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QMTech's cheap MiSTer "clones"
Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2024 5:33 am
by akeley
Seems the first 99USD MiSTer "clones" have already appeared (and promptly disappeared).
https://www.aliexpress.com/i/1005007150032433.html
They have one with baked in 128 RAM too though, at 129 USD
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007370471764.html
Not compatible with official daughter boards, but they say they will produce their own.
It'd be interesting to hear if anybody has tested it yet.
Re: QMTech's cheap MiSTer "clones"
Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2024 10:03 am
by JakubH
I have been testing the Qmtech board for a few days and it works very well. (Version with sdram soldered on the board) I have not noted any problems with any core so far. The sdram runs stably at 160MHz.
It comes with a 5V/4A psu, a 32gb SanDisk micro sd card, a mini usb cable and a heatsink.
Re: QMTech's cheap MiSTer "clones"
Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2024 10:29 am
by akeley
Great stuff, thank you. Good to hear from a real world user. Seems that the era of cheap-o MiSTers is really upon us.
Tempted to get one even though I don't really need it...but having additional separate TATE & 31kHz core units is now entirely possible
Re: QMTech's cheap MiSTer "clones"
Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2024 11:44 am
by lordoftime79
I am using the one without the onboard ram and it is working very well indeed. i have installed one of the 128 ram modules and a standard no powered 4 port usb hub.
Re: QMTech's cheap MiSTer "clones"
Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2024 6:54 pm
by C-R-T
Am I seeing wrong or is the fpga chip all dirty? Do they use old pulls for this?
Re: QMTech's cheap MiSTer "clones"
Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2024 8:14 pm
by rhester72
C-R-T wrote: ↑Fri Jul 26, 2024 6:54 pm
Am I seeing wrong or is the fpga chip all dirty? Do they use old pulls for this?
They do indeed, one of the things that's driving costs down.
Re: QMTech's cheap MiSTer "clones"
Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2024 10:16 pm
by lordoftime79
i think i have come accross my first issue tonight - direct video just will not work. same sd card in my actually mister works fine :/
Re: QMTech's cheap MiSTer "clones"
Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2024 2:10 am
by akeley
lordoftime79 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 26, 2024 10:16 pm
i think i have come accross my first issue tonight - direct video just will not work. same sd card in my actually mister works fine :/
That's a big deal breaker for me. Maybe can ask the producer on Twitter what's up with that.
Re: QMTech's cheap MiSTer "clones"
Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2024 6:46 am
by lordoftime79
can anybody who has a qmtech confirm?
Re: QMTech's cheap MiSTer "clones"
Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2024 5:41 pm
by dickhardpill
Lu’s retro source shows a video of his qmtech playing on a CRT via direct video. Sounds like a powered adapter is required.
https://youtu.be/CBG4yg7kzLQ?t=6m21s
Re: QMTech's cheap MiSTer "clones"
Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2024 4:03 am
by aberu
Seems like they failed to clone it adequately.
Re: QMTech's cheap MiSTer "clones"
Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2024 9:00 am
by lordoftime79
honestly this has been my only issue and with the very low price still think its a great device.
Re: QMTech's cheap MiSTer "clones"
Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2024 11:21 am
by kubbie
lordoftime79 wrote: ↑Sun Jul 28, 2024 9:00 am
honestly this has been my only issue and with the very low price still think its a great device.
I think with proprietary addons that are not compatible with the MisterFPGA that things will add up quickly.
Re: QMTech's cheap MiSTer "clones"
Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2024 11:59 am
by akeley
kubbie wrote: ↑Sun Jul 28, 2024 11:21 am
I think with proprietary addons that are not compatible with the MisterFPGA that things will add up quickly.
The only really important thing is whether software is 100% compatible. Some hardware snags are to be expected, and they said they will make their own add ons anyway (even so, I think I've already seen somebody manage to use analog IO with this board).
At this price point some trade offs are acceptable. For me DV matters a lot, because I'm a strictly-CRT user, but I can imagine for most people it's not so important.
Re: QMTech's cheap MiSTer "clones"
Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2024 12:26 pm
by kubbie
akeley wrote: ↑Sun Jul 28, 2024 11:59 am
kubbie wrote: ↑Sun Jul 28, 2024 11:21 am
I think with proprietary addons that are not compatible with the MisterFPGA that things will add up quickly.
The only really important thing is whether software is 100% compatible. Some hardware snags are to be expected, and they said they will make their own add ons anyway (even so, I think I've already seen somebody manage to use analog IO with this board).
At this price point some trade offs are acceptable. For me DV matters a lot, because I'm a strictly-CRT user, but I can imagine for most people it's not so important.
For me I want a simple solution that is just plug and play as the GPIO headers are also incompatible so there will be some soldering or adding a ribbon of some sort making it looking cluttered.
