5

There were 4 64k x 4-bit Integrated Circuit chips in the Amstrad-era Sinclair ZX Spectrum +2 and +3 models. These are known as the +2A, +2B (both +2 "black"), +3 and +3B (also both black cases).

I say "Amstrad-era" as these were produced by Alan Michael Sugar's Amstrad company, when Sugar bought the rights to the Sinclair name for computers only (he didn't buy the Sinclair name). This is as opposed to the Clive Sinclair-era computers ZX80, ZX81, ZX82 (Spectrum), Spectrum 128k "Toastrack" and QL.

I do not include the Amstrad 128k grey in this question, as that is based on the Toastrack, whereas the +2A, +2B and +3 are new designs "under the hood".

The 128KiB RAM in the +2A/+2B/+3 machines come from 4 x 65,536 x 4 = 1,048,576 bits = 131,072 bytes = 128KiB.

Examples of such 64k x 4-bit ICs are: the Texas Instruments TMS4464 (a.k.a. SMJ4464) or Samsung KM41464A, Micron MT 4067 883C and the IC marked AMS x 4 (as marked - I do not have any more info other than a suggestion that this is an Amstrad chip).

My question has four parts:

  1. Are these chips 100% usable and fully functioning in all models - the +2A, the +2B, the +3 and the +3B?
  2. Are there are any issues with any of these chips with any of the different PCBs under these models (e.g. Z70833 Issue 1, Z70833 Issue 4, Z70830 Issue 1)?
  3. Do the standard factory modifications to the PCBs affect the behaviour of ICs?
  4. Can these chips be mixed on the one machine (e.g. 1 x Samsung, 1 x Texas, 1 x AMS, 1 x MT)?
Improve this question

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
7

  1. Yes. Speed must be 150ns or faster, technology should be NMOS (CMOS produces too sharp edges that may cause ringing, due to non equalized traces in the PCB, so they may or may not work) and must support 7 bit (128 rows) refresh mode.

  2. Not that I know.

  3. Which are the "standard factory modifications"? The only one I know of is that weird capacitor connected to the Z80A. AFAIK, its behaviour is not affected.

  4. Yes, as long as they all meet criteria as described in (1)

Improve this answer
1
  • Thanks for your answer. From "Factory fixes for Amstrad built Spectrums, Modifications applied at the factory", zxnet.co.uk/spectrum/amstradmods/index.html#Z70833_ISSUE2. I have confirmed the modifications on one Issue 1 Z70833 PCB and one Z70833 Issue 2 PCB. Not all boards have these modifications - so perhaps I should not have used the word "standard"!
    – popeymon
    Jun 4, 2020 at 13:35

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.