DFB1X Falcon booster buyers interests

Discussion and support for the DSTB1 & DFB1 boosters by BadWolf..
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Badwolf
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Re: DFB1X Falcon booster buyers interests

Post by Badwolf »

leonk wrote: 13 Oct 2025 02:36 In off mode, I assume it works because the accelerator is able to jumper the correct pins on the CPU expansion slot to use the on-board CPU.
In DISABLE mode, the only difference you may be able to pick up from a Falcon that simply doesn't have a DFB1(x) installed is that some addresses in the F1xxxx space now return results. This is the designated Falcon expansion memory zone and it's to allow reflashing the onboard ROM.

BW
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Re: DFB1X Falcon booster buyers interests

Post by whomper »

Wanted to share how I'm cooling my DFB1X powered Falcon. I experimented with multiple setups including placing fans near the DFB1X board and CPU, that I found the PSU to be the one generating the most ambient heat, which impacted the DFB1X board as well. I could not have the Falcon run for prolonged time as it constantly hung.

Moreover, maintaining the enclosing metal enabled the bottom fan to push air into the Falcon.

Lastly, I added another quit fan to the PSU area as shown in the picture. I now am able to have it running and work with it for hours at end.

(The wire is a DFB1X On/Off switch)

IMG_0035.jpeg
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Re: DFB1X Falcon booster buyers interests

Post by leonk »

That looks very professional. Can you share more details on the Falcon itself?

- are you using the stock PSU or a modern replacement?
- is that a 50Mhz DFB1X or 40Mhz?
- How are you powering the fan? Direct tap to the 5V line from the PSU? using 2 pin molex for those times you want to remove the top case?
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Re: DFB1X Falcon booster buyers interests

Post by Badwolf »

I'd sound a note of caution against putting a fan on the 5V rail which is the primary supply to all the silicon.

Fans can be electrically very noisy and driving noise and voltage spikes into your databus, the Videl or anything else seems inadvisable to me. I'd honestly suggset using the 12V line and adding a current limiting resistor if you wish to downrate it.

Also, FWIW, I don't use any particuarly cooling on my DFB1s (other than the resistor-dropped main fan) and it passes my stress test of having it it compile EmuTOS -- a five hour operation, IIRC -- and then boot up from it.

BW
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Re: DFB1X Falcon booster buyers interests

Post by leonk »

There's no need to install a resistor to use a 5V fan. Noctua sells 12V fans in most of their sizes. ;)
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Re: DFB1X Falcon booster buyers interests

Post by coonsgm »

Just attach a switch to the disable jumper and you're golden.
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Re: DFB1X Falcon booster buyers interests

Post by coonsgm »

Badwolf wrote: 14 Oct 2025 16:11 I'd sound a note of caution against putting a fan on the 5V rail which is the primary supply to all the silicon.

Fans can be electrically very noisy and driving noise and voltage spikes into your databus, the Videl or anything else seems inadvisable to me. I'd honestly suggset using the 12V line and adding a current limiting resistor if you wish to downrate it.

Also, FWIW, I don't use any particuarly cooling on my DFB1s (other than the resistor-dropped main fan) and it passes my stress test of having it it compile EmuTOS -- a five hour operation, IIRC -- and then boot up from it.

BW
Thanks for the caution BW! I'll remove mine.
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Re: DFB1X Falcon booster buyers interests

Post by leonk »

I have a couple questions about this wonderful device. I've been trying to consume as much info as I could and might have missed this in the hundreds of pages I read this past week.

- The CPU runs at 40/50Mhz, but what about the FPU? I'm under the assumption that it runs at 1/2 the speed of the CPU? Or does that only apply to DFB1 and DFB1X runs the FPU at the same speed as the CPU?
- The Falcon itself still only runs at 16Mhz and still only has a 16-bit data bus and a 24-bit address bus? 32-bit communication then happens only between the CPU/FPU and TT-RAM on the accelerator, right? For applications to take advantage of all the power this brings, they need run from TT-RAM. Is this correct?
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Re: DFB1X Falcon booster buyers interests

Post by exxos »

The FPU on the DFB1X runs at CPU speed.

The falcon bus stays at 16mhz. 50mhz 32bit is mostly for TTram FPU access.
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Re: DFB1X Falcon booster buyers interests

Post by leonk »

exxos wrote: 07 Oct 2025 17:25 More CPU's just turned up. These are not stamped in the normal way either. Seems to be 2009 production .


IMG_3810.JPG
@exxos I noticed you recently restocked the DFB1X on your web store. Which CPUs come with this batch? the one pictured here or the older Motorola badged ones?

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