I found specifications about those SB AWE64 GOLD memory upgrade modules.. \ VOGONS

I found specifications about those SB AWE64 GOLD memory upgrade modules..

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First post, by Robin4

Posted on 2014-06-21, 18:07

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Here:

4MB / 8MB
http://web.archive.org/web/19980522062527/htt … gold/ct1930.pdf

12MB / 16MB / 24MB / 28MB
http://web.archive.org/web/19980522062536/htt … gold/ct1950.pdf

I think with these schematics could it be possible to design our own memory upgrade boards..

Memory Modules

Why did we choose to use memory modules?

1. 30-pin SIMMs are obsolete.
2. 72-pin SIMMs are often not tightly specified enough, causing malfunctioning (due to access timing differences, EDO/non-EDO type RAM, parity etc) when the wrong or mismatched types were used.
3. Complaints about the SIMM sockets breaking too easily.
4. Setting of the DRAM_EN jumper not intuitive enough; end-users often forget to set this jumper and thus cannot access the added RAM.

We defined a memory header that would be simple, effective and address all the concerns highlighted above.

We have no intention of making this memory module upgrade proprietary, nor as another part of business. Our business are in sound cards, graphics/video cards, multimedia upgrade kits and communications products. Towards this end, our intention is to define and make public our memory module interface.

We have a specification that is clearly defined for any other entrepreneurs to manufacture and sell the memory modules. In addition, we believe that memory modules made to our specifications will work flawlessly with the Sound Blaster AWE64 product line, giving you years of continued enjoyment.

You can download the following PDF files which contain complete Memory Module specifications.

~ At least it can do black and white~

Reply 1 of 13, by Stiletto

Posted on 2014-06-21, 21:00

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Thought this went better in Marvin, moved.

"I see a little silhouette-o of a man, Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you
do the Fandango!" - Queen

Stiletto

Reply 2 of 13, by badmojo

Posted on 2014-06-22, 02:30

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I bought one of the 72 pin RAM -> AWE64 adapters off that Chinese dude the other day, can't really beat those for $22 delivered.

Life? Don't talk to me about life.

Reply 3 of 13, by luckybob

Posted on 2014-06-22, 15:03

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I'm all for having a "proper" remade 28mb card. Sure the adapter works fine, but I've noticed it can block the next isa slot in some instances.

A nice low profile professional looking re-make would be nice. that said, i wouldn't bother with anything other than the 28mb one. just my two cents.

It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes.

Reply 4 of 13, by soviet conscript

Posted on 2014-06-23, 01:34

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luckybob wrote:
I'm all for having a "proper" remade 28mb card. Sure the adapter works fine, but I've noticed it can block the next isa slot in some instances.

A nice low profile professional looking re-make would be nice. that said, i wouldn't bother with anything other than the 28mb one. just my two cents.

That's my biggest complaint. It sticks out so far it does block the next slot unless your using a very low profile card.

Reply 5 of 13, by Robin4

Posted on 2014-06-23, 02:26

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luckybob wrote:
I'm all for having a "proper" remade 28mb card. Sure the adapter works fine, but I've noticed it can block the next isa slot in some instances.

A nice low profile professional looking re-make would be nice. that said, i wouldn't bother with anything other than the 28mb one. just my two cents.

Yeah iam also in for an re-make board.. Only iam really not that high-tech person that could do it.. If we only could get our hand on custom made PCBs..

Last edited by Robin4 on 2014-06-23, 11:03. Edited 1 time in total.

~ At least it can do black and white~

Reply 6 of 13, by luckybob

Posted on 2014-06-23, 03:35

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one deciding factor is PRICE. 5v memory tends to not be very cheap. We all have simms laying around, but the memory board calls for FOURTEEN of these: www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/ISSI/IS41C ... LE4gbag%3d

doing one board will be almost $100 in memory alone! bulk pricing reduces it a bit. doing 10 boards at once drops it to ~75$ a board PLUS the pal and buffer chips. now if you go directly to chian the price might be a lot lower, but I didn't take the time to get any quotes. however they did want to sell them in packages of 1,000 which would do 66 boards.

That said, I do have a copy of Atrium, and I know enough to be dangerous when it comes to making my own board. ( i did it once in school, I made my own eeprom programmer) there is a schematic in the pdf you linked so, i'm going to give it a whirl and see what happens.

It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes.

Reply 7 of 13, by RacoonRider

Posted on 2014-06-23, 05:34

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luckybob wrote:
one deciding factor is PRICE. 5v memory tends to not be very cheap. We all have simms laying around, but the memory board calls for FOURTEEN of these: www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/ISSI/IS41C ... LE4gbag%3d

doing one board will be almost $100 in memory alone! bulk pricing reduces it a bit. doing 10 boards at once drops it to ~75$ a board PLUS the pal and buffer chips. now if you go directly to chian the price might be a lot lower, but I didn't take the time to get any quotes. however they did want to sell them in packages of 1,000 which would do 66 boards.

