Re: Math co-processor? What a heck?!

[GUDATH@EZINFO.VMSMAIL.ETHZ.CH (Henrik 'Ratte' Gudat)]

In <5ca1kn$6i6@nntp.hut.fi> pdunkel@cc.hut.fi writes:

> 
> I have this math-processor in on of my GS' slots. Does some programs
> really use it?

It depends what FPU you got.

The innovative Design's FPE and Andreas Schmidt's Number Cruncher are both real
coprocs that get their jobs done. The FPE is suffering from a major problem,
namely the coproc is crashing internally and has to be reset in software. This
happens in a non deterministic way, and software written for that engineering
junk must be adapted to that. :-)
The Number Cruncher is compatible with the FPE but is actually what the FPE was
supposed to be - a math coproc that works. It perfoms very well.

Applied Engineering once made a coproc. PULL IT FAST! this little card is only
sucking power. It's of so limited use that it would make a tremendous doorstop.
Actually, I have done some testing with it and found it would not accelerate
math on a IIgs (*compared with SANE).

Most software will profit from the FPE or Number Cruncher via the software
patches. A few software titles including one weird math application communicate
with the coproc directly which can result in a 10% gain (ballpark) compared to
the patches.

- henrik