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Hardware News : Enter the DRAGON |
| posted by DJS on 17-Dec-2004 12:38:41 (28738 reads) |
ELBOX COMPUTER is proud to announce its breath-taking new product for Amiga 1200 computers - DRAGON ColdFire. DRAGON is a ColdFire-based accelerator card combined with the PCI/AGP Expansion busboard.
With its DRAGON ColdFire development, Elbox brings to Amiga computers top performance of the latest Freescale's ColdFire V4e core based-processor, the successor of the 68k dynasty. DRAGON-equipped Amiga computers are ready to run most of the 68k Amiga programs/applications several times faster when compared against Amiga 1200 with the fastest 68060 accelerators.
'By combining many attractive features like the high-performance ColdFire processor, fast DDR memory, AGP graphics, powerful PCI 66MHz technology and comprehensive software support, DRAGON-equipped Amiga computers turn into modern, fast and extremely functional power machines,' said Maciek Binek, president and CEO of Elbox.
The DRAGON's mainboard and the DRAGON's ColdFire CPU card are designed on two separate circuit boards. With modular design, the DRAGON can be easily upgraded and configured to meet the needs of the most demanding Amiga users.
DRAGON Technical Specification:
? ColdFire MCF5475 processor (410MIPS) running at 266MHz
? Two sockets for DDR-266 SDRAM modules, support up to 1GByte of memory (1GB/s peak)
? One AGP slot (264MB/s peak access from the main processor)
? Five 66/33MHz, 32-bit PCI slots, PCI 2.2 compliant (264MB/s peak)
? 2MBytes of 32-bit Flash memory (containing upgradeable DRAGON firmware)
? Asynchronous design with fast access to Amiga 1200 motherboard hardware
? Multi-channels DMA support (PCI <-> PCI, PCI <-> DDR, PCI <-> AGP, PCI <-> A1200)
? Auto-Recharge Battery-backed Real Time Clock
? Four high-speed programmable serial (UART/USART/IRDA/modem) controllers (optional)
? One Hi-Speed USB 2.0 and two FastEthernet 100Mbps controllers (optional)
ColdFire processor:
The DRAGON ColdFire will initially be available with the fastest ColdFire MCF5475 processor in clock speed of 266MHz. MCF5475 features the V4e ColdFire core with MMU, dual precision FPU and EMAC. The 266MHz version of the ColdFire MCF5475 processor provides raw performance of 410MIPS.
Up to 1GB of DDR SDRAM:
The DRAGON comes with two DIMM slots for ultrafast DDR-266 SDRAM memory. This high-speed memory rushes data at up to 1GB/s throughput. It is over 25 times faster compared against the fastest A1200 accelerators available so far. As memory is scalable up to 1GB, you can add RAM to meet increasing demands of your applications and workflow.
AGP Graphic Slot:
The DRAGON comes with the 3.3V 66MHz AGP slot which supports up to 264MB/s data throughput. The following AGP graphics cards will be supported: Radeon 9700, Radeon 9500, Radeon 9200, Radeon 9000, Radeon 7500, Radeon 7000, Voodoo 5, Voodoo 4, Voodoo 3.
PCI Expansion Slots:
The DRAGON comes with five 66/33MHz, 32-bit PCI slots compliant with the PCI 2.2 specification. The DRAGON system can be configured with PCI 66MHz or PCI 33MHz expansion technology. All PCI slots provide DMA capability. The DRAGON's ColdFire processor has linear access to the 4GB PCI space.
Multi-channel DMA support:
DRAGON hardware provides Multi-channel DMA support. PCI bus master cards can provide DMA accesses to all DRAGON resources: the AGP card, DDR memory, other PCI cards and the Amiga 1200 motherboard space. DRAGON' PCI-to-DDR Direct Memory Access can reach up to 264MB/s throughput. This feature allows even the fastest mass storage PCI controllers to run at their top performance.
2MB of 32-bit Flash memory:
DRAGON includes 2 MBytes of the 32-bit extremely fast Flash memory. It includes factory-programmed DRAGON's boot firmware and diagnostic software. Flash ROM allows remapping of the Amiga Kickstart, as well.
