Is PowerVR chip (used in Dreamcast) a good one?

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AmiDelf wrote:
This project ittends to be open as much as possible. Amigans will be forming it tougether.

Whats choosen is:
- PowerVR custom based motherboard replacing AGA
- PPC will be used
- USB Amiga keyboards

More to come.



Regards,
Michal, www.amigaworld.org

What design requirement requres the PPC? a MIPS would be nicer, but expensive, why not go with a bottom end Athlon64 (cheap, 64bit, widely supported and uses Hypertransport busses!)

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as we all know how amiga and mac and pc acts under optical usb mouse etc, even on a 3ghz x86 , its slowing everything down!..

eh? What?

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AmiDelf wrote:
I actually agree with you there. Could be a great and new marked, for those wich wants to buy a great computer from the start.

Lets say that:
Amiga 6000 became the next-generation Amiga
AmiCast or something for a next-gen game console

That would be nice! I am sure of it!

Regards,
Michal, www.amigaworld.org

But why did you choose the PPC? I don't understand how it fits your needs!!

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downix wrote:
USB == great way to turn that 3Ghz computer into a 200Mhz computer.

I hope you can back that claim up! My 3Ghz machine is not affected by the chain of USB devices and Hubs pluged into it!!

PS/2 ports are dedicated interfaces, and can be given Amiga-like control capabilities.  To do the same with USB takes a *lot* of glue logic, upping the price.

but every computer has to have at least USB 1.1 now, since 99% of all equipment uses it, and with good reason.

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AmiDelf wrote:

Yes indeed. Dreamcast is powerfull thanks to its PowerVR chip. A Amiga with it, would blow lots of minds. With 512MB DDR RAM and 600MHz G3 PPC cpu and AmigaOS4. This Amiga 6000 could be "the" ultimate entertaining computer.

I will update everyone on how it all goes with this project.

Regards,
Michal, www.amigaworld.org

Why did you choose the PPC?
Why did you choose the PPC?
Why did you choose the PPC?
Why did you choose the PPC?
Why did you choose the PPC?
Why did you choose the PPC?
Why did you choose the PPC?
Why did you choose the PPC?
Why did you choose the PPC?

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minator wrote:

Why did you choose the PPC?

Why did you choose the PPC?

Why did you choose the PPC?

Why did you choose the PPC?

I, I, I, Th - Th - Think (damn, it's catching...)

I think they don't have much of a choice.
AROS may run on x86 but on PPC they also have the choice of MorphOS and AOS 4.

Also x86 being so big also has a big disadvantage for a project like this, This will be done in very small numbers unless they find someone with pots of money to help out.  If they have a support question that needs answering where do you think AMD or Intel are going to put it in thier list of priorities?

PPC is sold into embedded markets and this ranges from millions of units down to hundreds (handled by resellers), you're more likely to get better support from someone who already deals in small numbers.

Also PPC is much lower power so is a much better bet for something portable.  In this respect Kyro II is a good deal as it has just been licensed for Phones chipsets by Samsung.

Who said anything about x86? :-)

I just don't get the point of a THIRD PPC mobo... we have two already! Why doesn't Amidelf dream something more interesting. :-?

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HopperJF wrote:
I think some of you need to realise that the aim of this project is to build a new AMIGA computer.
First of all ask yourselves what is the hardware best known for the AMIGA computer? It is a machine using custom chips based on Motorola 68k series processors.
That was years ago you might say.
Well ask yourselves what is the next natural step up from the 68k family? It is the PPC range of processors.
So just like AAA was going to be the next step up from AGA, the Amiga 6000 will be next proper step up from the Amiga 4000, equipped with the next natural processor; the PPC.
I don't see why the PPC should be a 600MHz G3.
For starters, when you are involved with the Apple Community like me, you realise that Amiga is still a fair bit behind, even with the likes of AmigaOne.
With the G5 now released, the G3 only has a short bit of life ahead of it before G4 is the new low end processor and G5 for everything else. I think some sort of G4 would be a good low end spec, say for example, an 800MHz G4? Maybe 1GHz.. as it will take time for it to be made and released, by which time a 600MHz G3 will be an antique near enough.

You don't know your history... The Natural Step from the 68k is the HP PA_RISC, That CPU was going to become the next Amiga.

So if you really wanted to "Follow The Amiga Spirit" then you would have to use an Itanic CPU...

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AmiDelf wrote:
The reason for choosing G3 now,is because its the cheapest choice. Start with simple, then if people like it, go on.

Offcourse when this Amiga (if ever) getting released. It will be in 2-3 years time. Then G3 will be outdated, but if it would be possible to come up with a G3 prototype that works arround Christmas time this year. Would be nice,.. and it would be even better if the final version of AmigaOS4 would be out then as well.

Regards,
Michal, www.amigaworld.org

I really don't get this at all!!! IF you HAVE to go with the PPC (for some reason), then just use a PegII or an A1... don't bother reinventing the wheel for a fouth time!! Just stick a KryoII GFX card in one of those and you have your new machine!!!!!

Spend your time making a PCI-ZorroII/III bridge instead.

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AmiDelf wrote:
Maybe this new Amiga could have Dreamcast game compatibility. More on this project will come

Regards,
Michal, www.amigaworld.org

Then why not port AROS to the Dream Cast... bingo your new amiga...