Re: FIC 486-GAC-2 and proprietary cache module - Prototype works! Revision in progress.

Posted on 2024-02-29, 09:54

by

by RockstarRunner

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

What I can say about current proto I have now: With some sanding, it will insert ok, but fit is tight. Divider is ok, marks on fingers indicate good alignment, do not recommend shrinking the gap. miisalo was managing to solder the rams ok, particularly after doing couple of chips, but observed that …

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Re: FIC 486-GAC-2 and proprietary cache module - Prototype WIP

Posted on 2024-02-29, 05:42

by

by RockstarRunner

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

supercordo wrote on 2024-02-29, 01:17: Nice Work!!! How much for one? We have to get the revision taken care of first. I have no plans to produce these, but might have 2 modules/kits available in the end (and possibly couple of bare pcb's)

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Re: FIC 486-GAC-2 and proprietary cache module - Prototype WIP

Posted on 2024-02-29, 05:12

by

by RockstarRunner

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

I will benchmark it this evening in 256k mode, and check the 128/64 modes when I get the chance. I'll also post the photos you asked later today.

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Re: FIC 486-GAC-2 and proprietary cache module - Prototype WIP

Posted on 2024-02-28, 21:16

by

by RockstarRunner

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

We did it!!! .... Now I sleep

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Re: FIC 486-GAC-2 and proprietary cache module - Prototype WIP

Posted on 2024-02-28, 19:32

by

by RockstarRunner

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

Bad news, the PC refuses to start with the module inserted. No even a hint of activity. We checked all the soldering and didn't find any issues. Then we tried switching jumpers from 256k to 128k, and it didn't make a difference. We then put a probe on the CT1 and saw no activity, like 5v line never …

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Re: FIC 486-GAC-2 and proprietary cache module - Prototype WIP

Posted on 2024-02-28, 17:07

by

by RockstarRunner

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

The prototype is under construction... Watch this space! Filename IMG_20240228_191008.jpg File size 493.39 KiB Views 315 views File comment WIP

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Re: FIC 486-GAC-2 and proprietary cache module - Prototype WIP

Posted on 2024-02-28, 08:46

by

by RockstarRunner

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

Filename IMG20240228102243~2.jpg File size 1.27 MiB Views 344 views File comment Components placed on pcb The srams and buffers look correct, though soldering may require finesse, this remains to be seen. The modern replacements for those tantalums are clearly much smaller, and will need some …

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Re: FIC 486-GAC-2 and proprietary cache module - Prototype WIP

Posted on 2024-02-28, 08:43

by

by RockstarRunner

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

Regarding the divider, I would not suggest making it smaller, as it appears to get wider as you go deeper in to the slot, and I think it's about right (non scientific assessment) IMG20240228101030.jpg IMG20240228101111.jpg After much sanding, the board just about goes in, but I would describe it as …

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Re: FIC 486-GAC-2 and proprietary cache module - Prototype WIP

Posted on 2024-02-27, 18:37

by

by RockstarRunner

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

Tried a few different things to remove the mask, and sanding worked the best, so I'll use another of this batch to do it nicely. Then I'll need to do a bit of beveling, to see if it will go in the slot any easier. I should be able to do this tomorrow. If it goes in, then I'll get it soldered, to …

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Re: FIC 486-GAC-2 and proprietary cache module - Prototype WIP

Posted on 2024-02-27, 10:50

by

by RockstarRunner

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

Pcb's arrived IMG20240227123940.jpg Looks like the fingers are covered in mask 🫤 Looking back at the renders, the fingers are under the mask there too... Oops, looks like we all missed that little detail 🫣 Width seems ok, but it's too thick as it is to be able to push it down in the slot …

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Re: FIC 486-GAC-2 and proprietary cache module - Prototype WIP

Posted on 2024-02-15, 12:24

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by RockstarRunner

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

Chips get: Filename IMG20240215133352.jpg File size 376.59 KiB Views 457 views (That's some long srams 😆 ) Still waiting on the PCBs, but that's due to the Chinese lunar new year.

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Re: FIC 486-GAC-2 and proprietary cache module - Prototype WIP

Posted on 2024-02-12, 16:14

by

by RockstarRunner

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

I have chips for three modules coming, and then 5 PCBs. So if someone has a system, and needs one, there is a chance, but first we gotta see if it works at all 😁 On my Globalyst 510, the 'vlb' socket is in no way under the floppy drive, so clearance was not an issue

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Re: FIC 486-GAC-2 and proprietary cache module - Prototype WIP

Posted on 2024-02-12, 12:59

by

by RockstarRunner

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

"Hmmm, this would require wiring A18 A19 straight from chipset/VLB slot to cache module, and different module of course, too much work for small gain" This is great discussion though, while waiting for parts to build the prototype, but bit over my head.

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Re: FIC 486-GAC-2 and proprietary cache module - Reproduction WIP

Posted on 2024-02-11, 20:48

by

by RockstarRunner

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

Fits in the slot fine

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Re: FIC 486-GAC-2 and proprietary cache module - Reproduction WIP

Posted on 2024-02-11, 16:57

by

by RockstarRunner

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

New advances in technology now allow wafer thin prototype cache modules 😉 Filename IMG20240211185327.jpg File size 1.21 MiB Views 346 views File comment Wafer thin Scale was checked using a SOJ20 chip that although has less legs, has same pitch as the correct SRAM chips, and it lined up perfectly. …

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Re: FIC 486-GAC-2 and proprietary cache module - Reproduction WIP

Posted on 2024-02-11, 07:15

by

by RockstarRunner

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

First step of prototype was going to be paper version, like you said 👍 I live in Europe, so nothing about getting parts and pcb's will be cheap, and shipping costs + taxes etc. Anyway; I have the chips, buffers and caps ordered, and I'll get the pcb design printed on paper when I visit my friend …

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Re: FIC 486-GAC-2 and proprietary cache module - Reproduction WIP

Posted on 2024-02-10, 21:51

by

by RockstarRunner

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

Well done, rasz, seriously! 😎 So, next step is putting together a prototype, I'll get on that tomorrow.

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Re: FIC 486-GAC-2 and proprietary cache module - Reproduction WIP

Posted on 2024-02-08, 14:15

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by RockstarRunner

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

So 64k wouldn't require separate 8k SRAM chips? 8x8k

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Re: FIC 486-GAC-2 and proprietary cache module - Reproduction WIP

Posted on 2024-02-08, 07:28

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by RockstarRunner

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

"FIC didnt swap those after all! RockstarRunner how could you? top 10 anime betrayals! :] " I don't understand, I thought I was being careful when testing the connectivity. Did I just get the slot pin wrong, or the mapping? I'd check it again, but I put the damn pc back together again, which is a …

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Re: FIC 486-GAC-2 and proprietary cache module - Reproduction WIP

Posted on 2024-02-06, 10:59

by

by RockstarRunner

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

Yeah! Great work, both of you. I guess there isn't anymore I can do with my board that would be useful, so if that's the case, I'll put everything back. Think I need to start hunting for ram chips to build prototypes, when things get to that stage.

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