As the title implies, but specifically, is it possible to add additional Chip RAM functionality to an upcoming 2.x Core so that OCS users such as A1000 and older OCS 500s and 2000s could benefit without having the need to go to Core 3? Some users are fine without AGA but a full implementation of ECS plus RTG would be perfect! Asking for a friend... :P
Pat 3657
Posts 50 26 Sep 2018 20:06
The final release of Gold 3 will have RTG alongside with AGA. It's just the current alpha core that has RTG disabled.
I guess the complexity of creating an ECS core might the the same as AGA. AGA is "just" more bandwidth and more bitplanes than ECS. Only providing Chip RAM to the OCS Chipset might also be impossible. The Vampire sits on the CPU socket, so there is no connection between vamp's memory and the chipset. Amiga 1000's Agnus chip is incapable of handling more than 512k anyway. I feel a bit sorry to disappoint your friend ;)
Merrill Newell
Posts 19 26 Sep 2018 20:13
Hmmm... It's possible for the AGA Core on a 1000, seems it 'could' be done for ECS? I have no idea, I'm just putting it out there as a "nice to have" I suppose. Having a Core that supports the best of all worlds would be ideal and it appears that's coming with 3 (Awesome btw :) but there are those who would prefer an ECS + RTG + RGB solution. Those of us on OCS systems like the 1000 or older 500's / 2000's are simply looking for more Chip RAM and RTG - hence my question / thought...
As said GOLD3 will have AGA+RTG, so you have options OCS+RTG or AGA+RTG, no third way. But reflash is simple.
Pat 3657
Posts 50 26 Sep 2018 20:38
Now that you mentioned "RGB solution": One has to understand that it was never intended by Commodore to push video data from a Vampire/RTG board/scandoubler/etc through the "veins" of the motherboard up to the RGB port. A solution would at least require a DAC chip and a lot of soldering. That is why the Vampire has to use its own video port. So: AGA + RTG both through digital video or OCS (aka the chipset on the motherboard) through RGB + RTG through digital video.
Documentation about the Vampire hardware
