MiSTer FPGA Alternatives! QMTech MiSTer FPGA Review! Worth It?
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- Опубликовано: 10 сен 2024
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It’s MiSTer FPGA NEWS AND UPDATES time! and its time for a brand new MiSTer FPGA Setup Guide / MiSTer FPGA tutorial as the MiSTer FPGA alternatives are coming with the Taki Udon clones and a LOT more people are getting into MiSTer FPGA! Consider this a MiSTer FPGA explained video! and if you want MiSTer FPGA core videos or MiSTer FPGA vs emulation videos check the playlists!
Today I will review the MiSTer FPGA alternatives on the market starting with the QMTech MiSTer FPGA boards! Show you the hardware, talk about the build quality and review the QMTech DE-10 Nano clones! Because MiSTer FPGA clones are here!
Note: IO boards from QMTech are in the works but not available as of yet
I mean N64 FPGA cores, Sega Saturn FPGA cores, MiSTer FPGA arcade cores and computer FPGA cores...all in one spot!
I asked, you answered...and I try to listen :) Of all the requests for new content on the channel one of the most frequently asked for videos is a series on the Terasic DE-10 Nano MiSTer FPGA hardware...so here it is! Retro gaming goodness.
Some mainstream stuff and some hidden gem games this month!
Questions? Comments? Just leave them below and I will do my best to answer each and every one of them!
/ videogameesoterica
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#retrogaming #retrogames #retrogamer #misterfpga #emulation #emulator #konami #arcade #segasaturn #neogeo #arcade #arcadegames #arcadegame #sega #sega #nintendo #nintendo64 #gaming #gamingcommunity #gamingvideos #gamingvideo
…and for the one that doesn’t have built-in RAM: The standard 128MB module must be plugged in BACKWARDS compared to what is silkscreen printed on the PCB! Just thought that was important to note since the one with built-in RAM was out of stock for a while and people were frying their modules on the other one.
Yes I’ve heard that. Really this was focused on the built in ram version as that’s the only one I’d say “sure go for it if you want”
@@emmettturner9452 🍳
I picked up one of these with the built in RAM and an IO board with a case. I also scored one of Taki Udon's. I sold my MiSTer on eBay and these two together cost me less than I got for it.
Decent trade
Having more competition is always a good thing for customers I want these alternatives to become more robust in order to put some pressure on the original Mister to maybe lower its prices because of competition
It's a nice thought but I mean this in the nicest way: I don't think terasic care lol. Selling de10 nano for MiSTer is not their business if that makes sense
Nothing wrong with competition and the built in ram model can be that
They are aware of MiSTer and do support the project in concept
@@VideoGameEsoterica yeah I'm talking about the pricing:)
Ahh yes. Terasic’s pricing model isn’t aimed towards retro gaming
Been waiting for this review from you! Hope you are doing well and thanks for all the fantastic information!
Happy to do it. All good here! Just working on more fun stuff to show everyone!
@@VideoGameEsoterica we appreciate your time and the effort you put into all these videos!
I’ll probably do a part two just on the built in ram model
@@VideoGameEsoterica excellent!
I got the one with built in ram two weeks ago(right at the start of my vacation!) and I’ve been playing pretty much nonstop. Haven’t had any issues at all, I do agree with not using anything that came with the box, only thing I used has been the EU psu and the FPGA ofc.
Got a usual aluminium heatsink, a noctua fan, usb hub, BT adapter, sdxc card and lastly 3D printed my own case design. Oh and I got a remove power switch so I don’t break the barrel jack.
I think this is a lovely way to get into the Mister and probably the cheapest so far.
Also there’s a HDMI ribbon cable on the buttom if you want to create your own portable mister.
Yes the board itself gets the job done. If you swap heat sink and power supply you are golden. I just have to think to myself “who’s the buyer” and if it’s first time MiSTer owners not in the ecosystem it might trip some people up. I want everyone to come into MiSTer and just have fun :)
But as far as running cores is concerned it does the job well!
@@VideoGameEsoterica I didn’t even know it came with all the extras when I ordered, but glad I got them replaced.
I think it’s a perfect MiSTer for a minimal setup, especially if you just want to get gaming ASAP.
Keep it up with all your good work man, love your videos.
Plenty more videos coming :)
Would you be up to share your case design please? I just bought one and would love to have a case on it
It's good to have options, I'll still stick with the original design for now. I'm much more interested in Taki's developments, specifically the portable options.
