Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!usc!jarthur!nntp-server.caltech.edu!gmc From: gmc@Quotron.COM (Greg Christy) Newsgroups: comp.arch Subject: Re: What's in the '586? Message-ID: Date: 15 May 91 16:25:45 GMT References: <1991May14.002130.4740@vax5.cit.cornell.edu> <42347@cup.portal.com> Sender: news@nntp-server.caltech.edu Reply-To: gmc@Quotron.COM Organization: Quotron Systems, Inc. Lines: 26 In <42347@cup.portal.com> mmm@cup.portal.com (Mark Robert Thorson) writes: >A novel method has been developed for reducing the cost of floating-point >performance to the end user. Each 586 has 100 bytes of EPROM for >storing passwords unique to each chip. When a user decides to upgrade >to hardware floating point, he simply calls Intel and buys the password >for enabling the on-chip FPU. Each password is good for 10 gigaflops, >i.e. you get 10,000,000,000 floating point operations. (An 8-bit >password is sufficient, because three consecutive failed password attempts >permanently disables the FPU). When you buy your 100th password, the FPU >becomes permanently enabled. This benefits the consumer because it allows >him to buy exactly what he needs, rather than overspending on unused performance. >It also cuts out the middleman, allowing the end-user to reap the cost savings >of dealing directly with Intel. Is there a slot on the chip for quarters? This also is a novel way for some virus program to permanently disable your FPU for you. A real benefit for the consumer. Thanks but no thanks. How about this novel concept: Charge a reasonable price for the chip and let the user use the FPU whenever he needs to? Greg