The Innovation Leap into the next Decade of AMIGA-Computing
68000 and then...
The 68060 processor represents the state-of-the-art performance peak of the 68k
processors currently used in the AMIGA; it is installed in such products as the
CyberstormMKII,
the BLIZZARD 1260 or the
BLIZZARD 2060 Even though this processor
features outstanding topical performance and is the No.1 choice for all Power users
seeking to expand and accelerate their system today, significant advance development
with this processor family is not possible, as the 68060 will be the last of the 68k
processors. Any increases of clock rates would only result in marginal capacity increases.
Sufficient power ultimately is the only option
The PowerPC-RISC-processors provide a way out of this dead-end road by bridging the gap between
the 68k processors and the AMIGA future. With their enormous power performance at favorable
prices and the innovative energies of the producers Motorola and IBM which are advancing
PowerPC architecture as alternative to conventional PC processors, the PowerPC processor
family provides the solution assuring AMIGA a position among the future high-performance
desktop workstations. And that's not all: by combining this new processor generation with
the AMIGA's unique features, this computer's performances in numerous specific applications
are fully developed and raised to new heights. A number of PowerPC models in various performance
classes already obtainable as well as a wide range of future models even more powerful in
addition offer the right processor for each application and price range. With a fast RISC
architecture and their high Floating-Point-Performance, the PowerPC processors today and in
the future are more than adequately equipped for the most demanding tasks in the sectors
multimedia, 3-D, image processing, video processing, rendering, and animation.
Hardware for the next millenium
In mid-1996, the PowerBoards marketed by phase 5 digital products will introduce two novel types
of PowerPC processors as new heart for the AMIGA: MPC603e-processors with clock rates of 100MHz
upwards will open new performance dimensions in the lower price bracket, while MPC604 processors
(also in the range above 100 MHz) will be installed in accelerator boards for professional utilization.
150MHz versions of these CPUs have already been announced for 1996. In addition, more
high-performance members of the PowerPC family including the genuine 64-bit processor
MPC620 with clock rates up to 300 MHz are being developed and will open new performance
dimensions in the near future. Next to utilization of PowerPC processors, the phase 5
PowerBoards naturally will also feature other state-of-the-art technical details. 64-bit memory
expansion options naturally are standard, just as much as a fast 64-bit local bus system (
with optional PCI-Bridge) which allows connection of both favorably-priced accessories and
high-performance expansions for the PowerBoards. The PowerBoards offered by phase 5 digital
products will be offered in a number of capacity categories and price brackets depending upon
theperformance category between approximately US$ 700 and US$ 1,500 initially for AMIGA 1200,
AMIGA 3000, and AMIGA 4000 - naturally with the outstanding quality, compatibility, and
flexible expansion options typical for phase 5 products. There is a wide variety of system
software described below as well as CyberGraphX 3.0 Native,
which is included in the phase 5 PowerBoard's scope of delivery.
The full program
The phase 5 digital products PowerUp program is concerned with development of a PowerPC solution
suited as complete and convenient upgrade of existing AMIGA systems based upon 68k technology.
In addition to development of high-performance hardware for various AMIGA computers, it thus also
encompasses adaptation to the new PowerPC processors. A team of experienced system programmers is
involved in realization of these necessary phases; it is developing an image of the Exec and
Multitasking function of the AMIGA-OS into PowerPC native code. This image - fully compatible
to the previous AMIGA Exec - as lowest level and supported by the superior 68k emulator will
allow utilization of the existing operation system versions 3.0 and higher. Native coding of
the important Exec and Multitasking functions will guarantee a high level of performance from
the very beginning. The remaining operation system functions are initially generated in the fully
compatible emulation and are optimized as required in following
versions via new function libraries on PowerPC native code.
CyberGraphX 3.0 Native
In order to avoid an essential performance bottleneck from the very beginning, a new version of
the popular CyberGraphX software will be developed in the scope of the PowerUp project. It will
be available as PowerPC native code and thus will considerably accelerate the entire graphical
output on graphic boards or also (a new feature for version 3.0 and higher) via the AA chipset
of the AMIGA 1200 and the AMIGA 4000. As the high demand on graphic output in today�s multimedia
applications requires a major share of the computer performance, this version of CyberGraphX
adapted to the PowerPC processors will immediately provide for massive performance increases
and a high utilization rate of the PowerPC processors' RISC performance. In addition, CyberGraphX
functionally will be expanded by new interfaces for 3D applications and multimedia allowing
utilization of a new generation of applications on the AMIGA. The availability of powerful 3D
routines and multimedia functions for audio and video independent from hardware will allow
software producers to generate programs at extremely low costs which are operable on a wide
variety of computer configurations. This considerably increases the system's attractivity
and will result in a record demand for high-quality applications and for games of the next
generation.
We are not alone
Already at commencement of the PowerUp project, a large number of leading software producers,
among these Almathera, Maxon Computer, ProDad, and Softwood, to name just a few, plans to actively
support the PowerUp project by adapting their high-performance programs to the new PowerPC processors.
The anticipated support by additional software producers will provide for a wide range of extremely
capable native software already at the time the PowerPC accelerator boards are introduced to the market.
In the scope of the PowerUp project, phase 5 digital products has already initiated far-reaching
measures to support software producers on the AMIGA market. Evaluation boards enabling software
development on the AMIGA under a PowerPC processor will already be available in early 1996 for
established and new commercial developers. Software tools and development systems are being prepared
by phase 5 digital products and partner companies. Commercial developers will be provided full support
by phase 5 digital products; development of strategical applications also is supported
in direct cooperation with Motorola.
Secure your investments
But what can today's AMIGA users do, who desperately need more power for their applications and
cannot or are unable to wait between six and eight months until the new processor board generation
is on the market? Here, too, phase 5 digital products has thought of its users' demands and therefore
offers appropriate upgrade solutions: all customers who have purchased a 68k acceleration board
from phase 5 digital products after September 1, 1995 will be made special upgrade offers for
purchasing one of the new PowerPC acceleration boards* upon submission of a copy of their retail
dealer's purchase receipt. A more extensive trade-in program is planned for owners of
higher-price-bracket 68060 boards, which will facilitate conversion to the PowerPC generation.
phase 5 thus already today provides the opportunity to utilize a 68k accelerator for required
additional performance and at the same time to invest into the future. We won't leave you out
in the cold.
*The upgrade program is available to all registered initial users who have purchased a
68k turbo board from the phase 5 production through authorized retailers or directly from
phase 5 digital products. Purchasers of used appliances are exempted from this offer.
