Researchers at Bath University have switched personal computer accelerator boards from a Transputer-based board to an 80860 one, saying that the 80860 not only outperforms a single T800 by a factor of 10, but is better to use one 80860 than put 10 T800s together because there is no efficiency loss. The 80860 RISC processor was originally developed as a coprocessor, particularly for graphics workstations. Those already using the chip include Hewlett-Packard, IBM and Sun Microsystems. They typically employ it as an add-in board or as a graphic workhorse co-processor – it has an in-built three dimensional unit. Backing up the Unix perception, Intel has now formally released a Unix System V.4 platform reference design aimed at OEM workstation manufacturers using the 80860. But Microway, of Kingston, Surrey, dispute the Unix slant, saying that sales of its personal computer add-in boards have been around 90% in the MS-DOS market, the remaining 10% being Unix. OS/2 sales have been negligible. Microway’s Number Smasher-860 personal computer add-in board was developed by the Bath University scientists while looking for a Transputer replacement. Microway reckons software for next phase of Intel’s offerings for the chip will come down not from the Alliant workstation environment, but from the personal computer market.
