| |
WEITEK announces 80 MHz SPARC CPU upgrade
Robert Plamondon Jul 08 1993, 02:49 am
WEITEK announces 80 MHz SPARC CPU upgrade
WEITEK Corporation has announced the SPARC Power uP(TM), an 80 MHz SPARC processor upgrade for
SPARCstation 2, SPARCstation IPX, and compatible systems.
A pin-for-pin replacement for existing processors, the 80 MHz SPARC Power uP uses clock-doubling
technology, dual on-chip caches, and an advanced floating-point unit to increase the application
performance of existing SPARC-based workstations by 1.4x-1.9x.
SPARC Power uP has been endorsed by Sun and certified as SPARC Compliant(TM) by SPARC International.
INSTALLATION. Installation involves removing the system's existing processor and replacing it with
Weitek's SPARC Power uP chip. Weitek includes a unique chip insertion/extraction tool with the processor,
allowing first-time installers to upgrade their systems in 15-30 minutes. SPARC Power uP is 100% compatible
with the processor it replaces, meaning that the upgraded system boots and runs at its new higher speed
without kernel modification, software patches, or reconfiguration of any kind.
TEST SPARC 2/IPX SPARC POWER uP SPEEDUP
-------------------------------------------------------
SPECint92 21.4 32.2 1.5x
SPECfp92 21.8 31.1 1.4x
Peak MIPS 40 80 2.0x
Peak MFLOPS 13.7 33.3 2.4x
Tests on applications such as Allegro, Compose, Dracula, Verilog, Intergraph, Interleaf, WingZ,
Synopsis, and NASTRAN all show speedup in the 1.4x-1.9x range.
TECHNOLOGY. The SPARC Power uP is a 1.8-million transistor IC, built with an advanced triple-layer-metal
0.8 micron process. It builds on Weitek's long experience as an independent developer of SPARC processors.
(Weitek's current SPARC products include an integrated IU/FPU, four FPUs, and an integrated graphics
controller.)
PLATFORMS. The SPARC Power uP replaces the IU or CPU in the SPARCstation 2, SPARCstation IPX, and
compatible systems.
SPARCstation 1 and 1+ systems can also be upgraded inexpensively through a dual upgrade by (1) replacing
the existing motherboard with a SPARCstation 2 or compatible motherboard, and (2) upgrading the new
motherboard with SPARC Power uP. Refurbished Sun motherboards and new "clone" boards are readily available
at surprisingly low prices.
PRICING AND AVAILABILITY. Priced at $1,500 each, production quantities are expected to be available
within 90 days.
ORDERING. Orders are being taken now. Users in the US can order the part directly from Weitek at
(408)738-8400. International sales are being handled by distributors.
FOR MORE INFORMATION. To have HARD-COPY information sent to you, send e-mail (or use the "reply"
command of your newsreader) to:
cpu_upgrade@weitek.com.
(Remember to include your name, address, and phone number.) For the same information sent via FAX,
call our FAX-BACK number: (800) 827-8708 (U.S. only). Or call or write to:
WEITEK Corporation, 1060 E. Arques Ave., Sunnyvale CA 94086
Telephone: (408) 738-8400
###
SPARC is a registered trademark of SPARC International, Inc.
All SPARC trademarks, including SPARC International and SPARC Compliant are registered trademarks of SPARC International.
SPARCstation is a trademark of SPARC International licensed exclusively to Sun Microsystems, Inc.
SPARC Power is a trademark of SPARC International licensed exclusively to Weitek.
Products bearing the SPARC trademark are based on an architecture developed by Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Sun and Sun Microsystems are registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc.
IPX is a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Weitek is a registered trademark of Weitek Corporation.
|
|
