Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!apple!portal!cup.portal.com!mslater From: mslater@cup.portal.com (Michael Z Slater) Newsgroups: comp.arch Subject: Re: Newly announced Intel chip running at 100 Mhz? Message-ID: <37384@cup.portal.com> Date: 30 Dec 90 05:18:33 GMT References: <19256@netcom.UUCP> <19470@netcom.UUCP> <49426@sequent.UUCP> <19598@netcom.UUCP> Organization: The Portal System (TM) Lines: 20 >So when will the 100 Mhz 4(5)86 show up? The press misinterprets ISSCC papers every year. Intel has NOT announced a 100 MHz 486. It is simply presenting an ISSCC paper describing such a chip. This means that it has been able to get one chip to run at this clock rate with optimal power supply and temperature conditions. It does NOT mean that it can produce chips to run at this clock rate with usable yield, or that operate over the fully temperature or power supply range, or that have bus timing that allows real systems to be built. As a case in point, Intel previewed the 860 at ISSCC two years ago, and described it as a 50 MHz part. It was announced at 33 MHz, and about six months later, a 40 MHz version was shipped. Now, almost two years later, there is still no 50 MHz 860 in production. The technology that led to the 100 MHz ISSCC paper is likely to appear in commercial form as the 50 MHz 486, with 60 to 70 MHz in another year or so. I don't think you'll see a 100-MHz 486 in the next few years, if ever. Michael Slater, Microprocessor Report mslater@cup.portal.com