Tench,
Pardon your confusion and maybe my lack of explanation. Here is
a short overview. The initial 21264 was fabbed/designed for
.35 micron. This process is known as EV6. The shrink to .28 micron
(of the 21264) is known as EV67. The 21164 is shrinking also, this
part is known as EV57. Formerly Digital used to place an "A"
designator at the end to give a visual. So if someone said
21164A , we know that is the EV56 aka the .35 shrink of 21164
(21164 started at .5).
<Costs 1/5 the price (ideal at the "low-end" $2000-$5000 point)>
I'm sorry, but I think this is pure bull.
Gotta watch it. I suppose we all like to puff up a bit, but I
believe your unfamiliarity with all the parts make it a little
difficult on your end. What is the EV68? It is the .18 micron
shrink of 21264. More than just a shrink.
Now what is the 21364? Well here.. this does a much more
succinct job:
digital.com
Notice there isn't a one to one mapping? EV7 is .18 micron.
Notice something else there... here is a BIG clue. Today, you can
pick up a decent Alpha with a 533 MHz 21164 (EV67, formerly known
as the 21164A) for $1400:
dcginc.com
The fact the EV68 is at the same level is no mistake. So when
I talk about $2000-$5000 EV68 workstations that will blow Merced
away or are a "Merced Killer", I am actually sandbagging QUITE
a bit ;-). Sorry for the sandbag, well not really.
<What's that $2000-$5000 price point supposed to mean? Low-end 21364
systems? Give me a break. That means Compaq will be selling those Alpha
processors at Pentium III levels, which is ridiculous for such a low-volume product.>
Don't be so harsh. You need to go back out and learn quite
a bit more about Alpha and then compare that to Merced vapor.
At Pentium levels, oooohhhh Merced DOES have a NASTY marketing
and positioning problem. I suppose the lemmings will still enjoy
it!!!
EV68 is the key part, it will be more than fun to watch EV68 boxes
shipping around the first of the year and hear a whole host of
Merced Futures and blather about $10000 Merced workstations, etc.
etc. etc.
Oh, one other point worth returning to. Linley "Merced" Gwennap
may think that 21364 is late 2000, but he is off the mark there.
21364 is a "done deal."
<Come on, Rob, Alpha 21364 may be a lot of things, but one thing it isn't going to be
is cheap.>
It doesn't have to be cheap, but it will be cheaper than Merced
by quite a bit. And I would suppose you might be able to figure
a much better server and workstation part. But then again.... that
may be a BAD assumption on my part. I had thought as an Intel
Server guy, you might understand the competition.. but I guess
they only let in a little light where you are at . . . |
