Re: Super GS

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

Bill Heineman writes ...
> 
> > From: "The Meikles" <action1@telusplanet.net>
> > Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
> > Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2000 23:42:29 GMT
> > Subject: Super GS
> >
> > Ok what I'm about to suggest maybe totally off the wall, but as I'm no
> > hardware designer I figured I'd through it out there for comment.
> >
> > As a Risc (as in a pentium or ppc) type processor is never
> > really running in native mode but rather 
> > emulating another chip set ( at least thats how it has 
> > been explained to me) why can't the bios and tool sets on a regular PC
> > be changed so that they emulate the Gs's instead of a 486's?
 ....

> The design was using a Xylinx gate array circa 1992-1994. Nowadays the only
> hardware you would have to supply is a low-cost DSP to emulate the Ensoniq
> chip. Everything else could be emulated quickly in software using a modern
> CPU. Don't forget that the IIgs normally ran at 2.6 Mhz and CPU's today are
> going at 500Mhz to 1000 Mhz. This means running in emulation, a zipped IIgs
> is no problem.
> 
> Even a low-life 66 Mhz 486 can emulate a standard IIgs.
> 
> The best CPU to use today would either be a StrongARM or a PowerPC. I'd shy
> away from the Intel line but there are several low-cost models you could
> use.
> 
> The real issue is why would you build a machine? Emulators like Bernie are
> already available and can turn a PowerBook into a nifty IIgs laptop. Unless
> you REALLY REALLY wanted to plug in your old hard drive cards or other
> peripherals, there is no compelling reason to build a computer from scratch.
> 
> On the other hand, doing a PowerPC processor board that plugs into a IIgs
> slot would be a neat trick.
> 
> Burger


     Yes, it would. The manufacturing technology required probably limits that
sort of approach to someone like Apple.

     Some second-box extension still looks like the way for a club, project
group, or other 'shoestring operation' to deliver an upgrade. The first
processor employed could be the current fastest 65C816 from WDC (about 20MHz)
or a gate array version of the '816 running somewhat faster. I don't know how
expensive the StronARM route might be; but, it could be in the running, too.



Rubywand