New developments
(newsletter article, or 'filler' bytes)
by Ken Fermoyle
Three Developments Move Micro Performance to New Plateau
Since the debut of Windows 95 we have seen incremental, if rapidly evolving, performance
improvements in hardware. Now, three almost simultaneous developments promise to
increase microcomputer performance dramatically. Most publicized: powerful new chips
(200MHz and faster) that double (Intel and AMD) or quadruple (Cyrix) Level 2 (L2)
cache size. Less well reported to date are the new Ultra hard drives that offer 10ms
seek time and doubled transfer rates, and Synchronous Dynamic RAM (SDRAM) memory
chips that far surpass EDO chips. Read on, for more on performance developments.
If you're planning to upgrade or buy a new system, be sure you get a motherboard
with the Intel TX (for Pentium MMX) or LX (for Pentium II) chipsets, both of which
support these new features. SDRAM memory comes in the form of DIMMs (double inline
memory modules) instead of the SIMMs (singte inline memory modules) we have become
familiar with in recent years.
Pentium II's Future Includes 400-MHz and Low-Cost Versions
Intel plans for 1988 include 350- and 400-MHz Pentium II processors and low-cost
versions aimed at computer systems selling for $1000 or less. The processor for the
low-cost systems will run at 266 MHz, but will not have an integrated L2 cache, reported
InfoWorld Electric (infoworld.com, 11/7/97). Low- power 333- and 266-MHz chips (code
named Deschutes) will be offered for desktop and notebook computers respectively
in March or April, and a 300-MHz Pentium II with integrated L2 cache will come toward
the end of 1998.
No-Cache, Lower-Performance Chip Aimed at AMD, Cyrix.
The 266 Pentium II chip without L2 cache "is designed to head off competition
from Advanced Micro Devices and Cyrix Socket 7 processors," according to TechWire
(techweb.com, 11/6/97). They will also offer slower performance than chips with L2
cache; performance loss estimates range from under 10 to 15%.
Intel Has Reason to Launch Preemptive Strike
Chips from both AMD and Cyrix outperformed equivalent Intel Pentium II chips in
SYSmark32 tests conducted by Computer Retailer Week (10/6/97). The article also took
pains "to dispel the myths about the incompatibility of non-Intel processors.The
only incompatibility that now exists is in the hardware, and this was created by
Intel's own hand."
Intel's proprietary Slot One motherboard design is not compatible with the ZIF (zero
insertion force) Socket 7 architecture common today. This actually provides excellent
upgrade opportunities for the Socket 7-compatible chips in P55C motherboards that
now house slower processors. Intel's proprietary design locks it out of this market,
leaving it to AMD and Cyrix.
On the other hand, Intel's move leaves no room in the OEM market for AMD and Cyrix
with vendors who opt for Slot One architecture, which Intel reportedly will not license
to othe chip makers.
Home Networks Via Existing Phone Lines?
"Separate efforts emerged last week to create home networks based on existing
telephone lines within the house," according to Electronic Engineering Times
(11/10/97). Microsoft combined with Tut Systems "to push a 1.3-Mbit/second version
of Ethernet rapidly into the consumer PC market next year." The article also
covered details of technology by Epigram, a Silicon Valley startup, that is described
as "algorithms akin to those used in digital-subscriber-line technology."
Ken Fermoyle
Ken Fermoyle (kfermoyle@earthlink.net) has written some 2,500
articles for publications ranging from Playboy and Popular Science to MacWeek, Microtimes
& PC Laptop. He was cohost/producer of radio talk show on computers and a partner
in a DTP service bureau during the `80s. Fermoyle Publications currently offers editorial,
consulting & graphics design services. Copyright 1997, Ken Fermoyle, Fermoyle
Publications.
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