Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!pro-tcc.UUCP!jerryk
From: jerryk@pro-tcc.UUCP ("Jerry E. Kindall")
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple
Subject: Re: Zip-Chip/Rocket Chip
Message-ID: <8910070449.AA12814@trout.nosc.mil>
Date: 6 Oct 89 01:16:19 GMT
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Network Comment: to #795 by SEWALL%UCONNVM.BITNET@cunyvm.cuny.edu

The Rocket Chip not only has a larger cache than the Zip Chip, but it caches
MORE of your computer's memory.  The Zip Chip caches only the main ROM and all
RAM.  The Rocket Chip can cache peripheral card ROM ($Cnxx space) and also
expansion ROM space ($C800-$CFFF).  All Apples since the IIe have had a large
portion of their firmware bank-switched -- the Rocket Chip accelerates that,
too.

On my IIc, a Zip Chip (4 Mhz) produced a flashing cursor in 40-column mode
that was only slightly faster than the 1 Mhz cursor.  With a Rocket Chip, the
cursor blinked VERY fast.  Both seemed about equal when running programs that
don't use the ROM much (ie, AppleWorks and ProTERM).

The Rocket Chip is also a friendlier chip.  You can turn off the annoying
pause after Reset.  You can set the WAIT function ($FCA8 in the ROM) to normal
speed so that delay loops run at normal speed.  You can set up a variety of
sound modes which control how long the chip slows down after an access to
$C030.  You can use the standard TransWarp POKE to turn the chip on and off
(and you don't have to reset the computer after changing speeds -- although
you don't have to with the Zip either, you do with the TransWarp).

I've had both a Zip Chip and a Rocket Chip in my IIc and parted with my Rocket
Chip only because I was short on funds at one time.  I plan to get a 10 Mhz
Rocket Chip real soon now.
   _____
  ||___||  Jerry Kindall         |  Internet: jerryk@pro-tcc.cts.com
  |  o  |  2612 Queensway Drive  |  UUCP:     nosc!crash!pnet01!pro-tcc
  |__O__|  Grove City, OH  43123 |  GEnie: A2.JERRY     ALine: A2 Jerry