From: ghazi@wizofhoz.uucp (Ozzie)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.hardware
Subject: Re:  Vxl Ram*32 fpga question
Date: 11 Aug 1992 15:22:33 GMT
Organization: Not an Organization

In article <1933@kluge.fiu.edu> xnybpf01@serss0.fiu.edu (Brian P Feeny) writes:
>what the major differences between the CSA mega midget and the VXL*30 are?
>I have heard that the VXL is a piece of junk. Does it have an MMU, FPU,
>CoPrc or a provision for any of these?  Is it about the same compatibility
>as CSA's?  What are some pros/cons............thanks.

	The reason that the VXL gets knocked around is it got released
before it was fully available, it was almost a year from release to the
memory being available for it and there were a few problems associated with
compatability with other products. But that's also true of the MMR, you
will have a few compatability problems, mostly with CPU slot expansion
devices.
	Now that you can get the VXL30 complete and upgraded to it's V3
release, those early beefs just don't hold anymore. I was one of those very
pissed buyers who had to wait almost a year for the whole package. But now
that I have the whole package, am pleased with performance.
	It does have a socket for an FPU and an MMU is dependent on which
variety of 68030 you get, the EC is MMU-less(a bit less expensive) with the
RC having an MMU at a higher price(approx. 40-50 dollars more). The FPU or
co-proccessor can be either a 68881 or 68882, basicly you can use one at
any speed you can get your hands on and push it a bit if it's not fast
enough. I've got a 50 mhz 68030, a 33 mhz 68882, and have fooled around
with the CPU at 60 mhz and the 68882 at 50.
	The cons are basicly the same for both the MMR and VXL, some minor
problems associated with other products. The VXL can have a higher speed
68030 then the MMR, it's top end is the 38 special that uses a 33 mhz 68030
clocked at 38 mhz. Both can use a 50 mhz 68882, but a 50 mhz 68882 in the
PLCC package is not available yet. Of couse you can push the 25 or 33 mhz
one's to higher speeds. The MMR has been around a bit longer if you
consider time a pro.
	Other then those minor differences both the VXL and MMR are very
similar with the VXL being somewhat less expensive to get then an equally
configured MMR.

>   Also, how much 32 bit memory can you add to a VXL and where does it ad
>onto? (i.e. an exp. board, CPU, etc).  Also what is its ceiling.

	The VXL can have upto 8 megs of 32 bit memory added to a seperate
memory board that fits onto the main board, the main board goes into the
CPU socket with the original CPU going onto the VXL. This is the same
configuration as the MMR, except I'm not sure of it's ceiling, which I
think is the same as the VXL. Thus in 68030 mode you can have up to 17 megs
of total memory or 18 if you can manage to fit a 2 meg Agnus under the
MMR or VXL. Of course in 68000 mode you are still limited to 9 or 10 megs
of addressable memory. 
	Now as far as performance goes, I can only speak for the VXL. Using
a 50 mhz oscillator on the CPU and a 40 on the FPU, Cpu_Speed rates it at
21+ of a std Amiga, MIPS gives it a 3.5 mflop rating. I've only fooled
around with the 60/50 combo, but didn't run any benchmarks on it, but will
as soon as the thermocoolers I'm putting on are here. Didn't want to risk
overheating the thing so I only tried the 60/50 combo for a few minutes
while the 500 was disassembled, to see if it worked.

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