Subject: Re: RPXLite 823 PCMCIA troubles

From: Dan Malek <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 01 Dec 1999 12:21:37 -0500

Alan Mimms wrote:

> This issue probably is nearly moot on the nearly non-superscalar (dumb as a rock)
> 8xx processors, but is MUCH more important (i.e., VITAL) on the 82xx processors
> with the 603ish core and on all "real" PowerPC processors.

In defense of the 8xx, it isn't as dumb as some people believe.
It is a PPC core that performs a number of performance enhancements,
including branch folding and speculative loads.  Not to the extent
of a superscalar (and the 603 isn't a shining star compared to
other PPCs, either), but they still happen and you have to be
careful of them just like any other PPC.

Designing a system using a "it doesn't happen as often" requirement
is a very poor engineering practice.

	-- Dan

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