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From: grenley@nsc.nsc.com (George Grenley)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.nsc.32k
Subject: Re: ns32000 processor series
Message-ID: <4546@nsc.nsc.com>
Date: Mon, 10-Aug-87 14:51:56 EDT
Article-I.D.: nsc.4546
Posted: Mon Aug 10 14:51:56 1987
Date-Received: Tue, 11-Aug-87 05:38:54 EDT
References: <777@PSUECLB> <4532@nsc.nsc.com> <2674@hoptoad.uucp>
Reply-To: grenley@nsc.UUCP (George Grenley)
Organization: National Semiconductor, Sunnyvale
Lines: 53

In article <2674@hoptoad.uucp> gnu@hoptoad.uucp (John Gilmore) writes:
>grenley@nsc.nsc.com (George Grenley) wrote:
>> 32332 - A definite jump up in performance, 2-2.5 MIPs.  Full 32 bit 
>> 	physical address (the older parts are 24 bit).  When combined
>> 	with 32332 MMU makes a respectable Sun 3 class Unix workstation.
>
>He later corrected it to say 2 mips, not 2-2.5, continuing the strong
>NSC tradition of lying about chip performance in the 'executive summaries'
>while admitting it's lower when challenged by techies.

No, I didn't lie, John.  I am a relatively new employee here, working on
532 hardware design.  I got the '332 numbers from `word-of-mouth' from
fellow techies - many of whom are Unix types, a breed which is, in my
experience, vague about almost everything.

As other readers of this group may recall, I have been vocal about
criticizing, clarifying, and correcting what I consider to be misleading
and/or erroneous claims about the '532.  I do this often in spite of
the displeasure I occasionally provoke from my management.  I will
continue to do so as long as I work here, because I think honesty works,
and frankly because I think the part is good enough to win on its
merits, not on cooked data.

Just to get technical, there ARE benchmarks which run at better than 2.5
MIPS on a 332, so there.  Furthermore, you can buy 20 mhz 332 (but not MMU),
so for embedded controller applications ( a big chunk of our market), 2.5
MIP is a CONSERVATIVE rating.

BTW, please note that the 20 mhz version is relatively new - I don't know
what we're quoting for delivery times.

>What I'm wondering is, where is the respectable Sun-3 class Unix workstation
>built around this chip?  I mean a physical workstation, not a theory about
>how easy it would be.

Quit cursing the darkness; go build one!  Believe me, NSC would love to see
it, too.

Opus currently offers an '032 based board to convert a PC into a real-Unix
machine, and they are working on a 332 based version - it might even be
out yet, I don't know.

Last but not least, our FAEs had one of their periodic technical training
meetings two weeks ago, so now they know something about the 532 chip, VME,
and system level plans.  Call 'em.  I expect we will start showing hardware
to selected customers in November.  It is up to YOU to be a selected customer.
If you are legitimately interested in seeing stuff, contact your FAE, and 
copy me on the letter, or E-mail.  My address:

	George Grenley
	NSC, m/s 7C266
	1135 Kern Avenue
	Sunnyvale, CA 94086