5xx Blackbird full 040, group buy?

[CJ_Miller]

I have always been amazed that the surface-mount 68040 versions have been so much harder to find for sale that the socketed kind. Well, I just found somebody who has many of them. They are an ebay seller who I am not affiliated with. They offer NOS XC68040FE33M chips in a few different auctions. These can replace the LC 040s on the PowerBook 5xx CPU daughter cards. Won't provide the larger LCD of a 550c, but probably the next best thing.

This auction is a dutch auction with single chips at $50ea:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Motorola-XC68040FE33M-CPU-QTY1-Upgrade-XC68LC040FE-FPU-/110598558647?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19c03013b7

And here is lots of 24 pieces for $600, or $25 each:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Motorola-XC68040FE33M-CPU-qty-24-NEW-/110598556270?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19c0300a6e

Anybody interested in a group buy of these? I don't have $600 handy to drop on a whole lot, but can put $100 in. Who else?

 

[akator]

I'm in $30 ($25 for chip +$5 for shipping).

 

[techknight]

The guy is asking alot per chip..... JMO

 

[CJ_Miller]

The guy is asking alot per chip..... JMO

More than I can easily afford now as things are, but I'd say $25 for a new, full 040 is quite good. Even used ones usually go for more, and new are nearly impossible. If you know a cheaper source, by all means please tell us!

 

[techknight]

yea $25 would be ok. but the link above says $50? am i misreading something?

 

[Bunsen]

Not forgetting that you will need to find someone to do the surface mount soldering ($$$) to replace the LC040 on the CPU module with these, or do it yourself. This is not a drop-in replacement CPU module.

 

[Byrd]

... and that you can pickup a the 33Mhz 'LC040 complete 5x0 PB daughtercard off eBay for a few bucks ... no FPU, but good enough for most things.

 

[CJ_Miller]

yea $25 would be ok. but the link above says $50? am i misreading something?

That's why I proposed a group buy. Instead of $50 each, if we collectively ordered 24 of them we would get them for $25 each.

 

[Bunsen]

I believe macmetex still has the 33MHz modules for a buck for two, and the 25MHz 520 modules as well. If you really wanted to go ahead with this, perhaps you could buy up enough of his to match the number of full '040s purchased, find someone to do the rework, overclock & test them, and then dribble them out slowly back onto ebay. If you can get the rework done cheaply enough, * there should be a tidy profit in it.

* or, indeed, if someone here could do it. Heck, let me get some practice at toaster oven reflow in first and I might think about doing it myself.

 

[Bunsen]

First thing we need to establish - are these edge pin modules or BGA? BGA is way beyond what I (or 99% of other hobbyists) could rework, and will probably cost a lot more to get done professionally.

IMHO, even the bulk price is a liiiitle on the high side, and I would want to at least try to negotiate it down a smidge if possible.

 

[CJ_Miller]

Not forgetting that you will need to find someone to do the surface mount soldering ($$$) to replace the LC040 on the CPU module with these, or do it yourself. This is not a drop-in replacement CPU module.

Yes, it requires soldering. I am game for anything but BGAs (ball grid arrays). Surface mount does not bother me so much.

EDIT: Ah, you just posted about this! No, they appear to be QFP (quad flat package).

 

[CJ_Miller]

I believe macmetex still has the 33MHz modules for a buck for two, and the 25MHz 520 modules as well. If you really wanted to go ahead with this, perhaps you could buy up enough of his to match the number of full '040s purchased, find someone to do the rework, overclock & test them, and then dribble them out slowly back onto ebay. If you can get the rework done cheaply enough, * there should be a tidy profit in it.

True, it could make some money and excite may 5xx fans. But I don't have the money to invest in a project like this now. I wish I did, it would be fun. Experience has taught me to avoid other hobbyists helping to fund projects like this due to upset over delayed turnaround, a few ruined chips, and other variables. Better to put ones own money upfront and spring the finished results on people when the waiting and work are done.

 

[CJ_Miller]

... and that you can pickup a the 33Mhz 'LC040 complete 5x0 PB daughtercard off eBay for a few bucks ... no FPU, but good enough for most things.

Yes, I have one of those modules. Since I do multimedia antics I need the FPU.

Looks like the response in far less enthusiastic then I expected! Unless more people express interest in the next few days the group buy will probably not happen, unfortunately.

 

[Bunsen]

Provide me proof * that they are QFP or another edge pin form factor, AND the right ones for the 5x0 (and presumably the 190?) and I'm in for four + shipping.

* for example, photos, or a datasheet. I am trying to hunt up a datasheet now.

 

[Byrd]

Yes, I have one of those modules. Since I do multimedia antics I need the FPU.

It's taking the non-68K route, but I'd look out for an Apple 100Mhz PPC upgrade, I'd like to think they are not that rare as I've come across two now in Powerbook 540c machines (note 540c, no-one seemed to bother with putting them in lesser specced models); you might be lucky in scoring an upgraded complete system off eBay. Another hint is they came with a replacement plastic insert which says "PowerPC", on the top screen bezel. RAM is usually maxed too at 36MB.

My personal 540c was just like this - pickup only from one of those third-party "eBay stores" that didn't last very long at all. It came with a NewerTech 167Mhz 603e upgrade, 36MB RAM, 500MB HD - cost about $20. I've since treated it to an Apple 2.5" IDE to SCSI adapter, and the old Rev C PCMCIA card cage - wireless is great

JB

 

[trag]

The 'FE' in the part number means that they are QFP. RC is used for the PGA. There was not a BGA version of the 68040. At least, not according to the documentation I'm looking at. Also, in one of the photos you can see the legs of the chip sticking out the side. What you're looking at are 68040 chips sandwiched in top and bottom trays.

The photo is good enough to determine that this batch of chips is mask 2E31F, which is revision 'M', 80% shrink, Fab MOS11, .65 micron (650 nanometer, heh) and out of production at the time the document I'm reading was compiled.