Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!uwm.edu!mrsvr.UUCP!positron.uucp!hallett
From: hallett@positron.uucp (Jeff Hallett x5163	)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: Answers to RAM SIMMs/IIci questions
Message-ID: <1076@mrsvr.UUCP>
Date: 28 Sep 89 16:39:12 GMT
References: <26707@dhw68k.cts.com> <8400168@m.cs.uiuc.edu>
Sender: news@mrsvr.UUCP
Reply-To: hallett@gemed.ge.com (Jeffrey A. Hallett (414) 548-5163)
Organization: GE Medical Systems, Milwaukee,  WI
Lines: 53

In article <8400168@m.cs.uiuc.edu> gillies@m.cs.uiuc.edu writes:
>
>Here are some IIci questions:
>
>If you buy a 1Mb IIci, and want to use the built-in video 8-bit video,
>
>(a) What is the CPU slowdown (%) due to cycle-stealing?

There really isn't much CPU slowdown according to Apple.  It's the
memory problems that kill you (see below).  Apple people are claiming
that the IIci using builtin video is still much faster than a IIcx
using a video card.

>(b) Isn't the resulting system memory (1Mb - 640*480 bytes)
>pathetically small?
>

Not too bad, ~690K.  However, you won't be able to run much (although it will
run FAST).  Apple recommends at least 4Mb RAM when using the builtin
video. Besides, you'll need 2Mb anyway to make good use of System 7.0.

>So doesn't that mean you must buy 2Mb of memory to use the built-in
>video?  I wonder if the built-in video is cost effective AT ALL on the
>IIci??  Or is it just a heck of a lot faster than any Nubus video
>cards on the market?
>

Well, for some off-the-cuff figures:
IIci with 8 bit color = $IICX_COST + 1500 + 400 + $MONITOR_COST
IIcx with 8 bit color = $IICX_COST + 1000       + $MONITOR_COST

(400 = 4Mb RAM, 1500 = base difference in retail cost, 1000 = cost of
RasterOps video board)

There isn't much of a difference and you still have 3 slots free and
somewhere around 40% speedup.  If you get some kind of discounts, the
difference drops slightly.  Even more, considering the cost of RAM
these days, most people will be getting additional RAM in their
machines anyway, lowering the difference further.


My questions pertain to functionality more than cost.  I was wondering
how locked in you are to using Apple's monitors with the builtin
video.  Theoretically, the NEC ColorSync has the same density and
refresh rate as the Apple 13" RGB HiRes monitor (according to
RasterOps).  Therefore, will the NEC monitor work on the builting
video?  Any Apple-types out there know?

--
	     Jeffrey A. Hallett, PET Software Engineering
      GE Medical Systems, W641, PO Box 414, Milwaukee, WI  53201
	    (414) 548-5163 : EMAIL -  hallett@gemed.ge.com
     "Your logic was impeccable Captain. We are in grave danger."