Amiga goes PowerPC
If you belong to the group of AMIGA-Users that have their eyes set on
tomorrow, we have good news for you. There is life after the 68000 for
the AMIGA.
Ever since it was founded phase 5 digital products has played a leading
role in innovative design of AMIGA products. In 1993 they created the
Fastlane Z3, the first Zorro-III-DMA controller and in 1994 they build the
Cyberstorm 060, the first 68060-board for AMIGA-systems world wide. In 1995
they created the CyberVision64 with its CyberGraphX-Software, together they
defined the new graphics standard for AMIGA-systems. They were also
responsible for the BLIZZARD-boards for the AMIGA 1200 , this board is
currently in its 4th generation and sets the standard for value and
performance. These successes were possible because of our experienced
development team, that has been working with the AMIGA ever since the
arrival of the legendary A1000 some 10 years ago. WIth the PowerUP-Program
phase 5 digital products brings all its knowledge together into one
sensational project, one with which in 1996 a new decisive innovative step
is taken into the next 10 years of AMIGA computing. The PowerPC-RISC
-processor will be the new heart of the AMIGA.
Life after the 68000...
The top of the current line of processors used in the AMIGA is the
68060-Processor, it is used in products like the Cyberstorm 060/50, the
Blizzard 1260 or the Blizzard 2060. Although this processor offers very
good performance, it is the best choice for Power-users that want to
upgrade their system at this time, further expansion with this line of
processors is not possible because the 68060 is the last in its series.
Even running the processors at higher clockspeeds will only provide
marginal improvement.
Only Power will help in the long run
They way out of this performance limit is the PowerPC-RISC-Processors that
will form the bridge from the 68k-Processors into the AMIGA future. With
its high performance, good pricetag and innovative capabilities of both
Motorola and IBM, who promote the PowerPC-architecture as an alternative
for the common PC-processor, the PowerPC-processor line brings the solution
that will give the AMIGA a position in the future as one of the most
powerfull desktop-workstations available. Even better; because of the
combination of this new generation of processors and the unique
capabilities of the AMIGA the performace of this computer can bring many
different applications into new heights. The various available and new to
come versions of the PowerPC will bring the right perfermance for the right
price for every user. With its fast RISC architecture and good floating
point performance the PowerPC-Processors are more than ready to take on the
most demanding tasks in the fiellds of Multimedia, 3D, Image processing.
Video editing, Rendering and animation.
Hardware for the next century
As new heart for the AMIGA the PowerBoards from phase 5 digital products
will be available halfway in 1996. Initially two types of
PowerPC-processors will be used. In the lower price range the
MP603e-processor with a clockrate of 100 MHz and upward will be employed.
In the proffessional high end boards the MPC604-processor also at 100 MHz
and upwards will be used. For 1996 both versions will be sold at up to 150
MHz. Apart from these two boards new board using even more powerfull
members of the PowerPC familly, right upto the real 64-Bit MPC620-processor
with clockrates of up to 300 MHz, are in development. In the, not to far,
future these will bring new levels of performance to the AMIGA. Apart from
using the PowerPC-processors the Powerboards from phase 5 will be equipped
with a variety of new technical developments. 64 Bit wide memory expansions
are as obvious as a fast 64-bit Local bus-system with an optional
PCI-bridge. These will guarantee good high performance expansion
possibilities for the Powerboards.
Powerboards from phase 5 will be available, according to performance, in
the price range from DM1000,- up to DM2000,-. They will be available for
the AMIGA 1200, AMIGA 3000 and the AMIGA 4000. They are delivered in the
usual phase 5 high quality and compatibility and will be delivered with an
extensive system software package and CyberGraphX 3.0 native.
A program overview
The PowerUP-program from phase 5 digital products has as goal the
development of a complete and trouble free upgrade for existing 68k-based
AMIGA-systems using a PowerPC solution. Apart from developing a powerfull
hardware solution for a variety of AMIGA-systems this also includes the
modification of the operating system for use with the new PowerPC
-processors. An experienced team of system programmers is working on these
neccesary modifications, these include the translation of the Exec- and
Multitasking routines into PowerPC native code. This code will work as
basis from which an overlaying 68k-emulator will run the existing operating
system from version 3.0 and upwards. Because of the native coding of vital
exec- and multitasking routines a high over-all system performance is
guarantueed. The other operating system functions will initially be run in
the fully compatible emulation, during the development of later versions
new function-libraries will be optimised in native PowerPC code.