That said, I do have a copy of Atrium, and I know enough to be dangerous when it comes to making my own board. ( i did it once in school, I made my own eeprom programmer) there is a schematic in the pdf you linked so, i'm going to give it a whirl and see what happens.

The prices you quoted are quite high...

In order to source MDRAM chips to upgrade ET6000, I contacted various sellers on alibaba.com (later I found out it was not compatible with my mobo and decided not to do it). The prices they quoted for exactly identical MoSys MDRAM varied from $30 per chip to $7 per ten. If prices are so different in China alone, worldwide prices must vary even more.

http://www.alibaba.com/trade/search?fsb=y&Ind … 41C16100C-50TLI

Reply 8 of 13, by luckybob

Posted on 2014-06-23, 05:38

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RacoonRider wrote:
The prices you quoted are quite high...

In order to source MDRAM chips to upgrade ET6000, I contacted various sellers on alibaba.com (later I found out it was not compatible with my mobo and decided not to do it). The prices they quoted for exactly identical MoSys MDRAM varied from $30 per chip to $7 per ten. If prices are so different in China alone, worldwide prices must vary even more.

http://www.alibaba.com/trade/search?fsb=y&Ind … 41C16100C-50TLI

luckybob wrote:
...but I didn't take the time to get any quotes...

It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes.

Reply 9 of 13, by Robin4

Posted on 2014-06-23, 11:06

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luckybob wrote:
one deciding factor is PRICE. 5v memory tends to not be very cheap. We all have simms laying around, but the memory board calls for FOURTEEN of these: www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/ISSI/IS41C ... LE4gbag%3d

doing one board will be almost $100 in memory alone! bulk pricing reduces it a bit. doing 10 boards at once drops it to ~75$ a board PLUS the pal and buffer chips. now if you go directly to chian the price might be a lot lower, but I didn't take the time to get any quotes. however they did want to sell them in packages of 1,000 which would do 66 boards.

That said, I do have a copy of Atrium, and I know enough to be dangerous when it comes to making my own board. ( i did it once in school, I made my own eeprom programmer) there is a schematic in the pdf you linked so, i'm going to give it a whirl and see what happens.

Isnt it true that these memory chips where used on SDram sticks? Or are these not the same?

~ At least it can do black and white~

Reply 10 of 13, by RacoonRider

Posted on 2014-06-23, 14:27

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luckybob wrote:
RacoonRider wrote:
The prices you quoted are quite high...

In order to source MDRAM chips to upgrade ET6000, I contacted various sellers on alibaba.com (later I found out it was not compatible with my mobo and decided not to do it). The prices they quoted for exactly identical MoSys MDRAM varied from $30 per chip to $7 per ten. If prices are so different in China alone, worldwide prices must vary even more.

http://www.alibaba.com/trade/search?fsb=y&Ind … 41C16100C-50TLI

luckybob wrote:
...but I didn't take the time to get any quotes...

Sorry, man, I misread half of your post :\ No offence.

Reply 11 of 13, by RacoonRider

Posted on 2014-06-23, 14:27

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Robin4 wrote:
luckybob wrote:
one deciding factor is PRICE. 5v memory tends to not be very cheap. We all have simms laying around, but the memory board calls for FOURTEEN of these: www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/ISSI/IS41C ... LE4gbag%3d

doing one board will be almost $100 in memory alone! bulk pricing reduces it a bit. doing 10 boards at once drops it to ~75$ a board PLUS the pal and buffer chips. now if you go directly to chian the price might be a lot lower, but I didn't take the time to get any quotes. however they did want to sell them in packages of 1,000 which would do 66 boards.

That said, I do have a copy of Atrium, and I know enough to be dangerous when it comes to making my own board. ( i did it once in school, I made my own eeprom programmer) there is a schematic in the pdf you linked so, i'm going to give it a whirl and see what happens.

Isnt it true that these memory chips where used on SDram sticks? Or are these not the same?

No, that is why they are called EDO.

Reply 12 of 13, by Anonymous Coward

Posted on 2014-06-24, 22:22

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why do you have to use 5V memory? Why not just step the voltage down and use lower power ICs?

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Reply 13 of 13, by luckybob

Posted on 2014-06-25, 09:04

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Anonymous Coward wrote:
why do you have to use 5V memory? Why not just step the voltage down and use lower power ICs?

Well, long story short, you can, but it adds a layer of complexity that is better off not done. If it is ONLY the supply voltage that is 5v, then a simple dc-dc converter from 5 to 3.3v is done. Basically it is just a cap or two and a small transistor sized device. however if the data is also 5v, then you need an array of buffers between the memory and the awe64. These buffers, would mis-align the timing of the memory. Now, their design calls for some buffers, but unless you know exactly what to change...

There are people over at VCF, that have designed computers from the ground up. Making a memory board like this would be a relatively trivial matter, but i've noticed that if it isn't one of their pet projects, they seem to not even give the time of day to.

It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes.

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