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COAST Cache L2

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First post, by PC@LIVE

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So, I have a couple of 256 KB COAST L2 cache modules, one year ago I tried it unsuccessfully on an Intel VX MB, to try to expand the present 256 KB cache, in total I would have reached 512 KB.

Recently, I bought a Siemens HX MB without cache on board, there is the possibility of adding the L2 cache, through a COAST cache module, in this case I could have 256 KB, and it would be better to have 256, rather than 0.

The question I would ask is, are the COAST modules compatible, because the pinch is standard, or does each MB need its COAST module, or other compatible ones?

Moreover, on the modules, there are no useful indications to understand in which card they can be used, for example a PC66 RAM is not good in an MB that uses PC133 RAM.

I have no idea if there is a cataloguing, COAST modules and on motherboards, in which they can be installed, if you have ideas and suggestions, they are very much appreciated, in short if it goes well in one PC, it is not said that it can be used in another, and above all it is possible that you can damage the motherboard (?), if for example it has a particular or different pining.

AMD 286-16 287-10 4MB HD 45MB VGA 256KB
AMD 386DX-40 Intel 387 8MB HD 81MB VGA 256KB
Cyrix 486DLC-40 IIT387-40 8MB VGA 512KB
AMD 5X86-133 16MB VGA VLB CL5428 2MB and many others
AMD K62+ 550 SOYO 5EMA+ and many others
AST Pentium Pro 200 MHz L2 256KB

Reply 1 of 8, by Horun

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Most (not all) COAST are specific to certain motherboards or to the motherboard company. Very few were cross compatible. I wish there was a catalog of which go with what....

Hate posting a reply and then have to edit it because it made no sense 😁 First computer was an IBM 3270 workstation with CGA monitor. Stuff: https://archive.org/details/@horun

Reply 2 of 8, by bertrammatrix

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PC@LIVE wrote on 2024-10-08, 20:39:
So, I have a couple of 256 KB COAST L2 cache modules, one year ago I tried it unsuccessfully on an Intel VX MB, to try to expand […]
Show full quote

So, I have a couple of 256 KB COAST L2 cache modules, one year ago I tried it unsuccessfully on an Intel VX MB, to try to expand the present 256 KB cache, in total I would have reached 512 KB.

Recently, I bought a Siemens HX MB without cache on board, there is the possibility of adding the L2 cache, through a COAST cache module, in this case I could have 256 KB, and it would be better to have 256, rather than 0.

The question I would ask is, are the COAST modules compatible, because the pinch is standard, or does each MB need its COAST module, or other compatible ones?

Moreover, on the modules, there are no useful indications to understand in which card they can be used, for example a PC66 RAM is not good in an MB that uses PC133 RAM.

I have no idea if there is a cataloguing, COAST modules and on motherboards, in which they can be installed, if you have ideas and suggestions, they are very much appreciated, in short if it goes well in one PC, it is not said that it can be used in another, and above all it is possible that you can damage the motherboard (?), if for example it has a particular or different pining.

Post a picture, someone here may be able to identify it.

Yes it's unfortunate that the slot was readily used but there seems to be no standard pinout.

Reply 3 of 8, by CharlieFoxtrot

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I suggest you don’t slap random COAST modules to motherboards you don’t know they are compatible with. You can fry the module, motherboard or both in the worst case.

Reply 4 of 8, by rasz_pl

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For example 'Cypress High-Performance Data Book 1995' lists a ton of L2 modules and chipsets they work with :