The portable has everyone’s attention it seems
Knowing the quality of the items, why not just sell them without it for a lower price? If the customer isn't going to use it anyways, what's the point? Are they trying to unload crappy stock for a small profit or something?
I just think they are shipping the cheapest possible option
Hmm. I have a mister, I kinda want a second one as a backup (because I'm paranoid about the boards suddenly becoming unavailable), but this doesn't sound like the right answer for me. I'm going to wait for Taki's. And if that one doesn't pass muster, then I'll just save up for another DE-10 Nano.
It’ll be fun to review the Taki boards once they are available
I've never used a fan for my DE 10 nano. Running solid for many years.
I’d recommend you do all the same
but who's this QMtech and where do they come from all of a sudden??
Chinese company. No clue on their history
It's a small... Chinese company, I've been using various fpga boards from them since 2019
The MiSTer ecosystem needs to decouple from the limitations imposed by the de10 nano. The first board would likely pair with most IO boards with the simple addition of a ribbon cable being used to connect to gpio headers. Continuing to develop cases / add on boards around the Terasic board form factor are only investing further in technology debt
We’re still a ways off from a successor board so for the time being a cheaper entry point with boards is fine with me.
bro there's no way you said a pad has no thermal conductivity because it's too thin xD that's nonsense
you want pads to be as thin as possible dude, it can very well be an adhesive tape meant for holding heatsinks
Exactly. For example, a very thin piece of copper has superb thermal conductivity - thickness has nothing to do with it. A thermal pad is when you need something kind of squishy to go between a chip and something like a metal frame or other heat conductor on a different assembly.
I’m just saying it’s not a very good piece of anything
@@VideoGameEsoterica nope buddy you don't know what you're talking about haha :) no hate but you need to read up or whatever :) that tape in particular can very well be fit for the purpose it's being used in.
@@VideoGameEsoterica And I'm just saying you don't know what you're talking about. BTW, I'm an EE.
I'm sure someone will start putting together kits that come with a custom case, hub and power supply. Once that happens, people will have a plug and play solution that is cheaper than the pre-built kits available now.
Yes once home goes on I’m sure more options will become available
Cant find the board with only 2 GPIO on AliExpress. Did it sold out?
It may have
The adhesive should be fine, the thinner it is the less heat resistance between the chip and heat sink.
I have one since last week, having some fun with it. Been trying to find compatible acrylic case for this qmtech ram edition (villina). Any good recommendation?
I haven’t seen any cases for it yet on the market
Does anyone know where to find instructions on modding a normal MiSTer IO Board For a QMTECH clone?
I don’t believe it’s been written up yet
@@VideoGameEsoterica Can you point me in the direction where you found the info that this can be done? A starting point.
With those header boards, can't you use an old HDD cable to bridge the gap, there?
( i know it isn't going to look perfect, but ... yeah )
So long as it doesn’t affect signal integrity should be fine. I don’t know if it’s a perfect pin pitch match though. Would have to measure
IDE cables have a pin blanked out in the middle if I recall
They do. But you can get them without. Just a lot harder to come by. More like GPIO header cables that resemble ide
Got one with the built in RAM, works great for a basic setup on a modern TV. I'm happy with it 😊
If you are happy I’m happy :)
Can you put a link for the one you are on about please
Are any of these compatible with a MiSTerCade setup?
Untested of yet so presume know until someone tells you otherwise
1798 Magali Estate
We have a tag team with both cat *and* dog pen!? It's like it's raining cats and dogs! Chaos!
A new pen will appear soon too
🤯
My wife found it
Platypus pen incoming!?
More woodland creature than that
Hello, I don't understand the English language, but the question is that, the Mister already has integrated memory, is this disadvantageous? And the integrated memory is 128mb?
It’s 128MB and this isn’t an advantage or disadvantage. Just a different way to do things
@@VideoGameEsoterica
The Fan question, is it necessary to replace it with a heatsink to use together with an IO board?
@PipitoRetroGames id replace it yes
@@VideoGameEsoterica Thank you very much for the information friend
👍
Hello! I don't understand the English language but it seems like you talk about the energy source. Do you recommend replacing the font?
The power supply should be acceptable. It’s just not high quality. Long term I recommend using a better power supply
@@VideoGameEsoterica Would you recommend any sources?
The Meanwell GST25A05-P1J is my daily driver. Available basically anywhere
How does thinkness of the tape play into the ability to transfer heat?
