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VectorGraphic vs. IthacaIntersystems Z-80 CPU

MykeLawson

Experienced Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2014
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409
In building my new toy, i obviously need a CPU card. my original (and only) S-100 used the original Ithaca Audio Z-80 CPU card. I only need a standard CPU without the extended A16-A23 address lines. I have been looking at, and modifying, the IthacaIntersystems CPU card to remove that extra circuitry and then i came accross the Vector Graphics CPU card. So before i pick up my wirewrap tool, i have a question..... What do you all think about these two cards? Any pros & cons anyone wants to share would be appreciated.
 
Curious, are you modifying an actual Ithaca Intersystems CPU or are you building a modified Ithaca CPU by wire wrapping the Ithaca circuit? If using the Ithaca board itself, why bother removing the upper addresses, just don't use them. The Ithaca board that had the extra addresses was the Z80-II, I don't think their 1st board had them.

Kipp
 
Correct you are. Their first board only had 16 address lines...... Oh no, i'm wirewrapping the whole system. Wirewrapping rules!
 
What do you all think about these two cards? Any pros & cons anyone wants to share would be appreciated.
Neither. Cromemco ZPU!
Correct you are. Their first board only had 16 address lines...... Oh no, i'm wirewrapping the whole system. Wirewrapping rules!
Not fair! Some people have way more than their share of spare time... ;-)
 
S100 computers.com are developing a range of S100 cards including a z80 card that can run at up to 10 Mhz.
You might get some ideas from looking at their circuit diagram.
 
Okay..... Let's focus..... Please.... I'm only going to use this thing to control my train set.... and to tinker around on. Heck, it won't even have a disk or operaring system. Just whatever code i decide to write and throw on it.... So. If you were stranded on a desert island with a S-100 system, and only those two CPU boards to choose from; which would it be?
 
So. If you were stranded on a desert island with a S-100 system, and only those two CPU boards to choose from; which would it be?
I'd build one of the SBC cards with RAM & ROM memory and I/O already on it. But if I had to choose among those two, I'd pick the VG (since I just happen to have a couple ;-) ). How does the documentation compare?

Takes me back; I built a 6-train controller way back when the hard way, with just 74xx TTL chips...
 
Okay..... Let's focus..... Please.... I'm only going to use this thing to control my train set.... and to tinker around on. Heck, it won't even have a disk or operaring system. Just whatever code i decide to write and throw on it.... So. If you were stranded on a desert island with a S-100 system, and only those two CPU boards to choose from; which would it be?

Surely a single chip microcontroller could do that job.
 
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