Path: utzoo!utdoe!generic!pnet91!ericmcg
From: ericmcg@pnet91.cts.com (Eric Mcgillicuddy)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: Re: ASIC-65816 News
Message-ID: <457@generic.UUCP>
Date: 5 Feb 91 13:35:01 GMT
Sender: root@generic.UUCP
Organization: People-Net [pnet91], Etobicoke, ON
Lines: 35

>About that 20-25mhz... won't it slowly burn-out my equiptment? or anyone's
>equiptment? I heard that's why you should not put the 13mhz chip in your
>TransWarp GS. I was going to get the 13mhz, but my friend told me about the
>hardware burn-out aso I decided not to. Another thing... with this new
chip...
>will I be able to plug it in to my TransWarp GS, or have to buy another
>accelerator card?
>-Joshie EMT
>
>INET: jlevitsky@gnh-applesauce.cts.com

Get a fan.

It is true that higher clock frequencies require more power and that more
power generates more heat, however Fadell is not using TTL, but rather low
power CMOS (I'm pretty sure that's what he said). The WDC '816 burns 4mA/MHz
so it currently draws 10mA or so, at 25MHz it would draw 100mA which works out
to about 1/2 a Watt of power. Not much, although it will obviously increase
the ambient temparature inside your machine. However this is not to say that
the ASIC '816 uses this formula, using low power technologies the heat
generated and power drawn will be much reduced. 

You will have to ask AE about the TWGS, I would expect that it is possible,
but expensive. Note that the TWGS draws a lot of power just by itself and the
extra speed may put it over the top. The Zip GS apparently draws significantly
less and there is a stated upgrade path (although not to the ASIC unless it is
110% compatible with the WDC design and the _ABORT thing might crimp that). I
would say that unless the ASIC chip interferes with the GS's memory expansion
slot (the only place the ABORT line is used), ZIP will support it and AE as
well likely. If not then Harris labs or Chinnook will come out with their own
accelerators. Right now all we are waiting for production quantities to become
available. Just hope Ninetendo doesn't get dibs on the first batch. :)

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