n64 2000 boards have 1 4MB ram chip

[marceloespunyti]

So teoricly u can put 2x4mb on a n64 mobo and more 4mb using expansion = 12mb
I don't know if it will help in some game cuz problably they are not programed to use more thant 4mb or 8mb (in games that need expansion pak)

[eagle5953]

Yep, wouldn't do anything because the software (games) aren't programmed to use additional RAM beyond 8 MB.

The real problem with N64 RAM was latency, not capacity.

[marceloespunyti]

So u can buy a better RAMBUS memory chip (with the same clock but small latences) and replace the original one. But i don't think that it would help so much. If u need more fps or something like that u can get more clock to the memory, gpu and cpu doing a overclock

[marshallh]

The #1 cause of slow down is games using the zbuffer. This triples the number of RDRAM accesses each pixel span.

Though the memory they used (NEC-produced rambus RAM) has a high latency, I don't know of any compatible chips you can swap in.

Also more than 8MB of memory will not be used by any game. There's plenty of address space available for it, and the RCP's memory controller *should* init each chip at startup, I think you may run into problems with the longer signal runs from having more ram chips.

[Link83]

Though the memory they used (NEC-produced rambus RAM) has a high latency, I don't know of any compatible chips you can swap in.

After I posted this thread:-
http://forums.benheck.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=30318" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I was pointed towards the datasheet for the "MSM5718C50" by a fellow forum member - you can see the datasheet here:-
http://www.datasheetarchive.com/pdf-dat ... 447226.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Apparently it has the same pinout as the original Nintendo RDRAM chip, so it might be compatible with the N64.
Hope that helps

[bentendo64]

So u can buy a better RAMBUS memory chip (with the same clock but small latences) and replace the original one. But i don't think that it would help so much. If u need more fps or something like that u can get more clock to the memory, gpu and cpu doing a overclock

The advantage of a faster ram chip would be so you can relocate an expansion pack futher away from the mobo, am I right?

[lucidPerspective]

sorry to bump an old thread but..

I've been looking for some RDRAM to replace the RAM on the N64 motherboard, to act as a built in expansion pak. I've had absolutely no luck finding any.. but I just had a thought, would the RAM in 3rd party expansion paks be the right type, and of good quality? I ask, because I tried playing Major's Mask with a 3rd party expansion pak and it didn't work as well as an official expansion pak.. ..kept crashing and stuff.

Also if anyone knows of a cheaper way to get the right RAM let me know.. $36USD for 2 x 3rd part expansion paks to do 1 N64 is quite expensive..

[blaze3927]

i have one fried n64 board with one 4MB chip on it (the original board i posted in this thread xD, i think i has killed the most n64's on this site :\)
and i have another that is probably fried but awaits further testing

[eagle5953]

i think i has killed the most n64's on this site :\)

Didn't eurddrue kill over a dozen?

[lucidPerspective]

Hey blaze, do you know if the 4MB ram chips on those boards are damaged? if they're fine I might want to buy them off you if your willing to sell

Does anyone know if the 3rd part N64 expansion paks contain Ram up to the job?

[blaze3927]

^^some third parties use the same ram, others use a different brand, and some just use 2 2MB chips

i think they would work, anyone know how to test?

i think i has killed the most n64's on this site :\)

Didn't eurddrue kill over a dozen?

im at 18 possibly 19

[eagle5953]

You... win?

[lucidPerspective]

Guess the only way to test it would be to try it out lol. The 3rd party expansion paks I was looking at were THESE RETRO-BIT ONES

Anyone opened these up before or know of a different brand that uses the right RAM?


EDIT: Just found out that you can actually get used official N64 expansion paks cheaper than new 3rd party ones.. so makes much more sense to go that way lol.. that is assuming that official ones do use the right RAM chips

[Link83]

Just to let you know the Nintendo "RDRAM36-NUS" chips can still be bought from Hong Kong chip suppliers. When I was searching last year the price was $4.00 each excluding shipping, but once you include shipping costs it would only be worth it if someone was buying a number of them, and since I didn't need that many I didnt go for it. I must warn anyone considering this that there are some scam chip sellers, so be very careful who you buy from!

blaze3927, if its not too much trouble is there any chance you would consider taking some close-up pictures of the front and back of the NUS-CPU-03-1 motherboard? I am curious to see if the rumours about the last PAL N64's having S-Video removed are true.

[blaze3927]

No problem, its on my desk pictures will be taken with my HQ camera tomorrow morning, heres some from my palm treo for now





ill also see if i can get pics of the 1998 Pal australian one, i noticed that wasnt in the motherboard index sticky.

and is scanning preferrable to pictures?

AND

any chance you could link us/me to the hk supplier of 4MB ram chips? $4 each is pretty damn good