4MB Memory Expansion for Atari STE & Mega STE
Give your Atari STE or Mega STE a serious performance boost with this 4MB memory expansion kit. Designed for seamless compatibility, this kit includes four 1MB SIMM modules, ensuring your classic Atari has the memory it needs to handle modern homebrew software and demos with ease.
Key Features
New Old Stock (NOS) RAM Chips
These are not recycled or refurbished chips. Each module is built with NOS (new old stock) DRAM chips, carefully sourced and assembled by SidecarTridge to ensure top-tier compatibility and long-term reliability.
Optimized for Atari STE & Mega STE
Designed and tested specifically for Atari STE and Mega STE systems, these SIMM modules work flawlessly in both stock and modified machines.
No Parity Bit for Better Stability
The Atari STE and Mega STE do not use a parity bit, so these modules exclude it—reducing potential issues with noisy system buses and ensuring smoother performance.
Low-Profile Design
The modules are just 15mm tall and 1.2mm thick, making installation easy while fitting neatly inside the Atari STE and Mega STE cases without modification.
Simple Plug-and-Play Installation
Upgrading is as easy as:
- Opening your Atari STE or Mega STE
- Removing existing memory (if installed)
- Inserting the four 1MB SIMM modules into the slots in the middle of the motherboard
Each module is keyed for correct orientation, ensuring a hassle-free installation.
Important Notes for Accelerated Systems
These modules use 60ns DRAM chips with a 110ns cycle time, making them perfect for:
âś… Stock Atari STE (8MHz)
âś… Mega STE (8MHz and 16MHz)
⚠️ If you have an accelerated Atari, compatibility is not guaranteed. While testing has shown they work fine in a 16MHz Mega STE, performance in other accelerated systems may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What memory chips are used?
These modules use M5144000-60SJ DRAM chips, rated at 60ns access time and 110ns cycle time. If more NOS chips become available, future batches may use different but equally compatible chips.
Why don’t these modules have a parity bit?
The Atari STE and Mega STE do not support parity checking, so there is no benefit to including a parity bit. Avoiding it helps eliminate unnecessary interference on the memory bus.
What type of memory technology is used?
Each module is a 30-pin SIMM using Fast Page Mode (FPM) DRAM. Each SIMM contains two 1M x 4-bit DRAM chips, totaling 1MB per module.
Why should I upgrade my Atari STE or Mega STE memory?
A memory upgrade enhances performance by allowing:
- Better compatibility with new homebrew software and demos
- More stability when running demanding applications
Can I order a single 1MB SIMM module?
Currently, only the 4MB kit is available. If you need a single module, contact us directly to check availability.
Can I install less than 4MB of memory?
Yes. The Atari STE and Mega STE support various memory configurations up to 4MB. Memory must be installed in pairs, so with this kit, you could upgrade two different Atari machines to 2MB each if needed.
Why don’t you ship to some European countries?
I’ve made the difficult decision to discontinue shipping to Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Sweden. This decision was not made lightly and is primarily due to the specific and significant costs associated with recycling packaging and electronics in these countries. Unfortunately, these costs are disproportionately high relative to the demand I’ve experienced, making it unsustainable for me to offer the products in these markets while adhering strictly to the legal requirements.
However, you can still find this and other products in various marketplaces like eBay, Tindie and others with a simple search.