CyberGraphX 3.0 Native
In order to deal with a major performance lag right from the beginning, a
new version of the well known CyberGraphX-software is developed for the
PowerUP-project. This package will be available in PowerPC native code and
will be responsible for the graphic control of GFX-cards and also - new in
version 3.0 - for the AGA-Chipset of the A1200 and A4000. Because of the
high demands of graphical output of todays multimedia applications on the
CPU power of a computer the PowerPC version of CyberGraphX guarantuee a big
rise in performance using the full capabilities of modern RISC PowerPC
-Processors. Further CyberGraphX will be expanded with a range of new
routines for 3D- and multimedia applications, these will allow for a whole
new generation of applications on the present AMIGA platform. The hardware
independent availability of powerfull 3D-routines and multimedia functions
for audio and video will allow Software producers to easily create programs
that will run on varius hardware configurations. This will have a positive
influence on the popularity of the AMIGA platform and will lead to a
Software Boom of unknown proportions in both the fields of serious
applications and games of a new generation.
We are not alone
Right from the start of the PowerUP-project a wide front of Software
developers, for instance Almathera (Photogenics), Maxon Computer, ProDad,
Softwood and many others, have been actively supporting the PowerUP project
through redesigning their applications for the new PowerPC-processors. With
the expected support of more widespread Software developers a large variety
of extremely powerfull applications, right from the start of the market
entrance of the Powerboards, is expected.
Combined with the PowerUP-project phase 5 digital products has taken
extensive measures to support software developers. Evaluation boards will
be available for commercial developers from the beginning of 1996 in order
to support the software development on AMIGA platforms using a PowerPC
-processor. Software tools and development systems are being prepared by
phase 5 digital products and partnerfirms. Commercial developers will get
total support from phase 5 digital products. The development of
strategically important applications will also be supported directly by
Motorola.
Investing in new technology
What should AMIGA-users do when they need more performance today, and can
not wait for six to eight months for the market entry of the new
PowerBoard-generation. Phase 5 has thought of these people and offers
fitting upgrade solutions. All customers that have bought a 68k-based
processor board of phase 5 after 01-09-1995 will get, on showing a copy of
their bill of puchase, special upgrade offers when purchasing a PowerPC
baser processor board (*). For owners of high cost 68060-boards an even
better trade-in-program is planned, this will make upgrading to the new
Powerboards even easier. This program will allow people that need more
power now to invest their money safely withouth having to worry about the
future. As you can see: we are here to serve.
(*) The upgrade program will be valid for all registred owners who have
purchased a 68k-Turbocard from the phase 5 series at an autorised dealer or
from phase 5 digital products directly; buyers of second hand processor
boards can not apply to this upgrade program.
All this just dreams of the future?
Yes, but for a future that is very close. This future is allready happening
today, it is supported by huge investments. The PowerUP program will result
in PowerPC-based processor boards for a variety of amiga systems. With the
innovative and powerfull capabilities of phase 5 digital products, in its
role as one of the leading developers in the AMIGA world, you have the
assurance that the latest and best technology will be available for your
AMIGA. When you, as a user, are interested, or if you as a developer want
to take the step into the future of PowerPC, contact us through the
available coupon. You will be presented immedeately with information
conserning the PowerUP program.
WHERE DO YOU WANT TO BE TOMORROW?
In der Au 27 61440 Oberursel
Telephone +Germany-(0)6171-583787
Techn.Hotline +Germany-(0)6171-583787
Fax +Germany-(0)6171-583787
Information dated October 1995
Any changes concerning price, technology or supply is possible.
Amiga is a trademark of VISCopr INC.
PowerPC is a trademark of the IBM corporation.
All other used brands are trademarks of various other corporations.
Translated by LazaruZ, Thank you Erik.
Webpage Design by Bahman Moallem / CTools. Last Modified 1-Aug-96.
For comments, suggestions, questions E-Mail me at: bamo@algonet.se