KC-GIDE in the Tandy TRS-80 model 4p

Some pictures are borrowed from the site the KC-GIDE is presented. Some editing is applied to get the proper scale and orientation.

Is it possible to insert a KC-GIDE in TRS-80 4p Gate Array?

Some measurements are made to determine the available space. Assuming you are looking at the main board, with the back on top, like:

North is up, east is right, etc. Head room is the distance between board and the case above it. The red line is approximately the location of the graphics card and modem card space.

• West of the processor for about 40 mm, enough head room is present. Past this, the head room is 10 mm.
  
• South the space is about 10 mm.
• East and north are not a problem.
• About 25 mm West of the processor is J7, the graphics connector. The height of this connector is about 10 mm.
• The KC-GIDE is 95 x 83 mm. Of the width, about 79 mm is west of the processor socket.
  
• The height of PCB the KC-GIDE board is about 11 mm. This could just fit over the J7 connector, if it is not used. Component height adds another 10 mm minimum height, so this is more than 20 mm aboge the 4p main board.
  

Conclusion: A populated KC-GIDE board will not fit in a processor socket of an unmodified 4p GA.

Connecting it via a short cable is very well possible, as enough space is available nearby. Unless of course a graphics board is present. Then it could get crowded.

Latest update: 2005-02-27

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