Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sdd.hp.com!hplabs!hpl-opus!hpcc05!hpcuhb!hpcuhe!edwardm
From: edwardm@hpcuhe.cup.hp.com (Edward McClanahan)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.next
Subject: Re: InfoWorld article on 88110 NeXT
Message-ID: <32370005@hpcuhe.cup.hp.com>
Date: 14 Jun 91 22:48:43 GMT
References: <16973@darkstar.ucsc.edu>
Organization: Hewlett Packard, Cupertino
Lines: 59

InfoWorld writes:

>     When combined with Motorola's 96002 compression chip -- which Motorola is
> reportedly offering to Next at a reduced price -- the motherboard of the RISC
> unit can now support all the functions now assigned to the Next Dimension
> board.
>     If the product is brought to market, Next would drop the Next Dimension
> board entirely, along with Intel Corp.'s i860 and C-Cube Microsystem's
> compression chip, sources said.

Several posters have argued the merits of such a decision.  They should recall
that all NeXT's currently have a Integer/Fixed-point DSP (Moto 56001).  Going
to the Floating-point DSP (Moto 96002) allows the DSP to serve both the current
tasks assigned to the DSP as well as the NeXTDimension's graphics functions
ON THE PROCESSOR BOARD.  In other words, the ND functionality comes along
rather cheaply in the upgrade of the DSP (to faster floating point).

One concern I would have is how effectively the graphics and DSP tasks will
share the 96002.  I am under the impression that the current 56001 is basically
single tasking (i.e. the OS doesn't provide support for multi-tasking of the
DSP).  Any ideas?

>                                The Race to RISC

> Sun Microsystems SUN Sparcstation II / NOW SHIPPING
> Chip:  Sparc Processor 40 MHz
> Speed:  28.5 MIPS
> Price:  $14,995

> IBM RS/6000 Model 320H / NOW SHIPPING
> Chip:  IBM Powerchip 25 MHz
> Speed:  27.5 MIPS
> Price:  $17,970

> Next, Inc. / DUE 1992
> Chip:  Motorola 88110 with Motorola 96002 DSP
> Speed:  50-60 MIPS
> Price:  Expected under $10,000

> ACE Consortium: Compaq, DEC, and others / DUE 1992
> Chip:  MIPS R4000
> Speed:  50 MIPS
> Price:  Expected $10,000

Sorry to be a little biased, but it never ceases to amaze me how many
lists like this leave off HP:

Hewlett Packard 9000/720 / NOW SHIPPING
Chip:  HP-PA (proprietary) 50MHz
Speed:  ~55 Mips
Price:  ~$15,000 (I don't really know)

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

  Edward McClanahan
  Hewlett Packard Company     -or-     edwardm@cup.hp.com
  Mail Stop 42UN
  11000 Wolfe Road                     Phone: (408)447-5651
  Cupertino, CA  95014                 Fax:   (408)447-5039