Path: utzoo!utgpu!watserv1!watmath!att!att!rutgers!njin!limonce From: limonce@pilot.njin.net (Tom Limoncelli) Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.hardware Subject: Re: RISC Amiga Message-ID: Date: 31 Oct 90 05:42:56 GMT References: <1156@iceman.jcu.oz> <22914@grebyn.com> <1990Oct30.230958.14019@engin.umich.edu> Organization: Drew University/NJIN Lines: 46 In article <1990Oct30.230958.14019@engin.umich.edu> gilgalad@caen.engin.umich.edu (Ralph Seguin) writes: > >On the other hand, the 68040 is as fast as current-generation RISC > >chips. So why go RISC at all? > > Eventually, CISC will not be able to keep up. The design philosophies > in RISC are generally better. I don't think that cranking up the clockrate Eventually, CISC will not be able to keep up BUT the 680x0 has a better fighting chance than the 386/486/etc. architecture. When RISC was "new", Intel lovers said, "this is revolutionary! The instruction set it SO simple!" When RISC was "new", Motorola lovers said, "this is interesting, someone has taken the 680x0 architecture to an extreme. Yawn." One thing about RISC can not be denied: The techniques and technology learned from RISC development will benefit us all. (Yes, yes, RISC chips may get "first wack" at the new ideas). Look at what makes the 486 faster than the 386, and look at what makes the '040 faster than the '030. Predictions are dangerous things to make, nonetheless: I predict RISC technology will start to bottom out, and (based on evolution in the past) designers will start to add more and more instructions until RISC chips are even more like the 680x0. The 680x0 will evolve taking ideas from RISC. This will reach a limit when the 680x0 vs. RISC distinction becomes slim. Both of these trends happening simultaneously sure sounds like 680x0 and RISC will converge. (The last sentence is really going out on a limb... no flames please, it's just a little prediction) Or, maybe everyone will adopt a "standard" (SPARC?) and stagnate development. No new instructions would be introduced, and my prediction wouldn't come true. Or, maybe someone will invent something better than either, and all this will be for naught. :-) -Tom P.S. I'm quite pro-RISC, I just wish SPARC spelled backwards wasn't "CRAPS". -- tlimonce@drew.edu Tom Limoncelli "Flash! Flash! I love you! tlimonce@drew.bitnet +1 201 408 5389 ...but we only have fourteen tlimonce@drew.uucp limonce@pilot.njin.net hours to save the earth!"