FastEthernet 100Mbps and Hi-Speed USB 2.0 (optional):
The DRAGON's MCF5475 processor has one built-in Hi-Speed USB 2.0 controller and two FastEthernet 100Mbps controllers. External ports for these controllers will be available on an optional module. Hardware-acceleration encryption (DES, 3DES, RC4, AES, MD5, SHA-1, RNG) is built into the processor. Dual-channel architecture permits single pass encryption and authentication.
High-Speed serial controllers (optional):
Up to four programmable serial controllers (PSCs), each with separate 512-byte receive and transmit FIFOs for UART, USART, modem, codec, and IrDA 1.1 interface, are built in the DRAGON's MCF5475 processor. External ports for these controllers will be available on an optional module.
Compatible Tower systems:
The DRAGON ColdFire busboard is designed to be used in the following tower systems: Mirage 1200, E/BOX 1200, Power Tower, Winner Tower and Infinitiv Tower. Besides, an Elbox custom-designed case for the DRAGON ColdFire system will be announced soon.
Supported AGP and PCI cards:
? Graphic cards (Radeon 9700, Radeon 9500, Radeon 9200, Radeon 9000, Radeon 7500, Radeon 7000, Voodoo 5, Voodoo 4, Voodoo 3)
? Sound cards (Sound Blaster 4.1 Digital, Sound Blaster 128 and cards based on the ForteMedia FM801 chipset--e.g. Terratec 512i Digital)
? Serial ATA controllers (SiI 3114 support in development)
? Spider Hi-Speed USB 2.0 controllers
? TV tuner cards (based on Bt848/849/878 and FUSION 878/879)
? Fast Ethernet 100Mbps cards (based on RTL8139 chipset)
? Ethernet 10Mbps cards (based on RTL8029 chipset)
Pricing and availability:
The DRAGON ColdFire is planned to be available by the end of January 2005 for a very attractive price, offering superior price/performance ratio. The suggested retail price is 349 EUR. (VAT excl.)
Registered owners of Elbox Mediator 1200 PCI busboards will receive a special incentive upgrade offer in January 2005.
If you have any questions related to the DRAGON ColdFire busboard, email them at dragon@elbox.com. Answers to most frequent inquiries will be published in FAQ section of the Elbox website.
DRAGON - The Dawn of the New Era |
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| Poster | Thread |  Anonymous
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Re: Enter the DRAGON
Posted on 17-Dec-2004 13:05:19
| | [ # ] |
| | So .. what's the A1200 used for in this setup again? ;)
(joke)
/Björn |
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| | elwood
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Re: Enter the DRAGON
Posted on 17-Dec-2004 13:09:17
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Elite Member
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Joined: 17-Sep-2003
Posts: 3428
From: Lyon, France | | |
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| Really? Damn. Wow.
RAM, AGP, Ethernet...? Well, it looks more like a complete motherboard than an accelerator card.
Could we have a picture ?
Maybe it's the same as this... Last edited by elwood on 17-Dec-2004 at 01:16 PM.
Last edited by elwood on 17-Dec-2004 at 01:16 PM.
Last edited by elwood on 17-Dec-2004 at 01:15 PM.
_________________
Philippe 'Elwood' Ferrucci
Sam460 1.10 Ghz
AmigaOS 4 betatester
Amiga Translator Organisation
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| | Status: Offline |
| | Anonymous
| |
Re: Enter the DRAGON
Posted on 17-Dec-2004 13:13:21
| | [ # ] |
| | do normal 68k apps, not compiled especially for coldfire, run on this un-modified ?
what advantage does it offer over using a blizzard ppc accelerator or an amigaONE ?
how come elbox can get this out the door but still haven't managed to release their "amigaOS 4 compatible" accelerators? does anyone know what is going on there? |
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| | Bodie_CI5
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Re: Enter the DRAGON
Posted on 17-Dec-2004 13:13:45
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Elite Member
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Joined: 29-Jul-2003
Posts: 6739
From: Unknown | | |
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| lol orgin 
_________________
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| | Status: Offline |
| | Anonymous
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Re: Enter the DRAGON
Posted on 17-Dec-2004 13:14:47
| | [ # ] |
| | @elwood
Seem possible, atleast theoretically, to run it standalone with just a 'thin' amithlon like custom chip emulation. First new 68k compatible amiga? ;)
I went the A1 OS4 way though so it wouldn't be interresting to me. But with an attractive system price it could be interesting to a lot of other people.
