CompuServe Messages

> In this specific case, I was surprised > that the Motorola press release referenced VAX MIPS, but not the > Spec suite of benchmarks, which is generally what is used these > days for processor comparisons. Moto is normally very good about that kind of thing. I think they realize it's not up to the other CPU's out there. It's great against a 66Mhz Pentium but won't touch a 100Mhz P54C or an 80Mhz or 100Mhz 601. PowerPC604? They know it's not even in the same league! Did you also notice that Intel pushes MIPS in their press releases? I suspect that they both know that those numbers impress people. Intel at least is really feeling the heat from PowerPC. The 620 should come in at between 200 and 250 SPECint, Intel claims the P6 will be about 200 MIPS. At first glance the numbers seem similar (I had to do a double take!). Yet MIPS <> SPECint. "Microprocessor Report" claims P6 will be about 150 SPECint. That is why the CISC people use MIPS and VUPs! They know the RISC chips will dominate this decade, until something new comes along. MPP? Moto knows their only chance to compete with Pentium is the potential power offered by PowerPC. They see a once in a lifetime chance to change the world. I'm glad to see Intel in this position. I hope, at last, a _clean_ CPU design might be dominate. I really hated how the 68K was technicly better than an 80×86, yet did not sell well. —– Andrew