The old Superpower board was designed for the 464, and could only use ROM numbers in the range 0-7. This was clearly unsatisfactory for use with the 664 and 6128, so they have now produced this selectable board for the whole range of machines. It has eight sockets, as opposed to seven on their original board, and you can now switch the board between numbers 0-7 and 8-15. Solder freaks can easily modify this to give ROM numbers up to 63, though this is unlikely to prove very useful. The board clings to the expansion port, and having no other support it does tend to wobble a bit. It is a bit on the heavy side for this kind of connection, and the weight is quite high up. Bearing all this in mind, the connection is surprisingly reliable, but you'll still get a fair number of foiled power-ups and similar annoyances. Access to the ROM sockets is made very easy indeed the back half of the board simply pulls off. The sockets are switched on by the use of plastic-coated linking pieces. While this makes for considerable flexibility in the use of the board, it does mean you've got to look after those links if you switch sockets off at any stage. Another problem with removing ROMs is simply the position of the board within the case - it's just too deep to be able to get at easily. You'll end up levering against the case and damaging it, or having to use a ROM removing tool. The documentation that comes with the board is good, setting out essential information clearly and telling you pretty much all you need to know. Overall the new board is good but not cheap.lt would have been better as a free-standing unit, but it is the only board around to offer you a crack at those high ROM numbers. If you've got a 464, however, you'd do well to look at the old seven-socket board. It offers you as much as you could use of the larger board's power, it's cheaper and it doesn't wobble half so much. 
AA#10 |