/Björn |
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| | Plaz
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Re: Enter the DRAGON
Posted on 17-Dec-2004 13:14:56
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Super Member
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Joined: 2-Oct-2003
Posts: 1573
From: Atlanta | | |
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| Cool!
Can we get OS4 ported to coldfire now, and when is the 2000/3000/4000 version comming? 
Plaz |
| | Status: Offline |
| | Akiko
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Re: Enter the DRAGON
Posted on 17-Dec-2004 13:20:06
| | [ #7 ] |
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Cult Member
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Joined: 26-Mar-2004
Posts: 781
From: UK | | |
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| News i like to hear.. Awsome 
_________________
4000T/BFG9060
CD32/Elsat ProModule, TF360
CD32/ Edu's CD32 <> A1200 Adapter, Vampire V2
CD32/ FMV Module
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| | Status: Offline |
| | cHaOs667
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Re: Enter the DRAGON
Posted on 17-Dec-2004 13:21:11
| | [ #8 ] |
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Cult Member
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Joined: 12-Nov-2004
Posts: 706
From: Bad Homburg v.d.H., Germany | | |
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| Daaaammmmnnnnnn!!!!
I've waited so long for an Coldfire Accelerator and now when i receive my µAOne next week and there is it... aaaarrrggghhhhh
damn, but anyway µAOne + OS 4 roX Last edited by cHaOs667 on 17-Dec-2004 at 01:21 PM.
_________________
Ei gude wie!
I love my AMIGA Collection... 
2x A500 (1x 1MB) OS1.3
1x A600 (40MB HDD) OS2.05 (broken joyport) 
1x A1200 (68030/50, 32 MB Fast RAM) OS3.1
1x A4000D 040/40 (48 MB Fast), OS3.9, Fastlane Z3, CV64, Deneb, Indi AGA
1x CD³²
1x µAOn
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| | Status: Offline |
| | Anonymous
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Re: Enter the DRAGON
Posted on 17-Dec-2004 13:22:09
| | [ # ] |
| | @spookehtooth
Could be an interresting upgrade path for those diehards that doesn't think of the A1 as 'the real macoy' or simply those who can't affort an A1 mobo.
/Björn |
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| | mwoof
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Re: Enter the DRAGON
Posted on 17-Dec-2004 13:31:34
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Super Member
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Joined: 12-Jan-2004
Posts: 1174
From: Larisa, Greece | | |
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| Or those who want to show Pea Sea owners what you can do with 10 times less the speed of a 2.8 GHz Pea Sea... 
_________________
And may the AmigaGuide you!
AmigaOne G3-SE, OS4 Final (July 2007 update), Debian Sarge, 512 MB RAM, 20 + 80 GB hard disks, NEC 3540 DVD writer, LG DVD reader, Radeon 9250, SB Live, Intracom Netfaster router, PCI USB card (NEC - OHCI/EHCI)
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| | Status: Offline |
| | Rogue
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Re: Enter the DRAGON
Posted on 17-Dec-2004 13:31:36
| | [ #11 ] |
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OS4 Core Developer
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Joined: 14-Jul-2003
Posts: 3999
From: Unknown | | |
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| Quote:
| Can we get OS4 ported to coldfire now, |
No, not in the forseeable future.
_________________
Seriously, if you want to contact me do not bother sending me a PM here. Write me a mail
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| | Status: Offline |
| | Toaks
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Re: Enter the DRAGON
Posted on 17-Dec-2004 13:32:15
| | [ #12 ] |
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Elite Member
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Joined: 10-Mar-2003
Posts: 8042
From: amigaguru.com | | |
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| elbox should make A1's ...man thoose specs are awesome.
i would buy one if it had a ppc because i cant stand os3.x anymore...
having os4 on both my amiga's is a must and i wont go back to 3.x for sure.
