Last-modified: Mon Feb 7 14:17:40 EST 1994

Version: 3.01

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

  1. N1. What type of memory may be installed in a NeXT?
  2. N2. What is the NeXT SIMM tool?
  3. N3. Where can I purchase memory for a NeXT?

Subject: N1. What type of memory may be installed in a NeXT?

References: NeXTanswers' hardware.620, 92_spring_bulletin "Announcing NeXTstation Turbo and NeXTcube Turbo"

NeXT Computer (68030-25MHz/68040-25MHz), NeXTcube (68040-25MHz):
The low-profile vertically mounted 4 MB SIMMs are easier to install in the NeXTcube than the horizontally mounted 4 MB SIMMs because of the small height clearance above the SIMM slots. It is possible to install the horizontally mounted 4 MB SIMMs, but you will be required to slide the CPU board and the center tower in simultaneously.

Parity (9-bit) SIMMs can be used in both 68030 and 68040 NeXT machines, but should not be mixed with non-parity SIMMs. Only 68040 boards with ROM levels of 2.2 (v63) and higher can use the parity memory to detect parity errors.

[One user adds the following unverified claims:]

It is OK to mix parity and non-parity memory, but the system will not boot unattended. Cubes with early boot ROMs will not work with 4 Mb parity ram, unless at least 3 banks are used. The system gives an exception error on power up. The fix is to get a new boot rom from Next. You can pay $30, or you may be able to squawk and get one for free. I have found Next to be pretty responsive, once I find the right person.

[Jimmie Quan, NeXT Hardware Service, adds:]

The correct version is v66 which was the last or final rev for this series of 040 boards. This version also fixed the problem in the second paragraph.

NeXTdimension boards (i860):
NeXT didn't officially bless the use of 8 MB SIMMs, but they seem to fit and work.

NeXTstations (68040-25MHz) serial numbers below ABB 002 6300:
Faster SIMMS (70/80 ns) don't make the memory system work any faster than the 100 ns units.

NeXTstation Color (68040-25MHz):
NeXTcube Turbo (68040-33MHz), NeXTstation Turbo (68040-33MHz), NeXTstation Color Turbo (68040-33MHz), NeXTstations (68040-25MHz) serial numbers above ABB 002 6300:
For maximum performance use 70 ns SIMMs: SIMMs rated at 80 or 100 ns will be detected upon powerup and the memory system clock slowed to 100 ns.

NeXT manufacturing introduced the new 25 MHz NeXTstation CPU board into production in late June '92. To verify which SIMM type your machine uses, check the system's memory configuration. You can do this by using the ROM monitor�s print memory configuration command m. Start with your machine powered down. Press the Power key to power on. As soon as the message �Testing system...� disappears, press command-command-tilde (~ on the numeric keyboard). Under these circumstances, this will access the ROM monitor. In the ROM monitor, type m and press return. Turbo-designed boards�including new 25 MHz NeXTstations and all Turbo systems�will return messages reporting the memory configuration contained in four sockets (sockets 0 -3); old 25 MHz boards will return messages for more than four sockets (usually 8). You can tell a Turbo-designed board, and the accompanying 72 pin, 70 nanosecond SIMMs, by the fact it only reports information for only four sockets.

[John Graves, Hardware Engineering, NeXT Computer, Inc. adds]

The memory system has programmable memory timing such that the number of processor clocks needed to access a given amount of data can be tailored to the speed of the memory installed. 70 ns memory is just enough faster than 80 ns memory to allow the cpu to access the data with fewer clock cycles. This improves memory system performance.

"70 ns" memory is faster than "80 ns" memory in many parameters other than just RAS access time. The faster CAS access time in particular allows the memory system to respond quicker to burst (16 bytes) bus transfers.

Subject: N2. What is the NeXT SIMM tool?

The tool came with 68040 upgrade kits for NeXTcubes.

It really makes removing SIMMs easy. It looks like a dental tool: about six inches long with a 1/2" long head offset at 90 degrees. To remove SIMMs, you slip the head into the hole on one side of the SIMM, rest the head on the SIMM socket next to the SIMM you are pulling, and pivot the tool back, using the simple fulcrum to gently pry the SIMM up about 1/8" from the socket on that side. Repeat on the other side, and the SIMM can be then removed by hand.

Subject: N3. Where can I purchase memory for a NeXT?

This list contains only a few vendors; prices listed may change and are provided as examples only.

There is significant day-to-day fluctuation in prices, especially since the destruction of a factory in Japan in July that manufactured resin used in chips. Prices are currently very high.

First Tech Stratum Technologies Austin, TX 800-533-1744 512-258-3570 512-258-3689 (fax) [Prices current as of 12-Oct-93] 30 Pin SIMMs 1x8-70ns 1 Mb SIMM $ 49.50 4x8-70ns 4 Mb SIMM $ 136 1x9-80ns 1 Mb SIMM $ 54.50 4x9-80ns 4 Mb SIMM $ 153 72 Pin SIMMs 1x32-70ns 4 Mb SIMM $ 163 2x32-70ns 8 Mb SIMM $ 320 4x32-70ns 16 Mb SIMM $ 570 1x36-70ns 4 Mb SIMM $ 178.50 2x36-70ns 8 Mb SIMM $ 357 4x36-70ns 16 Mb SIMM $ 643 Lifetime Warranty. Marco International 800-621-4668 (Within US/Canada) 303-449-9191 800 447 8448 (CT Office) [Prices current as of 12-Oct-93] 30 Pin SIMMs 1x8-70ns 1 Mb SIMM $ 53 4x8-70ns 4 Mb SIMM $ 129 1x9-70ns 1 Mb SIMM $ 57.50 4x9-70ns 4 Mb SIMM $ 157 72 Pin SIMMs 1x32-70ns 4 Mb SIMM $ 161 1x36-70ns 4 Mb SIMM $ 211 2x32-70ns 8 Mb SIMM $ 309 2x36-70ns 8 Mb SIMM $ 381 4x32-70ns 16 Mb SIMM $ 644 4x36-70ns 16 Mb SIMM $ 654 8x32-70ns 32 Mb SIMM $1655 (no parity) Lifetime Warranty, toll-free support, 24hr RMA. "NeXT certified". Chip Merchant 9541 Ridgehaven Court San Diego, CA 92123 (800) 426-6375 South Coast Electronics Tustin, CA (800) 289-8801 714-669-9503 Impediment (617) 837-8877

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