Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : Intel Corporation (INTC) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Paul Fiondella who wrote (40955)	11/22/1997 8:27:00 PM
From: StockMan	Respond to of 186894

PF, Re -- MediaGX includes a branch target buffer.. Show me the source which says this is true. All the rest of the stuff is present in the 486, without the graphics functions. I suggest you go over to the Cyrix thread, and find out relevant benchmarks and other data relating to the MediaGX, or go back to the posts around the time when the GX was first released for more information. This was already hashed out long ago. Once again too bad you were duped!! into buying a 486. Sucker!! Stockman

To: Paul Fiondella who wrote (40955)	11/22/1997 9:35:00 PM
From: Paul Engel	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 186894

Paul - Re: "Your assertions of a Cyrix 586 design in the MediaGX isn't correct" I believe those assertions are precisely correct - here's a product description from the Microprocessor Report & the Cyrix Designers. Note that the MediaGX name wasn't applied until this year. The supply voltage most likely has changed because the wafer manufacturing process has moved to a finer geometry process. By the way - these bare bone MediaGX systems - 166 or 180 MHz are selling for $324/$344 in the Valley here - looks like you got clipped paying more $200 (or more) for your stripped down version. Once again - bad timing for you! Paul {=======================================} Cyrix GX Slashes System Cost Highly Integrated 5x86 Processor Also Includes Multimedia Features See Original Article by Linley Gwennap Not content with offering chips that are simply software- and pin-compatible with Intel's, Cyrix unveiled at the recent Microprocessor Forum a bold effort to change the way PCs are designed. Cyrix architect Forrest Norrod explained that the forthcoming 5gx86 processor will eliminate the need for an external cache, DRAM controller, PCI interface, nearly the entire graphics subsystem, and various add-in cards--all without reducing performance. This GX version of today's 5x86 is a highly integrated x86 processor that connects to DRAM and a PCI bus directly. The direct DRAM interface, particularly with EDO memory, increases performance enough to eliminate the need for an external level-two cache. Using a unified memory architecture (UMA), the GX keeps the graphics frame buffer in main memory and performs graphics acceleration on chip; only an external RAMDAC chip is needed to drive the monitor. An innovative compression scheme reduces the bandwidth pressure found in more traditional UMA designs. The GX will also be the first product to include Cyrix's new virtual system architecture (VSA). These instruction-set extensions and design changes allow the CPU to emulate functions, such as Sound Blaster audio, normally performed by expensive add-in cards. This emulation is fully compatible with existing software. These extensions also improve performance on real-time tasks such as native signal processing (NSP). Cyrix plans to eventually incorporate VSA throughout its entire product line. Norrod said that his team is currently testing the initial silicon of the 5gx86. It is based on the current 5x86 (see MPR 7/10/95, p. 1) and should ship at 120 MHz. The company expects to introduce the new product in 1H96.