MiSTer FPGA Forum

FYI - This thing seems to be the coolest thing since sliced bread and is the missing link in my setup: Much faster than ao486, and great for DOS and Windows 9x gaming using real hardware:

https://youtu.be/ogHqmjn6sY4?si=xADr4S8IsXlpdnLT
https://youtu.be/ZCnQOgArgMk?si=6Xoj7RUvvqJa3sme
https://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?t=93480
https://discord.gg/jM42PB6T
Group Buy https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIp ... A/viewform
CPU https://shop.dmp.com.tw/INT/products/25
Edit: Well that was fast, you can buy it now and there is a discount if you buy it before next Sunday. https://retrodreams.ca/

I know that I want this thing, and I already have filled out the Group Buy survey in hopes of getting one (enough people need to fill this out to make it happen apparently). What I am wondering is, is everything on it open source (especially the CPU) and can the MiSTer replicate it, but slower (100 MHz)? It would need an AGP graphics card as well. It probably would not fit on the MiSTer, but it would be cool if it could and would be a worthy successor or compliment to ao486.

I'm keeping an eye of the new one in progress, they're talking about being able to fit a Voodoo card to it. I'll have to find it on the vogons forum...

cursedverses wrote: ↑Sun Oct 13, 2024 1:32 am

I'm keeping an eye of the new one in progress, they're talking about being able to fit a Voodoo card to it. I'll have to find it on the vogons forum...

That would be perfect. The only other thing missing would be a USB joystick converter like the keyboard and mouse converter. Oh, and horizontal slots and a custom case. And the ability to fit a larger pi on the connector without a ribbon cable.

There was an article on TechSpot about it not long ago, and I thought it is an amazing idea. But the way I understood it is that aside from the possibility of the new group buy happening or not, I'd also have to assemble it myself? If that means soldering stuff then it'd be out of my reach.

Also, what would be an approximate cost of everything?

Here's the thread for new new version:

https://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?t=100351

Note that it has evolved from the first post and quite a read!

cursedverses wrote: ↑Sun Oct 13, 2024 9:13 am

Here's the thread for new new version:

https://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?t=100351

Note that it has evolved from the first post and quite a read!

Thanks! It seems to be referring to the TinyLlama. I would rather have the ITX Llama for better video card compatibility.

Well that was fast, you can buy it now and there is a discount if you buy it before next Sunday. https://retrodreams.ca/

Apologies for the confusion. I didn't realise the ITX Llama had an AGP port!

thorr wrote: ↑Sun Oct 13, 2024 12:29 pm

Well that was fast, you can buy it now and there is a discount if you buy it before next Sunday. https://retrodreams.ca/

Nice find! But the 300 USD price tag (+deliveries/taxes) means I'm out and back to my trusty ol' Pentium mini tower.

Wait, it's actually 300 just for the board and you need to stump for the extras too. Nah, not for me. But a lovely project nonetheless.

akeley wrote: ↑Sun Oct 13, 2024 1:45 pm

thorr wrote: ↑Sun Oct 13, 2024 12:29 pm

Well that was fast, you can buy it now and there is a discount if you buy it before next Sunday. https://retrodreams.ca/

Nice find! But the 300 USD price tag (+deliveries/taxes) means I'm out and back to my trusty ol' Pentium mini tower.

Wait, it's actually 300 just for the board and you need to stump for the extras too. Nah, not for me. But a lovely project nonetheless.

Yeah, it adds up. I am looking at this for the case, and I still need a flex power supply: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805342616690.htm All in, it's probably about almost $600.

