Three Quick IIfx Questions

[Tempest]

Now that I have a working Superdrive coming my way (hopefully two), I'll finally be able to use my IIfx. I have three questions though, keeping in mind that I'm pretty much only using it to play games (a waste I know, but that's what I want to do):

1. What's the best OS to have on it? 6.x? 7.x?

2. I currently have 8MB of RAM. Since IIfx RAM is almost impossible to find, do I really need more?

3. Will I still be able to play those classic B&W Mac games if I'm using a video card and color monitor? I assume so, but I'm not sure what compatibility issues I'll run into other than OS version and speed.

Tempest

 

[Unknown_K]

I have a couple IIfx units and I like OS 7.1 (I have 32MB of RAM each). With 7.1 you can use OT (Open transport) for networking and that allows DHCP making life easy. 7.1 lets you use a ton of apps, and I keep OS 6.x for use on 68000 equipped compacts.

You used to be able to find 4MB IIfx SIMMs on ebay, but I have not looked for a long time. 32MB is about the best you can do on the cheap.

 

[Tempest]

I've searched for IIfx RAM before, but stuff rarely comes up. Is there some other search string I can use? 64 pin SIMM or something like that?

Tempest

 

[beachycove]

8MB of RAM was actually a massive RAM complement when the IIfx was released. In System 6 it's as much as you need, really, and it is even plenty for running System 7.0 or 7.1. Any System higher than that, however, is pointless with only 8MB RAM.

I have a Mac II with a IIfx logic board upgrade (the official Apple one complete with sticker), and it too came with "only" 8MB RAM. I chose to keep it that way as my ultimate System 6 box. I have put in a high-end Nubus video card, ethernet, a largish (500MB or so) and undoubtedly faster hard drive than stock — and it is quite the machine like that.

If I were to upgrade it to 7.6.1, it would becomes an absolute nelly that any 68040 or PPC could beat, so I keep my IIfx running System 6, with the result that it remains a racehorse. I have lots of theoretically faster vintage and modern Mac hardware, but the IIfx running System 6 is arguably the fastest-running, slickest machine in my collection of 50+ Macs.

My $0.02.

 

[jsarchibald]

I threw out a IIfx and LC with monitors and a 44MB Syquest drive in 2003. I have regretted it ever since. I think that's why my collection has expanded the way it has, to make up for the one I'll never get back. The IIfx was in perfect condition, ran great, even both floppy drives were in perfect order. I am kicking myself for being such an idiot.

 

[Concorde1993]

I am kicking myself for being such an idiot.

You've got a TAM now, JS. Get over it (although I truly cannot understand the logic behind throwing out a perfectly good system. This is a definite :?: ).

 

[Unknown_K]

I can see throwing an old system out if nobody wanted it in that time frame, and quite a few people didn't collect old computers until fairly recently (last 5+ years). People are junking CRT monitors left and right these days and in 10 years newer collectors will pay some decent money for one.

 

[jsarchibald]

You've got a TAM now, JS. Get over it (although I truly cannot understand the logic behind throwing out a perfectly good system. This is a definite :?: ).
Yeah, the TAM is definitely soothing the soul. But I had a great IIfx and I kicked it to the kerb. I feel like such an ass.

It was actually 2002 and I had to move home for about a year to save some money. I was going into a single bedroom from a two bed apartment, and didn't have much choice to keep it. But I could have given it away or stored it somewhere, rather than dumping it. I was younger at the time and didn't appreciate what I had. Thanks for making me feel worse about it!

 

[Concorde1993]

I was younger at the time and didn't appreciate what I had.

Well, such is life, JS. At least you've got your health, which is far more important than any machine.

Thanks for making me feel worse about it!

There's gotta be another one floating around. How about this- if I find a IIfx, would you trade it for a Director's Performa?

People are junking CRT monitors left and right these days and in 10 years newer collectors will pay some decent money for one.

Most CRTs are a dime-a-dozen. The Trinitron's, the DiamondTron's, the Commodore & Zenith monitors are the only ones that will really be of some value in the future (and maybe perhaps the Apple II/III series monitors, but that's it).

 

[Unknown_K]

I would think people with Gateway (for example) machines might want the correct Gateway CRT monitor for that machine, you know how those things go.

My collection has a couple Apple monitors for the mac just because they are Apple monitors, plus my IIgs systems have the correct IIgs monitors.

 

[Tempest]

Getting back on topic...

I have a new question: What are some useful Nubus cards that I should be on the lookout for?

I have a RasterOps 8XL video card in it right now, but that's it. I think I also have a networking card of some sort, but it has a coax looking connector on it so it's of no use to me (it says Asante Technologies 1991 MacCont+ II E Rev. B on it). I was thinking about looking for an ethernet card, but I'm not exactly sure how 'web ready'' a IIfx is. Beyond that I really don't know of what else I could stick in it.

Tempest

 

[Unknown_K]

What to add depends on what you like to do.

My IIfx have PC cards, DSP cards, ethernet, Jackhammer SCSI, framegrabbers, sound cards, etc. You can also do multiple monitors if you like that sort of thing. What a IIfx buys you compared to a IIci is all the empty nubus slots plus a super fast 030 CPU. For simple use a decent video card and networking card are enough.

 

[Tempest]

Yeah nothing too fancy. I just want to play games on it mostly, and maybe be able to download things directly to it via the net.

If only there was a way to use the Apple IIe card with the Nubus slot. That would be awesome...

Tempest