CYM7421     82420 PCIset-Compatible Level II Cache Module
CYM7424 128K Cache Module for the Intel™ 82420EX PCIset
CYM7425 256K Cache Module for the Intel 82420EX PCIset
CYM7427 82420 PCIset-Compatible Level II Cache Module Family
CYM7428 82420 PCIset-Compatible Level II Cache Module Family
CYM7432 256K Pentium-Compatible Cache Module
CYM7450 128K Cache Module for VLSI VL82C483 Chipset
CYM7451 256K Cache Module for VLSI VL82C483 Chipset
CYM7490 i486™ Level II Cache Module
CYM7491 i486 Level II Cache Module
CYM7492 i486 Level II Cache Module
CYM74A430 Intel 82430FX PCIset Level II Cache Module
CYM74AS50 OPTi Viper Chipset Level II Cache Module
CYM74AS51 OPTi Viper Chipset Level II Cache Module
CYM74AS90 VLSI 82CS90 Chipset Level II Cache Module
CYM74AP54 Intel 82430NX Chipset Level II Cache Module
CYM74S430 Intel 82430FX PCIset Level II Cache Module
CYM74S431 Intel 82430FX PCIset Level II Cache Module
CYM74S550 OPTi Viper Chipset Level II Cache Module
CYM74S551 OPTi Viper Chipset Level II Cache Module
CYM74S590 VLSI 82CS90 Chipset Level II Cache Module
CYM74S591 VLSI 82C590 Chipset Level II Cache Module
CYM74SP54 Intel 82430NX Chipset Level II Cache Module
CYM74SP55 Intel 82430NX Chipset Level II Cache Module
CYM9230 82420 PCIset-CompatibleLevel II Cache Module
CYM9231 82420 PCIset-Compatible Level II Cache Module
CYM9236 128K Cache Module for the UMC491 Chipset
CYM9237 256K Cache Module for the UMC491 Chipset
CYM9244 128K Cache Module for the OPTi 802GP Chipset
CYM9245 256K Cache Module for the OPTi 802GP Chipset
CYM9246 128K Cache Module for the OPTi 802GP Chipset
CYM9247 256K Cache Module for the OPTi 802GP Chipset

When it comes to Intel 430 chipsets and Pipelined Burst cache afaik 160 pin COAST 2.0 setup was standardized by Intel and almost? everybody used same thing.

https://github.com/raszpl/FIC-486-GAC-2-Cache-Module for AT&T Globalyst
https://github.com/raszpl/386RC-16 memory board
https://github.com/raszpl/440BX Reference Design adapted to Kicad
https://github.com/raszpl/Zenith_ZBIOS MFM-300 Monitor

Reply 5 of 8, by PC@LIVE

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Horun wrote on 2024-10-09, 03:52:

Most (not all) COAST are specific to certain motherboards or to the motherboard company. Very few were cross compatible. I wish there was a catalog of which go with what....

Thank you very much for the information, in fact I too would find a list of COAST very useful, and on which MB they are fine.

AMD 286-16 287-10 4MB HD 45MB VGA 256KB
AMD 386DX-40 Intel 387 8MB HD 81MB VGA 256KB
Cyrix 486DLC-40 IIT387-40 8MB VGA 512KB
AMD 5X86-133 16MB VGA VLB CL5428 2MB and many others
AMD K62+ 550 SOYO 5EMA+ and many others
AST Pentium Pro 200 MHz L2 256KB

Reply 6 of 8, by PC@LIVE

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bertrammatrix wrote on 2024-10-09, 04:14:
PC@LIVE wrote on 2024-10-08, 20:39:
So, I have a couple of 256 KB COAST L2 cache modules, one year ago I tried it unsuccessfully on an Intel VX MB, to try to expand […]
Show full quote

So, I have a couple of 256 KB COAST L2 cache modules, one year ago I tried it unsuccessfully on an Intel VX MB, to try to expand the present 256 KB cache, in total I would have reached 512 KB.

Recently, I bought a Siemens HX MB without cache on board, there is the possibility of adding the L2 cache, through a COAST cache module, in this case I could have 256 KB, and it would be better to have 256, rather than 0.

The question I would ask is, are the COAST modules compatible, because the pinch is standard, or does each MB need its COAST module, or other compatible ones?

Moreover, on the modules, there are no useful indications to understand in which card they can be used, for example a PC66 RAM is not good in an MB that uses PC133 RAM.

I have no idea if there is a cataloguing, COAST modules and on motherboards, in which they can be installed, if you have ideas and suggestions, they are very much appreciated, in short if it goes well in one PC, it is not said that it can be used in another, and above all it is possible that you can damage the motherboard (?), if for example it has a particular or different pining.

Post a picture, someone here may be able to identify it.

Yes it's unfortunate that the slot was readily used but there seems to be no standard pinout.

Yes, of course, no problem.

I imagined that the pinout were not standard.

Last edited by PC@LIVE on 2024-10-09, 19:37. Edited 1 time in total.

