virtual edge
Feature
Graphics
Hardware
Hints & Tips
Humor
Links
Archive
PREMIO Sites
Main Site
Support Site
FTP Site
Vol. 1/No. 2
04/27/1998
|
| |
Archive of
volume 1, number 2 dated 04/27/1998. Back to current issue.
|
FEATURE
Making the Break to IA-64
|
|
For the first time since the transition from 16 bit to 32 bit, Intel is now
making the break to a new 64 bit architecture.
Intel's first IA-64 (Intel Architecture-64) processor code-named Merced
will be arriving in the second half of 1999; Merced is being co-developed by
HP. But even with the arrival of Merced, Intel will continue to enhance their IA-32 processors--i.e.,
the Pentium II family (Celeron and Xeon) processors.
The Merced will introduce a new buzzword to the CPU world: EPIC, which
stands for Explicitly Parallel Instruction Computing. In order to maximize
a system's performance, it isn't enough to simply increase the processor's
raw clock speed.
IA-32 processors use dynamic branch prediction to "look ahead into the
future." Branch prediction means the CPU is constantly attempting to
anticipate the next instruction before it actually occurs. Add "dynamic"
to the equation and you have a processor that will analyze the
history of instruction flow and attempt to predict the next instruction.
But there's a limit, in terms of hardware, of how far the CPU can predict.
EPIC will attempt to overcome this barrier by embedding the possible branches into
each instruction set. The compiler will bundle this data along with
a set of instructions into a large packet known as a long instruction
word. With a little help from the compiler, the Merced will be able to arrange
instructions in the most efficient way.
Of course, it remains to be seen how fast the software industry (read Microsoft)
can transition to EPIC. The migration from 16 bit to 32 bit isn't completed
yet; there are still millions of Windows 3.x users out there. And even today's
Windows 95/98 is a hybrid 16/32 bit operating system. But Microsoft is
committed to supporting Merced in NT 5.0 when the processor debuts in 1999.
Back to top...
|
|
GRAPHICS
Next Generation 3D Boards
|
|
Last week's column covered the current 3D chipsets available in the
market today. As with any type of technology, what's coming up in the next
3-6 month is as important as what's available now. What really drives
today's PC technology? The gaming and entertainment industry.
3Dfx Voodoo Banshee - At long last, an integrated 2D/3D solution from the
undisputed leader in 3D graphics. Currently, the Voodoo2 is the PC's
fastest 3D accelerator bar none. But you still need to team the Voodoo2
with a 2D card. The Banshee will finally offer users a single card
solution with the best of both worlds. Banshee's arrival date is Q3/1998.
Matrox G200 - Matrox's Millennium IIs are great 2D performers.
But the Mil2 was sadly lacking in 3D performance and visual quality.
The Matrox G200 chipset plans to put an end to their poor 3D offering.
The G200 is a 128 bit processor that works in dual 64 bit data path. It's
already being call the Voodoo2 killer. Initial benchmarkings are backing
up G200's claims. G200's arrival is June/1998.
nVidia Riva TNT4 - The current Riva 128 chipset has screaming
performance at the expense of 3D quality. The Riva TNT4 will increase
performance and 3D visual appearance. nVidia claims the TNT4 will
outperform dual Voodoo2 in SLI configuration. I've gotta see it to
believe it. TNT4's arrival is Q3/1998.
Back to top...
|
|
HARDWARE
Intel's 440BX AGPset in Depth
|
|
The 440BX AGPset is the third generation Pentium II class chipset from
Intel. (The first and second generation being the 440FX PCIset and 440LX AGPset,
respectively.) Along with support for SDRAM (up to 1GB), AGP 2x at 133MHz, and UltraDMA/33,
the 440BX is the first chipset to support 100MHz memory bus speed. Pentium II
CPUs from 350MHz to 400MHz (currently) will be able to run at 100MHz memory
bus speed. One practical advantage of the 100MHz memory bus is that all
processor speeds, starting with 350MHz, will be increments of 50. CPU speeds
such as 233, 266, 333, etc. will be gone forever. Now we can have easy to
remember numbers such as 350, 400, 450, etc.
The increase from 66MHz to 100MHz memory bus will definitely help
overall system performance as CPU speeds are increasing by 50MHz
almost every four or five months now. There's a limitation in CPU speed in which the
memory bus becomes the bottleneck. Running the memory bus at 100MHz requires
a new type of SDRAM DIMM called PC100; typically, PC100 SDRAMs are rated at
8ns or faster.
The BX also have a new feature called Open Page Architecture (OPA). This
allows the Pentium II processor to leave "tabs" on virtual memory
page addresses. So instead of wasting valuable CPU cycles looking for
a specific memory page, OPA will allow the CPU to index the page immediately.
Intel claims this will net a 3-5% performance improvement for graphics
intensive applications.
Initially, the BX will be paired with the Intel PIIX4-E I/O controller.
(The PIIX4-E controller governs the system memory and I/O such as the
two USB ports and the UltraDMA/33 IDE ports.) Later on, this will be
changed to the PIIX6 controller, which will add support for Firewire or
IEEE 1394 and four USB ports.
Click here for the block diagram of the 440BX AGPset.
Back to top...
|
|
HINTS & TIPS
Using REGEDIT in Windows 95
|
|
One of the most powerful and dangerous utility that comes with Windows 95
is the registry editor (REGEDIT.EXE located in \windows). Unless
you know exactly what you are doing, it's always wise to
backup your registry before editing it.
You can launch REGEDIT by clicking on the Start button, go to Run, and
type in regedit. REGEDIT is useful because the majority of Windows 95
settings and system parameters are stored in the registry. If you have
a device that you simply can't remove from Device Manager, you can try
to manually delete it from the registry.
For example, PCI devices are enumerated in the registry at: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE /
Enum / PCI. You should see a listing of devices that reads
"VEN_xxxx&DEV..." Go through each device and simply delete it by
hitting the delete key.
Or did Windows 95 ever give you an error message about not able to
start filename.VXD during the bootup? And you've looked in the *.INI
and *.BAT files but can't find any reference to the driver? Chances
are it's in the registry. Launch REGEDIT and hit the F3 key for
find keyword and type in the filename.VXD. REGEDIT will find the
file for you, which you can then delete. Just make sure that it's
not a critical system driver like VMM32.VXD!
There's a lot more you can do with REGEDIT. The best way to learn is
to explore the registry at your own pace.
Back to top...
|
|
NEXT ISSUE
|
|
What are the differences between socket 7, super socket 7, slot 1, slot
2, and slot M? And an in depth look at the Pentium II family (Celeron,
Deschutes, and Xeon; what a family reunion!).
Back to top...
|
|
|
|
|
Please direct any comments or questions to Webmaster
Copyright © 1998 PREMIO Computer, Inc.
|