Re: Super GS

[Bill Heineman <burger@contrabandent.com>]

> 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? If that dosen't
> work why can't a new MB be designed that used say a Socket 7 processor and a
> new chip set designed say based apon Burber Bill's Avatar project ( if he
> would be willing to release his notes).
> 
> Like I said this maybe on the right track or I might be totally out to
> lunch.
> 
> Sheane
> 
> 
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