The Sinclair QL Forum

Hi,

the Qzero has become much faster in the highest graphics resolution. That is possible because the Qzero FPGA now supports the separate video RAM, which was already present on the board. In 1024x768 @ 65536 colors, the Qzero is now about factor 2.6 faster than before, according to the BogoMIPS and Dhrystone benchmarks.

Side note: Qzero supports the Minerva 2nd screen, which requires the address range $28000 to $2FFFF to be treated as video RAM. This region ist therefore slower than the other SDRAM, which takes away a little from the theoretically possible improvement.

Those who have a Qzero should have received the FPGA logic update by email.
For others who are interested: I'll demonstrate the Qzero at the international QL meeting May 17.

All the best, Peter

Wow! Thats impressive - and hopeful. Looking forward to seeing the demo

PS: Could the same be done for Q68?

pjw wrote: ↑Sat Apr 20, 2024 7:43 pm PS: Could the same be done for Q68?

Not with the current Q68 board, as it has no separate video RAM. But the Qzero runs Q68 SMSQ/E.
As you will see at the meeting, a Qzero with QLbase offers similar funtionality as the Q68, plus digital video out and matrix keyboard, minus ethernet.

Hi Peter,

Can Ethernet be added to QLbase, as QLbase, is an excellent addition to the Qzero.

I may try and design a custom enclosure for Qzero and QLbase, rather than use a QL Case.

Hi Derek,

Derek_Stewart wrote: ↑Sat Apr 20, 2024 11:30 pm Can Ethernet be added to QLbase, as QLbase, is an excellent addition to the Qzero.

Theoretically yes, but it would be a very different board layout.
Also, it would consume signals on the 40 pin GPIO header, which I want to keep as I/O for the moment.

Derek_Stewart wrote: ↑Sat Apr 20, 2024 11:30 pm I may try and design a custom enclosure for Qzero and QLbase, rather than use a QL Case.

Please get in touch with Detlef, he has already worked on it.

Hi Peter,

The addition of Ethernet is not important, I use QLNET to connect to Q68 and other QL computers,with Martyn's QL Network software is a good solution.

I will see what Detlef is doing, he uses Freecad, which is one my interests.