home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Amiga Collections: Memphis Amiga Group
/
MAG diskMAGazine (1991-04)(Memphis Amiga Group).zip
/
MAG diskMAGazine (1991-04)(Memphis Amiga Group).adf
/
A4000
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1991-03-31
|
3KB
|
56 lines
Have you heard the news? Commodore is coming out with the Amiga
4000. The A4000 is a complex new machine that still offers
compatibility with the older machines. It comes standard with a
68040 running at 50 mhz with an 80 mhz version coming out later. The
4000 adds some new things to what the 3000 added. The motherboard
has a 32 bit hard disk controller like the one on the 3000, but it
also allows for sub-IDs that allow 128 terminals of each of the
remaining 6 main IDs. With SCSI to coaxial adapters, large networks
can be made with a 4000 as the base.
The co-processors have been changed; they are now 32 bits wide
and run at 4 times the speed of the old ECS (Enhanced Chip Set).
There are also multiple CPU cards with a changed operating system
that allows up to 10 68040s to be in the computer, all running queued
tasks. That means that one program running would not realize any
speed increase, but 2 or more would. Each program would have its own
processor.
There are also more 100-pin Zorro III slots and a video slot.
There are still the PC/AT slots, more than the 3000 has. There is
also a dual speed Nu-bus bus. It allows the use of NeXT or Mac
cards. Interface cards will allow the use of NeXT, Mac, or PC cards
without an emulator like the current Bridgeboard.
The A4000 is a big machine in a tower case. It has ten 100-pin
slots, one video slot, five PC/AT/ESIA slots and five Nu-bus slots.
There is room for six drives, either floppy or fixed, in 3.5 or 5.25
size. There are also co-processor boards that will have a full
co-processor set on a board for another monitor and two more audio
outputs. The motherboard can handle up to 64 Megs with 4 Megs per
co-processor set.
The sound chip can now handle 16 voices into stereo outputs. The
sound also has a math co-processor to do real-time adding of sounds
so 64 sounds can be played out of 16 voices. It also allows for the
sound to be moved in different ways with mathematical formulas. The
sound chip can run at sampling rates up to 56 K in 16 bit mode and up
to 112 K in 8 bit mode.
The blitter now has a built-in math co-processor for doing
real-time perspective views of brushes. The video can now be set up
for resolutions up to 1280 x 800 x 16 colors out of 4096 interlaced
with many modes in between. Some new modes like 2560 x 800 x 4
colors interlaced, 1280 x 400 x 16 colors non-interlaced without the
need for a flicker fixer, 640 x 400 12 bit HAM (16 million colors)
interlaced, and 320 x 200 x 16 million colors. It still supports all
the other modes as well. A 16 million color mode can be done with a
new single bit D/A converter that is cheaper to make and has a more
accurate display.
Some new things that Commodore is looking to do in the future
include compression co-processors. Some of the name changes are:
paula is now paulina, copper is now silver, agnus is now zeus,
denise is now diana, while gary is still gary and buster is still
there. The new chip set SECS (Super Enhanced Chip Set) will not work
on the old computers but the co-processor boards will work in the
Amiga A3000. This computer looks to be the stuff of the future. We
are back on top with technology.
(I want to thank our Deep Technology writer for doing all of the
undercover research required for an article of this MAGnitude.
Unfortunately, I cannot reveal the author's identity, but he did ask
me to wish all of you a good April Fool's Day. - C. Williams)