes about 20% faster with Static Column memories, and thus, SCRAMs are more valuable to the buyer. >I have heard that there are troubles with using the Page Mode chips but I >don't know what truth to trust them with. The Static Column chips are >better, faster and store more per chip. There aren't any troubles using Page Mode memories, assuming you don't turn on any of the mode in the RAMSEY chip that require Static Column memory. If you do, you'll crash instantly, it's an all-or-nothing thing. And, as I mentioned, the sizes are not a function of the DRAM's memory modes. -- 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.