IMO it should ship with a thermal pad to help transfer heat into the heat sink
@@VideoGameEsotericathe thinner, the more heat transfer.
it’s measured in W/(m*K), so if all other variables stay, it will get larger the thinner it has to travel.
it’s true that you sometimes need thick pads because the manufacturing quality or design create huge tolerances that need to be gapped. (e.g. water block on a GPU or mainboard, with tons of different components)
otherwise only as much as required. this is a pretty flat chip and heatsink. As long as the glue survives the thermal cycling, then it should be better than using a thick pad that’s not needed.
sorry to “actually…” but I couldn’t help myself 😂
I still have a few doubts but it’s a real “time will tell” thing. Temps are within spec so should be fine? It’s so new long term info just doesn’t exist
@@VideoGameEsoterica absolutely,and since you’re among the first owners, you’ll be among the first to know which way it turned out
It’ll be fun to find out
Some obvious misses but most of these issues appear to be fairly straightforward to address.
Yes. IO and USB hubs that mate to the board and honestly I’d change the heat sink and power supply to maybe a Meanwell and a higher quality heat sink and fan for long term temp control. But it does BECOME a MiSTer. So it succeeds in that first criteria
Waiting for the takiudon variant review.
As soon as I can
I’ve just received one, what are the alternatives for the power supply? Thanks
This is my daily driver : Meanwell GST25A05-P1J
Appreciate that, I’ll go check one out
Not expensive and very high quality. Can’t recommend it enough. Just remember to get that exact model. So you know the plug fits and the polarization of the plug is correct
Have you tried direct video into your CRT off this one? Wondering if the colours are the same as a Terasic DE10 nano
Yes it works. I saw no noticeable difference
@@VideoGameEsoterica cool…..seems like a decent option with the in built ram module
Def a viable option
I just had a thought.
If you could Daisy chain a couple of these on a single board with something akin to Infinity fabric couldn't we make much more powerful systems accessible through FPGA?
In theory it might be possible. In practice no
You would need the framework for it to run anything as well.
I will say, though, thinking about it, this is gonna cause massive headaches for the people selling addons for the Terasic board. There is going to be a lot of confusion with people buying incompatible components.
Yes I don’t love the fracturing of the hardware line
What is the name of the Egyptian game you showed at 2:19? What core is it on?
Powerslave on Saturn
@@VideoGameEsoterica Thanks! I'll check that one out
One of the best games on Saturn and one of the best 90s fps games ever. Enjoy it!
@@VideoGameEsoterica I'm sold! Thanks 😊
Charlene Cliff
I would say not to buy the original one, they have been taking advantage of users with a surge in pricing and not reducing it since covid.
Well chips were more expensive during the pandemic so it was partially just how things went
thx
👍
weight is not a measure of quality in power supplies.
This myth has gone on for some long, that some of you PSUs with "high quality feel" are probably weighted.
This one is comprised of marginal components as someone opened it. It’s “fine”
Weight is 100% a measure of quality for PSU units, the amount of caps, for filtering, the size of the transformers, the temp levels, lower temps will take dense heatsinks preferably copper if you want passive cooling, otherwise you need fans, higher PCB and solder quality will weigh more, insulation will weigh more, metal based encasements will weigh more than plastic, as will higher density quality plastics, thick well shielded and insulated wiring, multiple ratings also means more parts, and efficiency also means more weight, all cheap PSU's are lightweight and flimsy, high-quality are heavyset, same goes for power AMPS and likewise equipment.
If people have interest in this, I believe Antonio Villena is selling a complete QMtech setup at good price. I wouldn't mess around with the bare board, personally
The bare board is very…well…bare. But it does what a MiSTer should. Which is the top priority. Didn’t realize he was selling complete setups yet
Seems like everything isn't quite aligned so you have to buy into their ecosystem which is...not great. I hate that when big companies do it and I equally dislike it when little guys do it.
They are supposed to have IO and USB hubs coming soon to align. Seems like the cost will be good. But won’t be able to review til they are out
They already have the design in their X, I just assume they are making a stock to put on sale... although the mister's one works except for the user station.
Yes you need to do some soldering to get that working
Ragesaucest!
lol interesting comment
@@VideoGameEsoterica Yeah I was being silly. Good video though!
Haha appreciate it
Hard pass.
And that’s fair. Everyone gets to pick what works for them