STE 32MHz PLUG IN BOOSTER (again) 2021 variation

[exxos]

OK, So I couldn't leave this alone.. So after the bit of a epic load of drama over on the previous design https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/forum/viewt ... 1018#p7645 I designed this variation...

IMG_5651.JPG

This is still a plug-in board. It plugs "inside" the 68K CPU socket as not to damage the socket. I have some dummy squares but may need tweaking to fit.

This one has SMT bus pullups (no need to solder them anymore! yay!) , so no need to change them on the motherboard either. They have always been on the V1 series, but in SIP format. Now I can get stuff assembled (at least in part) I went with SMT resistors packs.

The whole thing pretty much got re-designed. Mostly it worked fine anyway, but internal and external blitter machines were causing huge headaches and needed different fixes depending on what machine they were fitted in. Which ultimately lead to the project being abandoned. This time it has a schmitt buffer and a lot of small tweaks on the PCB and firmware. So I *hope* this will actually fix those issues..

I will be looking for a couple of testers in the near future. You must be good at soldering to take this kit on! You will get a small kit for the sum of £35 + postage for BETA testers. You will have to solder the socket and header pins & GAL etc..You will need a STE DUALTOS board (more recent variation the better). You need a machine with a internal and external blitter to test this on. Let me know in this thread if interested!

[tzok]

As far as I remember STe machines with internal (integrated) Blitter, have no socket on CPU... and I guess you won't be willing to send anything to PL ;) How fast the ROMs need to be in order to this booster work?

[exxos]

As far as I remember STe machines with internal (integrated) Blitter, have no socket on CPU...

I have lots of machines with socketed CPU internal and external blitter. I never had a soldered CPU board here IIRC. Just look in the MB section.. https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/forum/viewt ... f=51&t=569

and I guess you won't be willing to send anything to PL ;)

I will post anywhere, just don't complain if it takes along time to arrive.

How fast the ROMs need to be in order to this booster work?

You need one from my store really as they all work with the booster, same with dualtos board... but 55ns or faster.

[EvilFranky]

Any chance this could morph into an accelerator, 8MB alt ram, IDE, flashable TOS board? :mrgreen:

With how twitchy STEs appear to be and having the less adaptable socket version...I don't see anyone going to the effort of a full blown 030 card with fast ram.

So something like above would be a very desirable upgrade for an STE.

[exxos]

@EvilFranky sounds a bit like this https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/forum/viewt ... f=37&t=373 but also I take you not seen this https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/forum/viewt ... =20&t=1182

My focus is on the remake boards now. I'm done screwing around with these old machines. So there won't be any major upgrades from me on originals anymore.

[philbo34]

Not sure how quickly I could do a build but I'm up for having a go , once house move sorted.

[MegaSTEarian]

So the ROMS bought for the previous version of the booster will work with that one?

I got the previous one and I am experimenting on the CPU part with the guinea pig STE.

[exxos]

So the ROMS bought for the previous version of the booster will work with that one?

Yep.

[HigashiJun]

I will be looking for a couple of testers in the near future. You must be good at soldering to take this kit on! You will get a small kit for the sum of £35 + postage for BETA testers. You will have to solder the socket and header pins & GAL etc..You will need a STE DUALTOS board (more recent variation the better). You need a machine with a internal and external blitter to test this on. Let me know in this thread if interested!

Count me in if it is not too late...

I would like to try it with a Winslow W9305 socket.

Since SILS are already changed on the motherboard, do I still need to solder the SMT ones on the booster ?

Cheers.

[exxos]

Since SILS are already changed on the motherboard, do I still need to solder the SMT ones on the booster ?

The SMT stuff is pre-soldered.. so you would have to remove the resistor packs or SIL's on the MB.