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1991-03-03
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╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ ║
║ HOW THE INTEL 387(TM) DX AND THE WEITEK 1167 ARE DIFFERENT ║
║ ║
╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
The two major difference between the Intel 387DX and the Weitek 1167
are the number of programs that support each math coprocessor and the
way each of them performs. The following sections highlight these
differences.
SOFTWARE SUPPORT
────────────────
At this writing, over 300 programs support the 387DX and other Intel
Math Coprocessors. Most compilers and assemblers (tools programmers
use to create new applications) for the 386DX microprocessor support
387DX. The 387DX functions the same whether the 386DX is in real mode
(which DOS uses), protected mode (used by OS/2 and UNIX), or virtual 86
mode (for multi-tasking). This make it a snap to produce more
powerful, speedy programs which use the Intel Math CoProcessor. The
387DX is compatible with programs written for the Intel 8087 and 80287
math coprocessors too!
The Weitek 1167 requires the 386DX to run in protected mode. Since DOS
programs run real mode, it is impossible to use the 1167 without a
special program called a DOS extender. At this time there are very few
programs under a DOS extender.
PERFORMANCE
───────────
The Intel 387DX supports basic math (addition, subtraction,
multiplication and division), exponential, logarithmic and
trigonometric functions, and it can perform these operations much more
quickly than the 386DX. Since all math functions can be processed by
the 387DX, this leaves the 386DX free to perform other system
operations until the math coprocessor returns its result. This
coprocessing is what gives the Intel 387DX its overall advantage.
The Weitek 1167 performs basic math functions faster than the 387DX,
but basic math is all this math coprocessor can perform. It cannot
process higher math functions like the 387DX. This means the 386DX
must perform the higher math functions. Because the 386DX uses
software subroutines to perform these complex tasks, the calculations
take longer and system operations must either wait or interrupt the
calculation in progress.
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2/90 Intel FaxBack # 3004 Page 1