Re: QMTech's cheap MiSTer "clones"
Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2024 1:34 pm
by akeley
kubbie wrote: ↑Sun Jul 28, 2024 12:26 pm
For me I want a simple solution that is just plug and play as the GPIO headers are also incompatible so there will be some soldering or adding a ribbon of some sort making it looking cluttered.
That's fine but I'm pretty sure there will be plenty of people interested in saving 300 USD and having pretty much the same functionality.
Re: QMTech's cheap MiSTer "clones"
Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2024 6:27 pm
by KennyL
The $130 one with solder on sdram does work with io boards.
https://x.com/GOGamerUK/status/1816935719971270765
Re: QMTech's cheap MiSTer "clones"
Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2024 7:07 pm
by dickhardpill
Re: QMTech's cheap MiSTer "clones"
Posted: Mon Jul 29, 2024 2:14 pm
by Armakuni
The USB/IO/RTC AIO board for these QMtech boards will be released in a few weeks and for less than $30
Re: QMTech's cheap MiSTer "clones"
Posted: Tue Jul 30, 2024 4:08 am
by eightbit
And if the integrated SDRAM fails? I don't personally like SDRAM being integrated on the FPGA board itself personally.
True anything could fail (and especially fail if using reclaimed parts) but ehh...I don't like it one bit.
Re: QMTech's cheap MiSTer "clones"
Posted: Tue Jul 30, 2024 5:27 am
by akeley
eightbit wrote: ↑Tue Jul 30, 2024 4:08 am
And if the integrated SDRAM fails?
Sorry, but this really is scraping the barrel Especially given how fragile DE10 boards themselves are, and how many snafus there were with non-integrated SDRAMs.
Re: QMTech's cheap MiSTer "clones"
Posted: Tue Jul 30, 2024 9:37 am
by lordoftime79
akeley wrote: ↑Tue Jul 30, 2024 5:27 am
eightbit wrote: ↑Tue Jul 30, 2024 4:08 am
And if the integrated SDRAM fails?
Sorry, but this really is scraping the barrel Especially given how fragile DE10 boards themselves are, and how many snafus there were with non-integrated SDRAMs.
yea i cant see the ram being an issue? i mean you dont worry about the ddr onboard failing so why should it be any different? the weak point of the original de10 are the sd slot and power jack in my own experieance
Re: QMTech's cheap MiSTer "clones"
Posted: Sat Aug 10, 2024 4:52 am
by Zombar
When will the VGA board and case be released?
Re: QMTech's cheap MiSTer "clones"
Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2024 12:35 am
by Missus
Zombar wrote: ↑Sat Aug 10, 2024 4:52 am
When will the VGA board and case be released?
Armakuni wrote: ↑Mon Jul 29, 2024 2:14 pm
The USB/IO/RTC AIO board for these QMtech boards will be released in a few weeks and for less than $30
Just got a VGA board! -- edit: maybe not! this board doesnt fit!!!
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=8341
No case yet, but now that these are shipping I think STLs are imminent!
Will be interested to see more addon boards. Where can I find more info about the AIO?
Re: QMTech's cheap MiSTer "clones"
Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2024 8:30 pm
by amano
Is it known if the QMTech IO board features a RTC clock?
Or has it to be added separately.
Re: QMTech's cheap MiSTer "clones"
Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2024 7:03 pm
by jfml1974
C-R-T wrote: ↑Fri Jul 26, 2024 6:54 pm
Am I seeing wrong or is the fpga chip all dirty? Do they use old pulls for this?
Dirty? I have one and it is spotlessly clean, it is not reused.
Re: QMTech's cheap MiSTer "clones"
Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2024 9:48 am
by Armakuni
amano wrote: ↑Fri Sep 06, 2024 8:30 pm
Is it known if the QMTech IO board features a RTC clock?
Or has it to be added separately.
Yes it does, there is a place for a battery on the bottom of the board
My QMtech USB/IO board and case arrived a week ago and for less than $30 its a bargain and works as it should
Due to the QMtech board having a USB header there is no bridges either, its a very neat solution
Re: QMTech's cheap MiSTer "clones"
Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2024 6:29 am
by akeley
Armakuni wrote: ↑Sun Sep 15, 2024 9:48 am
My QMtech USB/IO board and case arrived a week ago and for less than $30 its a bargain and works as it should
Where did you find the I/O board for that price? I've seen some on Ali before, but they were rather pricey, and now can't see any at all. Also, is it the old design or new one?
Taki's IO is new design and cheap too. I'd prefer that, but I suspect that even his next batch will sell out in a nanosecond. And I keep seeing QMtech boards in stock occasionally (there are 8 now) so it's kinda tempting....