The unique PlayStation console launched with solely 2MB of primary RAM, break up throughout 4 512KB chips soldered to the motherboard. That quantity served the system nicely for its period, powering a library of video games that also maintain up immediately. But the central processor inside was constructed from the begin to work with as much as 16MB. Sony merely by no means populated the additional capability in client models, despite the fact that a few of its personal arcade {hardware} ran with the bigger quantity in two separate 8MB banks.
A PlayStation modder dubbed TunerTom has lately stuffed the RAM hole. Utilizing traces from arcade boards and PSX.Dev Discord dialogue, he has ready a 16MB improve bundle that works on the usual PlayStation system. One other key step for this challenge was when Tito Perez of Macho Nacho Productions helped unfold the phrase by performing a full, on-hardware demonstration, replete with a before-and-after take a look at run.
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The improve doesn’t modify the precise measurement of the chip footprint on the console’s motherboard, however nearly the whole lot else is redesigned. The primary stage includes eradicating the standard 4 512KB chips. Of their stead are eight 2MB EDO RAM chips salvaged from outdated 16MB RAM modules utilized in PCs. 4 of those chips are inserted into the board connectors within the correct orientation. The remaining 4 are rigorously modified in order that they might stack instantly on high of each other, with all however one of many legs soldered to the chip under, leaving one pin free for a specific connection.
Essentially the most tough facet is the entire further wirework that should be accomplished, as right here is the place nearly all of the modification effort is concentrated. It treats the additional reminiscence as two impartial 8MB banks, precisely as different arcade methods did. After chopping a number of traces on the unique motherboard and exposing a by way of, you should utilize a customized quick-solder adapter board shared by one other modder in the neighborhood to route reminiscence management alerts. A brief wire harness reconnects the bank-select pin to the adapter, and a single 22-ohm resistor completes the circuit. Plus, for those who put the RF defend again on, the improve stays hidden inside the authentic case.
The excellent news is that the improve must be suitable with the console’s simpler to mod fashions, such because the SCPH-5500 with the PU-8 motherboard. With slightly further work, it could additionally work on different console revisions. You’ll want a scorching air gun to take away the outdated chips, regular palms for soldering, a craft knife to chop among the traces, and a multimeter to carry out fundamental continuity checks. I’d price it as an intermediate stage problem for an skilled console modder, nevertheless the adapter board does help reduce the quantity of point-to-point wiring required.
Testing has proven that the improve not solely works, but in addition delivers. A particular utility disc exams the PlayStation’s inventory 2MB RAM, and as soon as the mod is full, it’s modified to accommodate the 16MB RAM.
A lot of the video games you’ve got already work correctly as a result of they by no means required greater than 2MB of RAM. Some video games, nevertheless, now fail besides or just crash attributable to an issue with reminiscence initialization or the way in which the outdated setup replicated a part of the info. Nonetheless, the console itself continues to perform usually every day. The true acquire comes when sport builders or homebrew programmers start to design software program that makes full use of all that further capability. Homebrew tasks could all of a sudden have plenty of space for bigger textures, longer draw distances, or simply with the ability to load extra property from disc. Tito found one instance: a Tremendous Mario 64 port that may now load the whole sport into RAM without delay.
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