JP,
Ya done good!
CHROME (as I understand it) in the 'new' display complex. It will replace the MMX as such, and add more instructions to the CPU. Right now, the 200MMK is 'balls out' on 'video', ie. - effectively out of 'real time' (at 30fps * # of pixels [mine is 1200 x 1600 = 1,920,000] = 57,600,000 instructions just to write 1 pixel. This means that the total instruction set, if it were 3 per pixel would require 172,000,000 'clicks' of your 180,000,000 clock just for display! The other 8,000,000 'click' for all of the rest of the computer functions! NOT ENOUGH! (Of course, real video doesn't support 1200 x 1600 yet!) Now CHROME is supposed to relieve that CPU load. (I am not saying that there haven't been some really innovative ways of saving cycles, like painting the screen with 'background' and just changing the pixels that need to be changed! That is 'good' programming!)
As for programming a machine to 'its fullest potential', you are correct! There are very few programmers who write 'machine code' any more, and that is really the 'fastest'! Nobody, save Bill Gates, could afford this!
1 - $100,000 machine to replace the $2,500,000 machine!
I wasn't 'trashing you' on the JIT model, just that the implementation by any of the other makers will be very difficult and still maintain the 'channel' concept. Actually the model CAN'T BLOW UP as it is the great way to deliver 'any product' that will fit this model!
In re-reading:
I bought a P166 in July of 1996, I wish that I had the MMX - and not for the games, but 'quicker' display presentations. There are some ~50 new instructions in the MMX which were developed to allow the cpu load to be reduced! ( I don't play 'games' [except free-cell], but my internet screens could be quicker!)
Regards,
Ken |
