QMTech MiSTer FPGA clone board initial review...it's a MiSTer with some qualifiers

VGEsoterica

Member
I know a lot of people KNOW about the MiSTer FPGA project and some members here have MiSTer setups...but I also know the approximately $400-500 for a full build can be prohibitively expensive even if the value proposition is through the roof

and some companies are noticing that too and starting to clone the Terasic DE-10 Nano, which is the most expensive component in a MiSTer build by far as its the FPGA board the entire project is based on.

So enter QMTech, a chinese company and AliExpress seller that's just released a batch of two different DE-10 Nano clones that will run the MiSTer repo and act just like a MiSTer. Yes there are some qualifiers and your build and hardware experience will differ...but if all you want to do is plug a USB hub and HDMI core into a board and have a MiSTer FPGA for $130 out the door....interesting product

Curious if anyone on GAF has hopped on the clone train yet?

 
Nah using clone hardware from clone chips to clone hardware is a bit too much imo
They aren't clone chips. Altera made them so it's the same Cyclone V with ARM cores as the Terasic board. Just a diff source that is cheaper. It's an automotive designated part
 
They aren't clone chips. Altera made them so it's the same Cyclone V with ARM cores as the Terasic board. Just a diff source that is cheaper. It's an automotive designated part
Ah well if it works go for it.
Not letting my MiSter go
 
The price point is good, but one model being incompatible with other boards is troublesome and the other model goofing with heat dissipation and power supply seems like a fire hazard in the long run. At this point waiting for Taki clone or a backwards compatible new fpga board seems like the best option.
 
Didn't get through the video yet, but does it have any easy option for TV out / composite? That's always the first question for me; zero interest in buying anything that connects to a modern TV or uses HDMI.
 
Didn't get through the video yet, but does it have any easy option for TV out / composite? That's always the first question for me; zero interest in buying anything that connects to a modern TV or uses HDMI.
One board is compatible with that expansion module, but it has heat dissipation issues and a questionable power supply.
 
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Was looking into something similar (been getting into retro-dev) and read that there are massive price discrepancies between different vendors of FPGA parts, so I'd be cautiously optimistic.
 
Yep, going to wait for Taki's boards to get released. And, really want to see the handheld (not the 9-10" one though).

These QMTech parts would probably be fine for just a regular setup but I am going to wait a bit and compare.
I'll def be reviewing his products as they release so people can make an informed buying decision on the route they want to go
 
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