Memory Expansion Poll

[Mayhem]

Having been through all of GB20 so far, there's a real lack of +3k programs too. I guess people felt the expense was not worth it, and hence +8k programs became more popular on a cost basis.

[6502dude]

Having been through all of GB20 so far, there's a real lack of +3k programs too. I guess people felt the expense was not worth it, and hence +8k programs became more popular on a cost basis.

Easyload can use 3K space

[Jeff-20]

I've just started work on a new 3K game. I don't feel like the load time is worth it for an 8k game in BASIC. After waiting for it to load, I expect the sparkle of an ML game.

[eslapion]

It seems most people are cool

[Doppleganger]

But can you use the 3K in Super Expander without activating the ROM itself, i.e. can you ever get 6653 bytes free after power-on?

Yep. I modified one of mine. There are multiple jumper pads in the unit, arranged in pairs. Just cut the ones that are shorted, and short the ones that are open.

Blammo! 3K expansion.

[pitcalco]

If I use 8k, I am going to use all of the 8k of memory. I wouldn't just use 3k of it. I didn't realize so many people didn't have a 3k cart.

For what it is worth, Jeff-20, I say just go for broke and make the best program you can regardless of memory size. As one of those unfortunate people who keep getting outbid on ebay for VIC memory expansion, I can still say that I would like to see the VIC maximised to its fullest potential. If nothing else, a super-awesome program will serve to encourage the likes of me to look harder for memory.

[carlsson]

Pitcalco: if you are interested in a 16K memory expansion, please PM me.

[Mayhem]

I've just started work on a new 3K game. I don't feel like the load time is worth it for an 8k game in BASIC. After waiting for it to load, I expect the sparkle of an ML game.

On the other hand your games tend to outclass many in ML anyhows!

[Iltanen]

So nobody even here owns this:
http://www.commodore.ca/gallery/adverts ... _Nov83.jpg

It could sell for a couple of hundred dollars?

I own the 3K super expander (but rarely use it) and a 16K expander which I use all the time, I need it to load games and like that, it has all sorts of nice mods.

[orion70]

"Expandable to 192K"

[nbla000]

"Expandable to 192K"

I think by switching 32k (32x6=192)
is a sort of big ram drive, i'm wrong ?

[Schlowski]

As far as I read you can access the RAM in 8k blocks - this is typical for that sort of RAM expansions.
I would assume that you can switch the 8k blocks at least at $A000, maybe on other blocks too.

So no RAM disk by itself, but lots of switchable 8k chunks much like MegaCart or Behr-Bonz, only RAM instead of ROM

[hawk]

I've been trying to think of what I could use all that banked-switched RAM for. The obvious answer is for extra graphics/data. The problem with RAM is that it would have to be loaded from disk, and that would take ages.

I guess that's where banked switched ROM games would be better. Games customized to use several banks of ROM, and know how to switch between them.

[Schlowski]

I could imagine to use it as a sort of cache. You could generate or load levels from disk when they are needed first time, store them in a bank and reload them from RAM instead of disk drive the next time your character enters that particular level.

Same way for big inventories or something like that in fantasy RPGs, use the RAM banks during gameplay and load/save only when needed and of course before switching the VIC off

Generate big star maps with hundreds of solar systems and activate the bank with the local systems when you enter a system (more or less the same like the level idea above).

So lots of possibilities here, unfortunately I do not have enough time to make a game out of these thoughts...

[carlsson]

In any case, graphics data needs to be reshuffled into the ~5K RAM visible to the VIC chip, so while you could temporarily store pre-calculated graphics, you can't display them just by pointing the character set there.