Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!apple!well!cassiel
From: cassiel@well.sf.ca.us (Paul Theodoropoulos)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.hardware
Subject: 68030+68040 on A3000: is it possible?
Message-ID: <24561@well.sf.ca.us>
Date: 3 May 91 03:06:42 GMT
Distribution: comp
Lines: 21


   At the back of AmigaWorld's April '91 issue, in the section devoted
to rumors, speculation, etc., there was an intrigueing idea proposed:
Designing an 040 board that would allow the 030/882 to continue functioning,
essentially as coprocessors to the 040. They stated that all that would be
needed to implement this would be to "tweak" the system software so that
it would recognize both chips were aboard.

A wonderful idea! though the 030/882 combination would be grossly slower
than the 040, it seems to me that on our multitasking system, they could be
used to manage the more mundane system tasks, while the real "gut-busters" 
would simply be sliced to the 040 exclusively.

Unfortunately, as i understand it the Fast Slot on the A3000 motherboard
is a bus master slot - it disables the 030. 

Would a crafty hardware firm be able to create a workaround? is it feasible?
is it worth the trouble? - it seems a waste to throw out the 7.5 mips the
A3000 pumps out...27+ Mips would be screaming....

just speculating out loud, i guess....