MIPS for next Amiga

[ElPolloDiabl]

Here is the MIPS creator. If you don't like ARM we could port to this one instead.

http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/195369-mips-creator-ci20-the-raspberry-pi-competitor-that-isnt

I'm going go read the specs of the MIPS. It is 1.2 GHz dual core. 1GB RAM and will cost $65

[ElPolloDiabl]

Here is another link with specs. Sorry it is in little endian by default.

http://elinux.org/CI20_Hardware#Tech_Spec_overview

edit: Would it be worth it to ask for a big Endian version?

[biggun]

Just use a faster 68K and Bob is your uncle.

[psxphill]

edit: Would it be worth it to ask for a big Endian version?

A lot of MIPS processors (but not all) can run user programs in big endian mode by setting the RE bit in the COP0 Status register. It would be interesting to see whether this one supported it.

Some can also be configured with a pin on the CPU. It would require a hardware change and all the software would need recompiling and flashing (and maybe even modification).

[TeamBlackFox]

I prefer MIPS to ARM for sure, because the assembler is much easier to understand and keep track of, the addressing modes are simpler and more flexible, and I love SGI hardware too. Since IRIX runs Big Endian too, there is little chance this board would be of any use, let alone the fact that IRIX is not source available or free.

MIPS is also quite fast for its clock speeds, but here RAM may be a limiter.

[guest11527]

Another dead hardware platform to support? What comes next? AmigaOs on SPARC? Come on...

[billt]

Mips is still very much in use, buried deeply into embedded systems where you don't know or care what CPU it is. It doesn't have the mass-market brand appeal that ARM has. ARM has potential for "desktop" compute platforms in that there are high-performance parts planned and coming soon, with desktop style connectivity involved. I'm not aware of anything MIPS like that. (If anyone does, I'd be interested in learning) MIPS would still leave us mostly in hardware limbo, as there are not desktop boards or laptops being made that we could make use of.

IMHO, if AmigaOS moves away from PPC, there are only two destinations that make sense. Either x86-64 or ARM64. Due to the availability of hardware that makes sense for those available or coming...

[mingle]

Another dead hardware platform to support? What comes next? AmigaOs on SPARC? Come on...

You beat me to it!

But at least we'll have even more security through obscurity! :-)

[vxm]

A SPARC Powered by AmigaOS !?
Ok, now I understand what means Amiga Everywhere.

[takemehomegrandma]

MIPS as a post-PPC "Amiga NG" architecture would be even more insane than staying with PPC...

[agami]

MIPS as a post-PPC "Amiga NG" architecture would be even more insane than staying with PPC...

Not sure how your logic works; At worst I would say it is equally insane. And at best it is less insane and a bit more commercially practical than PPC.

The problems with PPC as a business started a long time ago. When the captain of the ship goes mad and is repeatedly making questionable choices, those who can swim jump ship. In this scenario the mad captain is IBM, and those who couldn't swim earlier are learning how to, fast.

I was always a big fan of the Power and PowerPC architecture. And I am a fan of the MIPS and the SPARC architecture. But most people don't give a flying f#@% about microprocessor architecture, and when they see someone like me geek out over these things they think Loco! :crazy:

We've all seen Morphos' roadmap and their plans to eventually move off of PowerPC, and if some day in the not too distant future A-Eon with or without Hyperion decide to move away from PPC the likely choices would be either ARM or x86. But if those two where not an option, MIPS gets my vote. I've said as much, multiple times.

[agami]

Anyone interested on what the Chinese are doing with MIPS please check out

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loongson

[Fransexy_]

Mips is still very much in use, buried deeply into embedded systems where you don't know or care what CPU it is. It doesn't have the mass-market brand appeal that ARM has. ARM has potential for "desktop" compute platforms in that there are high-performance parts planned and coming soon, with desktop style connectivity involved. I'm not aware of anything MIPS like that. (If anyone does, I'd be interested in learning) MIPS would still leave us mostly in hardware limbo, as there are not desktop boards or laptops being made that we could make use of.

IMHO, if AmigaOS moves away from PPC, there are only two destinations that make sense. Either x86-64 or ARM64. Due to the availability of hardware that makes sense for those available or coming...

Desktop motheboards:

http://mattst88.com/blog/2010/11/12/The_Loongson_3A_%28Godson_3A%29_looks_nice!/

Notebooks:

http://www.technogog.com/review/alpha-400-mips-400mhz-128mb-1gb-7-linux-ultralite-note/

http://www.amazon.com/Screen-Lemote-Yeeloong-8101_B-Netbook/dp/B005XH10NQ

http://technologer.net/2009/05/15/iunika-gyy-netbook-is-low-in-specs-but-solar-powered/

That only in a 1 minute google search; if you search more in deep sure you find more

[ElPolloDiabl]

I searched "mips 64" and I did find one big endian board that runs Debian.

Broadcom BCM91250A: 800mhz dual core

http://mattst88.com/computers/bcm91250a/

There is not a lot of software support. I'll check back in few months.

[yssing]

Why?

Maybe AROS can be made to run on a MIPS based mobo, but what would be the reason?