AMD 286-16 287-10 4MB HD 45MB VGA 256KB
AMD 386DX-40 Intel 387 8MB HD 81MB VGA 256KB
Cyrix 486DLC-40 IIT387-40 8MB VGA 512KB
AMD 5X86-133 16MB VGA VLB CL5428 2MB and many others
AMD K62+ 550 SOYO 5EMA+ and many others
AST Pentium Pro 200 MHz L2 256KB

Reply 7 of 8, by PC@LIVE

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CharlieFoxtrot wrote on 2024-10-09, 06:35:

I suggest you don’t slap random COAST modules to motherboards you don’t know they are compatible with. You can fry the module, motherboard or both in the worst case.

OK thank you very much

In fact you're right, it's not a good idea to try randomly, because you can hardly find the right one, since the contacts could be different, rather it's better to use the same MB that works, maybe you can find someone who has the same MB with the right form.

AMD 286-16 287-10 4MB HD 45MB VGA 256KB
AMD 386DX-40 Intel 387 8MB HD 81MB VGA 256KB
Cyrix 486DLC-40 IIT387-40 8MB VGA 512KB
AMD 5X86-133 16MB VGA VLB CL5428 2MB and many others
AMD K62+ 550 SOYO 5EMA+ and many others
AST Pentium Pro 200 MHz L2 256KB

Reply 8 of 8, by PC@LIVE

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rasz_pl wrote on 2024-10-09, 08:20:
For example 'Cypress High-Performance Data Book 1995' lists a ton of L2 modules and chipsets they work with : […]
Show full quote

For example 'Cypress High-Performance Data Book 1995' lists a ton of L2 modules and chipsets they work with :

CYM7421     82420 PCIset-Compatible Level II Cache Module
CYM7424 128K Cache Module for the Intel™ 82420EX PCIset
CYM7425 256K Cache Module for the Intel 82420EX PCIset
CYM7427 82420 PCIset-Compatible Level II Cache Module Family
CYM7428 82420 PCIset-Compatible Level II Cache Module Family
CYM7432 256K Pentium-Compatible Cache Module
CYM7450 128K Cache Module for VLSI VL82C483 Chipset
CYM7451 256K Cache Module for VLSI VL82C483 Chipset
CYM7490 i486™ Level II Cache Module
CYM7491 i486 Level II Cache Module
CYM7492 i486 Level II Cache Module
CYM74A430 Intel 82430FX PCIset Level II Cache Module
CYM74AS50 OPTi Viper Chipset Level II Cache Module
CYM74AS51 OPTi Viper Chipset Level II Cache Module
CYM74AS90 VLSI 82CS90 Chipset Level II Cache Module
CYM74AP54 Intel 82430NX Chipset Level II Cache Module
CYM74S430 Intel 82430FX PCIset Level II Cache Module
CYM74S431 Intel 82430FX PCIset Level II Cache Module
CYM74S550 OPTi Viper Chipset Level II Cache Module
CYM74S551 OPTi Viper Chipset Level II Cache Module
CYM74S590 VLSI 82CS90 Chipset Level II Cache Module
CYM74S591 VLSI 82C590 Chipset Level II Cache Module
CYM74SP54 Intel 82430NX Chipset Level II Cache Module
CYM74SP55 Intel 82430NX Chipset Level II Cache Module
CYM9230 82420 PCIset-CompatibleLevel II Cache Module
CYM9231 82420 PCIset-Compatible Level II Cache Module
CYM9236 128K Cache Module for the UMC491 Chipset
CYM9237 256K Cache Module for the UMC491 Chipset
CYM9244 128K Cache Module for the OPTi 802GP Chipset
CYM9245 256K Cache Module for the OPTi 802GP Chipset
CYM9246 128K Cache Module for the OPTi 802GP Chipset
CYM9247 256K Cache Module for the OPTi 802GP Chipset

When it comes to Intel 430 chipsets and Pipelined Burst cache afaik 160 pin COAST 2.0 setup was standardized by Intel and almost? everybody used same thing.

Thank you very much, very interesting.

I'll look if I can find one of those modules, then if I find one, we'll see if it can be good for my MBs, currently at hand I have the Siemens D969, but I should also have a PCChips M507 and an Intel VX card, these are the ones I remember, there could be others though.

AMD 286-16 287-10 4MB HD 45MB VGA 256KB
AMD 386DX-40 Intel 387 8MB HD 81MB VGA 256KB
Cyrix 486DLC-40 IIT387-40 8MB VGA 512KB
AMD 5X86-133 16MB VGA VLB CL5428 2MB and many others
AMD K62+ 550 SOYO 5EMA+ and many others
AST Pentium Pro 200 MHz L2 256KB