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000399_owner-lightwave-l _Mon Apr 17 20:38:44 1995.msg
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Date: Mon, 17 Apr 1995 16:18:22 -0500
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To: David Kim <z931205@corn.cso.niu.edu>
From: chris@tyrell.net (Chris Silva)
Subject: Re: RAPTOR 3's Processer-Independent technology?
Cc: comp-graphics-packages-lightwave@cs.utexas.edu, comp-sys-dec@cs.utexas.edu,
comp-os-ms-windows-nt-misc@cs.utexas.edu, lightwave-l@netcom.com
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>My question is: Does having the processor independent of the motherboard
>really make the Raptor 3 immune to obselence?
CPU's are one part of a many variable equation. Performance of the processor
is important, no doubt, but I/O bandwidth, memory design and many other
variables play on the total throughput and life of a computer system. Two
years ago the hot item was a 486/33 with a Pentium Overdrive slot. These
systems supported the latest bus, VESA, and were upgradeable to future
Pentium processors. Was your investment protected? Would you like that
system today? Could you have predicted the availability of PCI, 72-pin
SIMMs, EDO memory, new cache types, etc.?
Another variable is vendor stability. If you purchase the Raptor 3, you have
a proprietary slot that supports future processor cards. Hence you are
"locked" into DeskStation for future products to protect your investment.
You must rely on their ability to develop hardware and software for diverse
processor architectures. Not only must the hardware work, but a
processor-specific BIOS and Windows NT Hardware Abstraction Layer must be
developed and tested to make a functional system. How do they test their
systems? Can they guarantee that it is bulletproof? How many engineers do
they have working on it? Are these engineers versed in Alpha, MIPs, PowerPC
and Intel Assembler?
>The next generation of Alpha chips from DEC are supposed to run in the 600Mhz
>to 900Mhz range (not exactly sure). So what specifically is it about the
>design of the Raptor 3 that guarantees that CPU modules can continue to
>be developed for it, and just simply plug in?
Semiconductor technology changes as rapidly as any other part of the PC
environment. Who can predict what types of board interfaces and designs will
be necessary for the future processors, cache modules, ASICs, etc.
>At what point does the design of the main motherboard itself become obselete?
When new technology renders it obselete. How long is that? Look to the past
for answers.
>Any thoughts you can share would be appreciated.
We based Flight Technologies on the idea that any part of the PCs we sell
would be replaceable to provide upgradeability. This extends to the
motherboard, but not past it. IMHO, the cost of the electrical parts that
make up the motherboard are small in comparison to the processor and cache,
hence the financial gain from keeping a backplane is minimal in the total
scheme of things, especially when you factor in the rapid pace of innovation
with bus and memory architectures.
Different philosophies, and ultimately the consumer will make the choice!
Regards,
Chris Silva
Flight Technologies, Inc.
(816) 525-UFLY (8359)
Unparalleled Windows NT Workstation Solutions