cac@iear.arts.rpi.edu (Christopher A. Cox) (06/13/91)
I have acquired this 3b1 and opened it up (I tear everything I get a part to see what's in it) and I see a chip labelled as stated in the subject line: WE 882A*5. It's just below the modem part of the board and has 40 pins, all of which are gold plated. Is this the math coprocessor I hear mumblings about? Perhaps from Weitek...I dunno how Weitek labels their stuff, but given the thing has the gold plating I think it's more than just a simple controller chip of some kind. Info appreciated... Thanks, Chris -- ---------- If you cut here you'd probably ruin your monitor ------------- Christopher A. Cox I think, therefore cac@iear.arts.rpi.edu I am confused.
dt@yenta.alb.nm.us (David B. Thomas) (06/13/91)
cac@iear.arts.rpi.edu (Christopher A. Cox) writes: > I have acquired this 3b1 and opened it up (I tear everything I >get a part to see what's in it) [...] >Is this the math coprocessor I hear mumblings about? Chris, you are definitely my kinda guy! I don't believe in pussyfooting around just because something "works". Hey! I'd rather break it, fix it, and understand it! Are you sure that chip doesn't say 822 rather than 882? In any case, that's the 1200 baud modem. I opened up an at&t external 1200 baud modem and found the exact same chip in it, and in fact, it did just as bad a job talking to my telebit (but that's another overworked thread). The 3b1 doesn't have provisions for a math coprocessor. While the topic has been brought up occasionally, it seems to be a pointless exercise. Apparently, CT did some experiments with a math coprocessor on the 3b1, and found the performance improvements to be marginal at best, and the increase in cost to be very significant. Sorry, I don't remember any more detail, but perhaps someone else recalls. little david ps -- ascii version of hard disk upgrade plans coming along nicely! I'll post soon according to Hofstadter's Law: It always takes longer than you expect, even when you take into account Hofstadter's Law. -- Unix is not your mother.