Amiga 3000

Amiga 3000 — The Dream Machine of the Early ’90s

Released in 1990, the Commodore Amiga 3000 was a high-end, 32-bit business-class computer, powered by the Motorola 68030 CPU and 68882 math co-processor. Featuring the Enhanced Chip Set (ECS), AmigaOS 2.0, and a built-in VGA display enhancer, the A3000 represented the pinnacle of the Amiga line before the arrival of the AGA chipset. Fully backward-compatible with earlier Amiga systems, A3000 quickly became the dream system for dedicated users, with the notable exception that it could not run AGA software.

• Initially priced at $3,379 (roughly $7,500 in 2023 money)
• Only around 30,000 desktop units and 8,000 A3000T tower versions were ever produced, making it a relatively rare and sought-after model

AMIGA 3000 AT A GLANCE

• CPU: Motorola 68030 with 68882 FPU
• Architecture: True 32-bit system with 32-bit memory bus
• Memory: 2 MB RAM (1 MB Chip RAM + 1 MB Fast RAM)
• ROM: 512 KB Kickstart
• Graphics: ECS (12-bit color palette, 4,096 colors)
• Video: Built-in display enhancer supporting VGA output
• OS: AmigaOS 2.0 (also supports 1.3)
• Storage: Internal SCSI-II controller, 40–100 MB hard drive
• Expansion: 4 × Zorro III slots (32-bit)

Graphics & Display Modes

With its integrated VGA display enhancer, the A3000 was the only Amiga model natively supporting VGA monitors. ECS chipset capabilities include:

• 1,280 × 512 resolution (up to 4 colors)
• 640 × 512 resolution (up to 16 colors)
• 320 × 512 resolution (up to 32 colors; up to 4,096 in HAM mode)
• Further enhancements are possible via Zorro III graphics cards (e.g., Picasso IV, ZZ9000)

Audio Capabilities

The Amiga 3000 retains the signature audio features of earlier models:

• 4-channel stereo sound (2 stereo pairs, 8-bit PCM)
• Sampling rates: 28 kHz (standard), up to 57 kHz
• Independent volume control (65 levels)
• Software-controlled low-pass filter
• Expandable with audio cards (e.g., Prisma Megamix, SunRize 1012, ZZ9000AX)

Connectivity & I/O Ports

• 2 × DE-9 ports (mouse/joystick)
• 25-pin RS-232 serial port
• 25-pin Centronics parallel port
• DB-23 RGB (for Amiga monitors)
• DB-15 VGA (standard PC monitors)
• RCA stereo audio out
• 5-pin DIN keyboard port
• DB-25 external SCSI connector
• 4 × internal Zorro III slots

Monitor Compatibility

• Commodore monitors (e.g., 1084, 1942)
• Standard VGA monitors
• TVs via SCART
• HDMI monitors (with VGA-to-HDMI adapter)

Expansions & Upgrades

• CPU: 68040, 68060, or PowerPC accelerator cards
• RAM: Up to 2 MB Chip RAM, 16 MB onboard Fast RAM, and up to 2 GB via Zorro III
• Storage: ZIP drives, internal Gotek drives
• Graphics: Picasso IV, ZZ9000, and more
• Audio: Expansion cards for professional sound output
• Networking: Ethernet expansion cards
• PC Emulation: On-board IBM PC-compatible hardware (286/386/486)
• Video: VT4000 (Video Toaster, redesigned for the A3000)

Related Amiga 3000 Models

• A3000+ (Prototype — Cancelled)
Planned upgrade featuring AGA graphics and an AT&T DSP3210 chip. Cancelled in 1991 and replaced by the Amiga 4000, which omitted DSP support but introduced AGA and a faster CPU.

• A3000UX (UNIX Edition)
A variant of the A3000 bundled with AT&T UNIX System V, targeting workstation users.

• A3000T (Tower Version)
Priced around $5,000, the A3000T was based on the desktop model but offered greater internal expandability. Early units featured the 68030, while later versions shipped with the 68040 and even third-party PowerPC processors.

■ Amiga 3000

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Sources:

• Wikipedia
• Big Book of Amiga Hardware (bigbookofamigahardware.com)