mark@umcp-cs.UUCP (10/16/83)
What seems to make the MassComp 500 fast is (a) a 4k cache on the cpu board, (b) a high speed buss along-side the massbuss for fast memory access. My guess would be that the cache makes all the difference. The cpu chip itself is a 10mhz 68000, with a helper 68000 for paging. The Unix seems to be a port, not a look-alike. The benchmarks from Masscomp make it vax-750-like, depending on the disk, etc. I wouldn't actually call this Vax-class since it is well below a 780, but it considerably better than a Sun. I haven't done my own benchmarks, however. They ARE shipping--around 100 machines are out there, if I remember right, including two right in my neighborhood. Don't have one myself yet, but I'm talking to them. I am very impressed by the packaging and hardware design of these folks. Their software seems solid as well, but I haven't looked at the code. The software people I have talked to knew their stuff. I consider the prices to be Sun competitive, and a lot better than a vax 750 if the benchmarks old up. They have a local sales organization in many areas, call them up and ask for information. Tell them Mark Weiser at the U. of Maryland sent you. -- spoken: mark weiser UUCP: {seismo,allegra,brl-bmd}!umcp-cs!mark CSNet: mark@umcp-cs ARPA: mark.umcp-cs@UDel-Relay