New yerar, new CPC board

[CraigsBar]

Or build a new, smaller case with this and a 6128 plus keyboard, which are still available complete from trade in post.

[TotO]

The fact to build an board to be used as desktop is a nice project.
Please, make the board size and the connectors output match with standard PC form-factor to be properly cased.
Great to support MX4 slots for expansions. Take care that slots are 1.00-inch spaced.
Don't built it too fast! 3D mock-ups are nice, but are definitively not what the reality allow.

[Gryzor]

This got me excited, but I think there's much more potential to it than the state it's currently in... Indeed, as others have mentioned, why not incorporate some of the projects that have been widely available? Finally, after all the talk of a "future CPC" new model we're at a stage where one is actually feasible, even though it'd be more conservative in its scope than, say, DVI, 8GB and a 200MHz CPU.

Also, as TFM said: why a 464 and not a 6128?

Regarding SMDs and Bryce's comments: I think there are people willing to invest in time to build such a thing but without the technical expertise required for SMDs.

Still not sure how it could be built without cannibalising an existing machine though?

[TotO]

cannibalising is not a way.

[Gryzor]

No, definitely not.

PS RIP Wolinksi, I grew up with his comics...

[Piotr]

Well , here is,
http://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/details/Amstrad-CPC464-ULA-40007-chip-IC-3874

Other IC from Ebay and drawer. And i can add lot's of things on the PCB but in this case people start cry "expensive".So for now, simply board, all extras like floppy or hdd controller as extensions. Just Lego 

[TotO]

too expensive... Business over the CPC community.
Better to design a GA CPLD.

[Piotr]

Or write core for this board, for example zx spectrum running ok.

]

[Bryce]

Ralferoo already has a very good (WIP) FPGA Core for the Amstrad.

Bryce.

[Piotr]

Hmm but i'm too stiupid to adapt it to this board..........

[TFM]

That's not what you said earlier,

Oh come on, don't turn around ones word in the mouth. Do you always need to be right? Take it easy! 

If we all can work together then this could really bring us the CPC next Generation

[Piotr]

Some changes, still unfinished, mouse support added,edge slot added  separate board for extension cards.

[CraigsBar]

Some changes, still unfinished, mouse support added,edge slot added  separate board for extension cards.

any chance of a centronics expansion connector (schneider\plus style) and 6128 spec for a floppy drive.

[Munchausen]

Some changes, still unfinished, mouse support added,edge slot added  separate board for extension cards.

I like this much more 

A separate board for expansions is a much better idea I think (keep the motherboard nice and small).

But why not have 128K RAM? I suppose with the X-Mem it's no problem though...

[Bryce]

The edge connector will need to extend out from the PCB. Unlike the Spectrum, the CPC edge connector has endpoints and on some expansions has quite a bit of plastic at both ends.

Bryce.

[Joseman]

as Bryce Said, is imperative to put a keyboard connector for use with the old keyboard, the ps/2 is very important, but never will replace the cpc keyboard response and the "feel"

[karlmag]

The edge connector will need to extend out from the PCB. Unlike the Spectrum, the CPC edge connector has endpoints and on some expansions has quite a bit of plastic at both ends.

Bryce.

Just to add my couple of cents (or pence or øre or whatever);

The female edge connectors aren't that easy to get by these days (still not impossible, but, you know).
Personally I think I would use an IDC box connector and use a 50 pin ribbon cable to IDC connectors for new boards. Then just make a small board with IDC box connector and the edge connector for use with the old expansions.  Added bonus is that you don't run into the "need more space around the connector" problem.  I'm sure there are issues with this way of doing it too, but it might be worth considering at least?

KarlMag

[TotO]

Some changes, still unfinished, mouse support added,edge slot added  separate board for extension cards.

It look to have no screw hole to be case mounded...
As already suggested, take time to design something that is really usable. It will cost money!

[jrodriguezv]

Any news about this project?

[Piotr]

Prototype board ordered today, so i waiting for delivery, approx 7-10 days.

[Gryzor]

Wow, let's see the result...

[Piotr]

Well, still a long way but I'm stubborn 

[Piotr]

With DHL courier,    2 layers 16x14 cm dimensions. And is a prototype so dont push me down.

]

[Bryce]

I know it's your logo and all that, but writing "Speccy" on a CPC board is a bit of an insult that might put people off.

Otherwise looking good! Although I doubt you'll find many CPC expansion that fits on that edge connector, the gaps left and right are much too small for most expansions.

Bryce.

[Piotr]

It is a reason why it is prototype, for me is easier continue job on real board not in drawing software. Speccy.pl is my base community and i always put this logo on all my boards, sorry  Left and right gaps is enough for my DDI clone socket. Anyway is lot to do.