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a collection of messages sent at Atari from 1983 to 1992.

Hot Processor at Great Price!?

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Here is a message Tim sent me - sounds exciting. My comments follow...
From:	KIM::HUBBERSTEY    8-JAN-1991 12:15:46.26
To:	DOWNEND
Subj:	New 68000 development tools


I would like to suggest that we make sure any new tools will support some of
the new processors Motorola is planning. At least one of them, the 68EC020,
looks very interesting. The 68EC020 is a reduced cost version of the 68020 
(EC stands for Embedded Control) that reduces the address bus to 24 bits and
removes co-processor support so it can fit in a cheaper 100-pin package. It has
a maximum clock speed of 25MHz. It's availability is slated for 2nd quarter
this year (although who believes Motorola's release dates?) and is targetted
for $15 in our quantities. Given that we are currently paying $13 for 16MHz
68000s this sounds very interesting. 
			Tim

    ............................end of Tim's message......................
This is exciting and frustrating at the same time. I am pretty sure NONE
of the 68000/68010 emulators will support the 68020 processor. The jump from
16 to 32 bit data is too much for them. So what do you do? Wait for something
like the the 68EC020 to make it into our designs or buy new equipment now?
Sometimes any action is better than no action even it turns out to be
wrong in a year or two. In spite of the emulator problem, I would certainly
encourage new hardware designs to consider processors with the 
power/price ratio  offered by the 68EC020.  It should be approached as 
a choice for the whole department with the intention of standardizing
most future designs upon it.  Tim also mentioned a 683xx processor which
also offers greater speed while retaining much of the 68000 architecture.
New purchases should be evaluted in terms of supporting that processor as well.
Message 1 of 1

Jan 08, 1991