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From: melling@cs.psu.edu (Michael D Mellinger)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.advocacy
Subject: Re: NeXT software size
Message-ID: <-h6Hqu=@cs.psu.edu>
Date: 11 May 91 00:11:48 GMT
References: <48808@ut-emx.uucp>
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Organization: Penn State Computer Science
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In-Reply-To: greg@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu's message of 10 May 91 22:50:36 GMT
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In article <48808@ut-emx.uucp> greg@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Greg Harp) writes:

   [Mike:  You might want to talk to a sysadmin there and see if there is a
   news posting software problem there at PSU.  RN (actually RRN) here chokes
   sometimes when I try to follow up to your posts, and I have never
   experienced that problem before.  The error is an interp buffer overflow,
   and it looks like the References: line is the problem.  The following is
   the References line for your post as I saw it here.]

Will do.

      No, 100ns RAM is all that is required, and faster memory does not
      increase the speed of the NeXT.

   Hmmm...  How many waits does the memory require?  I'm really amazed because
   I've seen 80ns RAMs make a big difference in 030 boxes.  The recommended
   ZIPs for the A3000 are 70ns, with a static column mode that makes the
   access time much faster (45ns?) when you access the same memory column.
   BTW, the going price for these is about $28 a module, and you need eight at
   a time making the price $224 for four megs.  At that price I've basically
   considered it part of the purchase price for when I buy my 3000.

   Why on Earth would NeXT use such slow memory?  I'm literally shocked...

There might be a wait state, but I don't know.  I haven't heard
anything about it one way or the other.  Anyone know if a wait-state
is required for a 25MHz 040?  The Amiga might need faster RAM because
it has to share memory with the blitter(I'm just guessing, not an EE).
Only the first two megs are chip RAM on the newer models, of course.

To reduce cost is probably the reason why NeXT would add a wait state.
Apple always seemed to have a wait-state or two in their machines too.
I see the NeXTstation as the SE of NeXTs line.  Over the next couple
of years it will decrease in price until it fills the void at the
low-end.

-Mike