RAM Upgrade for a 520ST

Upgrade your RAM from ST to Falcon.
Colleton
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RAM Upgrade for a 520ST

Post by Colleton »

I have a nice 520ST with TOS 1.04 that I'd like to upgrade the memory on.

I plan on using the Exxos ST/F/M / MEGA ST-RAM 4MB UPGRADE [0035] upgrade, but am lost as to which of the 3 cables I should get.

I'm attaching a pic of my motherboard so that layout can be seen. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: RAM Upgrade for a 520ST

Post by rubber_jonnie »

Locate the MMU, which as I recall is the furthest left PLCC socket on your mainboard, and measure the distance to the Shifter which is in the tin can on the right hand side, then use that measurement to judge the cable size you need, without the cable being under tension when installed.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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exxos
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Re: RAM Upgrade for a 520ST

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rubber_jonnie
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Re: RAM Upgrade for a 520ST

Post by rubber_jonnie »

As it happens, I will probably be upgrading mine later today.

I have a 30cm cable as it was originally intended for one of my Megas, which I got fixed, so I can confirm if it's longer than you need.

I'd suspect as @exxos says, 20cm is going to be enough.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: RAM Upgrade for a 520ST

Post by rubber_jonnie »

Just opened mine up, 20 cm it is.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: RAM Upgrade for a 520ST

Post by rubber_jonnie »

This is it fitted to mine with a 30cm cable, once again confirming the 20cm option.

I did remember the MMU position incorrectly though, it's the chip here you can see the MMU adaptor on top of (Unsurprisingly!), the other, towards the left, being the GLUE.

Fitted.jpg
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Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
Colleton
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Joined: 05 Mar 2020 23:04

Re: RAM Upgrade for a 520ST

Post by Colleton »

Awesome, great info. Thanks everyone!
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: RAM Upgrade for a 520ST

Post by rubber_jonnie »

Colleton wrote: 03 May 2020 13:26 Awesome, great info. Thanks everyone!
No problem and good luck.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
Colleton
Posts: 5
Joined: 05 Mar 2020 23:04

Re: RAM Upgrade for a 520ST

Post by Colleton »

Received the 4MB MMU ram upgrade this weekend, and got it installed in my 520ST this afternoon. Everything went very smoothly, no problems at all.

Also installed a blitter in my STFM. It was a busy day today.
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rubber_jonnie
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Re: RAM Upgrade for a 520ST

Post by rubber_jonnie »

Colleton wrote: 18 May 2020 04:33 Received the 4MB MMU ram upgrade this weekend, and got it installed in my 520ST this afternoon. Everything went very smoothly, no problems at all.

Also installed a blitter in my STFM. It was a busy day today.
Good job sir, it's a very nice upgrade.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...

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