_________________
See my blog and collection website! . https://www.blog.amigaguru.com
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| | Status: Offline |
| | Giovanni
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Re: Enter the DRAGON
Posted on 17-Dec-2004 13:34:09
| | [ #13 ] |
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Regular Member
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Joined: 19-May-2003
Posts: 322
From: Munich, Germany | | |
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| Wow! nice features... I wish this thingy was available 2-3 years ago...
@elbox: ehmm... what about the Shark/ Shark+???
_________________
www.amiga4ever.de
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| | Status: Offline |
| | ErikBauer
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Re: Enter the DRAGON
Posted on 17-Dec-2004 13:38:37
| | [ #14 ] |
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Super Member
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Joined: 25-Feb-2004
Posts: 1141
From: Italy | | |
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| WHEW!!! 
If only it came some years ago....
Just one thing, I wonder what new software is going to be compiled for 68K to justify it as an investment.
Hwever, it's nice to sense some life in the Amiga market....
_________________
God created Paula so that Allister Brimble and Dave Whittaker could do music
Check my Amiga gameplays (ITA)!
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| | Status: Offline |
| | DrBombcrater
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Re: Enter the DRAGON
Posted on 17-Dec-2004 13:39:51
| | [ #15 ] |
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Super Member
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Joined: 6-Feb-2004
Posts: 1382
From: UK | | |
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| Quote:
| elbox should make A1's ...man thoose specs are awesome. |
Indeed, if Elbox can actually produce these things they'll be very impressive. Given the price and the specs I can see quite a few existing A1200 owners going this route instead of an A1.
_________________
Who do you serve, and who do you trust? - Galen
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| | Status: Offline |
| | Troels
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Re: Enter the DRAGON
Posted on 17-Dec-2004 13:41:31
| | [ #16 ] |
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Elite Member
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Joined: 8-Mar-2003
Posts: 2005
From: Unknown | | |
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| Nice specifications, looking forward to see how it performs.
I somehow think it's a shame they didn't concentrate on the Shark though, wonder if that will ever come, somehow begin to doubt it.
anyway if you wan't a maxed out classic this looks great but expensive compared to an MicroA1.
_________________
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| | Status: Offline |
| | Giovanni
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Re: Enter the DRAGON
Posted on 17-Dec-2004 13:43:06
| | [ #17 ] |
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Regular Member
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Joined: 19-May-2003
Posts: 322
From: Munich, Germany | | |
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| @erikbauer
Yes, exactly this came to my mind. A bit late...
Wouldn't it be better to have this board equiped with a G4?
_________________
www.amiga4ever.de
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| | Status: Offline |
| | Mikey_C
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Re: Enter the DRAGON
Posted on 17-Dec-2004 13:46:37
| | [ #18 ] |
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Elite Member
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Joined: 7-Mar-2003
Posts: 3060
From: Unknown | | |
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| @Giovanni
Yes, mate, totally agreed, complete waste of time IMHO
Mikey C
_________________
No cause is lost if there is but one fool left to fight for it.
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| | Status: Offline |
| | ErikBauer
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Re: Enter the DRAGON
Posted on 17-Dec-2004 13:50:42
| | [ #19 ] |
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Super Member
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Joined: 25-Feb-2004
Posts: 1141
From: Italy | | |
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| I think mainly because they wanted to produce a powered Amiga, and not a Power Amiga.
Hence the sentence "If only it came some years ago!", at wich I can add that things wuoul have been maybe a bit different now.
But we all know, history can't be made with 'what if' stuff.
Ah, I've to invent a Time Machine for such things, some day!
_________________
God created Paula so that Allister Brimble and Dave Whittaker could do music
Check my Amiga gameplays (ITA)!
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| | Status: Offline |
| | Akiko
| |
Re: Enter the DRAGON
Posted on 17-Dec-2004 13:50:51
| | [ #20 ] |
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Cult Member
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Joined: 26-Mar-2004
Posts: 781
From: UK | | |
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| I think inevitably elbox will make G4 boards sooner or later. Last edited by Akiko on 17-Dec-2004 at 01:56 PM.
_________________
4000T/BFG9060
CD32/Elsat ProModule, TF360
CD32/ Edu's CD32 <> A1200 Adapter, Vampire V2
CD32/ FMV Module
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