Yrouel Posted November 21, 2014 Share Posted November 21, 2014 Thanks to GadgetUK I now have upgraded my 520STfm with a Blitter My board and specific revision (C070789-001 Rev. B) doesn't have any jumper to alter in order to enable the Blitter, I just had to solder the socket and install it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GadgetUK Posted November 21, 2014 Share Posted November 21, 2014 Great job!!! Glad it got there OK! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exxosuk Posted November 21, 2014 Share Posted November 21, 2014 Welcome to the 'FM Blitter club 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Payne Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 So, couple questions. 1. What ST is required for a Blitter upgrade? 2. What was the total cost? 3. Where did you obtain the Blitter? I have my old 520 (original) in storage but eventually I suspect I'll drag it out and I was wondering if this might be a nice little upgrade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exxosuk Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 I put my blitter in a STFM machine. If its got a socket space for the blitter then it should work. Most people get the blitter off a old STE, or you can buy them from best electronics, though the price they charge it could be cheaper to find a cheap STE to break for spares. Its how I got my blitter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynxpro Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 I put my blitter in a STFM machine. If its got a socket space for the blitter then it should work. Most people get the blitter off a old STE, or you can buy them from best electronics, though the price they charge it could be cheaper to find a cheap STE to break for spares. Its how I got my blitter. But why would you downgrade from an STE? There's less STEs out there than STFM models. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exxosuk Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 But why would you downgrade from an STE? There's less STEs out there than STFM models. My STE is a "test bed" for all kinds of experiments, so stealing the blitter out of it to work on another project is a good thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yrouel Posted November 24, 2014 Author Share Posted November 24, 2014 (edited) So, couple questions. 1. What ST is required for a Blitter upgrade? 2. What was the total cost? 3. Where did you obtain the Blitter? I have my old 520 (original) in storage but eventually I suspect I'll drag it out and I was wondering if this might be a nice little upgrade. If your machine has an unpopulated space for a Blitter you can add it. I didn't have to do anything else beside soldering the socket (after emptying the vias) and installing the chip, but some board revisions require 2 solder jumpers (W3 and W4 next to where the Blitter is meant to be) to be opened (unsoldered) in order to enable the chip. I spent 20£ shipping included, GadgetUK had ordered 2 spares for himself and offered me one after I wrote in another post I was looking for one (I couldn't find the proper kind of socket which is PLCC 68 2.54mm pitch with STAGGERED pins while nowadays the common ones are non staggered) Edited November 24, 2014 by Yrouel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GadgetUK Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 (edited) Ironically Exxos asked me for a socket just after I had sent my last socket, or I could have provided one. You can use a socket from MMU or Glu on a faulty board if you can't find a socket, I think that's what Exxos did. I sent my last Blitter to Exxos as well which is why I ordered a spare. I doubt my original Blitter will ever fail, but I am paranoid enough to need a spare lol! Edited November 24, 2014 by GadgetUK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walter_J64bit Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 Ok, noob question. What's is the Blitter chip for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GadgetUK Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 Blitting! Basically speeds up GEM window drawing and GDI stuff. A few games use it as well, but main benefit is making GEM run smoother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STEgregory Posted December 3, 2014 Share Posted December 3, 2014 ...now I'm curious - which games? Thanks:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ayreon Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 Thalion/eclipse games like leavin teramis, lethal xcess and some more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GadgetUK Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 Wings of death supports Blitter as well - cool game! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STEgregory Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 Actually I'm kicking myself for asking that the way I did! I knew about the Thalion games as I was only playing WoD last week doh!! Perhaps I should have asked which games other than Thalion games? But thanks guys, appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GadgetUK Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 There a fair few games that work within TOS - making use of GEM windows etc, those will all use Blitter. Beyond that I honestly don't know, there aren't many, maybe 20 or 30 if you are lucky but the main benefit for me really is how much smoother GEM runs, especially when coupled with Exxos 16Mhz booster mod. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.