clem@frenzy.sybase.com (12/14/89)
Here's a comment about my experiences with "Shadow of the Beast": After buying it at the Santa Clara AmiEXPO I've not had any problems of any sort, and this was surprising to me after hearing all the complaints about it on the net, but I bought it anyway, and I'm glad I did. My system at home is an Amiga1000 revB mother board running WB1.3. The computer is untouched inside (no accelarators or memory boards), and I'm not running anything else while playing (not by choice really, just don't like distractions). However, I attempted last night to show the game off to a local users group on their Amiga500. I got as far as the stairs inside the tree when it crashed and guru'ed. Later at home I tried it on my 1000 and it worked fine. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + David Clemons (415) 834-1615 + + "Don't, don't beleive, don't beleive the hype," + + -Public Ememy + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
tcrevier@jarthur.Claremont.EDU (Tom J. Crevier) (12/14/89)
I'm referring the following to the collective wisdom of net.land: I've been searching, like everyone, for a way to get 8 megs and a 68030 for $19.95. I read an ad in that glossy scion of Amiga publishing, AmigaWorld, for MAST's Infinity Machine, a SCSI interface/memory/030 box yet to be released. I called and received the following data sheet. What I want to hear (as wgribble@hmcvax.claremont.edu, by the way) is what all the hackers and hackettes out there have heard or think about this announcement. I really want to believe it - aside from the Controlled Cache crap, it seems to have the possibility of being a pretty good deal. Hell, a SCSI interface by itself isn't dramatically less than this price, and a 68030 and 8 megs sounds pretty nice when I look at GVP's price ranges. At last check, the announced list was $299. Along with the info sheet was a more current price sheet; unfortunately, quoted prices were in D-marks. Two calls to the company - about a week apart - yielded seemingly stock "Two or three weeks till shipping, we're waiting for a custom chip" replies. I'm getting a faint whiff of vapor... Printed around the photo (not substantially confidence-raising; it looks like one of my thousands of Radio Shack project boxes) was an assurance that the box also sockets a 68882, not mentioned in the below text. I'm leaving out my comments on the more obvious hype. Here it is, omitting the initial product-concept drivel. By the way, I'm definitely an rn novice, and would appreciate advice on how to post without having to F someone's articles... I just picked one at random. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Base module: The base machine includes all the logic to support the add-on modules, plus a SCSI interface [inc. with the base unit]. Optional power supply is avail ... All data transfers within the I.M. are DMA, and controlled by a single chip that handles all DMA address generation. To avoid problems with the high- speed DMA channel between the I.M. and the 32-bit chip RAM on the Infinity Video Machine, data transfers into the Amiga chip memory are under programmed I/O. As most Infinities will be fitted with at least a 16 MHz 68000, data transfers between the hard drive and Amiga display RAM will still be faster than DMA in a conventional Amiga. Within the Infinity, bus bandwidth depends on memory and CPU speed. Using 80 ns RAM in an interleaved configuration, burst data transfers of 64 meg/sec are possible. Memory: The memory in the I.M. is of 2 types: 1. PICOMEG dynamic RAM modules. These are available as 2 meg modules. They can be purchased with 1 or 2 megs installed. The memory can be jumper selected to function as 16 or 32 bit memory. The memory is available with 70, 80, or 100 ns access times. Infinity Machines fitted with 50 or 33 MHz CPU's should use 70 ns RAM, 25 or 20 MHz systems should use 80 ns chips. A 16 MHz 68000 or 68030 can use 100 ns modules. Picomegs modules include a custom logic device t oenable correct operation of the system. For maximum efficiency, the PM should be installed as interleaved RAM. This requires a minimum of 2 modules each with 1 meg RAM. The IM can be used as a stand-alone external memory module. 2. 128k static controlled RAM cache. The MAST controlled cache is an area of high-speed static RAM located outside the normal Amiga address space. It uses memoruy with a 25 ns access time and is designed so that there is no logic delay between the CPU and RAM. Because the 68030 has its own caching facility, we felt it pointless to complicate the logic of the Infinity with a secoind external cache. The controlled cache is an area of memory dedicated to high-speed operations. Most programs have only certain areas where speed is essential- that part of the code can now be written to run in the controlled cache, where it won't be subject to flushing or the hit-and-miss process of a standard cache. This memory is outside the normal Amiga Autoconfig space. Logic on the IM permits any program to interrogate the availablilty of cache RAM. This system is also compatible with the multitasking environment of the Amiga. To facilitate software performance, a DMA system is designed into the IM allowing block transfers of data between dynamic working RAM and the controlled cache at a sustained rate of 64 Mb/sec. The MMU on board the 68030 has obvious benefits in this area. A software protocol for access to this memory is included in a ROM proivided withthe Controlled Cache Module. Microprocessor selection: While most users will be buying theIM for ultimate use as a 68030 system, MAST has designed ythe IM to operate with a 16 MHz 68000- this is provided in a special module that fits into the 68030 socket on the IM. Any of the currently available 68030 chips can be installeds in IM. The burst cache fill mode of the 68030 has been implemented in this design, and works with any dynamic RAM in the system (cache is not enabled for the Controlled Cache area). The interleaved memory provided for in this design is ideal for use with the 68030 cache - 70 ns RAM allows a 33 MHz CPU to load its cache with 16 Kb in 7 clock cycles. All CPU's run their rated speed - IM logic is independent of the slow clock speed of the Amiga. When the IM needs to access the Amiga chips or display RAM, autosyncing circuitry aligns the 2 clocks for smooth transfer of data. The 68000 inside the Amiga can be left in place - a switch on the IM selects between the CPU in the Amiga and that in the Infinity. Kickstart socket: A socket is provided inside the IM allowing a Kickstart ROM to be plugged in - great for A1000 owners! 32-bit Kickstart: Kickstart is automatically loladed into 32-bit memory, allowing this most frequently-accessed area of code to be executed as fast as possible. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wow, somebody made it to the end! Anyway, I know it's mostly ad hype, but I'd appreciate your comments on feasibility. Thanks. I'll avoid a signature for now. Bill Gribble - wgribble@hmcvax.claremont.edu.