The coolness factor is worth it to me though. It's like another MiSTer in a way, has that same vibe to me. I don't have a DOS/Win98 ready machine (other than ao486 or DosBox-X), although I might have the parts in my garage to build one.

thorr wrote: ↑Sun Oct 13, 2024 12:48 am

FYI - This thing seems to be the coolest thing since sliced bread and is the missing link in my setup: Much faster than ao486, and great for DOS and Windows 9x gaming using real hardware:

https://youtu.be/ogHqmjn6sY4?si=xADr4S8IsXlpdnLT
https://youtu.be/ZCnQOgArgMk?si=6Xoj7RUvvqJa3sme
https://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?t=93480
https://discord.gg/jM42PB6T
Group Buy https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIp ... A/viewform
CPU https://shop.dmp.com.tw/INT/products/25
Edit: Well that was fast, you can buy it now and there is a discount if you buy it before next Sunday. https://retrodreams.ca/

I know that I want this thing, and I already have filled out the Group Buy survey in hopes of getting one (enough people need to fill this out to make it happen apparently). What I am wondering is, is everything on it open source (especially the CPU) and can the MiSTer replicate it, but slower (100 MHz)? It would need an AGP graphics card as well. It probably would not fit on the MiSTer, but it would be cool if it could and would be a worthy successor or compliment to ao486.

Ya
had my eye on this since some weeks but it seemed unreachable for someone who doesnt already have both the tools and know-how to deconstruct machines and assemble them as cores. Seeing as i dont even own a soldering or rework station i assumed the total cost (without taking some online classes) would be close to €1000 .. maybe more depending on Santa-tax relative to where the parts come from.

the link to the .ca shop looks great !!! thanks for that, roughly speaking 400-500 for the lot which probably still comes down to at least €600 after p&p and Santa-tax (belgium in - E.U. ) its the missing link next to a mister, im gonna keep my eye on that shop and hope some others pick it up so theres a bit of a pricewar maybe. I doubt i'll have the throwaway money before next year anyway but i doubt even more we'll see a mister2 or replay2 and clueless wether they will do up to dos98-2000 perhaps early xp ?

86box will have to do but , just like the mister, all the bru-ha about preservation and accuracy is a bit OTT imo but its just nice to have something compact and all in one place. I could fit this thing next to the mister and the home assistant PI , link it to the same screen and have just as much space as before.

I agree this is close to the invention of running water (if the mister is sliced bread)

I am already dreaming about my favorite 98 era 3D and 2D Windows games. I bought a Riva TNT2 in anticipation. It is said to have perfect DOS VESA support and it goes all the way to Windows XP which this box should also run as it meets the minimum requirements.

thorr wrote: ↑Mon Oct 14, 2024 7:37 pm

I am already dreaming about my favorite 98 era 3D and 2D Windows games. I bought a Riva TNT2 in anticipation. It is said to have perfect DOS VESA support and it goes all the way to Windows XP which this box should also run as it meets the minimum requirements.

Do keep us informed please, i doubt i'll be able to get one earlier than next year i went a bit far down the real - STE path but this itx llama would be the missing link in my younger years collection

Syntax Error wrote: ↑Fri Oct 18, 2024 7:21 pm

thorr wrote: ↑Mon Oct 14, 2024 7:37 pm

I am already dreaming about my favorite 98 era 3D and 2D Windows games. I bought a Riva TNT2 in anticipation. It is said to have perfect DOS VESA support and it goes all the way to Windows XP which this box should also run as it meets the minimum requirements.

Do keep us informed please, i doubt i'll be able to get one earlier than next year i went a bit far down the real - STE path but this itx llama would be the missing link in my younger years collection

Sure, no problem. There is a group buy right now but who knows if there will be another one and it is the only way to get one unless you make it from scratch. Hopefully there will be other opportunities in the future or a newer version.

As Thorr mentioned, there is a store: https://retrodreams.ca/ selling them now.

This is super cool. But I can’t jump in at this price. I’ve got real boards/shells from this era collecting dust. Not because of a lack of interest, but a shortage of time!

cursedverses wrote: ↑Sat Oct 19, 2024 11:35 am

As Thorr mentioned, there is a store: https://retrodreams.ca/ selling them now.

Yass indeed i checked that right away and it told me Santa would be very cross if i spent more on retroware before christmas ... i was kinda hoping others would pick up, like what happened with Udon and Qmtech but i guess its a bit early for that ... i can handle with 86box too but it would just be nice to have it all on the same shelf to the same screen